Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120181901 | Method and Apparatus For Mechanical Energy Harvesting Using Planar Microfluidic Device - An apparatus comprising a mechanical-to-electrical energy converting device utilizes an array of microfluidic droplets in association with a planar electrode and separated by a dielectric layer to form a capacitive structure. An elastic spacer is also disposed between the planar electrode and array of droplets, such that as the spacer is compressed, the contact area of the droplets and the dielectric is increased—increasing the total capacitance value. Periodic changes in the force applied to the elastic spacer (such as associated with vibrational motion) creates a periodic change in the capacitance value, generating an electrical current flow between the planar electrode and array of conductive droplets. | 07-19-2012 |
20130270839 | Apparatus For Closed-Loop Mechanical Energy Harvesting - A closed-loop apparatus for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy utilizes a closed-loop channel including sections of different cross-section (including a first group of sections having a constrained cross-section and a second group sections having an enlarged cross-section). An energy-producing configuration (such as coils and/or electrodes) is formed to surround at least a portion of the channel. A closed-loop chain of energy-producing elements is positioned in channel such that when the chain moves along the channel, the mechanical motion generates electrical energy. The chain is formed to include a set of expandable assemblies that change in dimension as they pass through the different cross-section areas of the channel. An inert fluid is injected into the channel at one or more locations by a mechanical force, resulting in the creation of a pressure-induced force differential that initiates and maintains the movement of the chain with respect to the channel. | 10-17-2013 |
20140049049 | Apparatus For Footwear-Embedded Mechanical Energy Harvesting Using Modular Elements - An energy harvesting apparatus utilizes a modular structure to preserve the proper alignment between a chain of energy-producing elements and an energy-producing channel (within which the chain is located and free to slide along, creating electrical energy from mechanical movement). The channel includes a plurality of rigid modules that are separated by flexible segments of tubing. The rigid channel modules house the energy-producing electrodes and/or coils. The chain includes a plurality of rigid modules that are attached along a flexible string in a spaced-apart configuration. The rigid chain modules house the energy-producing magnets and/or conductive droplets. The combination of the flexible channel segments and chain string allow for freedom of motion of the apparatus (required for human locomotion, for example), while providing the desired “fixed” alignment between the rigid energy-producing modules. | 02-20-2014 |
20140068973 | Apparatus For Footwear-Embedded Mechanical Energy Harvesting System Based On Dual-Loop Channel - An energy harvesting apparatus is described that utilizes hydraulic actuation and creates a continuous, revolving motion of a chain of energy-producing elements within an energy-producing channel (the channel being in the form of a tube, for example). In particular, the arrangement of the present invention is based upon a specially-designed dual-loop channel topology that allows for efficient conversion of a unidirectional flow of a fluid entering the energy-producing channel into a smooth, continuous revolving motion of a chain of energy-producing elements within the channel. | 03-13-2014 |
20140182163 | Method And Apparatus For Providing Internal Heating Of Footwear - A method and apparatus for generating thermal energy (heat) from human locomotion is proposed and used to provide heating of the user's footwear. The apparatus takes the form of a pair of flexible, liquid-filled chambers connected by an energy-generating tube. One chamber is located in the heel region of a footwear insole, with the other in the toe region, such that as a person walks, the liquid moves back and forth within the tube. This movement is used to also move an energy-producing element (either an electromagnetic arrangement or viscous liquid) back and forth within the tube and convert the captured human locomotion energy into thermal energy, thus warming the footwear. | 07-03-2014 |
20140182164 | Apparatus For Regulating Footwear Temperature - An arrangement for regulating the interior temperature of footwear takes the form of an insole (or midsole) and includes a heat generator and a heat storage and release element, The heat generator may be configured to capture mechanical energy in the form of human locomotion and convert the captured energy into heat. Other types of heat generators may also be used. The heat storage and release element comprises one or more phase change materials that function to absorb generated heat (to keep footwear from overheating), as well as release the stored heat when the ambient temperature of the footwear drops below the transition temperature of the material. | 07-03-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090053998 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REDUCING POWER CONSUMPTION BY MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICES DURING RADIO COMMUNICATION - An apparatus comprising an energy-harvesting means and a radio frequency (RF) communication means. Said energy-harvesting means is configured to capture mechanical energy from the human motion and convert it to useful electrical energy. Said RF communication means is configured to establish RF communication with the mobile electronic devices in its vicinity using low-power, short-range RF communication signals. Said RF communication means is further configured to retransmit the information received through said short range RF communication signals using high-power long-range communication signals, thereby allowing said mobile electronic devices to establish a long-range RF communication with the remote recipient substantially utilizing the energy derived from the energy-harvesting means rather than the energy predominantly derived from said mobile electronic devices themselves | 02-26-2009 |
20090242036 | Directed-flow conduit - Device including channel having channel input and output. Channel has interior channel surface extending along channel path from channel input to output. In one implementation, channel includes plurality of channel sections in serial communication along channel path. Each of channel sections includes first internal circumference spaced apart along channel path from second internal circumference, in each of channel sections the first and second internal circumferences being substantially different. Each of channel sections includes sub-surface of interior channel surface. At least region of sub-surface of each channel section includes distribution of raised micro-scale features. As another implementation, at least first region of interior channel surface includes distribution of raised micro-scale features interrupted by plurality of raised barriers spaced apart along channel path on interior channel surface. Each raised barrier extends on interior channel surface in directions partially transverse to and partially parallel to longitudinal axis. Method also provided. | 10-01-2009 |
20090242175 | Thermal energy transfer device - Device having first wick evaporator including first membrane and plurality of first thermally-conductive supports. First membrane has upper and lower surfaces. First membrane also has plurality of pores with upper pore ends at upper surface of first membrane and with lower pore ends at lower surface of first membrane. Each of first thermally-conductive supports has upper and lower support ends. Upper support ends of first thermally-conductive supports are in contact with first membrane. Each of first thermally-conductive supports has longitudinal axis extending between the upper and lower support ends, average cross-sectional area along axis, and membrane support cross-sectional area at upper support end, the membrane support cross-sectional area effectively being smaller than average cross-sectional area. First thermally-conductive supports are configured to conduct thermal energy from lower support ends of first thermally-conductive supports to first membrane. Process includes providing wick evaporator, providing liquid working fluid in contact with lower or upper surface of membrane, and causing liquid working fluid to be evaporated from liquid-vapor interface in membrane. | 10-01-2009 |
20090274580 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE MOVEMENT OF A LIQUID ON A NANOSTRUCTURED OR MICROSTRUCTURE SURFACE - A method and apparatus is disclosed wherein the movement of a droplet disposed on a nanostructured or microstructured surface is determined by at least one characteristic of the nanostructure feature pattern or at least one characteristic of the droplet. In one embodiment, the movement of the droplet is laterally determined by at least one characteristic of the nanostructure feature pattern such that the droplet moves in a desired direction along a nanostructured feature pattern. In another embodiment, the movement of the droplet is determined by either at least one characteristic of the nanostructure feature pattern or at least one characteristic of the droplet in a way such that the droplet penetrates the feature pattern at a desired area and becomes substantially immobile. | 11-05-2009 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080273281 | LIQUID SWITCH - An apparatus comprising a liquid switch. The liquid switch comprises a substrate having a surface with first and second regions thereon and a fluid configured to contact both of the regions. The regions each comprise electrically connected fluid-support-structures, wherein each of the fluid-support-structures have at least one dimension of about 1 millimeter or less. The regions are electrically isolated from each other. | 11-06-2008 |
20100104748 | CLOSED-CELL SURFACES WITH ENHANCED DRAG-REDUCTION PROPERTIES - An apparatus, comprising a plurality of closed cells disposed on a surface of a substrate. Each of the closed cells has at least one dimension that is less than about 1 millimeter and are configured to hold a medium therein. The apparatus also comprises a foam that contacts the closed cells. The foam has fluid walls that include a surfactant, and bubbles of the foam layer are filled with the medium. | 04-29-2010 |
20110086766 | Chemical and Biological Detection Arrays - Device comprising: a first substrate; a plurality of first raised elements on the first substrate, the first raised elements mutually spaced apart by first channel regions on the first substrate, each of the first raised elements having a first distal end, the first distal ends forming a first array; hydrophobic molecules on the first raised elements; and primary reactive molecules on the first raised elements for generating hydrophilic reaction products. Techniques for utilizing the device. | 04-14-2011 |
20110244189 | SUPER-PHOBIC SURFACE STRUCTURES - Superlyophobic Surface Structure, including a substrate having a surface; a plurality of nanoscale raised features on the substrate surface, each nanoscale raised feature having a length measured in a direction approximately perpendicular to the substrate surface, each nanoscale raised feature having a raised feature diameter along the length and measured in a direction approximately parallel to the substrate surface; a nanoscale top feature on each of a plurality of the nanoscale raised features, each nanoscale top feature having a top feature diameter measured in a direction approximately parallel to the substrate surface; in which an average top feature diameter is greater than an average raised feature diameter. Method of fabricating a Superlyophobic Surface Structure. | 10-06-2011 |
20120036846 | SURFACES PHYSICALLY TRANSFORMABLE BY ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES - An apparatus includes a substrate having a top surface, a substantially regular array of raised structures located over the top surface, and a layer located on the top surface between the structures. Distal surfaces of the structures are farther from the top surface than remaining portions of the structures. The layer is able to contract such that the distal surfaces of the structures protrude through the layer. The layer is able to swell such that the distal surfaces of the structures are closer to the top surface of the substrate than one surface of the layer. | 02-16-2012 |
20120227243 | CLOSED CELL SURFACES WITH ENHANCED DRAG-REDUCTION PROPERTIES - An apparatus, comprising a plurality of closed cells disposed on a surface of a substrate. Each of the closed cells has at least one dimension that is less than about 1 millimeter and are configured to hold a medium therein. The apparatus also comprises a foam that contacts the closed cells. The foam has fluid walls that include a surfactant, and bubbles of the foam layer are filled with the medium. | 09-13-2012 |
20130122257 | SURFACES PHYSICALLY TRANSFORMABLE BY ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES - An apparatus includes a substrate having a top surface, a substantially regular array of raised structures located over the top surface, and a layer located on the top surface between the structures. Distal surfaces of the structures are farther from the top surface than remaining portions of the structures. The layer is able to contract such that the distal surfaces of the structures protrude through the layer. The layer is able to swell such that the distal surfaces of the structures are closer to the top surface of the substrate than one surface of the layer. | 05-16-2013 |
20140197131 | FLUID OSCILLATIONS ON STRUCTURED SURFACES - A device comprising a substrate having a surface that comprises a conductive base layer. The device also comprises fluid-support-structures on the conductive base layer. Each of the fluid-support-structures has at least one dimension of about 1 millimeter or less. Each of the fluid-support-structures is coated with an electrical insulator. The device is configured to oscillate a fluid locatable between tops of the fluid-support-structures and the conductive base layer when a voltage is applied between the conductive base layer and the fluid. | 07-17-2014 |
20140216938 | MICRO-CHEMICAL MIXING - A device comprising, a substrate having a droplet thereover, and an electrical source coupleable to the substrate. The electrical source is configured to apply a voltage between the substrate and the droplet using an electrode. The electrode has a first portion and a second portion non-symmetric to the first portion, the first and second portions defined by a plane located normal to a longitudinal axis and through a midpoint of a length of the electrode. | 08-07-2014 |