Piezoelectric Ultracapacitor

• US 20080212262A1
• Filed: 04/26/2008
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph A. Micallef
• Original Assignee: Joseph A. Micallef
• Inventors: Micallef, Joseph A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,859,171 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/502
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/08 Structural combinations, e.g. assembly or connection, of hybrid or EDL capacitors with other electric components, at least one hybrid or EDL capacitor being the main component
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/56 Solid electrolytes, e.g. gels; Additives therein
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 17/00 Structural combinations of capacitors or other devices covered by at least two different main groups of this subclass with other electric elements, not covered by this subclass, e.g. RC combinations
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/028 Organic semiconducting electrolytes, e.g. TCNQ
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/07 Dielectric layers
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/18 producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators for measurement devices G01
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/13 Energy storage using capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A piezoelectric ultracapacitor is disclosed capable of converting the kinetic energy of ordinary motion into an electrical potential. Multiple piezoelectric ultracapacitors may be configured together to provide an increased output voltage and various materials may advantageously be used. The piezoelectric ultracapacitor of the present invention may be used in various contexts, including power generation, switching and control and memory. An elastomeric piezoelectric ultracapacitor, along with methods of making and operating such a device, is also disclosed. The elastomeric piezoelectric ultracapacitor utilizes the voltage generation capabilities of a piezoelectric ultracapacitor and the generator mode operation of an elastomer actuator, combined and cooperating in novel ways, to provide improved energy generation capabilities.

Claims

1. A piezoelectric device, comprising:

a piezoelectric element coupled to a first layer of a gel electrolyte material and said first layer coupled to a first electrode.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said piezoelectric element is further coupled to a second layer of a gel electrolyte material, said second layer is coupled to a second electrode and said piezoelectric element is electrically coupled to said first electrode.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said piezoelectric element comprises PVDF.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said gel electrolyte material comprises a lithium gel electrolyte.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said gel electrolyte material is a polymer gel electrolyte formed from an ionic salt selected from the group consisting essentially of LiAsF6, LiPF6, LiBF4, LiClO4.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said gel electrolyte material is a polymer gel electrolyte formed from a plurality of ionic salts each selected from the group consisting essentially of LiAsF6, LiPF6, LiBF4, LiClO4.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said electrode comprises a means for capacitively coupling to said electrolyte material.

8. A device comprising a plurality of piezoelectric ultracapacitors.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the anode of a first of said plurality of piezoelectric ultracapacitors is coupled to the cathode of a second of said plurality of piezoelectric ultracapacitors.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein said plurality of piezoelectric ultracapacitors is coupled to an energy storage device.

11. An device comprising a piezoelectric element coupled to an elastomer material coupled to an electrode.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said piezoelectric element comprises a piezoelectric core coupled to a first layer of an electrolyte material.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said piezoelectric core is further coupled to a second layer of an electrolyte material.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein said piezoelectric element comprises PVDF.

15. The device of claim 12 wherein said electrolyte material comprises a lithium gel electrolyte.

16. The device of claim 12 wherein said electrolyte material is a polymer gel electrolyte formed from an ionic salt selected from the group consisting essentially of LiAsF6, LiPF6, LiBF4, LiClO4.

17. The device of claim 12 wherein said electrolyte material is a polymer gel electrolyte formed from a plurality of ionic salts each selected from the group consisting essentially of LiAsF6, LiPF6, LiBF4, LiClO4.

18. The device of claim 11 wherein said electrode comprises a compliant electrode.

19. The device of claim 12 wherein said first layer is coupled to a means for capacitively coupling.

20. The device of claim 13 wherein said first layer comprises a gel electrolyte and is coupled to a first means for capacitively coupling, said second layer comprises a gel electrolyte and is coupled to a second means for capacitively coupling, and wherein said electrode is a compliant electrode.

21. The device of claim 11 coupled to an electric vehicle.