US Patent 10135315 Generator assembly and bearing equipped with the same

A generator assembly for harvesting energy in a bearing arrangement having a first component and a second component, wherein the first component is configured to rotate in relation to the second component. The generator assembly includes a plurality of coils attached to the first component, wherein the coils are configured to interact with a magnet ring with alternating magnetization directions attached to the second component. In order to achieve an adaptable and flexible design, the coils are placed and oriented such that a winding axis of the coils is oriented in an essentially circumferential direction in relation to a rotation axis of the bearing arrangement.