Auburn AL - Archangel Systems, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded a Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract to augment the increasing body of research on harvesting energy from human motion. The study focuses on the aspects associated with capturing, converting, and managing energy from walking. A linear generator with magnetic gearing is the harvesting mechanism in the proposed Harvester Backpack. The generator is integrated directly in the backpack frame. Magnetic gearing converts the slow physical velocity to a higher frequency magnetic flux. Both features lead to a reduction in the size and weight of the backpack with minimal impact on functionality.

Three-phase ac power from the linear generator is converted to desired dc output by the Intelligent Energy Controller (IEC). The IEC contains the power converter, battery recharger, sensor suites (for monitoring battery state of charge) and a processor that supervises all activities. The IEC uses adaptive control and optimum battery recharge routines to maximize efficiency as load levels and generator output vary. Additional features include data logging for post-mission maintenance, real-time diagnostics and displays.

Mobile power sources, such as batteries, often add great additional weight to a backpacker’’s load. As a result, there is great interest in harvesting electrical power from the energy expended during walking in a variety of situations. A number of markets have been identified for application of this developed technology. Once it is available to the commercial market, the Harvester Backpack will help consumers to use their electronic equipment in remote locations, where no other source of energy is available. Different versions of this backpack could allow disaster relief workers, explorers or soldiers to go out into the field with fewer heavy replacement batteries for cell phones, GPS instruments, night vision goggles and other portable electronics. Refinements of the design could also lead to backpacks that use active morphing to increase comfort and to dynamically customize fit. Incorporating therapeutic features is also possible.

Archangel Systems, Inc. is a private, closely held Alabama Corporation, headquartered in Auburn, Alabama. Formed in 1992, the company specializes in Inertial Sensing Systems & Solutions for Aerospace, Automotive, and Military Applications and power electronics for military and space applications. Areas of expertise include power conversion and management, sensor development, hardware & software development, as well as FAA certification of both hardware & software to the highest levels of criticality. For additional information, please visit www.archangel.com.

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