Patent ID: 8080906

Claim:
An electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the electromechanical generator comprising: a substantially annular high-permeability core, the core including at least one magnet therein to define a magnetic circuit; at least one rotatable bearing mounting the core to at least one bearing support, the at least one bearing permitting the core to pivot about a pivot axis when the electromechanical device is vibrated, a gap provided in the core; a body of high-permeability material located in the gap, the body being independent of, and spaced from, the substantially annular high-permeability core and spaced from respective end faces of the core by a respective spacing whereby pivoting movement of the substantially annular high-permeability core about the pivot axis and relative to the body causes relative movement between the end faces of the core and the body; and a coil surrounding a length of the core, from which coil an output electrical power is obtainable when the electromechanical device is vibrated; whereby the core containing the at least one magnet creates magnetic flux that flows from one of the end faces to the other of the end faces via the respective spacings and through the body such as to provide a restoring force on the core.