Trameto Limited

Robert Robertson

Mark A Ross

Laurence Alan Strong

A power management apparatuscomprises a first energy harvesting input channel; a first energy storage element connection; an inductor connection; and a switching circuit. A controlleris configured to operate the switching circuitto transfer energy between the first energy harvesting input channeland the first energy storage element connectionby a sequence of energy transfer cycles. Each of the energy transfer cycles comprises an energise phase in which energy is transferred from the first energy harvesting input channelto the inductor connectionfor an energise time (tE) and a de-energise phase. The first energy harvesting input channelis capable of receiving an AC electrical signal and a DC electrical signal. The controlleris configured to determine a type of an electrical signal received at the first energy harvesting input channel, where the type is one of an AC electrical signal and a DC electrical signal, and determine an energise time (tE) and a harvesting cycle period (tP) for the switching circuitbased on the determined type.

Power management apparatus for energy harvesting

A power management apparatuscomprises: a plurality of energy harvesting input channels-; a first energy storage element connection for connecting to an energy storage element; an inductor connection; and a switching circuit. A controlleroperates the switching circuit to transfer energy between the energy harvesting input channels-and the first energy storage element connectionby a sequence of energy transfer cycles. Each energy harvesting input channel-is allocated a plurality of the energy transfer cycles. The controllerdetermines operating parameters for operating the switching circuitwhich transfer a maximum power from the electrical energy harvesting source connected to the energy harvesting input channel and a maximum power inductor utilisation factor. The controllerdetermines a set of adjusted operating parameters for sharing use of the inductor between the plurality of energy harvesting input channels-. An energy harvesting input channel-is selected for adjustment based on an effect of a change in the inductor utilisation factor and a corresponding change in power of the energy harvesting input channel.

Growing community of inventors

Bristol, United Kingdom

Robert Robertson