Magnetoelectric energy harvesting

摘要

An energy harvesting device for harvesting energy from a moving structure includes a housing allowing transmission of magnetic fields therethrough. A piezoelectric material capable of a phase transition and a magnetostrictive material capable of a structural change when subjected to a magnetic field are mechanically coupled to each other in the housing. An adjustable pre-stress means is positioned between the housing and the combination of the piezoelectric and magnetostrictive materials. Electrical contacts are positioned on the piezoelectric material. A magnet is mounted on the moving structure. The housing is mounted in sufficient proximity to the magnet for the magnetic field of the magnet to induce the structural change in the magnetostrictive material.

主权项

1. An energy harvesting device comprising:
a rigid housing having a hollow therein, said housing being capable of allowing the transmission of magnetic fields therethrough; a piezoelectric material capable of a phase transition positioned in said hollow of said rigid housing; a magnetostrictive material positioned to apply stress to said piezoelectric material in said hollow of said rigid housing; an adjustable pre-stress means positioned between said rigid housing and said piezoelectric material and magnetostrictive material combination to apply a pre-stress to said piezoelectric material and said magnetostrictive material combination; and electrical contacts positioned in contact with said piezoelectric material.