Patent · US Active

Ambient energy harvesting device with charge-carrying movable electrode

US10848079B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
0References
21Claims
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Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 29, 2017
Grant dateNov 24, 2020
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 3, 2037

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH02N1/08
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Systems, apparatuses and methods for harvesting ambient energy involve an electrically conductive charge-carrying movable electrode. An apparatus includes an electrically conductive charge-carrying electrode, a first dielectric interface region, a second dielectric interface region, and at least one reference electrode. The first and second dielectric interface regions differ in surface charge density. In certain aspects, the movable electrode moves proximate and relative to the first and second dielectric interface regions in response to receipt of ambient energy, thereby providing first and second capacitances. The first capacitance differs from the second capacitance, and/or the first surface charge density differs from the second surface charge density. Movement of the movable electrode in combination with the differing capacitances and/or charge densities results in energy accumulation, thereby enabling ambient energy to be harvested efficiently and effectively.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.