Integrated Piezoelectric Composite and Support Circuit
First Claim
1. A module, comprising a flexible support member, a first piezoelectric element, a second piezoelectric element, an energy harvesting circuit, and a circuit element, wherein said energy harvesting circuit includes a first rectifying device, a second rectifying device, a common output, and an energy storage device, wherein said flexible support member includes an insulator having a pattern of wiring traces, wherein said first piezoelectric element, said second piezoelectric element, said first rectifying device, and said second rectifying device are all mounted on and electrically connected to said flexible support member, wherein said first rectifying device is electrically connected to said first piezoelectric element, wherein said second rectifying device is electrically connected to said second piezoelectric element, and wherein said first rectifying device is electrically connected to said second rectifying device to provide said common output, wherein said common output is connected for providing electrical energy harvested from at least one from the group consisting of said first piezoelectric element and said second piezoelectric element to said energy storage device, and wherein said energy storage device is connected for providing electricity for powering said circuit element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A module includes a flexible support member, a first piezoelectric element, a second piezoelectric element, an energy harvesting circuit, and a circuit element. The energy harvesting circuit includes a first rectifying device, a second rectifying device, a common output, and an energy storage device. The flexible support member includes an insulator having a pattern of wiring traces. The first piezoelectric element, the second piezoelectric element, the first rectifying device, and the second rectifying device are all mounted on and electrically connected to the flexible support member. The first rectifying device is electrically connected to the first piezoelectric element. The second rectifying device is electrically connected to the second piezoelectric element. The first rectifying device is electrically connected to the second rectifying device to provide the common output. The common output is connected for providing electrical energy harvested from at least one from the group consisting of the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element to the energy storage device. The energy storage device is connected for providing electricity for powering the circuit element.
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Citations
30 Claims
- 1. A module, comprising a flexible support member, a first piezoelectric element, a second piezoelectric element, an energy harvesting circuit, and a circuit element, wherein said energy harvesting circuit includes a first rectifying device, a second rectifying device, a common output, and an energy storage device, wherein said flexible support member includes an insulator having a pattern of wiring traces, wherein said first piezoelectric element, said second piezoelectric element, said first rectifying device, and said second rectifying device are all mounted on and electrically connected to said flexible support member, wherein said first rectifying device is electrically connected to said first piezoelectric element, wherein said second rectifying device is electrically connected to said second piezoelectric element, and wherein said first rectifying device is electrically connected to said second rectifying device to provide said common output, wherein said common output is connected for providing electrical energy harvested from at least one from the group consisting of said first piezoelectric element and said second piezoelectric element to said energy storage device, and wherein said energy storage device is connected for providing electricity for powering said circuit element.
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16. A smart system, comprising a structure, an energy harvesting circuit, a first insulating layer, and a circuit element, wherein said energy harvesting circuit includes a first piezoelectric element and an energy storage device, wherein said first insulating layer includes a pattern of wiring traces, wherein said first insulating layer is mounted on said first piezoelectric element, wherein said first piezoelectric element is electrically connected to said first insulating layer, wherein said first piezoelectric element is mounted to said structure to receive mechanical energy from said structure and convert said mechanical energy into electrical energy, wherein said first piezoelectric element is electrically connected for providing said electrical energy to said energy storage device, and wherein said energy storage device is connected for providing electricity for powering the circuit element.
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22. A method of fabricating a module, comprising:
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a. providing a flexible support member, a first piezoelectric element, a second piezoelectric element, an energy harvesting circuit, and circuit element, wherein said energy harvesting circuit includes a first rectifying device, a second rectifying device, and a common output; b. mounting said first piezoelectric element, said second piezoelectric element, said first rectifying device, said second rectifying device, and said circuit element on said flexible support member wherein said flexible support member includes an insulator having a pattern of wiring traces; c. electrically connecting said first rectifying device to said first piezoelectric element, electrically connecting said second rectifying device to said second piezoelectric element, and electrically connecting said first rectifying device to said second rectifying device to provide said common output; and d. electrically connecting said common output to provide electrical energy harvested from at least one from the group consisting of said first piezoelectric element and said second piezoelectric element for powering said circuit element.
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- 23. A module, comprising a first piezoelectric element, an energy harvesting circuit, and a circuit element, wherein said piezoelectric element provides physical support for said energy harvesting circuit, wherein said energy harvesting circuit includes an energy storage device, wherein said piezoelectric element converts mechanical energy into electrical energy and is connected to provide said electrical energy to said energy storage device for powering the circuit element.
Specification