HARVESTING ENERGY FROM VEHICULAR VIBRATIONS USING PIEZOELECTRIC DEVICES

• US 20100219720A1
• Filed: 02/27/2009
• Published: 09/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: NAMUDURI, CHANDRA S., ELLIOTT, ROBERT B., LI, YUNJUN, TALTY, TIMOTHY J., MCMAHON, NANCY
• Granted Patent: US 8,143,766 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/319
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/04 arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/01941 characterised by the use of piezoelectric elements, e.g. sensors or actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/314 with longitudinally arranged arms articulated on the axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/7101 Fiber-reinforced plastics [FRP]
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/60 Vehicles using regenerative power
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/06 with turns lying in cylindrical surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/18 Leaf springs planar springs in general F16F1/027; "Belleville"-type springs with generally radial arms F16F1/324
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 2224/0283 piezoelectric; electro- or magnetostrictive
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/186 Vibration harvesters

Abstract

An energy harvesting apparatus for deployment on a vehicle having a frame includes a spring assembly coupled to the frame and configured for compressions and extensions during vehicle travel. A piezoelectric device is mounted on the spring assembly for generating electrical energy in response to the strain imposed thereon. A rectifier is coupled to the piezoelectric device for converting AC electrical energy to DC.

Claims

1. An energy harvesting apparatus, comprising:

a vehicular spring assembly configured for compressions and extensions during vehicle travel; and

a piezoelectric device coupled to the vehicular spring assembly for generating electrical energy in response to strain imposed thereon in response to the compressions and extensions.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric device is a piezoelectric fiber composite.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the spring assembly comprises a leaf spring.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the spring assembly comprises a coil spring.

5. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the piezoelectric fiber composite is mounted on the spring assembly.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the energy harvesting apparatus is configured for use on a vehicle having a frame and a spring seat coupled to the frame and wherein a spring isolator is positioned between the spring seat and the coil, the apparatus further comprising a piezoelectric disk positioned between the spring seat and the coil spring.

7. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the energy harvesting apparatus is configured for use on a vehicle having a frame and a spring seat coupled to the frame and wherein a spring isolator is positioned between the spring seat and the coil, the apparatus further comprising a piezoelectric disk imbedded in the spring isolator.

8. An apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising an energy converter coupled to the piezoelectric fiber composite.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the energy converter is a rectifier.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising a sensor coupled to the rectifier for receiving energy therefrom.

11. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the piezoelectric fiber composite is mounted on an upper surface of the leaf spring.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the piezoelectric fiber composite is mounted on a lower surface of the leaf spring.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the piezoelectric fiber covers substantially the entire surface of the leaf spring.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the piezoelectric fiber is imbedded in the leaf spring.

15. An energy harvesting apparatus deployed on a vehicle having a frame, the apparatus comprising:

a leaf spring assembly coupled to the frame and configured for compressions and extensions during vehicle travel;

a piezoelectric device mounted on the leaf spring assembly for generating electrical energy in response to strain imposed thereon in response to the compressions and extensions; and

a rectifier coupled to the piezoelectric device for converting the electrical energy from AC to DC.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the piezoelectric device is a piezoelectric fiber composite.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16 further comprising a sensor coupled to the rectifier and receiving DC energy therefrom.

18. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the piezoelectric device is a multi-layer piezoelectric fiber composite.

19. An energy harvesting apparatus for deployment on a vehicle having a frame, the apparatus comprising:

a leaf spring assembly coupled to the frame and configured for compressions and extensions during vehicle travel, the leaf spring assemblies having a plurality of surfaces;

piezoelectric fiber composite material attached to the plurality of surfaces for generating AC electrical energy in response to strain imposed thereon due to the compressions and extensions; and

a rectifier coupled to the piezoelectric fiber composite for converting the AC electrical energy to DC energy.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19 further comprising a sensor coupled to the rectifier.