Piezoelectric ultracapacitors

• US 8,643,253 B1
• Filed: 10/31/2010
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph A. Micallef
• Original Assignee: Joseph A. Micallef
• Inventors: Micallef, Joseph Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): San Martin, J.
• Application Number:
  US12/916,555
• Time in Patent Office: 1,192 Days
• Field of Search: 310/311, 310/328, 310/800, 361502-503, 320/167
• US Class Current: 310/339
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/26 characterised by their structure, e.g. multi-layered, porosity or surface features
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/28 arranged or disposed on a current collector; Layers or phases between electrodes and current collectors, e.g. adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/30 characterised by their material
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/56 Solid electrolytes, e.g. gels; Additives therein
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/18 producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators for measurement devices G01
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/181 Circuits; Control arrangements or methods
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/30 with mechanical input and electrical output, e.g. functioning as generators or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/80 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/13 Energy storage using capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 310/80 Piezoelectric polymers, e.g. PVDF

Abstract

As disclosed herein, multiple piezoelectric ultracapacitors may be coupled together in such a manner as to create an output voltage that is substantially the sum of their individual output voltages.

Claims

1. A device comprising a piezoelectric ultracapacitive stack wherein said stack includes a first ultracapacitor electrically connected to a second ultracapacitor so that the respective outputs of said ultracapacitors are combined, and wherein each of said first and second ultracapacitors includes a piezoelectric core having a first surface opposite a first electrode and a second surface opposite a second electrode, and wherein said first surface is coupled to said second electrode.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising an electrolyte material disposed either between said first surface and said first electrode or between said second surface and said second electrode.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising an elastomer material disposed either between said first surface and said first electrode or between said second surface and said second electrode.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein either said first electrode or said second electrode comprises a compliant electrode.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said respective outputs are combined in series.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said respective outputs are combined in parallel.

7. A piezoelectric ultracapacitive stack comprising a first ultracapacitor coupled to a second ultracapacitor so that respective outputs of said ultracapacitors are combined, and wherein each of said first and second ultracapacitors includes a piezoelectric core having a first surface opposite a first electrode and a second surface opposite a second electrode, and wherein said first surface is coupled to said second electrode.

8. The device of claim 7 further comprising an electrolyte material disposed between said first surface and said first electrode.

9. The device of claim 7 further comprising an elastomer material disposed between said first surface and said first electrode.

10. The device of claim 7 wherein at least one of said first electrode and said second electrode comprises a compliant electrode.

11. The device of claim 7 wherein said respective outputs are combined in series.

12. The device of claim 7 wherein said respective outputs are combined in parallel.

13. The device of claim 7 further comprising an elastomer material disposed between said first surface and said first electrode and wherein at least one of said first electrode and said second electrode comprises a compliant electrode.

14. A piezoelectric ultracapacitive stack comprising a first ultracapacitor coupled to a second ultracapacitor so that respective outputs of said ultracapacitors are combined, and wherein each of said first and second ultracapacitors includes a piezoelectric element having a first surface opposite a first electrode and a second surface opposite a second electrode, and wherein said first surface is coupled to said second electrode.