Piezoelectric generator for hydraulic systems
First Claim
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1. A piezoelectric power generator assembly comprising:
- a housing comprising an outer surface that contacts a fluid surrounding the housing and an inner surface that defines a recess;
a piezoelectric transducer located in the recess of the housing; and
a piston located in the recess of the housing, the piston movable with respect to the housing;
wherein the housing comprises an opening formed in the outer surface that enables the fluid to contact a first surface of the piston to drive the piston toward the piezoelectric transducer, thereby causing a second surface of the piston opposite the first surface to contact the piezoelectric transducer, and the piezoelectric transducer is configured to generate an electrical charge when contacted by the piston.
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Abstract
A piezoelectric power generator assembly includes a housing, a piezoelectric transducer located in the housing, and a piston located in the housing. The piston is movable with respect to the housing and is configured to be moved into contact with the piezoelectric transducer, and the piezoelectric transducer is configured to generate an electrical charge when contacted by the piston.
16 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A piezoelectric power generator assembly comprising:
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a housing comprising an outer surface that contacts a fluid surrounding the housing and an inner surface that defines a recess; a piezoelectric transducer located in the recess of the housing; and a piston located in the recess of the housing, the piston movable with respect to the housing; wherein the housing comprises an opening formed in the outer surface that enables the fluid to contact a first surface of the piston to drive the piston toward the piezoelectric transducer, thereby causing a second surface of the piston opposite the first surface to contact the piezoelectric transducer, and the piezoelectric transducer is configured to generate an electrical charge when contacted by the piston. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of operating a piezoelectric power generator assembly comprising:
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submerging a housing of the piezoelectric power generator within a pressurized fluid; driving, via the pressurized fluid, a first surface of a piston supported by the housing to drive the piston toward a piezoelectric transducer positioned in the housing thereby causing a second surface of the piston opposite the first surface to contact the piezoelectric transducer; and generating an electrical charge with the piezoelectric transducer in response to mechanical stress applied to the piezoelectric transducer by the piston. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification