Mechanical energy harvesting utilizing liquid rotor homopolar generator
OwnerThomas Nikita Krupenkin, Joseph Ashley Taylorinventors
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Abstract
An apparatus providing mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion generates electrical current by moving a conductive fluid in the presence of magnetic field. The motion of the fluid is induced by a mechanical energy source and the generated electrical current is directed to a useful load. The proposed apparatus utilizes a conductive fluid as a “liquid rotor” has substantially different radial velocity distribution than the conventional, prior art solid rotor. The apparatus includes an inverter, controlled by the flow of the conductive fluid, to generate a train of pulses as an output, where the pulses are used by an associated transformer to provide an AC output voltage.
Claims6
A system for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy for powering a prosthetic device, the system comprising:
- a compression component for providing circulation of an included fluid upon the application of a force applied thereto;
- a mechanical energy harvesting apparatus coupled to the compression component through an inlet fluid channel and an outlet fluid channel, the apparatus comprising
- an electrical generator coupled to the inlet and outlet fluid channels for converting mechanical energy into a direct current output, the electrical generating comprising a cylindrical chamber for providing a circular flow of a conductive fluid and a magnetic circuit disposed to surround the cylindrical chamber such that the presence of a moving conductive fluid creates an electrical current;
- an inverter coupled to the electrical generator, the inverter configured to function as an on/off switch for converting the direct current output into a train of current pulses;
- and
- a step-up transformer including
- a primary coil coupled to the electrical generator and the inverter for providing a circuit path for the train of current pulses and
- a secondary coil for converting the train of current pulses into an AC output voltage of a predetermined voltage level, as a function of at least the number of turns forming the secondary coil;
- and
- prosthetic electronic and electromechanical components coupled to the secondary coil for using the AC output voltage to operate the prosthetic device.
A system for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy for powering an orthesis device, the system comprising:
- a compression component for providing circulation of an included fluid upon the application of a force applied thereto;
- a mechanical energy harvesting apparatus coupled to the compression component through an inlet fluid channel and an outlet fluid channel, the apparatus comprising
- an electrical generator coupled to the inlet and outlet fluid channels for converting mechanical energy into a direct current output, the electrical generating comprising a cylindrical chamber for providing a circular flow of a conductive fluid and a magnetic circuit disposed to surround the cylindrical chamber such that the presence of a moving conductive fluid creates an electrical current;
- an inverter coupled to the electrical generator, the inverter configured as an on/off switch for converting the direct current output into a train of current pulses;
- and
- a step-up transformer including
- a primary coil coupled to the electrical generator and the inverter for providing a circuit path for the train of current pulses and
- a secondary coil for converting the train of current pulses into an AC output voltage of a predetermined voltage level, as a function of at least the number of turns forming the secondary coil;
- and
- orthotic electronic and electromechanical components coupled to the secondary coil for using the AC output voltage to operate the orthesis device.
A footwear insole configuration for converting mechanical energy associated with human locomotion to electrical energy, the configuration comprising:
- a compression component, disposed within a heel region of the footwear insole, for providing circulation of an included fluid upon the application of a force applied thereto;
- a mechanical energy harvesting apparatus coupled to the compression component through an inlet fluid channel and an outlet fluid channel, the apparatus comprising
- an electrical generator coupled to the inlet and outlet fluid channels for converting mechanical energy into a direct current output, the electrical generating comprising a cylindrical chamber for providing a circular flow of a conductive fluid and a magnetic circuit disposed to surround the cylindrical chamber such that the presence of a moving conductive fluid creates an electrical current;
- an inverter coupled to the electrical generator, the inverter configured as an on/off switch for converting the direct current output into a train of current pulses;
- and
- a step-up transformer including
- a primary coil coupled to the electrical generator and the inverter for providing a circuit path for the train of current pulses and
- a secondary coil for converting the train of current pulses into an AC output voltage of a predetermined voltage level, as a function of at least the number of turns forming the secondary coil;
- and
- an electrical energy useful load coupled to the secondary coil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.