Energy generating supports
First Claim
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1. An energy generating support member, comprising:
- a first chamber;
a second chamber operatively movable relative to the first chamber;
one or more layers of a dielectric elastomer positioned within the second chamber; and
,a compression member attached to the first chamber and in communication with the one or more layers in the second chamber,wherein movement between the first chamber and second chamber urges the compression member to change a pressure imparted upon or against the one or more layers such that the one or more layers generate an electric discharge in response to the change in pressure.
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Abstract
Energy harvesting systems are described in which electroactive materials, such as dielectric elastomers, may be utilized to absorb the shocks, bumps, and vibrations from the road or path to generate energy which is captured and stored for use in the vehicle to provide additional power for any number of uses. Other devices and systems, such as household appliances which dissipate vibrational energy, may also incorporate any number of the dielectric elastomer generators.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. An energy generating support member, comprising:
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a first chamber; a second chamber operatively movable relative to the first chamber; one or more layers of a dielectric elastomer positioned within the second chamber; and
,a compression member attached to the first chamber and in communication with the one or more layers in the second chamber, wherein movement between the first chamber and second chamber urges the compression member to change a pressure imparted upon or against the one or more layers such that the one or more layers generate an electric discharge in response to the change in pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of generating energy, comprising:
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receiving one or more vibrations in a vehicle; imparting a movement between a first chamber and a second chamber operatively movable relative to the first chamber in response to the one or more vibrations; urging a compression member attached to the first chamber to change a pressure imparted upon or against one or more layers of a dielectric elastomer positioned within the second chamber; and
,generating art electric discharge from the one or more layers in response to the change in pressure. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An energy generating support mount, comprising:
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a housing having a first surface coupled to a vibrating mass; and
,one or more layers of a dielectric elastomer positioned within the housing, wherein vibrational movement of the mass against the first surface changes a pressure imparted upon or against the one or more layers such that the one or more layers generate an electric discharge in response to the change in pressure, and wherein the support mount comprises a module sized for positioning between the mass and a frame. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method of generating energy, comprising:
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securing a mass to one or more support mounts within a vehicle; imparting a movement to the mass in response to one or more vibrations in response to moving the vehicle upon a road surface such that the mass imparts a change in pressure upon or against a first surface of each of the one or more support mounts; and
,generating an electric discharge from one or more layers of a dielectric elastomer positioned within each of the one or more support mounts in response to the change in pressure. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method of generating energy, comprising:
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securing a mass comprising a rotatable drum to one or more support mounts within an appliance; imparting a movement to the mass in response to one or more vibrations such that the mass imparts a change in pressure upon or against a first surface of each of the one or more support mounts; and
,generating an electric discharge from one or more layers of a dielectric elastomer positioned within each of the one or more support mounts in response to the change in pressure. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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Specification