Electromagnetic vibration energy harvesting (EMVEH) is a modern technology that is found to be an outstanding alternative to the inconvenient employment of cables and batteries for powering sensor networks. However, typical electromagnetic vibration energy harvesters (EHMVEHs) are often bulky and costly, with relatively low performances. Therefore, novel harvester architectures that can produce high levels of electrical output power without compromising their volume or production cost are highly desirable.
Researchers at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) have developed a solution based on a ring-shaped architecture with Halbach configuration which allows to increase the resonant mass of the system and reduce the coil resistance, resulting in a device that produces high levels of electrical power per unit of volume.
The proposed harvester consists of three ring magnets with a linear Halbach array configuration that concentrates their magnetic field in the inner space of the mechanism where a single vertically-centred concentric coil has been located. The ring-shaped architecture of this device allows an increment of the mass of the magnets (the resonant system) within a fixed dimension of the transducer. It also reduces the coil resistance for the same number of turns, enhancing its power generation capability.
Different numerical simulations and experimental tests have been performed to estimate and validate the output performance and feasibility of the device.
Benefits:
- The proposed EMVEH provides the highest NPD performance among various EMVEHs (for similar applications) with and without Halbach configuration.
- The employed Halbach configuration concentrates the magnetic field of the magnets in the inner space of the device, reducing the need for magnetic shields avoiding electromagnetic interactions with the environment.
- It is a simplified mechanism that facilitates the assembly process and reduces the overall costs.
- It presents a high sensitivity.
The represented institution is looking for a collaboration that leads to commercial exploitation of the presented invention.
Institution: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
TRL: 6
Protection status: European Patent Application
Contact: Noelia Mas / noelia@viromii.com
