Methods and apparatus for harvesting biomechanical energy

A method for harvesting energy from motion of a human or animal joint, the method comprising:

• providing a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy;
• mechanically coupling a human or other animal joint to the generator to transfer mechanical energy from the joint to the generator using a uni-directional torque transfer mechanism which transfers mechanical energy associated with the motion of the joint in a first direction to the generator and which decouples the transfer of mechanical energy associated with the motion of the joint in a second direction opposite the first direction from the generator;
• and
• electrically coupling the electrical energy output from the generator to a load.

An apparatus for harvesting energy from motion of a human or other animal joint, the apparatus comprising:

• a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy;
• a mechanical coupling for transferring mechanical energy associated with motion of a human or other animal joint to the generator;
• and
• an electrical coupling for transferring electrical energy output of the generator to a load;
• wherein the mechanical coupling comprises a mechanical rectifier connected such that motion of the joint in a first direction causes corresponding motion of an output component of the mechanical rectifier and the generator in a corresponding first direction and motion of the joint in a second direction opposed to the first direction causes corresponding motion of the output component of the mechanical rectifier and the generator in the corresponding first direction.