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Piezoelectric energy harvester

  • US 7,649,305 B2
  • Filed: 03/27/2008
  • Issued: 01/19/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2006
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An energy harvesting apparatus comprising at least three elongated piezoelectric elements for generating a voltage when strained, each element having an axis extending along its length;

  • each element supported for flexing comparatively easily within a predetermined bending plane as compared to other planes in which its axis lays;

    a first one of the at least three piezoelectric elements being mounted with its predetermined bending plane facing a first direction, a second one of the at least three piezoelectric elements being mounted with its predetermined bending plane facing in a second direction, and a third one of the at least three piezoelectric elements being mounted with its predetermined bending plane facing a third direction;

    the first, second and third directions being non-parallel, wherein the at least three elongated, elements comprise a first array of cantilevered, elongated piezoelectric elements with axes oriented in the first direction, a second array of cantilevered, elongated piezoelectric elements with axes oriented in the second direction, and a third array of cantilevered, elongated piezoelectric elements with axes oriented in the third direction, wherein the at least three elongated elements include a sensitivity to at least two different frequencies.

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