ELECTROMAGNETIC DEVICE HAVING COMPACT FLUX PATHS FOR HARVESTING ENERGY FROM VIBRATIONS

摘要

Electrical energy is produced by harvesting mechanical energy in the form of vibrations which are generally present in tools during the process of drilling oil wells.. Electrical energy production is based on the Faraday induction principle whereby changes, i.e., movement, in magnetic flux through a coil induce an electric current through the coil. The changes in magnetic flux are produced by relative motion between at least one set of magnets and at least one coil. In particular, as the flux lines change due to the movement of the magnets, they remain perpendicular to both the direction of motion of the magnets as well as a planar or cylindrical surface defined by the coils. As a result, output for a given size of device is enhanced. Further, flexibility in adapting device form factor to particular shapes is enhanced. For example, a relatively flat device may be implemented using flexural bearing support of the magnets and coils on a printed circuit. The flexural bearings may also function as spring members that define the resonant frequency of the device. Alternative embodiments may be characterized by cylindrical or annular form factors.