# US 10,873,276 B2 · Apparatus and method for harvesting ambient energy by circuit reconfiguration > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,873,276 B2 - Document ID: US10873276B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/346,676 - Filed: 2017-11-17 - Published: 2019-09-12 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-18 - Assignees: University of Hawaii - Applicants: University of Hawaii - Inventors: Tianwei Ma; Jian Yu; Enze Ma - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10873276B2 ## CPC - H02N 1/08: with conductive charge carrier, i.e. capacitor machines - H02M 3/07: using capacitors charged and discharged alternately by semiconductor devices with control electrode {, e.g. charge pumps} - H02N: ELECTRIC MACHINES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P) ## Abstract Apparatuses and methods for harvesting ambient energy involve repeated circuit reconfiguration. An apparatus includes a primary charge storage device, a first secondary charge storage device, a second secondary charge storage device, and switching circuitry. The switching circuitry is configured to cyclically alter connection of the first and second secondary charge storage devices between a series state and a parallel state. First and second moveable electrically conductive elements may include electrically conductive liquid droplets of materials such as water or mercury. At least one of the primary storage device, the first secondary charge storage device, or the second secondary charge storage device includes a capacitance that varies in response to receipt of ambient energy. Concurrently altering relative capacitance and circuit configuration results in exponential growth of harvested energy. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for harvesting ambient energy, the apparatus comprising: a primary charge storage device; a first secondary charge storage device; a second secondary charge storage device; switching circuitry adapted to cyclically alter connection of the first and second secondary charge storage devices between a series state and a parallel state; wherein at least one of the primary storage device, the first secondary charge storage device, or the second secondary charge storage device comprises a capacitance that varies in response to receipt of ambient energy; wherein the apparatus is configured to accumulate, in the primary charge storage device, charge received from the first and second secondary charge storage devices when connected in the parallel state; and wherein the apparatus is configured to accumulate, in the first and second secondary charge storage devices when connected in the series state, charge received from the primary charge storage device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the primary charge storage device, the first secondary charge storage device, or the second secondary charge storage device comprises a capacitor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary charge storage device comprises a capacitance that varies in response to receipt of ambient energy. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first secondary charge storage device or the second secondary charge storage device comprises a capacitance that varies in response to receipt of ambient energy. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first secondary charge storage device and the second secondary charge storage device comprises a capacitance that varies in response to receipt of ambient energy. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the primary charge storage device, the first secondary charge storage device, and the second secondary charge storage device comprises a capacitance that varies in response to receipt of ambient energy. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein transition between the series state and the parallel state of the switching circuitry is responsive to an electrical signal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein transition between the series state and the parallel state of the switching circuitry is responsive to a non-electrical input. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the non-electrical input is derived from the ambient energy. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switching circuitry comprises first and second moveable electrically conductive elements. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first and second moveable electrically conductive elements comprise electrically conductive liquid droplets. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second moveable electrically conductive liquid droplets move in response to receipt of ambient energy. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the electrically conductive liquid droplets comprise water or mercury. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, being configured for harvesting ambient energy comprising mechanical or acoustic vibrations. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, being configured for harvesting ambient energy comprising thermal energy. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, being configured for harvesting ambient energy comprising electrochemical energy. ### Claim 17 A method for harvesting ambient energy utilizing a primary storage device, a first secondary charge storage device, and a second secondary charge storage device, the method comprising: altering, in response to receipt of ambient energy, relative capacitance between (i) the primary storage device and (ii) at least one of the first secondary charge storage device or the second secondary charge storage device, to increase capacitance of (i) the primary storage device relative to (ii) at least one of the first secondary charge storage device or the second secondary charge storage device; switching a connection between the first and second secondary charge storage devices from a parallel state to a series state; transferring charge in a first amount from the primary charge storage device to the first and second secondary charge storage devices; altering, in response to receipt of ambient energy, relative capacitance between (i) the primary storage device and (ii) at least one of the first secondary charge storage device or the second secondary charge storage device, to decrease capacitance of (i) the primary storage device relative to (ii) at least one of the first secondary charge storage device or the second secondary charge storage device; switching a connection between the first and second secondary charge storage devices from a series state to a parallel state; and transferring charge in a second amount from the first and second secondary charge storage devices to the primary charge storage device, wherein the second amount of charge is greater than the first amount of charge. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein: the altering of relative capacitance between (i) the primary charge storage device and (ii) at least one of the first secondary charge storage device or the second secondary charge storage device, to increase capacitance of (i) the primary storage device relative to (ii) at least one of the first secondary charge storage device or the second secondary charge storage device, comprises increasing capacitance of the primary charge storage device; and the altering of relative capacitance between (i) the primary storage device and (ii) at least one of the first secondary charge storage device or the second secondary charge storage device, to decrease capacitance of (i) the primary storage device relative to (ii) at least one of the first secondary charge storage device or the second secondary charge storage device, comprises decreasing capacitance of the primary charge storage device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein: the altering of relative capacitance between (i) the primary charge storage device and (ii) at least one of the first secondary charge storage device or the second secondary charge storage device, to increase capacitance of (i) the primary storage device relative to (ii) at least one of the first secondary charge storage device or the second secondary charge storage device, comprises decreasing capacitance of at least one of the first secondary charge storage device or the second secondary charge storage device; and the altering of relative capacitance between (i) the primary storage device and (ii) at least one of the first secondary charge storage device or the second secondary charge storage device, to decrease capacitance of (i) the primary storage device relative to (ii) at least one of the first secondary charge storage device or the second secondary charge storage device, comprises increasing capacitance of at least one of the first secondary charge storage device or the second secondary charge storage device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein: the altering of relative capacitance between (i) the primary charge storage device and (ii) at least one of the first secondary charge storage device or the second secondary charge storage device, to increase capacitance of (i) the primary storage device relative to (ii) at least one of the first secondary charge storage device or the second secondary charge storage device, comprises decreasing capacitance of both of the first secondary charge storage device and the second secondary charge storage device; and the altering of relative capacitance between (i) the primary storage device and (ii) at least one of the first secondary charge storage device or the second secondary charge storage device, to decrease capacitance of (i) the primary storage device relative to (ii) at least one of the first secondary charge storage device or the second secondary charge storage device, comprises increasing capacitance of both of the first secondary charge storage device and the second secondary charge storage device.