Piezoelectric ceramic fibers having metallic cores
First Claim
1. A power generation device, comprising:
- a modular patch of piezoelectric material configured to generate an electric charge therein upon said power generation device being subjected to mechanical vibrations, said modular patch comprising;
a plurality of elongated piezoelectric structures;
a plurality of metallic cores, each metallic core substantially surrounded by one of said plurality of elongated piezoelectric structures, wherein the collective plurality of metallic cores is configured to function as a first electrode for the modular patch of piezoelectric material; and
conductive material encompassing each of said plurality of elongated piezoelectric structures and forming a common second electrode for the modular patch of piezoelectric material; and
an energy storage device configured to receive said electric charge from said modular patch of piezoelectric material and to store selected amounts of said electric charge therein.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An enhanced piezoelectric wire structure includes an elongated portion of piezoelectric material, a metallic core, and an outer conductive sheath. The metallic core is substantially surrounded by the elongated portion of piezoelectric material and configured to function as a first electrode for the piezoelectric structure. The conductive outer sheath preferably covers selected areas of the elongated portion of piezoelectric material and functions as a second electrode for the structure. The piezoelectric material may correspond to barium titanate ceramic fibers, such that a lead-free structure is effected, however other piezoelectric materials may also be utilized. The disclosed structure can be poled with a reduced poling voltage and lower temperature level, and also requires a reduced voltage potential level required for mechanical actuation. A collection of such piezoelectric structures can be provided together in a modular patch assembly that may be formed in a variety of customized configurations for integration with various environments, and can function as a mechanical actuator device, a condition-responsive device (e.g., a sensor) and/or as a power generation device. When utilized as a power generation device, the subject piezoelectric assembly can power tire electronics components such as a revolution counter, a sensor, a rechargeable battery, a flashing light assembly, a microcontroller, a global positioning system (GPS), and a radio frequency (RF) device.
60 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A power generation device, comprising:
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a modular patch of piezoelectric material configured to generate an electric charge therein upon said power generation device being subjected to mechanical vibrations, said modular patch comprising; a plurality of elongated piezoelectric structures; a plurality of metallic cores, each metallic core substantially surrounded by one of said plurality of elongated piezoelectric structures, wherein the collective plurality of metallic cores is configured to function as a first electrode for the modular patch of piezoelectric material; and conductive material encompassing each of said plurality of elongated piezoelectric structures and forming a common second electrode for the modular patch of piezoelectric material; and an energy storage device configured to receive said electric charge from said modular patch of piezoelectric material and to store selected amounts of said electric charge therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An electronics assembly, comprising:
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at least one piezoelectric wire structure, said at least one piezoelectric wire structure comprising; an elongated portion of piezoelectric material; a metallic core substantially surrounded by said elongated portion of piezoelectric material, said metallic core configured to function as a first electrode for the piezoelectric structure; and a conductive outer sheath covering selected areas of said elongated portion of piezoelectric material, said conductive outer sheath configured to function as a second electrode for the piezoelectric structure; and a microcontroller coupled to said at least one piezoelectric wire structure for monitoring amounts of electric charge generated by or provided to said at least one piezoelectric wire structure. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A tire assembly with integrated power generation features, said tire assembly comprising:
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a pneumatic tire structure characterized by a crown having a tread portion for making contact with a ground surface, bead portions for seating said tire to a wheel rim, and sidewall portions extending between each bead portion and the crown; and a modular patch of piezoelectric material integrated with a select portion of said pneumatic tire structure, said modular patch configured to generate an electric charge therein upon said pneumatic tire structure being subjected to mechanical strains, said modular patch including; a plurality of elongated piezoelectric structures, a plurality of metallic cores, each metallic substantially surrounded by one of said plurality of elongated piezoelectric structures, wherein the collective plurality of metallic cores is configured to function as a first electrode for the modular patch of piezoelectric material, and conductive material encompassing each of said plurality of elongated piezoelectric structures and forming a common second electrode for the modular patch of piezoelectric wire structures. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for generating power from piezoelectric materials integrated with a vibrational system, said method comprising the following steps:
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providing at least one piezoelectric wire structure at a selected location relative to the vibrational system, wherein said at least one piezoelectric wire structure is characterized by an elongated portion of piezoelectric material configured with an inner electrode and an outer electrode; subjecting said at least one piezoelectric wire structure to mechanical strains associated with the vibrational system such that electric charge is generated within said at least one piezoelectric wire structure; and storing selected amounts of the electric charge generated in said at least one piezoelectric wire structure such that said stored electric charge is available for powering electronic devices associated with said vibrational system. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
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Specification