University of Florida Research Foundation Inc

Shuo Cheng

David Patrick Arnold

Vinod Reddy Challa

Christopher David Meyer

Yuan Rao

Wireless power transmission (WPT) systems are provided. For example, the WPT system can use one or more power transmitting coils and a receiver for electromagnetically coupled wireless power transfer. The electrodynamic receiver can be in the form of an electrodynamic transducer where a magnet is allowed to oscillate near a receiving coil to induce a voltage in the receiving coil, a piezoelectric transducer where the magnet causes a vibrating structure with a piezoelectric layer to move, an electrostatic transducer where movement of the magnet causes a capacitor plate to move, or a combination thereof. An alternating magnetic field from the transmitting coil(s) excites the magnet in the receiver into mechanical resonance. The vibrating magnet then functions similar to an energy harvester to induce voltage/current on an internal coil, piezoelectric material, or variable capacitor. Embodiments utilize magnetic coupling and electromechanical resonance for safe, spatially distributed, low-frequency power delivery to portable devices.

Wireless power transfer via electrodynamic coupling

Wireless power transmission (WPT) systems are provided. According to an embodiment, the WPT system uses one or more power transmitting coils and a receiver for electromagnetically coupled wireless power transfer. The electrodynamic receiver can be in the form of an electrodynamic transducer where a magnet is allowed to oscillate near a receiving coil to induce a voltage in the receiving coil, a piezoelectric transducer where the magnet causes a vibrating structure with a piezoelectric layer to move, an electrostatic transducer where movement of the magnet causes a capacitor plate to move, or a combination thereof. An alternating magnetic field from the transmitting coil(s) excites the magnet in the receiver into mechanical resonance. The vibrating magnet then functions similar to an energy harvester to induce voltage/current on an internal coil, piezoelectric material, or variable capacitor. Embodiments utilize magnetic coupling and electromechanical resonance for safe, spatially distributed, low-frequency power delivery to portable devices.

Devices and systems for power electronic circuits are provided. Embodiments of the present invention enable high density inductive energy storage by using electromechanical coupling between an electrically conducting inductive element and a mechanical resonator to passively store energy via both electromagnetic and mechanical mechanisms. A microelectromechanical inductor (MEMI) is provided utilizing a magnet and a conductor. In a specific embodiment, the MEMI includes a permanent magnet on a compliant layer centrally disposed within a spiral coil. In a further embodiment, a second coil is provided near the magnet to provide a resonating transducer.

Electromechanical inductors and transformers

Embodiments of the subject invention pertain to a method and apparatus for vibrational energy harvesting via electromagnetic induction using a magnet array. Specific embodiments of the subject invention incorporate at least one conductive coil and at least one magnet array. Magnets used in such magnet arrays can be permanent magnets of various shapes, such as arc-shaped, square, rectangular, wedge, or trapezoidal. These magnet arrays can then be, for example, circular, hexagonal, rectangular, or square in external shape and create various types of internal magnetic fields, such as dipole, quadrupole, hexapole, or octapole magnetic fields. Through use of a magnet array, embodiments of the invention can increase the strength of magnetic fields by approximately 10 times compared to typical vibrational energy harvesters. The 10 time increase in the strength of the magnetic fields can result in up to a 100-fold increase in power. Preferably, the magnetic fields created by the subject device are substantially, if not completely, enclosed within the device.

Method and apparatus for motional/vibrational energy harvesting via electromagnetic induction using a magnet array

Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a method and apparatus for providing a low-power AC/DC converter designed to operate with very low input voltage amplitudes. Specific embodiments can operate with input voltages less than or equal to 1 V, less than or equal to 200 mV, and as low as 20 mV, respectively. Embodiments of the subject low-power AC/DC converter can be utilized in magnetic induction energy harvester systems. With reference to a specific embodiment, a maximum efficiency of 92% was achieved for a 1 V input, and efficiencies exceeding 70% were achieved for a 200 mV input. A specific embodiment functioned properly when connected to a magnetic energy harvester device operating below 200 mV input.

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Gainesville, FL, United States of America

Shuo Cheng