Scalable tubular mechanical energy harvesting device
First Claim
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1. A device, comprising:
- a central cylinder having a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end and defining a longitudinal axis, the central cylinder being adapted to support one or more piezoelectric elements;
at least one piezoelectric fiber wound around the central cylinder according to a helical pattern;
at least one positive electrode in electrical communication with the at least one piezoelectric fiber, and adapted to impose a positive electric field on the piezoelectric fiber, the applied electric field causing a structural change in the at least one piezoelectric fiber;
at least one positive terminal strip in electrical communication with the at least one positive electrode;
at least one output diode electrically separating the at least one positive electrode from the at least one positive terminal strip, and permitting a current to flow from the positive electrode to the positive terminal strip;
at least one input diode electrically separating the at least one positive electrode from the at least one positive terminal strip, and permitting a current to flow from the terminal strip to the positive electrode;
at least one negative electrode in electrical communication with the at least one piezoelectric fiber, and adapted to impose a negative electric field on the piezoelectric fiber, the applied electric field causing a structural change in the at least one piezoelectric fiber;
at least one negative terminal strip in electrical communication with the at least one negative electrode;
at least one output diode electrically separating the at least one negative electrode from the at least one negative terminal strip, and permitting a current to flow from the negative electrode to the negative terminal strip;
at least one input diode electrically separating the at least one negative electrode from the at least one negative terminal strip, and permitting a current to flow from the terminal strip to the negative electrode; and
a nonconductive layer disposed over the at least one piezoelectric fiber and the electrodes, the nonconductive layer electrically isolating the underlying elements from the surrounding environment.
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Abstract
The present invention generally relates to devices and methods for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy to power electronic devices. Some embodiments include one or more piezoelectric fibers disposed on a flexible central body capable of elastically deforming under an applied force. The piezoelectric fibers can be in electrical communication with one or more electrodes adapted to harvest electrical energy from the piezoelectric fiber and provide such energy to an external circuit. Some embodiments can also include one or more diodes interposed between the electrode and the external circuit.
25 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device, comprising:
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a central cylinder having a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end and defining a longitudinal axis, the central cylinder being adapted to support one or more piezoelectric elements; at least one piezoelectric fiber wound around the central cylinder according to a helical pattern; at least one positive electrode in electrical communication with the at least one piezoelectric fiber, and adapted to impose a positive electric field on the piezoelectric fiber, the applied electric field causing a structural change in the at least one piezoelectric fiber; at least one positive terminal strip in electrical communication with the at least one positive electrode; at least one output diode electrically separating the at least one positive electrode from the at least one positive terminal strip, and permitting a current to flow from the positive electrode to the positive terminal strip; at least one input diode electrically separating the at least one positive electrode from the at least one positive terminal strip, and permitting a current to flow from the terminal strip to the positive electrode; at least one negative electrode in electrical communication with the at least one piezoelectric fiber, and adapted to impose a negative electric field on the piezoelectric fiber, the applied electric field causing a structural change in the at least one piezoelectric fiber; at least one negative terminal strip in electrical communication with the at least one negative electrode; at least one output diode electrically separating the at least one negative electrode from the at least one negative terminal strip, and permitting a current to flow from the negative electrode to the negative terminal strip; at least one input diode electrically separating the at least one negative electrode from the at least one negative terminal strip, and permitting a current to flow from the terminal strip to the negative electrode; and a nonconductive layer disposed over the at least one piezoelectric fiber and the electrodes, the nonconductive layer electrically isolating the underlying elements from the surrounding environment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A means for supplying power to a remote keyless entry device, comprising:
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a piezoelectric transducing means; at least two oppositely chargeable means for collecting electrical energy from the piezoelectric transducing means; at least two oppositely chargeable current collecting means for receiving current from one or more conductive means having the same charge; at least two oppositely directed rectifying means for rectifying current from the positively chargeable means to the positive current collecting means, the positive current collecting means being capable of electrically communicating with an external circuit comprising a remote keyless entry device; and at least two oppositely directed rectifying means for rectifying current from the negatively chargeable means to the negative current collecting means, the negative current collecting means being capable of electrically communicating with an external circuit comprising a remote keyless entry device.
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Specification