Methods and apparatus for control of biomechanical energy harvesting
AssigneeBionic Power Inc.
InventorsClive Edward Mullins, Daniel Loren Hepler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus harvests energy from motion of a human or animal body segment and provides the energy to an electrical load. The apparatus comprises a generator operatively coupled to the body segment such that particular movement of the body segment causes the generator to output a generator current and to oppose the particular movement of the body segment with a generator torque. An electrical load is coupled to receive the generator current. A control system is operatively connected between the generator and the electrical load and is configured to control the generator torque during the particular movement of the body segment. The apparatus corresponds to various methods for controlling generator torque while harvesting energy.
Claims20
An apparatus for harvesting energy from motion of a human or animal body segment, the apparatus comprising:
- a generator operatively coupled to the body segment;
- a torque controller operatively coupled to the generator;
- and
- an electrical load coupled to the torque controller;
- wherein the torque controller is configured to:
- substantially continuously control a torque of the generator during a particular movement of the body segment by drawing, from the generator, a generator current that corresponds to a desired torque profile;
- provide, to the electrical load, a current that corresponds to the generator current;
- and
- oppose the particular movement of the body segment via said substantially continuously controlled torque of the generator.
A method for harvesting energy from motion of a human or animal body segment, the method comprising:
- operatively coupling a generator to the body segment
- operatively coupling a torque controller to the generator;
- and
- connecting an electrical load to the torque controller;
- and
- substantially continuously controlling a torque of the generator during a particular movement of the body segment by drawing, from the generator, a generator current that corresponds to a desired torque profile;
- providing, to the electrical load, a current that corresponds to the generator current;
- and
- opposing the particular movement of the body segment by said substantially continuously controlled torque of the generator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.