Integrated energy generating damper

摘要

A linear energy harvesting device that includes a housing and a piston that moves at least partially through the housing when it is compressed or extended from a rest position. When the piston moves, hydraulic fluid is pressurized and drives a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor drives an electric generator that produces electricity. Both the motor and generator are central to the device housing. Exemplary configurations are disclosed such as monotube, twin-tube, tri-tube and rotary based designs that each incorporates an integrated energy harvesting apparatus. By varying the electrical characteristics on an internal generator, the kinematic characteristics of to the energy harvesting apparatus can be dynamically altered. In another mode, the apparatus can be used as an actuator to create linear movement. Applications include vehicle suspension systems (to act as the primary damper component), railcar bogie dampers, or industrial applications such as machinery dampers and wave energy harvesters, and electro-hydraulic actuators.

主权项

1. A device comprising:
a fluid filled housing; a piston head having a first side and a second side and adapted to be disposed in the fluid filled housing thereby being immersed in the fluid, the piston head and the housing defining a compression volume between the first side of the piston and the housing and an extension volume between the second side of the piston and the housing; a hydraulic motor/pump integrated with the piston head or the housing, wherein the hydraulic motor/pump has a first port in fluid communication with fluid adjacent the first side of the piston head and a second port in fluid communication with fluid adjacent the second side of the piston head, wherein the hydraulic motor/pump is a positive displacement hydraulic motor/pump; an electric generator/motor operatively coupled to the hydraulic motor/pump; and a controller operatively coupled to the electric generator/motor, wherein the controller controls a force provided by the electric generator/motor in response to at least one input, wherein the controller controls the force by controlling fluid flow through the hydraulic motor by controlling an electrical characteristic of the electric generator/motor.