3D Energy Harvester/Damper System

Background

Energy harvesting is described as converting wasted energy into useful electrical energy. There a few methods for capturing vibrational kinetic energy into electrical energy using piezoelectric, electromagnetic, and electrostatic. Ambient vibration is usually in multi-directions however; all existing vibration energy harvesting systems can only capture energy in one single direction (dominant direction) while forgoing vibration in other directions. This leads to low efficiency and the lack of ability to generate meaningful energy level required for many applications. The only solution to this problem has been to deploy at least three energy harvesters (one for each axis), which complicates the system and adds to the cost of production and maintenance.

Description of the invention

University of Waterloo researchers have developed a novel vibration energy harvester technology that converts vibrational kinetic energy into electrical energy in multi directions using only a single energy harvesting component. The energy harvester can work in different orientation and angles and is also capable of working as a multi directional damper.

Specifications of the Waterloo developed multidirectional energy harvester:

• Type: Electromagnetic
• Maximum output power : 37 mW at 8Hz
• Operating Frequency range: tunable within 5 to 15 Hz
• Size (harvesting component): AA battery
• Power Density generated: 0.273  mW/cm³

Advantages

The invention eliminates the need for using several harvesters for harvesting multi directional vibration energy and only uses a single set which offers the advantage of reducing the system complication, volume, cost, and weight. This advantage also enables the Waterloo harvesting system to fit in tighter spaces which is preferred for most applications.

Potential applications

• General industry - wireless sensor networks monitoring the health/performance of vibrating machinery/ power transmission lines, etc.
• General industry - multidirectional damper
• Health - low power health monitoring devices
• Automotive - minimizing wire harness path for illumination (decorative lighting inside cabin or outside - over license plate)
• General consumer/ military - human motion energy capture for charging electronic devices
• Sports - athlete visibility