Dual-Mode Piezoelectric/Magnetic Vibrational Energy Harvester
First Claim
1. A vibrational energy harvester, comprising:
- a body;
a proof mass connected to the body via a flexible member, wherein the proof mass moves with respect to the body via bending of the flexible member when the body is moved;
a piezoelectric patch attached to the flexible member, wherein the piezoelectric patch produces a voltage when the flexible member bends;
at least one magnet; and
at least one coil, wherein the at least one magnet and at least one coil move with respect to each other when the proof mass moves with respect to the body and produce a second voltage in the at least one coil.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of a vibrational energy harvester are provided. A vibrational energy harvester can include a translator layer sandwiched between two stator layers. The translator layer can include a plate having an array of magnets and two or more piezoelectric patches coupled to a tether beam attached to the plate. The stator layers can have a printed circuit board with multilayer electrical windings situated in a housing. In operation, vibration of the housing can result in bending of the piezoelectric patches coupled to the tether beam. This bending simultaneously results in a relative displacement of the translator, which causes a voltage potential in the piezoelectric patches, and a relative velocity between the translator and the stators, which induces a voltage potential in the stator coils. These voltage potentials generate an AC power, which can be converted to DC power through a rectification circuit incorporating passive and active conversion.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A vibrational energy harvester, comprising:
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a body; a proof mass connected to the body via a flexible member, wherein the proof mass moves with respect to the body via bending of the flexible member when the body is moved; a piezoelectric patch attached to the flexible member, wherein the piezoelectric patch produces a voltage when the flexible member bends; at least one magnet; and at least one coil, wherein the at least one magnet and at least one coil move with respect to each other when the proof mass moves with respect to the body and produce a second voltage in the at least one coil. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification