Flow driven piezoelectric energy harvesting device

• US 7,808,158 B1
• Filed: 09/27/2007
• Issued: 10/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Valeriano, Veronica, Hendershot, John, Laib, Gerald, Olson, David, Deeds, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Dougherty; Thomas M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gordon; Bryan P
• Application Number:
  US11/973,993
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: 102/201, 102/202, 102/225, 102/320, 102/211, 310/331, 310/334, 310/113, 310/154.02
• US Class Current: 310/339
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/185 using fluid streams
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/306 Cantilevers

Abstract

An electrical generator includes a fluid-flow driven impeller including at least one impact arm; and at least one cantilevered beam disposed such that the impact arm strikes the cantilevered beam as the impeller rotates. The cantilevered beam at least partially includes a piezoelectric film.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

an impeller comprising at least one impact arm; and

at least one cantilevered beam being disposed, such that said at least one impact arm mechanically strains the cantilevered beam as the impeller rotates, said at least one cantilevered beam at least partially comprises a piezoelectric film,

wherein the impeller is a fluid-flow driven impeller.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a storage circuit connected to said at least one cantilevered beam.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus is a fuze for a weapon.

4. A method, comprising:

rotating an impeller comprising at least one impact arm; and

straining at least one cantilevered beam with said at least one impact arm as the impeller rotates,

wherein said at least one cantilevered beam at least partially comprises a piezoelectric film, and

wherein said straining is mechanical straining.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said rotating includes rotating the impeller using fluid flow.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the fluid flow is air.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising storing electricity generated as said at least one impact arm strikes said at least one cantilevered beam.