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US 10,517,441 B2Granted
Energy harvesting for dispensing system
AssigneeGOJO Industries, Inc.
InventorKeith Allen Pelfrey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dispensing system includes an electronic device. The dispensing system includes a thermoelectric generation device coupled to the electronic device. The thermoelectric generation device includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The thermoelectric generation device includes an output coupled to the third portion that provides electrical power to the electronic device. The electrical power provided to the electronic device is a function of current induced within the third portion. The current induced within the third portion is a function of a temperature differential between the first portion and the second portion.
Claims19
A dispensing system comprising:
- a housing defining a cavity, the housing attached to a surface, wherein the surface is not within the cavity;
- an electronic device disposed within the housing;
- and
- a thermoelectric generation device coupled to the electronic device, the thermoelectric generation device comprising:
- a first portion;
- a second portion;
- a third portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion;
- and
- an output coupled to the third portion and configured to provide electrical power to the electronic device, wherein the electrical power provided to the electronic device is a function of current induced within the third portion, wherein the current induced within the third portion is a function of a temperature differential between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the temperature differential between the first portion and the second portion is based upon a first temperature of the first portion and a second temperature of the second portion, wherein the first temperature is a function of a first influencing temperature of the surface to which the housing is attached and the second temperature is a function of a second influencing temperature within the cavity to which the second portion is exposed,
- wherein the housing comprises a wall that defines an opening through which at least some of the thermoelectric generation device extends.
7 more elements
A dispensing system comprising:
- a housing defining an opening, the housing attached to a surface and the opening facing the surface;
- a container, within which a material is contained and from which the material is dispensed, disposed within the housing;
- an electronic device disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the container, the electronic device configured to trigger a dispense event of at least some of the material from the container;
- and
- a thermoelectric generation device coupled to the electronic device, the thermoelectric generation device comprising:
- a first portion exposed to a first influencing temperature of the surface through the opening;
- a second portion;
- a third portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion;
- and
- an output coupled to the third portion and configured to provide electrical power to the electronic device, wherein the electrical power provided to the electronic device is a function of current induced within the third portion, wherein the current induced within the third portion is a function of a temperature differential between the first portion and the second portion.
7 more elements
A dispensing system comprising:
- a housing defining a cavity, the housing attached to a surface, wherein the surface is not within the cavity;
- an electronic device comprising a proximity sensor configured to sense a presence of a user;
- and
- a thermoelectric generation device coupled to the electronic device, the thermoelectric generation device comprising:
- a first portion attached to the surface;
- a second portion not attached to the surface;
- a third portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion;
- and
- an output coupled to the third portion and configured to provide electrical power to the electronic device such that the proximity sensor may sense the presence of the user, wherein the electrical power provided to the electronic device is a function of current induced within the third portion, wherein the current induced within the third portion is a function of a temperature differential between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the temperature differential between the first portion and the second portion is based upon a first temperature of the first portion and a second temperature of the second portion, wherein the first temperature is a function of a first influencing temperature of the surface to which the first portion is attached and the second temperature is a function of a second influencing temperature within the cavity to which the second portion is exposed.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.