Piezoelectric generator

• US 20040108724A1
• Filed: 12/02/2003
• Published: 06/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polatis Photonics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Continuum Controls Corporation
• Inventors: Hagood, Nesbitt W. IV, Ghandi, Kamyar, Bent, Aaron A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,909,224 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/1R
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/18 producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators for measurement devices G01

Abstract

A method of extracting electrical energy from mechanical motion includes reusing an elastic portion of energy in a transducer by transferring the elastic portion of energy to another transducer. An apparatus for extracting electrical energy from mechanical motion includes at least two transducers coupled such that an elastic portion of energy in one transducer is transferable to the other transducer. The transducers are coupled by a member defining a waved surface, and each transducer defines a coupler in contact with the waved surface for movement following the waved surface. Couplers of two transducers are positioned such that they move out-of-phase relative to each other. The transducers are bound to a plate positioned between members such that the plate is deformed. The plate and members are configured such that relative rotation therebetween produces a wave that travels along the plate.

Claims

1. A method of extracting electrical energy from mechanical motion, comprising:

reusing an elastic portion of energy in a transducer by transferring the elastic portion of energy to another transducer.

2. An apparatus for extracting electrical energy from mechanical motion, comprising:

at least two transducers coupled such that an elastic portion of energy in one transducer is transferable to the other transducer.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a member coupling the transducers.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the member defines a waved surface and each transducer defines a coupler in contact with the waved surface for movement following the waved surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the coupler contacts the waved surface on a first side of the coupler, and the member defines a second waved surface, the coupler contacting the second waved surface on a second side of the coupler opposite the first side.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein couplers of two transducers are positioned such that they move out-of-phase relative to each other.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the waves surface is sinusoidal.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the transducers are bound to a plate.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the plate is positioned between members such that the plate is deformed.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the plate and members are configured such that relative rotation therebetween produces a wave that travels along the plate.