Energy harvester for converting motion to electricity using one or more multiple degree of freedom pendulums
US9520758B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 26, 2016 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 26, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF03G7/081
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An energy harvester system (EHS) for converting a multiple degree of freedom (MDF) pendulum motion into a rotational motion is provided. The EHS includes a pendulum, a pointing element, and motion control slots (MCSs) enclosed in an external housing. Ambient motion from the external housing generates a MDF pendulum motion in the pendulum. The pointing element is slidably positioned on a rod of the pendulum. The MCSs receive a connector that connects the pointing element to the rod of the pendulum and allow the connector to traverse the MCSs, thereby controlling slidable movement of the pointing element along with the pendulum. When the pendulum moves to first ends of the MCSs, the pointing element slides on the rod to allow a pointer of the pointing element to contact and rotate a gear, thereby converting the MDF pendulum motion into a rotational motion of the gear, which drives an electric generator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.