Fluid flow induced oscillating energy harvester with variable damping based upon oscillation amplitude

A fluid flow induced oscillating energy harvester comprising:

• a stand supporting the energy harvester and configured to support the energy harvester in a fluid flow;
• at least one bluff body extending from the stand configured to be positioned substantially perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow, wherein each bluff body is mounted for movement relative to the stand at least in a direction perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow, wherein sufficient fluid flow causes an oscillating movement of the bluff body relative to the stand;
• an electrical generator coupled to the at least one bluff body, wherein the electrical generator is configured to convert oscillating movement of the bluff body to electrical power, and wherein the electrical generator is configured such that a rate of electrical power generation per movement of the bluff body is varied throughout a range of amplitudes of the oscillation of the bluff body and wherein the rate of electrical power generation per movement of the bluff body of at least one amplitude of the oscillation of the bluff body is greater than the rate of electrical power generation per movement of the bluff body of at least one lower amplitude of the oscillation of the bluff body;
• and wherein the electrical generator converts oscillation of the at least one bluff body to rotation, and wherein the bluff body is extending from the stand in a cantilevered fashion.