Electrical power generators and methods of producing power in a subterranean well are provided. In a described embodiment, fluid flow through a fluid conduit causes a member to displace or vibrate. The displacement of the member is utilized to induce strain in a piezoelectric material, thereby causing the piezoelectric material to produce electricity. Various means may be used to create turbulence in the fluid flow, thereby increasing displacement of the member, resulting in increased power output from the generator.

Vibration based power generator

An apparatus for convening vibratory motion along a predetermined vibration axis to electrical energy comprises an enclosure having first and second opposite walls substantially parallel to one another. A magnet carrier structure in the enclosure also has first and second opposite walls substantially parallel to one another. A pair of springs suspend the carrier structure in the enclosure so that corresponding first walls and corresponding second walls, respectively, face one another with a predetermined spacing therebetween. The springs allow reciprocating movement of the carrier structure relative to the enclosure only along the vibration axis in response to the vibratory motion. Separate magnet sets, each comprising a row of permanent magnets, are attached to a respective outer surface of the first and second walls of the carrier structure for producing a respective magnet flux. Separate coil assembly sets, substantially configured and dimensioned like the magnet rows, are attached to a respective inner surface of the first and second walls of the enclosure and are situated to be magnetically coupled to a corresponding one of the separate magnet sets in order to produce electrical current due to magnetic flux changes whenever the carrier structure and the enclosure move reciprocally with respect to one another along the vibration axis.

Apparatus for converting vibratory motion to electrical energy

A vibration based power generator. In a described embodiment, an electrical power generating system includes a vibrating assembly including a vortex shedding device which sheds vortices in response to fluid flow across the vibrating assembly. A generator generates electrical power in response to vibration of the vibrating assembly. The vortex shedding device sheds the vortices at a frequency which is substantially equal to a resonant frequency of the vibrating assembly.

Method of and device for producing electric energy from a cyclic combustion process. The device includes two oppositely disposed aligned spark ignited internal combustion engine cylinders axially spaced from each other, means rigidly connecting the pistons so that they reciprocate in unison in their respective cylinders, and a reciprocable electrical linear generator-motor unit driven by said reciprocatory piston system. The generator-motor unit includes a very light coreless (ironless) coil rigidly attached to and reciprocatory with the piston system, the said coil reciprocating through a constant strength magnetic field. The beginning of the combustion process (or cycle) in each combustion chamber takes place at the lowest possible compression ratio sufficient for the initial ignition of the fuel-air mixture, the combustion process proceeding at a diminishing volume under the pressure from the compression- and combustion-forces of the opposite combustion chamber-piston system. The combustion process terminates after some extreme point at an expanding volume, whereby the resulting forces are used for compression in the opposite combustion chamber and there the cycle being repeated, which processes (cycles) are taking place under a positive feed-back relation. Because said feed-back relation is very pronounced, this results in a height velocity and a reciprocating rate of the connected piston system whereby there is induced an electromotive voltage in the coil.

Method and apparatus for producing electrical energy from a cyclic combustion process utilizing coupled pistons which reciprocate in unison

This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a power generating system particularly suitable for field use in remote locations, which is fuel-efficient, relatively quiet, tolerant of dust, capable of operating on low grade logistics and diesel-like fuels and capable of generating between 500 W and 2 KW of continuous electrical power This generating system employs a two-cycle MICE generator having a piston that operates within a cylinder, and an interconnected, axially moving piston shaft that oscillates an alternator coil within a magnetic core The piston shaft is attached to, and resisted by, the free end of a strong spring with a second, opposing end fixed to the MICE casing To control operation of the MICE generator a dual clipper circuit is operatively connected with the alternator coil The clipper circuit senses the current and at least two voltage levels and applies at least two respective loads in response to the sensed voltage levels and current so as to (a) prevent overstroke of the piston and (b) control power output of the alternator coil The MICE generator also includes a fuel intake preheater that selectively heats fuel/air mixture entering the casing and a controller that senses load on the alternator coil varies a level of preheating to thereby control a level of power output

System and method for controlling a power generating system

A generator in which the inductor is operatively connected to spring structure to be periodically oscillated relative to an induced current coil, at frequencies of mechanical resonance and responsive to irregular power strokes of an engine piston.

Demetrescu Mihai

Papers

Combustion engine driven generator including spring structure for oscillating the inductor at the mechanical resonant frequency between power strokes