Abstract: A device for generating electrical energy from mechanical motion includes a buoy housing and at least one force modifier disposed at least partially within the interior of the buoy housing. The force modifier receives an input force and applies a modified force to another component. The force modifier includes a hydraulic system and the hydraulic system includes a first hydraulic piston having a first area and a second hydraulic piston having a second area, where the first area and the second area are not equal.

Abstract: A method facilitates storing and discharging renewable energy. The method includes applying an electrical potential across a membrane comprising an oxygen ion conducting material during an energy storage cycle, transporting oxygen through the membrane to move oxygen from ambient air to a storage chamber during the energy storage cycle, subsequent to the energy storage cycle, applying an oxygen partial pressure differential across the membrane during an energy discharge cycle, transporting oxygen ions in an opposite direction through the membrane during the energy discharge cycle; and generating an electric current in at least one electrical circuit electrically connected to the membrane during the energy discharge cycle.

Abstract: A device for generating electrical energy from mechanical motion includes a buoy housing and at least one force modifier disposed at least partially within the interior of the buoy housing. The force modifier receives an input force and applies a modified force to another component. The force modifier includes a hydraulic system and the hydraulic system includes a first hydraulic piston having a first area and a second hydraulic piston having a second area, where the first area and the second area are not equal.

Abstract: The device generates electrical energy from mechanical motion. The device includes at least one magnetostrictive element and at least one force modifier. The force modifier is coupled to the magnetostrictive element. The force modifier receives an input force and applies a modified force to the magnetostrictive element.

Abstract: A method facilitates storing and discharging renewable energy. The method includes applying an electrical potential across a membrane comprising an oxygen ion conducting material during an energy storage cycle, transporting oxygen through the membrane to move oxygen from ambient air to a storage chamber during the energy storage cycle, subsequent to the energy storage cycle, applying an oxygen partial pressure differential across the membrane during an energy discharge cycle, transporting oxygen ions in an opposite direction through the membrane during the energy discharge cycle; and generating an electric current in at least one electrical circuit electrically connected to the membrane during the energy discharge cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting electrical power from mechanical energy is described. The apparatus includes: a flux path. The flux path includes: a magnetic material having a magnetic property that is a function of stress on the magnetic material; a first magnetically conductive material proximate the magnetic material; a magnet in the flux path, wherein a magnetomotive force of the magnet causes magnetic flux; and a component configured to transfer changes in load caused by an external source to the magnetic material.

Abstract: The device generates electrical energy from mechanical motion. The device includes at least one magnetostrictive element and at least one force modifier. The force modifier is coupled to the magnetostrictive element. The force modifier receives an input force and applies a modified force to the magnetostrictive element.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus for harvesting electrical power from fluid motion are described. The apparatus includes a magnetostrictive component having an internal pre-stressed magnetostrictive core. A magnetic property of the magnetostrictive core is configured to change with changes in stress within the magnetostrictive core along at least one direction within the magnetostrictive component. Also, forces at least partially due to fluid motion results in changes of stress within the magnetostrictive core and consequently change the magnetic property. The magnetostrictive component is further configured such that the change in the magnetic property will result in a change in the magnetic flux, which can be used to generate electrical power.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting electrical power from mechanical energy is described. The apparatus includes at least one magnetostrictive element, at least one electrically conductive coil or circuit, and a magnetic circuit coupled to the electrically conductive coil or circuit to increase or maximize power production. The magnetostrictive element is configured to experience a forced stress and strain in response to external mechanical excitations. The electrically conductive coil or circuit is configured to produce electrical energy through electromagnetic induction.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting electrical power from mechanical energy is described. The apparatus includes: a flux path. The flux path includes: a magnetic material having a magnetic property that is a function of stress on the magnetic material; a first magnetically conductive material proximate the magnetic material; a magnet in the flux path, wherein a magnetomotive force of the magnet causes magnetic flux; and a component configured to transfer changes in load caused by an external source to the magnetic material.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting electrical power from hydrodynamic energy, the apparatus including a buoy or other water flotation device connected to an anchor by a tether and a magnetostrictive component having an internal pre-stressed magnetostrictive core that experiences at least a part of load changes experienced by the tether. The magnetic property of the magnetostrictive core is configured to change with changes in stress within the magnetostrictive core along at least one direction within the magnetostrictive component. The hydrodynamic energy acting on the buoy or other water flotation device results in changes in force within the tether, which in turn changes the stress within the magnetostrictive core and consequently changes a magnetic property. The magnetostrictive component is also configured such that the change in the magnetic property will result in a change in magnetic flux, which change can be used to generate electrical power.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus for harvesting electrical power from fluid motion are described. The apparatus includes a magnetostrictive component having an internal pre-stressed magnetostrictive core. A magnetic property of the magnetostrictive core is configured to change with changes in stress within the magnetostrictive core along at least one direction within the magnetostrictive component. Also, forces at least partially due to fluid motion results in changes of stress within the magnetostrictive core and consequently change the magnetic property. The magnetostrictive component is further configured such that the change in the magnetic property will result in a change in the magnetic flux, which can be used to generate electrical power.

Abstract: A method and device for energy conversion from a moving fluid to electrical energy. The device includes at least one magnetic structure, at least one coil structure, a rotating component, and a rotary to linear motion conversion mechanism. The at least one coil structure includes electrically conductive material. The rotating component rotates relative to a corresponding axis of rotation in response to forces applied by the moving fluid on a structure coupled to the rotating component. The rotary to linear motion conversion mechanism is coupled to the rotating component. Rotation of the rotating component around the corresponding axis of rotation generates a relative linear displacement between the at least one magnetic structure and at least one coil in the at least one coil structure. The relative linear displacement between the at least one magnetic structure and the at least one coil generates electrical energy in the at least one coil structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting electrical power from mechanical energy is described. The apparatus includes: a flux path. The flux path includes: a magnetic material having a magnetic property that is a function of stress on the magnetic material; a first magnetically conductive material proximate the magnetic material; a magnet in the flux path, wherein a magnetomotive force of the magnet causes magnetic flux; and a component configured to transfer changes in load caused by an external source to the magnetic material.

Abstract: A method and device for using magnetostriction to generate electricity from fluid motion. The device includes a first structural component, an outer housing, and a strain structure. The outer housing substantially circumscribes the first structural component and at least partially defines an annular space between the first structural component and the outer housing. The strain structure is coupled within the annular space between the first structural component and the outer housing. The strain structure experiences a change in physical strain imposed by a bearing in response to a relative movement between the bearing and the strain structure. The strain structure includes a magnetostrictive material to generate a magnetic field in response to the change in the physical strain.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting electrical power from hydrodynamic energy, the apparatus including a buoy or other water flotation device connected to an anchor by a tether and a magnetostrictive component having an internal pre-stressed magnetostrictive core that experiences at least a part of load changes experienced by the tether. The magnetic property of the magnetostrictive core is configured to change with changes in stress within the magnetostrictive core along at least one direction within the magnetostrictive component. The hydrodynamic energy acting on the buoy or other water flotation device results in changes in force within the tether, which in turn changes the stress within the magnetostrictive core and consequently changes a magnetic property. The magnetostrictive component is also configured such that the change in the magnetic property will result in a change in magnetic flux, which change can be used to generate electrical power.

Abstract: A method and device for using magnetostriction to generate electricity from fluid motion. The device includes a first structural component, an outer housing, and a strain structure. The outer housing substantially circumscribes the first structural component and at least partially defines an annular space between the first structural component and the outer housing. The strain structure is coupled within the annular space between the first structural component and the outer housing. The strain structure experiences a change in physical strain imposed by a bearing in response to a relative movement between the bearing and the strain structure. The strain structure includes a magnetostrictive material to generate a magnetic field in response to the change in the physical strain.

Abstract: A method and device for energy conversion from a moving fluid to electrical energy. The device includes at least one magnetic structure, at least one coil structure, a rotating component, and a rotary to linear motion conversion mechanism. The at least one coil structure includes electrically conductive material. The rotating component rotates relative to a corresponding axis of rotation in response to forces applied by the moving fluid on a structure coupled to the rotating component. The rotary to linear motion conversion mechanism is coupled to the rotating component. Rotation of the rotating component around the corresponding axis of rotation generates a relative linear displacement between the at least one magnetic structure and at least one coil in the at least one coil structure. The relative linear displacement between the at least one magnetic structure and the at least one coil generates electrical energy in the at least one coil structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting electrical power from mechanical energy is described. The apparatus includes: a flux path. The flux path includes: a magnetic material having a magnetic property that is a function of stress on the magnetic material; a first magnetically conductive material proximate the magnetic material; a magnet in the flux path, wherein a magnetomotive force of the magnet causes magnetic flux; and a component configured to transfer changes in load caused by an external source to the magnetic material.

Abstract: A method and device for using magnetostriction to generate electricity from fluid motion. The device includes a first structural component, an outer housing, and a strain structure. The outer housing substantially circumscribes the first structural component and at least partially defines an annular space between the first structural component and the outer housing. The strain structure is coupled within the annular space between the first structural component and the outer housing. The strain structure experiences a change in physical strain imposed by a bearing in response to a relative movement between the bearing and the strain structure. The strain structure includes a magnetostrictive material to generate a magnetic field in response to the change in the physical strain.