Tunable apparatus for generating energy from a fluid flow induced movement of a surface structure relative to a frame with at least one adjustable frame portion
US9410527B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 2013 |
| Grant date | Aug 9, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 15, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/72
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tunable generator has a surface structure for contacting an exterior fluid flow relative to a base structure. The contacting surface structure also has an electrogenerative portion positioned relative to the contacting structure and the base structure. The electrogenerative portion is preferably a piezoelectric or electromagnetic structure, although other types of structures are known within the art. The contacting surface is mechanically coupled to portions of the base structure through one or more elastic elements. The various portions of the base structure can be positioned relative to other base structure portions to alter the elasticity of the system or the tensioning of the elastic elements. The field of flow exerts forces upon the contacting structure which causes movement in the contacting surface structure relative to the base structure through the electrogenerative portion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.