GB2464482A - Oscillating mass fluid energy converter - Google Patents

Oscillating mass fluid energy converter Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2464482A
GB2464482A GB0818917A GB0818917A GB2464482A GB 2464482 A GB2464482 A GB 2464482A GB 0818917 A GB0818917 A GB 0818917A GB 0818917 A GB0818917 A GB 0818917A GB 2464482 A GB2464482 A GB 2464482A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
generator
mass
spring
energy
generator according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0818917A
Other versions
GB0818917D0 (en
Inventor
Michael John Tudor
Neil White
Stephen Paul Beeby
Nicholas Robert Harris
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
D4 TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Original Assignee
D4 TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by D4 TECHNOLOGY Ltd filed Critical D4 TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Priority to GB0818917A priority Critical patent/GB2464482A/en
Publication of GB0818917D0 publication Critical patent/GB0818917D0/en
Priority to PCT/EP2009/063349 priority patent/WO2010043617A2/en
Publication of GB2464482A publication Critical patent/GB2464482A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B17/00—Other machines or engines
    • F03B17/06—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head"
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D5/00—Other wind motors
    • F03D5/06—Other wind motors the wind-engaging parts swinging to-and-fro and not rotating
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
    • H02K35/00—Generators with reciprocating, oscillating or vibrating coil system, magnet, armature or other part of the magnetic circuit
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02N—ELECTRIC MACHINES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H02N1/00—Electrostatic generators or motors using a solid moving electrostatic charge carrier
    • H02N1/06—Influence generators
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02N—ELECTRIC MACHINES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H02N2/00—Electric machines in general using piezoelectric effect, electrostriction or magnetostriction
    • H02N2/18—Electric machines in general using piezoelectric effect, electrostriction or magnetostriction producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators
    • H02N2/185—Electric machines in general using piezoelectric effect, electrostriction or magnetostriction producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators using fluid streams
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/20—Hydro energy
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
    • Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

A system for generating electrical energy from fluid flow uses an oscillating mass spring structure. A mass 1 is attached to the end of a spring 2 anchored to a supporting housing 3. The mass linteracts with the fluid flow 5 and oscillates with the spring 2. The oscillation is coupled to a transduction mechanism, which may comprise a piezoelectric material or a magnet and electrical coil, to convert some of the kinetic energy of the oscillation into electrical energy. The housing provides a means of protecting both the generator and the user, and provides over-range protection 9 and a means 6, 7 of controlling the interaction of the generator with the incident fluid. The system is suitable for miniaturisation.

Description

Generator for converting fluid energy to electrical energy
Background of the invention
The present invention relates to a generator for converting fluid energy to electrical energy, and in particular to such a generator which is compatible with miniaturisation.
It is known to provided generators, and associated methods, for converting fluid energy to electrical energy suitable for powering various electrical devices, such as, for example sensors, wireless networks and display devices such as light emitting diodes. This utilised fluid energy, which would otherwise be wasted, can provide a localised power supply in circumstances where the attaching of power supply leads to the device would be problematic, andlor the use of batteries would be unsuitable. This approach is well known to those skilled in the art as energy harvesting or scavenging.
The background art includes:
DE202006003834U (entitled "Miniature wind generator used as a decorative object or warning device") discloses a miniature wind generator intended as a decorative object or warning device comprising a miniature wind turbine connected to light emitting diodes.
Wind turbines have a number of major technical drawbacks: (1) miniaturisation is limited by the frictional forces present in the bearings; (2) turbines and support towers are subject to great stresses requiring high quality material and complex designs; (3) the rotation of the turbine blades presents a danger; (4) turbines are noisy; and. (5) complex and expensive bearings are required to allow the turbine blade's rotation.
W02006093790 (entitled "Wind fin: articulated, oscillating, wind power generator") discloses an articulated airfoil shape pivoted about a mast. The mechanism moves in an oscillatory manner and harvests the aerodynamic lift forces. GB2000233 (entitled "Wind energy generator") discloses a rotating oscillating vein aimed at oscillating in strong winds. Both these wind-powered devices above have the following drawbacks: (1) the rotation presents a danger; (2) complex and expensive bearings are required to allow the rotation; and (3) miniaturisation is limited by the frictional forces present in the bearings.
I
JP2007 198175 (entitled "Wind power generator") discloses a piezoelectric wind belt tethered at both ends which oscillates in the wind. US4024409 (entitled "Aeolian windmill") discloses a wind belt tethered at both ends which oscillates in the wind. The home page (http://www.humdingerwind.com/) of a company called Humdinger Wind Energy discloses a wind belt consisting of taut, vibrating membrane, coupled with a no-contact, direct-drive electrical generator. This consists of a wind belt secured at both ends with an electromagnetic pick off. All three of these wind-powered belt devices have the following drawbacks: (1) they are not suitable for miniaturisation since small size results in high stiffness and high resonant frequency and therefore resulting in poor energy conversion efficiency since fluids typically contain low frequency displacements; (2) the devices require set up since the belt is tethered at both ends and the tension must be adjusted to achieve the correct resonant frequency for efficient excitation by the wind; and (3) the devices can be noisy owing to the sail-like flapping of the belt. Additionally, in 1P2007198175 the power conversion efficiency is limited by magnitude of the piezoelectric effect.
An aim of the present invention is to provide a low manufacturing cost reliable generator, suitable for miniaturisation, which can function effectively at low fluid, e.g. wind, speeds.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides a generator for converting fluid energy to electrical energy, the generator comprising a mass, mounted at an end of a spring, which is arranged to oscillate in response to an incident fluid, and an energy transduction mechanism for generating electrical energy from the oscillatory motion of the mass.
The spring may be a cantilever spring.
The mass mounted on the spring may have a resonant frequency which may be tuned by adjustment of the spring, dimensions, stiffness or mass.
Preferably, the mass and spring are mounted within a housing, the housing having at last one fluid inlet and at least one fluid exhaust. The housing may be adapted to provide a bi-stable oscillation of the generator which is independent of any resonant frequency. In one embodiment, the at last one fluid inlet is a slot which is offset from the mass. In other embodiments, the at last one fluid inlet is a slot which is extended like a funnel to effectively increase the area of capture of fluid directed towards the generator. The housing may be adapted to provide a displacement limiting device for the oscillating mass, thereby to provide over range protection.
The generator may further comprise two or more electrically conductive springs adapted to conduct energy from the generator to a stationary support for the generator.
In some embodiments, the energy transduction mechanism is a piezoelectric energy transduction mechanism, in which the spring is made of, or carries, piezoelectric material.
In other embodiments, the energy transduction mechanism is an electromagnetic energy transduction mechanism which includes at least one coil and at least one magnet.
Optionally, at least one moving magnet is mounted on the generator and at least one stationary coil is mounted on the housing. Alternatively, at least one moving coil is mounted on the generator and at least one stationary magnet is mounted on the housing.
At least one magnet may be spaced away from generator to provide more efficient energy generation. Alternatively, at least one coil may be spaced away from generator to provide more efficient energy generation.
Preferably, energy pick-off is provided on two opposed sides of the spring.
Typically, the mass and the spring have a resonant frequency which may be tuned by adjustment of an electrical load connected to an energy transduction mechanism of the generator.
The present invention may further provide an array of generators according to the present invention sharing transduction mechanisms with each preferentially vibrating in anti-phase to another in order to reduce kinetic energy coupling to the surroundings.
In the preferred embodiment of the generator of the present invention, a mass is attached to a spring which anchored to a supporting housing. The mass interacts with fluid flow directed through the housing, and oscillates together with the spring. The oscillation is coupled to a transduction mechanism which converts some of the kinetic energy of the oscillation into electrical energy. The housing provides a means of protecting the mass/spring and transduction mechanism by fully enclosing it except for at least one fluid inlet slot and at least one exhaust. The fluid inlet slot may be aligned with the mass and the exhaust is typically at the spring anchor end. Additionally, since the oscillator is enclosed, inadvertent impact of the oscillator on other objects, or the user, are avoided.
The housing also provides a means of displacement over-range protection for the mass/spring. The housing further provides a slot and surrounding wall for respectively directing the fluid to the un-displaced mass and shielding the displaced mass from the fluid. An exhaust for the fluid to exit the housing is simply provided by a second slot at the spring anchor end. The cross section of the mass facing the fluid may be any geometric shape such as rectangular or circular or the mass may be sculpted to resemble an aerofoil.
The disclosed generator is equally suitable for use in liquids or gases.
The operation of the generator device is characterised by two regimes depending on the size of the slot relative to the amplitude of vibration of the mass.
In operation mode 1 the slot height is larger than twice the amplitude of vibration of the mass. In this mode the spring mass is driven from its central position by the forces imposed by the fluid flow. The stiffness of the spring provides the restoring force to return the displaced mass to its central position. The mass moves essentially in a sinusoidal motion.
In operation mode 2 the housing slot height is equal to or smaller than twice the amplitude of vibration of the mass the amplitude of vibration of the mass. In this mode the housing slot concentres the fluid forces on the mass and the wall shields it from the fluid flow when in its displaced position. The mass has essentially bi-stable operation and moves with an approximately square wave displacement.
Mode 1 provides the advantages of mechanically resonant operation, in particular Q factor amplification of motion together with the ability to tune the frequency of resonance by adjusting device parameters. Mode 2 provides a broader frequency of operation, which is insensitive to resonant frequency.
This invention addresses the limitations of the prior art by providing a safe, quiet, efficient, reliable generator suited to miniaturisation and low cost manufacture and requiring minimal set up. The generator can be employed in a system for harvesting electrical energy from fluid flow using the oscillating mass/spring structure. The mass, attached to a spring anchored to a supporting housing interacts with the fluid flow and oscillates with the spring. The oscillation is coupled to a transduction mechanism which converts some of the kinetic energy of the oscillation into electrical energy. The housing provides a means of protecting both the generator and the user. The housing also provides over-range protection and a means of controlling the interaction of the generator with the incident fluid. The generator of the invention is particularly suitable as a wind-powered generator which can function effectively at low wind speeds.
Stresses can be controlled by limiting the amplitude of oscillation by means of adjusting the device's resonant frequency, providing over range protection by means of the housing or adjusting the damping to the oscillator by means of the electrical load on the energy harvesting mechanism Safety is increased since the oscillating area is enclosed by the housing so there is no risk of impact with the blades as can occur with, for example, wind turbines.
Aesthetic appearance is improved since the oscillating structure can be coupled to display devices, such as light emitting diodes to create a pleasing moving image.
The invention is likely to be less noisy than wind turbines since the generator is enclosed within a housing.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross section of a generator for converting fluid energy to electrical energy in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross section of a generator for converting fluid energy to electrical energy in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a cross section of a generator for converting fluid energy to electrical energy in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a cross section of a generator for converting fluid energy to electrical energy in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a cross section of a generator for converting fluid energy to electrical energy in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a cross section of a generator for converting fluid energy to electrical energy in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a cross section of a generator for converting fluid energy to electrical energy in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention;
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
The following reference numerals are used to indicate the parts and environment of the present invention illustrated in the drawings: 1. Mass 2. Spring 3. Housing 4. Mass Oscillation 5. Fluid flow 6. Slot 7. Exhaust 8. Wall 9. Overange protection 10. Funnelled slot 11. Coil 12. Magnet 13. Coil or magnet spacer 14. Fixed support 15. Piezoelectric material Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a cross section of a generator for converting fluid energy to electrical energy in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The generator comprises a mass 1 which is mounted at an end of a spring 2.
An opposite end of the spring 2 is mounted to a fixed support. In this embodiment, the spring 2 comprises a cantilever spring. However, in alternative constructions the spring may another spring element or system, such as one or more helical springs, which may be in tension or compression.
Whatever spring device or system is employed, the mass 2 is mounted to be able to oscillate, against the bias of the spring 2, about a central unbiased position along a direction of mass oscillation 4 (which would constitute an arc in the arrangement of Figure 1). When fluid is incident on the spring mounted mass 1 in a fluid flow direction 5, or by fluid flow having a component in that direction, which is along the axis of the cantilever spring and orthogonal to the bias direction of the spring, the mass I oscillates back and forth along the oscillation direction 4.
In accordance with the present invention, an energy transduction mechanism is mounted on one or both of the spring 2 or the mass 1 mounted thereon, which mechanism is adapted to generate electrical energy from the kinetic oscillatory motion of the spring mounted mass. The transduction mechanism may be realised on oniy one side, with respect to the direction of oscillatory motion, of the mass spring structure if preferred.
The transduction mechanism man be realised on the spring andlor the mass.
The energy transduction mechanism may comprise one, or a combination of two or more, of a variety of alternative transduction mechanisms. The variety of alternative mechanisms includes electromagnetic mechanisms, piezoelectric mechanisms and electrostatic mechanisms.
The electromagnetic mechanisms comprise electric coils and magnets which are relatively movable. For example, electric coils may be mounted on the oscillatory mass, preferably on opposed sides of the mass, to provide a double sided assembly, with respective fixed, static, magnets. Preferably, the magnets and coils are each mounted to the respective moving or static support by a respective spacer. The spacing between the coils and magnets is determined to achieve a maximum or selected electrical output at a selected amplitude of the oscillatory motion of the sprung mass.
Alternative transduction mechanisms are piezoelectric, for example by incorporation of a piezoelectric beam within or on the cantilever spring, or electrostatic, for example by incorporating an electrically conductive spring andlor mass and a second conductive plate to form a capacitor therebetween.
In the embodiment of Figure 1, a piezoelectric material 15 is disposed on one or both sides of the cantilever spring 2. When the spring 2 oscillates, as a result of fluid impact on the mass 1, the piezoelectric material 15 is mechanically deformed, generating an electrical voltage which is connected by wires (not shown) to a electrical storage device such as a battery (not shown) and/or to an electrically powered device, such as a sensor (not shown). In any of the various embodiments of the present invention, two or more electrically conductive springs may be provided to conduct electrical energy from the generator to a stationary support.
Referring to 2, there is shown a cross section of a generator for converting fluid energy to electrical energy in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
The mass 1/spring 2 system of Figure 1 is disposed in a housing 3 which encloses the mass 1/spring 2 system but permits fluid flow therethrough to cause the oscillatory movement of the mass 1/spring 2 system. A front wall of the housing is opposite to a rear wall, and the housing further includes side walls and (not shown) top and bottom walls top define a chamber enclosed by the housing.
The fixed end of the cantilever spring 2 is mounted to an inside face of the rear wall of the housing 3, in this embodiment at a substantially central location on the rear wall in the width direction, which direction corresponds to the direction of oscillatory motion.
A pair of mutually spaced exhaust passages 7 is provided in the rear wall, on opposite sides of the fixing location of the spring 2. An inlet slot 6 is provided in the front wall, at a central location so as to be opposite to the free end of the mass 1.
An electromagnetic energy transduction mechanism is provided in the chamber of the housing 3 which generates electrical energy from the oscillatory motion of the mass 1/spring 2 system. The electromagnetic energy transduction mechanism comprises a pair of electrical coils 11, each mounted via a respective spacer to a transverse face of the mass 1, and a corresponding pair of magnets, each mounted via a respective spacer to a respective side wall of housing 3, so that each magnet 12 faces and is spaced from a respective coil 11. This provides two coil/magnet assemblies, each on a respective side of the mass 1/spring 2 system to form a double sided transduction mechanism.
In a modified construction, only a one sided transduction mechanism may be employed, with a coil/magnet assembly on one side of the mass 1/spring 2 system. In other modifications, the magnet(s) 12 may be mounted on the mass 1/spring 2 system and the coil(s) 13 may be mounted on the housing 3.
Air which is incident onto the outside surface of the front of the housing and having at least a velocity component in the direction of the arrow enters the enclosed chamber through the inlet slot 6 and is incident on the mass 1. This causes oscillatory motion of the mass 1/spring 2 system along the oscillatory direction. This motion causes an electrical voltage to be induced in the coils 11 of the electromagnetic energy transduction mechanism. The electrical energy thereby harvested from the wind energy voltage is stored andlor used to power an electrical device.
Figure 3 shows a modified embodiment as compared to that of Figure 2 in which the inlet slot 6 is laterally offset, along the oscillatory direction, from the central rest position of the mass 1. The transduction mechanism is not shown, but may comprise any of the transduction mechanisms described above.
Figure 4 shows a modified embodiment as compared to that of Figure 2 in which the spring and mass are shown angled to the inlet slot 6 by mounting of the fixed end of the spring 2 at a position on the rear wall remote from the central position opposite to the inlet slot 6. The mounting position may be laterally spaced from the exhaust passages 7, in a direction away from the central position, for example substantially in a corner of the housing 3. Again, the transduction mechanism is not shown, but may comprise any of the transduction mechanisms described above. The inlet slot 6 may be offset as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 5 shows a modified embodiment as compared to that of Figure 2 in which over range protection 9 is incorporated in the housing 3 to provide additional adjustment of the required amplitude of vibration of the mass 1 on the spring 2. Again, the transduction mechanism is not shown, but may comprise any of the transduction mechanisms described above. The inlet slot 6 may be offset as shown in Figure 3 and for the spring and mass may be angled to the inlet slot 6 as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 6 shows a modified embodiment as compared to that of Figure 5 in which over range protection 9 and the inlet slot 6 are provided by a modified construction of the housing 3. The housing 3 does not have a front wall but instead the units providing over range protection 9 are mounted to the housing to define an inlet slot therebetween within which the mass 1, mounted on the spring 2, is located. The mass therefore oscillates within the inlet slot 6 defined between the over range protection 9. Again, the transduction mechanism is not shown, but may comprise any of the transduction mechanisms described above. The inlet slot 6 may be offset relative to the exhaust passages 7 and br the spring and mass may be angled to the housing.
Figure 7 shows a modified embodiment as compared to that of Figure 2 in which a funnelled slot 10 is disposed upstream, in the direction of wind flow, to the inlet slot 6.
The funnelled slot 10 comprises converging walls to define an outlet conduit coincident with the inlet slot 6. The funnelled slot 10 provides a greater capture of wind energy into the housing through the inlet slot 6. The transduction mechanism is not shown, but may comprise any of the transduction mechanisms described above. The funnelled slot may additionally be provided for any of the other embodiments.
It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of numerous and varied other arrangements which form applications of the principles of the invention. Other embodiments may readily by devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (18)

  1. CLAIMS1. A generator for converting fluid energy to electrical energy, the generator comprising a mass, mounted at an end of a spring, which is arranged to oscillate in response to an incident fluid, and an energy transduction mechanism for generating electrical energy from the oscillatory motion of the mass.
  2. 2. A generator according to claim 1 wherein the spring is a cantilever spring.
  3. 3. A generator according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the mass mounted on the spring has a resonant frequency which may be tuned by adjustment of the spring, dimensions, stiffness or mass.
  4. 4. A generator according to any one of claims I to 3 wherein the mass and spring are mounted within a housing, the housing having at last one fluid inlet and at least one fluid exhaust for permitting fluid flow through the housing.
  5. 5. A generator according to claim 4 wherein the housing is adapted to provide a bi-stable oscillation of the generator which is independent of any resonant frequency.
  6. 6. A generator according to claim 5 in which the at last one fluid inlet is a slot which is offset from the mass.
  7. 7. A generator according to claim 5 in which the at last one fluid inlet is a slot which is extended like a funnel to effectively increase the area of capture of fluid directed towards the generator.
  8. 8. A generator according to any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein the housing is adapted to provide a displacement limiting device for the oscillating mass, thereby to provide over range protection.
  9. 9. A generator according to any foregoing claim further comprising two or more electrically conductive springs adapted to conduct energy from the generator to a stationary support for the generator.
  10. 10. A generator according to any foregoing claim wherein the energy transduction mechanism is a piezoelectric energy transduction mechanism, in which the spring is made of, or carries, piezoelectric material.
  11. 11. A generator according to any foregoing claim wherein the energy transduction mechanism is an electromagnetic energy transduction mechanism which includes at least one coil and at least one magnet.
  12. 12. A generator according to claim 11 when appendant on claim 4 wherein at least one moving magnet is mounted on the generator and at least one stationary coil is mounted on the housing.
  13. 13. A generator according to claim 11 when appendant on claim 4 wherein at least one moving coil is mounted on the generator and at least one stationary magnet is mounted on the housing.
  14. 14. A generator according to claim 12 or claim 13 in which the at least one magnet is spaced away from generator to provide more efficient energy generation.
  15. 15. A generator according to claim 12 or claim 13 in which the at least one coil is spaced away from generator to provide more efficient energy generation.
  16. 16. A generator according to any one of claims 11 to 13 in which energy pick-off is provided on two opposed sides of the spring.
  17. 17. A generator according to any foregoing claim wherein the mass and the spring have a resonant frequency which may be tuned by adjustment of an electrical load connected to an energy transduction mechanism of the generator.
  18. 18. An array of generators according to any foregoing claim sharing transduction mechanisms with each preferentially vibrating in anti-phase to another in order to reduce kinetic energy coupling to the surroundings.
GB0818917A 2008-10-15 2008-10-15 Oscillating mass fluid energy converter Withdrawn GB2464482A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0818917A GB2464482A (en) 2008-10-15 2008-10-15 Oscillating mass fluid energy converter
PCT/EP2009/063349 WO2010043617A2 (en) 2008-10-15 2009-10-13 Generator for converting fluid energy to electrical energy

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0818917A GB2464482A (en) 2008-10-15 2008-10-15 Oscillating mass fluid energy converter

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GB0818917D0 GB0818917D0 (en) 2008-11-19
GB2464482A true GB2464482A (en) 2010-04-21

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US20120062049A1 (en) * 2010-09-10 2012-03-15 Minebea Co., Ltd. Electromechanical energy converter
FR2973521A1 (en) * 2011-03-28 2012-10-05 Pgs Geophysical As SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENERGY COLLECTION IN A GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH MARINE FLUTE
JP2014147194A (en) * 2013-01-28 2014-08-14 Fuji Electric Co Ltd Power generator
JP2015126584A (en) * 2013-12-26 2015-07-06 株式会社京三製作所 Power generation mechanism and sensor
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IT201700008383A1 (en) * 2017-01-26 2018-07-26 Explea S R L Device for the production of electrical energy using the combined action of pulsed magnetic fields and fluid dynamic currents acting on a flexible lamina equipped with a piezoelectric element and plant formed by several modular elements electrically connected to each other and each composed of a plurality of such devices
US20220255466A1 (en) * 2021-02-11 2022-08-11 Stuart Mackenzie Method and apparatus for generating energy from fluid flow
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