Fluid flow induced oscillating energy harvester with variable damping based upon oscillation amplitude

摘要

An energy harvester including a stand supporting the energy harvester in a fluid flow, i.e. a stream or current; at least one bluff body extending from the stand and positioned substantially perpendicular to the fluid flow, wherein each bluff body moves relative to the stand at least in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow, wherein sufficient flow causes oscillating movement of the bluff body; and an electrical generator coupled to the stand and coupled to at least one bluff body converting the oscillating movement to electrical power, wherein the rate of electrical power generation per movement of the bluff body (or harvesting) is varied throughout a range of amplitudes of the oscillation of the bluff body and wherein the harvesting rate of at least one amplitude of the body oscillation is greater than the harvesting rate of at least one lower amplitude of the body oscillation.