Piezoelectric energy harvester and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An energy harvesting device comprising:
- a sensor, comprising;
a piezoelectric body having a longitudinal direction; and
a force amplifier connected to translate an applied force perpendicular to the longitudinal direction to a tensile stress of said body parallel to its longitudinal direction, thereby inducing said body to generate a voltage; and
a reciprocable mass disposed to apply a force, having at least a component that is perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, to said force amplifier.
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Abstract
A self contained device for harvesting electrical energy from linear and rotary motion has a sensor with amplifiers for tensile stretching of a piezoelectric body with magnification of the applied force. The piezoelectric body is a monolithic plate with surface electrodes covering its top and bottom surfaces.
146 Citations
38 Claims
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1. An energy harvesting device comprising:
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a sensor, comprising;
a piezoelectric body having a longitudinal direction; and
a force amplifier connected to translate an applied force perpendicular to the longitudinal direction to a tensile stress of said body parallel to its longitudinal direction, thereby inducing said body to generate a voltage; and
a reciprocable mass disposed to apply a force, having at least a component that is perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, to said force amplifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An energy harvesting device comprising:
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a sensor, comprising;
a piezoelectric body having a longitudinal direction; and
a force amplifier connected to translate an applied force perpendicular to the longitudinal direction to a tensile stress of said body parallel to its longitudinal direction, thereby inducing said body to generate a voltage; and
a lever arm disposed to apply a force, having at least a component that is perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, to said force amplifier.
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24. An energy harvesting device comprising:
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a sensor, comprising;
a piezoelectric body having a longitudinal direction; and
a force amplifier connected to translate an applied force perpendicular to the longitudinal direction to a tensile stress of said body parallel to its longitudinal direction, thereby inducing said body to generate a voltage; and
a rotating shaft disposed to apply a force, having at least a component that is perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, to said force amplifier. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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25. The energy harvesting device of clam 24, further comprising at least one additional sensor, wherein said shaft is positioned between the sensors to apply a force to the sensors when the shaft rotates.
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29. An energy generating system comprising:
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a machine including a component having a motion;
an energy harvesting device mechanically coupled to said component for harvesting its motion to create electrical energy, said energy harvesting device comprising;
at least one sensor, said sensor comprising;
a piezoelectric body having a longitudinal direction; and
a force amplifier connected to translate an applied force perpendicular to the longitudinal direction to a tensile stress of said body parallel to its longitudinal direction, thereby inducing said body to generate a voltage;
a reciprocable mass disposed to apply a force, having at least a component that is perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, to said force amplifier; and
a housing mechanically coupled to said component of the machine, for retaining said mass and sensor, wherein said motion of said component causes the mass to impart said force. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. An energy generating system comprising:
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a machine including a component capable of reciprocating motion;
an energy harvesting device mechanically coupled to said component for harvesting its reciprocating motion to create electrical energy and for detecting the frequency of said motion, said energy harvesting device comprising;
at least one sensor, said sensor comprising;
a piezoelectric body having a longitudinal direction; and
a force amplifier connected to translate an applied force perpendicular to the longitudinal direction to a tensile stress of said body parallel to its longitudinal direction, thereby inducing said body to generate a voltage;
a reciprocable mass disposed to apply a force, having at least a component that is perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, to said force amplifier; and
a housing mechanically coupled to said component of the machine, for retaining said mass and sensor, wherein said motion of said component causes the mass to impart said force. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38)
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Specification