Apparatus for footwear-embedded mechanical energy harvesting system based on dual-loop channel

摘要

An energy harvesting apparatus is described that utilizes hydraulic actuation and creates a continuous, revolving motion of a chain of energy-producing elements within an energy-producing channel (the channel being in the form of a tube, for example). In particular, the arrangement of the present invention is based upon a specially-designed dual-loop channel topology that allows for efficient conversion of a unidirectional flow of a fluid entering the energy-producing channel into a smooth, continuous revolving motion of a chain of energy-producing elements within the channel.

主权项

1. An apparatus for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy utilizing an energy-producing chain passing within an energy-producing channel, the apparatus comprising
a dual-loop channel formed as a tube, each loop including an inlet port and an outlet port for allowing the passage of an inert fluid therethrough; a plurality of energy-producing elements surrounding at least a portion of the dual-loop channel; a chain of energy-producing elements disposed within the dual-loop channel, the chain comprising a flexible string with the energy-producing elements disposed therealong and affixed thereto such that the energy-producing elements cannot rotate around the flexible string or slide along the flexible string; a pair of flexible chambers, each flexible chamber containing a portion of the inert fluid and coupled between the inlet port and the outlet port of each loop of the dual-loop channel, the movement of the inert fluid between the pair of flexible chambers via the dual-loop channel being hydraulically activated in a controlled manner such that the chain of energy-producing elements moves in a continuous, revolving motion along the dual-loop chain in response to a mechanical compression of a flexible chamber; and a check valve configuration disposed between the pair of flexible chambers and coupled to the inlet and outlet ports of the dual-loop channel to create unidirectional flow of the inert fluid in a continuous manner between the pair of flexible chambers and the dual-loop channel so as to create electrical energy in a continuous manner.