Piezoelectric Ultracapacitor

• US 20090058223A1
• Filed: 09/03/2007
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph A. Micallef
• Original Assignee: Joseph A. Micallef
• Inventors: Micallef, Joseph A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,755,257 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/308
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/26 characterised by their structure, e.g. multi-layered, porosity or surface features
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/30 with mechanical input and electrical output, e.g. functioning as generators or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/13 Energy storage using capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/42 Piezoelectric device making

Abstract

Piezoelectric ultracapacitor is disclosed capable of converting the kinetic energy of ordinary motion into an electrical potential. The piezoelectric ultracapacitor of the present invention may be used in various contexts, including power generation, switching and control and memory.

Claims

1. A piezoelectric device, comprising:

a piezoelectric element coupled to a first electrolyte material, said first electrolyte material coupled to a first electrode, and said piezoelectric element electrically coupled to said first electrode.

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

3. The piezoelectric device of claim 1 where in said first electrolyte material includes a first proton conductive membrane.

4. The piezoelectric device of claim 1 wherein said piezoelectric element is comprised of at least one flexible piezoelectric material.

5. The piezoelectric device of claim 1 wherein said piezoelectric element is electrically coupled to said first electrode via a first semi-conductive device.

6. The piezoelectric device of claim 2 wherein said piezoelectric element is electrically coupled to said first electrode via a first semi-conductive device and electrically coupled to said second electrode via a second semi-conductive device.

7. The piezoelectric device of claim 5 electrically coupled to a means for storing energy.

8. The piezoelectric device of claim 5 electrically coupled to a means for performing work.

9. The piezoelectric device of claim 5 electrically coupled to a means, for controlling.

10. An ultracapacitive device, comprising:

a first conductor, coupled to a first electrolyte layer, said first electrolyte layer coupled to a first face of a piezoelectric element,

a second conductor, coupled to a second electrolyte layer, said second electrolyte layer coupled to a second face of said piezoelectric element,

said first face of said piezoelectric element electrically coupled to said second conductor through a first semi-conductive device and said second face of said piezoelectric element electrically coupled to said first conductor through a second semi-conductive device.

11. The ultracapacitive device of claim 10 further comprising a third conductor coupled to a third electrolyte layer, said third electrolyte layer coupled to said first conductor, and said second face of said piezoelectric element electrically coupled to said third conductor.

12. The ultracapacitive device of claim 11 wherein said second conductor and said third conductor are both coupled to said second face of said piezoelectric element through said second semi-conductive device.

13. The ultracapacitive device of claim 12 further comprising a fourth conductor coupled to a fourth electrolyte layer, said fourth electrolyte layer coupled to said second conductor, and said first face of said piezoelectric element electrically coupled to said fourth conductor.

14. The ultracapacitive device of claim 13 wherein said first conductor and said fourth conductor are both coupled to said first face of said piezoelectric element through said first semi-conductive device.

15. A method of forming a piezoelectric ultracapacitor, comprising the following steps in any order:

(a) coupling a first conductive layer to a first electrolyte layer;

(b) coupling said first electrolyte layer to a first face of a piezoelectric element;

(c) coupling a second conductive layer to a second electrolyte layer;

(d) coupling said second electrolyte layer to a second face of said piezoelectric element;

(e) coupling said first face of said piezoelectric element to said second conductive layer, and

(f) coupling said second face of said piezoelectric element to said first conductive layer.

16. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of coupling said piezoelectric ultracapacitor to a means for consuming power.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the formation of at least one additional ultracapacitive layer coupled to said first conductive layer.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein said piezoelectric element is comprised of at least one flexible piezoelectric material.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising the formation of multiple additional ultracapacitive layers coupled to said first conductive layer and the formation of multiple additional ultracapacitive layers coupled to said second conductive layer.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising coupling said first face of said piezoelectric element to a first plurality of conductive layers through a first conductive device and said second face of said piezoelectric element to a second plurality of conductive layers through a second conductive device.

21. The method of claim 16 further comprising coupling said first face of said piezoelectric element to a first plurality of conductive layers through a first plurality of conductive devices and coupling said second face of said piezoelectric element to a second plurality of conductive layers through a second plurality of conductive devices.