SELF-POWERED PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE
First Claim
1. A self-powered electronic device comprising:
- a housing;
one or more electrical components disposed in said housing wherein one or more of said one or more electrical components comprise electrical loads;
electrical circuitry associated with operation of said self-powered electronic device, said electrical circuitry electrically connecting said one or more electrical components;
a piezoelectric ceramic material electrically coupled to one or more of said electrical loads of said self-powered electronic device, wherein said piezoelectric ceramic material harvests and converts mechanical energy into electrical energy for powering one or more of said electrical loads.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to devices, systems, and methods having energy harvesting capabilities for self-powering portable electronic devices. The energy harvesting system preferably includes piezoelectric ceramic fibers that harvest mechanical energy to provide electrical energy or power to operate one or more features of the portable electronic device. The piezoelectric ceramic fibers may be in and/or on a structure of a portable electronic device and/or auxiliary devices/structures associated with a portable electronic device. The piezoelectric ceramic fibers allow generation of charge from mechanical inputs seen in everyday use of the portable electronic device and provide for the collection of generated energy. The energy harvesting capabilities also provide for conversion and storage of the harvested energy as electrical energy that may be used for powering one or more features of the portable electronic device. The piezoelectric ceramic fiber energy harvesting system may reduce and/or eliminate the need for external power sources and/or battery power.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A self-powered electronic device comprising:
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a housing;
one or more electrical components disposed in said housing wherein one or more of said one or more electrical components comprise electrical loads;
electrical circuitry associated with operation of said self-powered electronic device, said electrical circuitry electrically connecting said one or more electrical components;
a piezoelectric ceramic material electrically coupled to one or more of said electrical loads of said self-powered electronic device, wherein said piezoelectric ceramic material harvests and converts mechanical energy into electrical energy for powering one or more of said electrical loads. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A self-powered, portable electronic device comprising:
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a housing;
ultra low power electronics housed within the housing; and
high charge piezoelectric ceramic fibers and/or fiber composites embedded within, disposed within, or attached to said portable electronic device, wherein said piezoelectric ceramic fibers and/or fiber composites harvest increased deliverable power from mechanical inputs to said portable electronic device;
wherein said piezoelectric ceramic fibers and/or fiber composites are electrically coupled to said ultra low power electronics to power said ultra low power electronics; and
wherein integration and convergence of ultra low power electronics and high charge piezoelectric ceramic fibers and/or fiber composites enable said portable electronic device to be partially or fully self-powered.
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23. A method of self-powering an electronic device comprising:
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(a) incorporating an energy harvesting system comprising a piezoelectric ceramic material into a portable electronic device;
(b) positioning and orienting the piezoelectric ceramic material at one or more mechanical energy input points;
(c) generating a charge in the piezoelectric ceramic material from a mechanical energy input at the mechanical energy input points, (d) powering a load from the charge generated in the piezoelectric ceramic material. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A self-powered, portable electronic device comprising:
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a housing;
electronics housed within the housing;
a piezoelectric ceramic material for harvesting increased deliverable power from mechanical inputs to the portable electronic device, wherein the piezoelectric ceramic material is electrically coupled to the electronics to power the electronics. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification