Energy harvesting methods and devices, and applications thereof

摘要

An apparatus harvests electrical power from mechanical energy. The apparatus includes first and second load-bearing structures, a plurality of magnetostrictive elements, and an electrical circuit or coil. The load-bearing structures experience a force from an external source. The magnetostrictive elements are arranged between the load-bearing structures. The load-bearing structures transfer at least a portion of the force to at least one of the magnetostrictive elements. In this way, at least one of the magnetostrictive elements experiences the force transferred from the load-bearing structures. The force on the magnetostrictive element causes a change in magnetic flux of the magnetostrictive element. The electrical circuit or coil is disposed within a vicinity of the magnetostrictive element which experiences the force. The electrical circuit or coil generates electric power in response to the change in the magnetic flux of the magnetostrictive element.

主权项

1. An apparatus for harvesting electrical power from mechanical energy, the apparatus comprising:
a first a load-bearing structure; a second load-bearing structure, wherein the first and second load-bearing structures are configured to experience a force from an external source; a plurality of magnetostrictive elements arranged between the first and second load-bearing structures, wherein at least one of the plurality of magnetostrictive elements is configured to experience the force transferred from the first and second load-bearing structures and to experience a change in magnetic flux in response to the force; and an electrical circuit or coil disposed within a vicinity of the at least one magnetostrictive element configured to experience the force, wherein the electrical circuit or coil is configured to generate electric power in response to the change in the magnetic flux of the at least one magnetostrictive element.