System for Harvesting Energy in Vehicles and Methods of Making and Using the Same
First Claim
1. A system for harvesting power in a vehicle, comprising:
- a) one or more piezoelectric devices capable of producing electrical power when the vehicle is in operation or normal use, the piezoelectric device(s) comprising an organic piezoelectric polymer; and
b) a power conditioning unit electrically connected to the piezoelectric devices.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Organic polymer-based energy harvesting materials may be applied to any surface of a vehicle experiencing contortion, compression, mechanical stress and/or strain, and/or vibration during operation. An organic piezoelectric polymer film is applied to some or all of those parts of the vehicle that exhibit stress and/or strain associated with vehicle operation. Typical parts of the vehicle may include shocks, springs, control arms, and other points where one body or vehicle component is mounted to another, such as engine mounts or body mounts. A suitable rectifier may be coupled to the piezoelectric film to convert the AC signal generated by the piezoelectric film to a DC signal for use by the vehicle'"'"'s onboard electrical system and/or a secondary electrical energy storage system (e.g., a battery).
7 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for harvesting power in a vehicle, comprising:
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a) one or more piezoelectric devices capable of producing electrical power when the vehicle is in operation or normal use, the piezoelectric device(s) comprising an organic piezoelectric polymer; and b) a power conditioning unit electrically connected to the piezoelectric devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of harvesting energy in a vehicle, comprising:
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a) placing or embedding one or more piezoelectric devices capable of producing electrical power when the vehicle is in operation or normal use, the piezoelectric device(s) comprising an organic piezoelectric polymer; and b) electrically connecting one or more power conditioning units to the piezoelectric device(s). - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of harvesting energy in a vehicle, comprising:
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a) operating the vehicle in a manner producing electricity from one or more piezoelectric devices operably placed or embedded in the vehicle, the piezoelectric device(s) comprising an organic piezoelectric polymer; and b) collecting or using the electricity produced by the piezoelectric device(s) in an onboard electrical system or in a storage device in the vehicle.
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Specification