Electromagnetic harvester device for scavenging ambient mechanical energy with slow, variable, and randomness nature

Abstract

This work describes the design and optimization of an non resonant electromagnetic energy harvester to generate electrical power from slow oscillating movements present in the ambient (produced by the sea waves, the wind,…), which associated energy has an inherent variable nature and randomness and a wide range of low frequencies and high displacement amplitudes. A spherical magnet with a spindle moves inside a cylindrical coil along large distances owing to the little inclination produced by the oscillations. Such inertial generator has many advantages for powering remote systems and autonomous applications. It is clean, robust, and can be manufactured as hermetic systems without maintenance costs. Simulations of the generated average power densities are compared to experimental results from a first set of prototypes.