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US 2017/0324017 A1Published application
Athletic Activity Monitoring Device with Energy Capture
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsSummer Schneider, Vikram Malhotra, Marcus Ward, Jerry Wiant
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Aspects relate to an energy harvesting device adapted for use by an athlete while exercising. The device may utilize a mass of phase-change material to store heat energy, the stored heat energy subsequently converted into electrical energy by one or more thermoelectric generator modules. The energy harvesting device may be integrated into an item of clothing, and such that the mass of phase change material may store heat energy as the item of clothing is laundered.
Claims20
An energy harvesting device configured to be integrated into an item of clothing, comprising:
- an insulated container, comprising:
- a deformable outer membrane comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface being in contact with an external environment;
- a deformable inner membrane, spaced apart from the deformable outer membrane, having an outer surface and an inner surface and encapsulating a mass of phase change material within an inner cavity;
- and
- an outer cavity spaced between the deformable outer membrane and the deformable inner membrane;
- an outer heat exchanger coupled to the deformable outer membrane, comprising an outer surface exposed to the external environment, and an inner surface exposed to the outer cavity;
- and
- a thermoelectric generator, positioned within the inner cavity, the thermoelectric generator comprising an outer surface exposed to the outer cavity through the deformable inner membrane, and an inner surface, thermally-coupled to an inner heat exchanger,
- wherein the insulated container is configured to be deformed between an expanded configuration and a compressed configuration,
- wherein when in the expanded configuration, the inner surface of the outer heat exchanger is spaced apart from the outer surface of the thermoelectric generator,
- wherein when in the compressed configuration, the inner surface of the outer heat exchanger is positioned proximate to the outer surface of the thermoelectric generator, and
- wherein the mass of phase change material is configured to store a portion of heat energy captured during a dryer cycle as the item of clothing is laundered.
9 more elements
An energy harvesting device, comprising:
- an insulated container, comprising:
- a deformable outer membrane comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface being in contact with an external environment;
- a deformable inner membrane that encapsulates a mass of phase change material within an inner cavity, spaced apart from the deformable outer membrane, having an outer surface and an inner surface;
- and
- an outer cavity spaced between the deformable outer membrane and the deformable inner membrane;
- a thermoelectric generator, positioned within the inner cavity, the thermoelectric generator comprising an outer surface exposed to the outer cavity through the deformable inner membrane, and an inner surface, thermally-coupled to an inner heat exchanger,
- wherein the insulated container is configured to be deformed between an expanded configuration and a compressed configuration,
- wherein when in the expanded configuration, the inner surface of the deformable outer membrane is spaced apart from the outer surface of the thermoelectric generator,
- wherein when in the compressed configuration, the inner surface of the deformable outer membrane is moved proximate to the outer surface of the thermoelectric generator, and
- wherein the mass of phase change material is configured to store a portion of heat energy captured from air in the external environment.
7 more elements
An energy harvesting device, comprising:
- an insulated container, further comprising:
- an insulating material spaced between a deformable outer membrane and a deformable inner membrane, the deformable inner membrane encapsulating a mass of phase change material within an internal cavity;
- and
- a thermoelectric generator, positioned within the internal cavity, the thermoelectric generator comprising a first surface exposed to the insulating material through the deformable inner membrane, and a second surface exposed to the mass of phase change material;
- wherein the insulated container is configured to be deformed between an expanded configuration and a compressed configuration, and
- wherein the mass of phase change material is configured to store a portion of heat energy captured while the energy harvesting device is exposed to a high temperature environment.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.