Method And Apparatus For Mechanical Energy Harvesting Using Combined Magnetic And Microfluidic Energy Generation

Abstract

An energy harvesting system for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy uses an electrostatic arrangement based upon the interaction between conductive microfluidic droplets and dielectric-coated electrodes in combination with an electromagnetic arrangement based upon the interaction between magnetic elements and coils, with the two arrangements disposed in an interleaved configuration that provides a degree of synergy to the overall system in the form of providing spacings between adjacent elements and providing a bias voltage source for the electrostatic arrangement from the energy created by the electromagnetic arrangement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy comprising
 a channel formed as a tube and comprising a plurality of coils embedded within the material forming the tube such that the plurality of coils extends along a longitudinal axis of the tube; and   a chain formed of spaced-apart regions of magnetic material and disposed along a hollow longitudinal area within the tube with neighboring regions of magnetic material being of opposite polarity, the chain configured to slide within the channel upon the application of mechanical energy to create multiple alternations of an area of overlap between the regions of magnetic material and individual coils and thereby generate electromagnetic energy.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as defined in,  claim 1  wherein the chain further comprises a plurality of spacers disposed between neighboring regions of magnetic material to maintain a suitable spaced-apart relationship between the neighboring regions of magnetic material. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein the tube is formed of a material having a substantial degree of mechanical flexibility. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 3  wherein the chain further comprises a plurality of spacers disposed between neighboring regions of magnetic material to maintain a suitable spaced-apart relationship between the neighboring regions of magnetic material. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy comprising
 a channel formed as a tube and comprising a plurality of dielectric-coated electrodes embedded within the material forming the tube, the plurality of dielectric-coated electrodes disposed in a spaced-apart configuration along a lateral extent of the tube; and   a chain formed of spaced-apart microfluidic conductive droplets and disposed along a hollow longitudinal area within the tube, the chain configured to slide within the channel upon the application of mechanical energy to create multiple alternations of an area of overlap between the microfluidic conductive droplets and the spaced-apart dielectric-coated electrodes to create electrostatic energy in the presence of a bias voltage applied across opposing electrodes within the plurality of dielectric-coated electrodes.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 5  wherein the chain further comprises a plurality of spacer elements disposed therealong to create spaced-apart regions and form confined regions to retain the microfluidic conductive droplets. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 5  wherein the tube is formed of a material comprises a substantial degree of mechanical flexibility. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 7  wherein the chain further comprises a plurality of spacer elements disposed therealong to create spaced-apart regions and form confined regions to retain the microfluidic conductive droplets. 
     
     
         9 . A method of converting mechanical energy into electrical energy comprising:
 providing a chain of energy-producing elements in the form of magnetic elements disposed in a spaced-apart relationship, with neighboring magnetic elements being of opposite polarity;   providing a channel of energy-producing elements in the form of a plurality of coils;   inserting the chain through a central opening in the channel; and   using mechanical energy to translate the position of the chain with respect to the channel such that electromagnetic energy is created when the magnetic elements align and misalign with individual coils of the plurality of coils.   
     
     
         10 . A method of converting mechanical energy into electrical energy comprising:
 providing a chain of energy-producing elements in the form of microfluidic droplets disposed in a spaced-apart relationship;   providing a channel of energy-producing elements in the form of a plurality of dielectric-coated electrodes, the channel configured such that the dielectric-coated electrodes are disposed in a spaced-apart relationship along a lateral extent of the channel;   inserting the chain through a central opening in the channel; and   using mechanical energy to translate the position of the chain with respect to the channel such that electrostatic energy is created when the microfluidic droplets align and misalign with the plurality of dielectric-coated electrodes in the presence of a bias voltage across opposing electrodes.