A Linear Permanent Magnet Generator for Powering Implanted Electronic Devices

Permanent magnet (PM) machines provide high efficiency, compact size, robustness, lightweight, and low noise. These features qualify them as the best suitable machine for medical applications. The system presented in this paper is a self-contained, small size, and reliable device that can continuously provide power. The core of the system is a linear generator that consists of two layers of PMs and one layer of coils. It generates power from multidirectional body movements. The movement of the device causes the coil layer to move. The relative movement of the coils versus PMs, on two sides, creates a varying flux in the windings. This change in flux produces voltage in the winding and can be converted into electrical power if a load is connected. The best place to implement this device to produce continuous power is on a muscle inside the body that is linked to the respiratory system. Design, simulation, implementation, and testing of the generator are presented in this paper. The testing results reveal that the generator can produce up to 1 mW of power in the body.