Fluid current energy capture apparatus and method
US8884496B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 25, 2011 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 7, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B10/30
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
One aspect of the present invention involves investigation of the principles and feasibility of the harvesting energy from the wind in constrained spaces, such as around buildings, as an alternative to conventional rotary wind turbines. Some embodiments involve the idea of harvesting energy from wind induced vibration instead of wind driven rotation. Some embodiments are a tree-like generator for wind energy harvesting including multiple vibrating elements. Some embodiments include a “piezo stalk and leaf” as an element of a plant-like generator. In some embodiments, a leaf, made at least in part from piezoelectric type materials is capable of generating electrical power through wind induced vibrations. Some embodiments include a cantilever piezo-electric material containing stalk member that exhibits at least one mode of cantilever motion. Some embodiments include an elongated piezoelectric material containing stalk member (which may or may not qualify as a cantilever), where a pendular member (or leaf member) is mechanically connected to the stalk and extends in a direction substantially non-parallel (for example, perpendicular to) the direction of elongation of the stalk.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.