Device for generating energy in a rotating system

• US 8,365,589 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2009
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ceramtec GmbH (Albemarle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ceramtec GmbH (Albemarle Corporation)
• Inventors: Bindig, Reiner, Tzschentke, Konrad, Kelnberger, Alfons, Schreiner, Hans-Jrgen
• Primary Examiner(s): ALLEN, ANDRE J
• Application Number:
  US12/921,675
• Publication Number:
  US 20110011172A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,428 Days
• Field of Search: 73146-1468
• US Class Current: 73/146.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/041 Means for supplying power to the signal- transmitting means on the wheel
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/18 producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators for measurement devices G01

Abstract

A device for generating electrical energy in a rotating system for the purpose of supplying electric current to electronic components in the system, comprising external forces, acting on the system, that act on piezoelectrically active energy converters in the system, as a result of which electrical energy is generated, and comprising an electronic system for processing the generated electrical energy and transferring it to the components.

Claims

1. A device for generating electrical energy in a rotating system for supplying electric current to electronic components in the system, having external forces, acting on the system, that act on piezoelectrically active energy converters in the system, as a result of which electrical energy is generated, and comprising an electronic system for processing the generated electrical energy and transferring it to the components, wherein the piezoelectrically active energy converters are piezoceramic fibers, each of which has an electrode, wherein the electrodes of the fibers, which generate a charge of like polarity, are connected via an electrically conductive external electrode, and wherein the fibers are mechanically decoupled from one another.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating system is a tire, in particular for a motor vehicle.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the fibers are attached to the inside of the rotating system.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the fibers are arranged in the transverse direction relative to the running surface of the rotating system.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the fibers have a diameter of 0.01 mm-5 mm.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the fibers are produced by extrusion.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the fibers are produced by sawing up a plate-type piezoceramic piece.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the fibers, for the purpose of leading off the resultant charges, are connected in groups of fibers, via a highly flexible, three-dimensionally structured, metallic external electrode, which is not destroyed by the forces and deformations acting on the system or tire.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the external electrode is constituted by a line wire mesh.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the spacing of the fibers or of the groups of fibers is selected so that the generated charge of individual fibers or groups of fibers is never simultaneously of the opposite polarity.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the fibers or the groups of fibers that generate a charge of like polarity are electrically combined and connected to a separate rectifier circuit so that there is no neutralizing of the charges.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device is used for measuring the tire pressure or for determining the road-holding or movement dynamics of a motor vehicle.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein the signal measured by means of the device is compared with a setpoint, and a signal is displayed if the setpoint is exceeded or not attained.

14. A method for producing fibers for use for a device according to claim 1, wherein the fibers in the unused, new state are piezoceramic plates or lamellae, which during the production process are mechanically worked in such a way that they automatically break into defined fibers during production or during operation.

15. A device according to claim 1, wherein the fibers are arranged in parallel to one another.