Analog Devices,inc.

University of Southern California

Qian Zhang

Kuang L Yang

Eun Sok Kim

Yingqi Jiang

Lei Gu

Yufeng Wang

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices are described that include a proof mass movably connected to a substrate by accordion springs disposed on opposite sides of the proof mass, with a coupler coupling two of the accordion springs together. The coupler is a bar in some implementations, and may be rigid. The coupler therefore restricts the motion of the accordion springs relative to each other. In this manner, the motion of the proof mass may be restricted to preferred types and frequencies.

Coupled accordion springs in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices

A vibration energy harvester includes a proof mass that is a magnetic array or a coil array. The magnetic array has multiple magnets. The coil array has one or more coils. The vibration energy harvester includes an enclosed chamber. The enclosed chamber has the other of the coil array or the magnetic array that is not the proof mass. The one or more copper coils and the multiple magnets are configured to generate the electrical energy from a relative movement between the one or more copper coils and the multiple magnets. The vibration energy harvester includes a liquid suspension that suspends the proof mass within the enclosed chamber.

Ferrofluid liquid spring with magnets between coils inside an enclosed chamber for vibration energy harvesting

An exemplary energy harvester includes a piezoelectric diaphragm, an eccentric mass that rotates in response to external motion, and a piezoelectric stress inducer coupled with the eccentric mass and the piezoelectric diaphragm. The piezoelectric stress inducer deforms the piezoelectric diaphragm in response to rotational motion of the eccentric mass, causing the piezoelectric diaphragm to generate electrical energy.

Piezoelectric energy harvester for human motion

An electric energy scavenger device has a housing forming an internal chamber with an internal wall, and a movable element contained within the internal chamber. The movable element is freely movable and unconnected to any other movable element within the internal chamber. Within the internal chamber, the device also has a plurality of piezoelectric charge conversion elements positioned along the internal wall. The plurality of piezoelectric charge conversion elements are positioned side-by-side to contact the movable element when the movable element moves within the internal chamber. In addition, the movable element is configured to simultaneously contact at least two of the plurality of side-by-side piezoelectric charge conversion elements. During use, the movable element is freely movable within the internal chamber in response to movement of the entire housing.

Electric energy scavenger device

This specification describes technologies relating to converting vibration energy to electrical energy through electromagnetic transduction. According to an aspect, an apparatus to convert kinetic energy to electricity through electromagnetic transduction can include: an array of magnets arranged in a first plane; and an array of coils arranged in a second plane with respect to the first plane to form a gap between the array of magnets and the array of coils. According to another aspect, an energy harvester can include: a two dimensional array of magnets; a two dimensional array of coils; a housing configured and arranged to limit a direction of motion of either the two dimensional array of magnets or the two dimensional array of coils; and additional magnets configured and arranged to form a suspension system for either the two dimensional array of magnets or the two dimensional array of coils in the direction of motion.

Growing community of inventors

Methuen, MA, United States of America

Qian Zhang