Systems, articles of manufacture, apparatus and methods employing piezoelectrics for energy harvesting

• US 10,447,178 B1
• Filed: 02/02/2017
• Issued: 10/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brrr!, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Brrr!, Inc.
• Inventors: Hays, Tosha, Kolb, Mary-Cathryn
• Primary Examiner(s): Dougherty, Thomas M
• Application Number:
  US15/423,064
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 319311, 319318, 319319, 319328, 319339, 319800
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/002 adapted to accommodate electronic equipment patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/38 with power sources
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/00 Purses, bags, luggage or other receptacles covered by groups A45C1/00 - A45C11/00, combined with other objects or articles A45C1/08, A45C3/14, A45C11/321, A45C13/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 3/00 Flexible luggage; Handbags collapsible or extensible luggage, bags or the like A45C7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 3/06 Ladies' handbags
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 1/0088 Fabrics having an electronic function
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 1/14 Other fabrics or articles characterised primarily by the use of particular thread materials
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/18 producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators for measurement devices G01
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/181 Circuits; Control arrangements or methods
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/10513 characterised by the underlying bases, e.g. substrates
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/30 with mechanical input and electrical output, e.g. functioning as generators or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/857 Macromolecular compositions

Abstract

The subject disclosure can facilitate piezoelectrics for energy harvesting. In one example, an article of manufacture (AOM) is provided. The AOM can comprise a piezoelectric fabric comprising: a piezoelectric film; an elastic base on which the piezoelectric film is bonded forming a piezoelectric material; and a yarn, wherein the yarn and the piezoelectric material are coupled to one another in a defined ratio of interlacement. The yarn and the piezoelectric material are configured as coils in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the piezoelectric material is configured such that compression or elongation of the piezoelectric material generates electrical energy. In some embodiments, the AOM further comprises a power management module coupled to the piezoelectric material and configured to store electrical energy received from the piezoelectric material. The AOM can also comprise a rivet, grommet or button coupled to the piezoelectric material or the power management module and configured to capture energy.

Claims

1. An article of manufacture, comprising:

a piezoelectric fabric comprising;

a piezoelectric film;

an elastic base on which the piezoelectric film is bonded forming a piezoelectric material; and

a yarn, wherein the yarn and the piezoelectric material are coupled to one another in a defined ratio of interlacement.

2. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the yarn and the piezoelectric material are configured as coils in the defined ratio of interlacement.

3. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric material is configured such that compression or elongation of the piezoelectric fabric generates electrical energy.

4. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the article of manufacture further comprises a power connection component electrically coupled to the piezoelectric fabric and configured to receive or capture harvested energy.

5. The article of manufacture of claim 4, wherein the power connection component comprises a rivet.

6. The article of manufacture of claim 4, wherein the power connection component comprises a grommet.

7. The article of manufacture of claim 4, wherein the power connection component comprises a button.

8. The article of manufacture of claim 4, wherein the power connection component is at least one of a rivet, a grommet or a button and the power connection component is adapted to be received by a power port of an electronic device to charge the electronic device.

9. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the yarn is at least one of a conductive yarn or a combination of polyester and spandex.

10. The article of manufacture of claim 9, wherein the conductive yarn comprises at least one of metal yarn, carbon nanotube yarn or metal plated yarn.

11. The article of manufacture of claim 4, wherein the power connection component comprises a circuit configured to perform storage or processing of harvested energy and wherein the power connection component is included in a network of a plurality of rivets, grommets or buttons of the article of manufacture.

12. The article of manufacture of claim 4, wherein the power connection component is at least one of a rivet, a grommet or a button and the power connection component is further adapted to wirelessly charge a mobile device.

13. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the article of manufacture is comprised in at least one of a shoe or a handbag.

14. A system, comprising:

a piezoelectric fabric comprising;

a piezoelectric film;

a base to which the piezoelectric film is bonded forming a piezoelectric material; and

a yarn coupled to the piezoelectric material in a defined ratio of interlacement; and

a power management module configured to store energy generated from the piezoelectric fabric and electrically coupled to a band of conductive fibers comprised of the piezoelectric fabric, wherein the conductive fibers perform one or more functions of an electrical bus.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

at least one of a rivet, a grommet or a button electrically coupled to the piezoeletric fabric and to the power management module.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one of the rivet, grommet or button is electrically coupled to the power management module by a wireless communication channel, and wherein the at least one of the rivet, grommet or button comprises inductor coils to enable inductive coupling between an inductive circuit of the at least one of the rivet, grommet or button and a chargeable device.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one of the rivet, grommet or button is adapted to be received by a power port of an electronic device to charge the electronic device, and wherein the electronic device comprises a rechargeable battery or a mobile device.

18. A method, comprising:

generating energy generated based on activation of a piezoelectric fabric, wherein the piezoelectric fabric comprises a piezoelectric film, a base to which the piezoelectric film is bonded forming a piezoelectric material and a yarn coupled to the piezoelectric material and configured as at least one coil in a defined ratio of interlacement, wherein the activation is via an action of a user of the piezoelectric fabric; and

receiving the generated energy at a power management module coupled to the piezoelectric fabric, wherein the piezoelectric fabric is comprised within an item of apparel wearable by the user.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises:

charging a chargeable device based on establishment of at least one of an inductive coupling or an electrical connection between the chargeable device at least one of a circuit of a rivet, a grommet or a button.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises:

storing the generated energy via a circuit of at least one of a rivet, a grommet or a button coupled to the power management module.