METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR HARVESTING BIOMECHANICAL ENERGY

摘要

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and control circuitry connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions are determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged.

主权项

1. An apparatus for harvesting energy from motion of one or more human or other animal joints, the apparatus comprising:
a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with the motion of the one or more joints; and a first coupling operatively connected between one or more joints and the generator for transferring mechanical energy associated with motion of the one or more joints to the generator; a second coupling operatively connected between the generator and a load for transferring electrical energy output of the generator to the load; control circuitry connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured, based on the one or more sensed characteristics, to disengage at least one of: the mechanical energy transfer of the first coupling; and the electrical energy transfer of the second coupling.