Self-burying sediment energy harvester
US9496577B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 5, 2014 |
| Grant date | Nov 15, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A self-burying microbial fuel cell can include a housing with conductive elements. An anode and cathode can be integrated into the housing at respective proximal and distal ends. A self-burying means for partially burying the microbial fuel cell in a submerged environment is included, so that the anode is buried but the cathode is exposed to the submerged environment can be included. The self-burying means can include omni-directional vibrating device located within the housing, a plurality of intake ports formed in the housing for a pump within the housing. The pump outputs into a longitudinal fluid conduit that extends through the housing and exits at the distal end of the housing. When the vibrating device activates at the same time as the pump, temporary slurry can be formed at the extreme distal end of the device, and the vibrating action causes the microbial fuel cell to become partially buried.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.