Kinetic energy scavenging in a prosthetic foot using a fluidic system

Abstract

The use of active prostheses for the lower extremity is limited by the amount of electric energy stored in batteries. A promising way to extend their usage time is to convert motions generated by the human body during walking to electrical energy. A first functioning prototype was designed to transfer kinetic energy from heel contact and forefoot contact to a generator by using a fluidic system. Experimental results show that walking with the system generates an average electrical power of 0.8 W. The design of the energy scavenging system (ESS) is presented and results are discussed.

Development of a Miniature Water Turbine Powered by Human Weight During Walking

“…It contains only one moving part and thus is less noisy and prone to mechanical failure as other systems. Due to the lack of mechanical gears, the large forces cannot be translated into large speeds and thus the power output is significantly lower than for example in [5]. The presented device however is far smaller than the device in [5] and can actually be integrated in a shoe sole.…”

“…Due to the lack of mechanical gears, the large forces cannot be translated into large speeds and thus the power output is significantly lower than for example in [5]. The presented device however is far smaller than the device in [5] and can actually be integrated in a shoe sole. Future work includes introducing a mechanical transmission while retaining the compactness of the device.…”

“…The fluid flow can then be used to drive the actual transduction mechanism. In [5] the fluid flow drives a differential piston which in turn drives gears and a generator to generate power outputs up to 800 mW. This work presents such a fluidic system.…”

Design of a body energy harvesting system for the upper extremity

“…Energy harvesting generators are attractive for prolonging the restricted battery capacity in low-power medical devices. Different principles to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy have been proposed or demonstrated [1][2][3][4][5], particularly at the microscale. However, most systems are designed to convert energy from motions of the lower extremities.…”

Design of a body energy harvesting system for the upper extremity

“…Different principles to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy have been proposed or demonstrated [1][2][3][4][5], particularly at the microscale. However, most systems are designed to convert energy from motions of the lower extremities.…”