| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
|---|
| 20080252174 | ENERGY HARVESTING FROM MULTIPLE PIEZOELECTRIC SOURCES - Energy harvesting systems and methods that use multiple piezoelectric generators connected to the same energy harvesting circuit with minimal or no energy loss. The piezoelectric energy harvesting system may include individual diode bridge circuits electrically connected to the outgoing wires from each piezoelectric generator. The piezoelectric energy harvesting system may include multiple subsystems each having one or more individual diode bridges electrically connected to the outgoing wires from multiple piezoelectric generators. Multiple subsystems, each having multiple piezoelectric generators and a diode bridge, may be electrically connected to the same energy harvesting circuit. The use of multiple piezoelectric generators connected to the same energy harvesting circuit results in improved energy harvesting capabilities, and a simplified and low cost energy harvesting system. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080309195 | METHOD OF DETECTING ACCELERATION IN VEHICLES - Piezomagnetic, magneto-strictive, or electro-strictive material particles may also be distributed throughout the structural material of the structural member, which serve to amplify and otherwise enhance the signals from the piezoelectric material particles. The piezoelectric, electro-strictive, magneto-strictive, and/or piezomagnetic material particles may allow the structural member to exhibit an electrical and/or magnetic response to forces on the structural member, such as accelerations. This may allow the structural member to function as a force sensor or an accelerometer. Signals induced by such external forces or accelerations may be taken from the conductive pickups and used for various operations, for example, for arming a warhead of a missile or for triggering passenger safety features such as air bags in automobiles. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20090021112 | CONTACT DETECTOR AND DOOR HANDLE UNIT INCLUDING IT AND SMART ENTRY SYSTEM - As a switch for detecting operation of a door handle, a contact joint switch, a capacitance type sensor, etc., is available, but involves problems of a contact failure caused by secular change and a malfunction caused by rain and is not excellent in a multifunctional property used for other applications. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090039733 | Piezoelectric Generator System that Includes an Energy Storage - A device for producing electric energy including a first element converting mechanical energy into electric energy. The level of the electric energy is variable according to the variations of the mechanical energy. A controller block is connected to the first element for providing measurement data on the basis of the electric energy produced by the first element. The controller block includes a detector block to examine the electric energy produced by the first element to form the measurement data. A first energy storage unit stores electric energy produced by the first element and provides the electric energy for the operation of the controller block. Also, a system, a tyre and a method. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090072661 | TIRE WITH ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION DEVICE - The invention provides a tire with an electric power generation device for supplying sufficient electric power which has a simple and small-sized construction. An electric power generation device for converting strain occurring in a tire into electric energy includes at least one electric power generation element and a device body. The electric power generation element has at least two stretchable electrodes and a dielectric elastomer, arranged between the electrodes, and producing a potential difference between the electrodes according to the strain applied from the tire. The device body has an electrical condenser for accumulating electric energy produced by the electric power generation element. The length, in the circumferential direction of the tire, of the electric power generation element is set so that strain by contraction and strain by expansion that are caused by the rotating tire coming into contact with the ground surface are not simultaneously applied to the single power generation element. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090072662 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND CIRCUIT FOR PROVIDING TACTILE FEEDBACK - A circuit ( | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090096322 | System and Methodology for Generating Electricity Using a Chemical Heat Engine and Piezoelectric Material - A system for generating electrical power supply signals includes at least one heat engine having a chamber that undergoes heating/cooling cycle and corresponding pressure variations. At least one piezoelectric transducer is deformed in response to the pressure variations of the heat engine. A power converter transforms the electric signals generated in response to deformation of the piezoelectric transducer(s) to a desired electrical power supply signal. The heat engine preferably uses a geothermal source of cold and an ambient source of hot or vice-versa. Hydrogen can be used as a working fluid, and metal hydride material can be used for absorbing and desorbing hydrogen during the cycle of heating and cooling of the heat engine. A phase change material can also be used. The power converter preferably includes an electromechanical battery with a flywheel storing rotational energy and possibly an electrostatic motor that adds rotational energy to the flywheel. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090121585 | THIN FILM TYPE INTEGRATED ENERGY HARVEST-STORAGE DEVICE - Provided is thin film type energy generation-storage device in which an energy generation device generating energy using a piezoelectric material and an energy storage device storing the generated energy are formed in a thin film type one unit. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090127975 | Method and device for eliminating vibrations of a mechanical structure - The invention describes a device as well as a method for eliminating vibrations of a mechanical structure with at least one electromechanical converter material that is actively connected to the mechanical structure and connected to an electric circuit arrangement with at least one electrical impedance. The invention is characterized in that the electric circuit is connected to an interface, via which the at least one electrical impedance can be variably adjusted by means of wireless or wired communication with a control unit that is separated from the electronic circuit arrangement, and in that the electrical impedance features at least one ohmic resistor and/or one inductive resistor and/or one capacitor that are respectively realized variably. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090127976 | Method and Apparatus for Harvesting Energy from Mechanical Vibrations - A method of harvesting energy from a vibrational energy source having a varying energy characteristic. The method includes the step of varying a characteristic of a harvesting arrangement arranged to harvest the energy, the characteristic of the harvesting arrangement being varied in response to the varying energy characteristic of the vibrational energy source. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090152986 | PIEZOELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY - An energy generating and storing circuit suitable for use on board a projectile. The circuit includes a current generator consisting of one or more piezoelectric devices, a primary charge storage device and one or more secondary charge storage devices, a voltage responsive fast switching means and at least one transformer. The circuit provides for loading the primary charge storage before the secondary charge storages are loaded. The circuit provides for storing electric energy generated during the compression and decompression phases of the piezoelectric devices during the firing stage of the projectile. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090160292 | SCALABLE TUBULAR MECHANICAL ENERGY HARVESTING DEVICE - The present invention generally relates to devices and methods for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy to power electronic devices. Some embodiments include one or more piezoelectric fibers disposed on a flexible central body capable of elastically deforming under an applied force. The piezoelectric fibers can be in electrical communication with one or more electrodes adapted to harvest electrical energy from the piezoelectric fiber and provide such energy to an external circuit. Some embodiments can also include one or more diodes interposed between the electrode and the external circuit. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090195122 | Power Harvesting From Railway; Apparatus, System And Method - The present invention relates to an apparatus system and method for power harvesting from a railroads using piezoelectric generator. The invention is to provide a system and a method for power harvesting comprising a plurality of piezoelectric devices embedded in a railroad sleeper or attached to railroad rails and configured to produce electrical power when a train traverses their locations. The system includes a power conditioning unit and electrical conductors connecting said piezoelectric to said power conditioning unit. Harvested energy may be used locally in proximity to the energy generation location, stored for later use or transferred to be used in remote location | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090243433 | Apparatus, system and method for converting vibrational energy to electric potential - An apparatus, a system and a method convert vibrational energy to electric potential. The apparatus, the system and the method use vibrational energy to provide voltage to an electrical device. A piezoelectric element converts the vibrational energy to electric potential. The vibrational energy allows the electrical device to recharge a battery or function without a battery and/or exterior electrical wires. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090261689 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A PIEZOELECTRIC ELECTROMAGNETIC HYBRID VIBRATING ENERGY HARVESTER - A system and method are disclosed for providing a piezoelectric electromagnetic hybrid vibrating energy harvester. The invention comprises a piezoelectric vibrating energy harvesting device that harvests electrical energy from vibrations using a piezoelectric effect. The invention also comprises an electromagnetic vibrating energy harvesting device that simultaneously harvests electrical energy from the same vibrations using electromagnetic induction. A permanent magnet mass mounted on a cantilever host beam of the piezoelectric vibrating energy harvesting device provides a variable magnetic flux to a fixed conductive winding of the electromagnetic vibrating energy harvesting device when the permanent magnet mass vibrates. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090267452 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENERGY GENERATION IN AN OIL FIELD ENVIRONMENT - A system and method for power generation in an oil field environment is disclosed. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090309456 | Piezoelectric-Coated Carbon Nanotube Generators - A generator includes a first conductive layer, a plurality of elongated piezoelectric nanostructures and a conductive electrode. The piezoelectric nanostructures extend upwardly from the first conductive layer and include a carbon nanotube core and a piezoelectric sheath enveloping at least a portion of the carbon nanotube core. Each piezoelectric nanostructure includes a first end disposed adjacent to the first conductive layer and an opposite second end. The conductive electrode is disposed adjacent to the second end of each of the piezoelectric nanostructures. The conductive electrode is configured so that a Schottky barrier is formed between the second end of at least one of the piezoelectric nanostructures and the conductive electrode when a force is applied to the generator that causes the conductive electrode to touch the piezoelectric nanostructures and to induce stress in the piezoelectric nanostructures. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20100013355 | "PUSH BUTTON SWITCH" - A push button switch including a piezoelectric element ( | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100052475 | Energy Regeneration Device for Suspension System - An energy regeneration device for a suspension system may include a transforming body configured to be compressed or elongated by a chassis spring of the suspension system, and at least an electric generating member that are electrically connected each other and configured to be compressed or elongated with the transforming body. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100117485 | PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCERS WITH NOISE-CANCELLING ELECTRODES - In a representative embodiment, an apparatus comprises a transducer providing a first output; a capacitor providing a second output; a first load impedance connected to the first output; a second load impedance connected to the second output; and a differential amplifier having a first input connected to the first output and a second input connected to the second output. Illustratively, the first load impedance is connected electrically in parallel with the first input and the second load impedance is connected electrically in parallel with the second input. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100133954 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONVERTING MECHANICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - A method for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy by at least one piezoelectric element and at least one variable capacitor. The method: a) mechanically deforms the piezoelectric element; b) recovers charges produced by the deformation of the piezoelectric element; c) transfers the charges from the piezoelectric element to the capacitor; d) modifies the capacitance of the capacitor; and e) recovers at least some of the electrical energy. A device for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy includes a piezoelectric element and a variable capacitor. The piezoelectric element is capable of transferring charges to the capacitor. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100194239 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HARVESTING ENERGY FROM ENVIRONMENTAL VIBRATIONS - Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and a method for increasing the harvested energy from a piezoelectric element exposed to environmental vibrations via a two-prong system. In a first prong, a cantilever beam is tapered and shaped so as to increase and provide an approximately uniform strain on and along the beam, thus resulting in increased voltage. In a second prong of the system and method, a voltage compensating circuit, when used with a voltage inversion circuit of the prior art, increases the harvested power by injecting current to the piezoelectric element after each voltage inversion so as to increase the voltage level. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100194240 | Piezoelectric Composite with Tapered Beam - An energy harvesting system includes a composite structure that includes a base spring and a first piezoelectric element. The first piezoelectric element is mounted on the base spring. The base spring has a base spring thickness, a base spring length, and a base spring width. The base spring is for vibrating around an axis parallel to the base spring width. The base spring thickness varies from position to position along a direction parallel to the base spring length. The base spring thickness varies to provide the first piezoelectric element with constant strain when the base spring vibrates around the axis parallel to the base spring width. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100219720 | HARVESTING ENERGY FROM VEHICULAR VIBRATIONS USING PIEZOELECTRIC DEVICES - An energy harvesting apparatus for deployment on a vehicle having a frame includes a spring assembly coupled to the frame and configured for compressions and extensions during vehicle travel. A piezoelectric device is mounted on the spring assembly for generating electrical energy in response to the strain imposed thereon. A rectifier is coupled to the piezoelectric device for converting AC electrical energy to DC. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100314968 | High-Efficiency Compact Miniaturized Energy Harvesting And Storage Device - An energy harvesting and storage system includes an array of piezoelectric electrodes, in which the piezoelectric electrodes generate electrical energy from mechanical displacements of the piezoelectric electrodes; and an array of capacitor electrodes disposed in proximity to the piezoelectric electrodes, in which the array of capacitor electrodes stores a portion of the energy generated by the piezoelectric electrodes. An energy system includes a substrate including an array of micro-post electrodes connected to a cathode layer of the substrate; an isolation material covering the array of micro-post electrodes; and an anode layer including electrodes filling the remaining region between the isolation material-covered micro-post electrodes, in which the anode layer, electrodes, isolation material, micro-post electrodes, and substrate are monolithically coupled. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20110001393 | METHOD AND CIRCUIT FOR ENERGIZING AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE - A method and a circuit for energizing an electrical device are described. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110031846 | WAKE-UP UNIT FOR WAKING UP AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD OF WAKING UP AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A wake-up unit for waking up an electronic device is provided. The wake-up unit comprises a resonating unit (C) for resonating at least one specific frequency, at least one first electrode (TE), at least one piezoelectric material (PM) and at least one second electrode (BE). The piezoelectric material (PM) is sandwiched between the at least one first and the at least one second electrode (TE, BE) such that an electronic current is provided to the at least one first and at least one second electrode (TE, BE) when the resonating unit (C) resonates at the at least one specific frequency. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110127881 | Piezoelectric generator and method - An apparatus and method is provided to produce energy from movement of a user. At least one pair of plates is utilized to secure an array of cymbal transducers therebetween. The array of cymbal transducers is electrically interconnected with signal conditioning circuitry and power storage member. Electrical interconnections may comprise parallel and/or series connections between ones or groups of the cymbal transducers. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110156532 | Integrated Piezoelectric Composite and Support Circuit - A module includes a flexible support member, a first piezoelectric element, a second piezoelectric element, an energy harvesting circuit, and a circuit element. The energy harvesting circuit includes a first rectifying device, a second rectifying device, a common output, and an energy storage device. The flexible support member includes an insulator having a pattern of wiring traces. The first piezoelectric element, the second piezoelectric element, the first rectifying device, and the second rectifying device are all mounted on and electrically connected to the flexible support member. The first rectifying device is electrically connected to the first piezoelectric element. The second rectifying device is electrically connected to the second piezoelectric element. The first rectifying device is electrically connected to the second rectifying device to provide the common output. The common output is connected for providing electrical energy harvested from at least one from the group consisting of the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element to the energy storage device. The energy storage device is connected for providing electricity for powering the circuit element. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110175488 | PIEZOELECTRIC THIN FILM ELEMENT AND PIEZOELECTRIC THIN FILM DEVICE - To provide a piezoelectric thin film on a substrate, having an alkali-niobium oxide-based perovskite structure expressed by a composition formula (K | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110278986 | Systems and Apparatus For Harvesting Energy - A sensor assembly includes a transducer and a control module coupled with the transducer. The control module is configured to selectively switch the sensor assembly between a first mode of operation wherein the sensor assembly measures an amount of energy induced to the sensor assembly, and a second mode of operation wherein the sensor assembly stores an amount of energy induced to the sensor assembly. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110285245 | ANODIC WAFER BONDING METHOD, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING PACKAGES, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING PIEZOELECTRIC VIBRATORS, OSCILLATOR, ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, AND RADIO CLOCK - An anodic wafer bonding method according to the present invention is an anodic wafer bonding method for bonding a first substrate formed of an insulating material or a dielectric material and a second substrate which can be anodically bonded by applying a voltage to a bonding film formed of a conductive material formed between the substrates in a state in which the first substrate and the second substrate are laminated, in which the voltage is applied to the bonding film from a plurality of points at the time of anodic wafer bonding. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110304239 | Electromechanical Energy converter for Generating Electric Energy From Mechanical Movements - An electromechanical energy converter for generating electric energy from mechanical vibrations has a bending bar, which is clamped at a fastening point to a holder that can be set in vibration and which can be elastically deflected at a free end area at a distance from the fastening point along a path curve from a neutral position transversely to the longitudinal extension of the bending bar relative to the fastening point. A deflectable point on the bending bar is connected to the mount via a deflectable bridge part extending along the bending bar for applying to the bending bar a mechanical prestress oriented substantially in the direction of longitudinal extension of the bending bar. A servo mechanism serves to set the prestress transferred from the bridge part to the bending bar. The bending bar has a drive connection to at least one electromechanical converter element for converting mechanical vibration energy into electric energy. The bridge part is arranged outside of the bending bar such that at least when the bending bar is deflected out of the neutral position, the bending bar and the bridge part extend along lines having different courses. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110304240 | HIGH EFFICIENCY PIEZOELECTRIC MICRO-GENERATOR AND ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM - This present invention provides a power supply for implanting into a patient's body and providing electricity to a load within the body, said power supply comprising an enclosure; adapted for optimizing an activating force by mechanisms of orienting thereof; the power supply further comprising (a) a piezoelectric micro-generator comprising (b) electrical energy storing means; (c) control unit adapted for managing charging and discharging said storing means said control unit further provided with means for decoupling said piezoelectric element from and connecting to said electrical energy storing means to increase efficiency of said power supply. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110309721 | Small Scale Smart Material Actuator and Energy Harvesting Apparatus - A micro-scale, smart material actuator having an overall length smaller than 10 mm comprising a multilayer piezoelectric stack housed in a mechanical amplifier made up of a fixed supporting member, a movable supporting member connected to compliant links attached to one or more actuating arms such that, when a suitable electric current is applied to the piezoelectric stack, the resulting expansion is translated through the movable supporting member, thereby causing movement in the actuating arms A method of generating electricity from motion using such an actuator is also disclosed in which the actuating arms are connected to a source of mechanical motion and the piezoelectric stack is connected to an electrical load, whereby the mechanical motion causes the piezoelectric stack to generate electrical charge that is then discharged into the load. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20120001518 | Mountable Arm Smart Material Actuator and Energy Harvesting Apparatus - A smart material actuator comprising a mechanical amplifier with a fixed supporting member, at least one mountable actuating arm, and mechanical web having at least one compliant member attached to the mountable arm and a movable supporting member. A piezoelectric stack is affixed between a first mounting surface on the fixed supporting member and a second mounting surface on the movable supporting member. With the fixed supporting member being substantially rigid, and the piezoelectric stack being affixed between the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface, which are substantially parallel, applying an appropriate electric potential to the piezoelectric stack will cause it to expand substantially without angular movement. The expansion urges the second mounting surface away from the first, thereby causing the compliant members of the mechanical web to flex, thereby moving the mountable actuating arm. The configuration of the web and the length of the mountable arm cause the actuating end of the arm to move across a distance greater than the expansion of the piezoelectric stack. In this way, the expansion of the stack is effectively amplified by the mechanical amplifier. Actuators of this type may be used both to create mechanical motion from electrical energy and to harvest electrical energy from mechanical motion, or sense the degree of such motion. A number of arm designs and means of attachment to external components are disclosed, in addition to methods of generating electricity from mechanical motion and generating vibration using such actuators and methods of tuning the resonant frequency and increasing the efficiency of energy harvesting through resonant operation. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120068575 | Rotatable antifriction bearing - The invention relates to a rotatable antifriction bearing ( | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120104898 | Transducer - According to embodiments of the present invention, a transducer is provided. The transducer includes a first electrode, a second electrode disposed over the first electrode such that the first electrode and the second electrode form respective capacitive electrodes of a capacitor, the second electrode comprising a core portion and a peripheral portion, a third electrode disposed relative to the second electrode such that the third electrode overlaps with the peripheral portion of the second electrode, and a piezoelectric element disposed between the peripheral portion of the second electrode and the third electrode, so as to tune a tensional force provided by the piezoelectric element onto the second electrode by varying a piezoelectric voltage applied between the second electrode and the third electrode. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120119618 | POWER GENERATING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENT - A power generating device includes: a piezoelectric member that is formed from a piezoelectric material; one pair of electrodes that are installed to the piezoelectric member; a transformation unit that repeatedly transforms the piezoelectric member; an inductor that is installed between the one pair of electrodes and configures a resonance circuit together with a capacitive component of the piezoelectric member; a switch that is connected to the inductor in series; and a switch control unit that connects the switch when a transformation direction of the piezoelectric member is switched, and cuts off the switch when a time corresponding to a half period of a resonance period of the resonance circuit elapses. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120126665 | METHOD FOR INFLUENCING, DAMPING, OR SUPPRESSING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OCCURRING DURING OPERATION IN A TURBOMACHINE BLADE, A TURBOMACHINE BLADE USEFUL FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD, AND A PIEZOELECTRIC DAMPING ELEMENT - In a method for influencing, in particular damping or suppressing, mechanical vibrations occurring during operation in a turbomachine blade ( | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120126666 | POWER GENERATING DEVICE, ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, AND TRANSPORTATION APPARATUS - A power generating device which includes a transformation member that is transformed by receiving a transformation force in a transformation direction, a first piezoelectric device that is disposed on the transformation member, a second piezoelectric device that is disposed on the transformation member, an inductor comprising a resonance circuit including the first piezoelectric device, a switch that is disposed in the resonance circuit, and a control unit that controls the switch to be in a conductive state for a predetermined period by detecting a voltage generated in the second piezoelectric device as the second piezoelectric device is transformed in response to the transformation force being applied to the transformation member. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120153773 | PIEZOELECTRIC ENERGY HARVESTING APPARATUS - Disclosed is a piezoelectric energy harvesting apparatus. The piezoelectric energy harvesting apparatus includes: a piezoelectric energy harvesting array that includes a plurality of piezoelectric energy harvesting devices converting an external vibration into electric energy; a plurality of switches that is connected in series to the piezoelectric energy harvesting devices, respectively, and fits the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric energy harvesting array to the frequency of the external vibration by adjusting the resonance frequencies of the piezoelectric energy harvesting devices through the operation of the switches; and at least one or more rectifiers that convert alternating voltage outputted from the piezoelectric energy harvesting array into direct voltage. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120212101 | POWER-GENERATING APPARATUS - A power-generating apparatus includes: a deformation member that is provided with a first piezoelectric device and deformed while switching a deformation direction; an amount of deformation detection unit that detects an amount of deformation of the deformation member; a pair of electrodes provided on the first piezoelectric device; a switch provided between the pair of electrodes; and a switch control unit that controls the switch to cause short-circuit between the pair of electrodes for a predetermined period when the amount of deformation is equal to or more than a predetermined amount. | 08-23-2012 |
| 20120223617 | ELECTRICAL ENERGY GENERATOR - According to an example embodiment, an electrical energy generator includes at least one piezoelectric structure, a semiconductor layer and a contact layer. The at least one piezoelectric structure includes a material having piezoelectric characteristics. One surface of each piezoelectric structure forms a p-n junction with the semiconductor layer. The other end of each piezoelectric structure contacts the contact layer that is formed of a material having metal-insulator transition (MIT) characteristics. The piezoelectric structure may be an elongated member, such as a nanowire. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120228995 | HIGH-EFFICIENCY COMPACT MINIATURIZED ENERGY HARVESTING AND STORAGE DEVICE - An energy harvesting and storage system includes an array of piezoelectric electrodes, in which the piezoelectric electrodes generate electrical energy from mechanical displacements of the piezoelectric electrodes; and an array of capacitor electrodes disposed in proximity to the piezoelectric electrodes, in which the array of capacitor electrodes stores a portion of the energy generated by the piezoelectric electrodes. An energy system includes a substrate including an array of micro-post electrodes connected to a cathode layer of the substrate; an isolation material covering the array of micro-post electrodes; and an anode layer including electrodes filling the remaining region between the isolation material-covered micro-post electrodes, in which the anode layer, electrodes, isolation material, micro-post electrodes, and substrate are monolithically coupled. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120242192 | ENERGY GENERATOR SYSTEMS WITH A VOLTAGE-CONTROLLED SWITCH - A first energy generating system comprises a ferromagnetic generator coupled to a voltage controlled switch. The ferromagnetic generator includes a ferromagnetic element generating a magnetic field and positioned within a pulse generating coil and near an explosive charge. Detonation of the explosive charge decreases the magnetic field and induces a pulse of electric energy in the pulse generating coil. When the magnitude of the electric energy reaches a certain level, the voltage controlled switch closes. A second energy generating system comprises a flux compression generator coupled to a voltage controlled switch. The flux compression generator includes a inductance coil generating a magnetic field within a metallic armature that includes an explosive charge. Detonation of the explosive charge changes the magnetic field and induces a pulse of electric energy in the inductance coil. When the magnitude of the electric energy reaches a certain level, the voltage controlled switch closes. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120280596 | POWER GENERATION UNIT, ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, TRANSPORTATION UNIT, BATTERY, METHOD OF CONTROLLING POWER GENERATION UNIT - A power generation unit includes: a deformation member which is deformed by switching a deformation direction; a piezoelectric element which is installed to the deformation member; a pair of electrodes which are installed to the piezoelectric element; an inductor which is installed between the pair of the electrodes and which together with a capacitive component of the piezoelectric element constitutes a resonance circuit; a switch which is connected in series to the inductor; a full bridge rectifier which is installed between the pair of the electrodes to rectify an AC current generated by the piezoelectric element; a voltage detection circuit which detects potentials of an anode and cathode of a diode included in the full bridge rectifier; and a controller which allows the switch to be in an ON state for a predetermined time interval based on an output signal of the voltage detection circuit. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120286625 | PEEP1 PIEZO ELECTRIC EFFECT POWER 1 - A number of devices are described which can be used to generate electric power from the action of wind or other sources of vibration. The devices comprise Piezo electric materials, which are built into the devices in a way that can capture the generated electric power, and can conduct it to storage devices. Several embodiments are described. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20120299443 | POWER GENERATING APPARATUS AND POWER GENERATING METHOD - When a rotating shaft member rotates, centrifugal force acts upon pressure members 152 | 11-29-2012 |
| 20130009518 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A PIEZOCERAMIC SENSOR AND CIRCUIT FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD - In the case of a method for operating a piezoceramic sensor with an evaluation electrode, an electrical signal generated by the piezoceramic sensor at the evaluation electrode is evaluated to determine an actuating state of the piezoceramic sensor. The evaluation electrode is subjected to a predetermined reference potential during recurring time intervals, in order to reference the evaluation electrode with the reference potential during these time intervals. | 01-10-2013 |
| 20130069482 | DECOUPLING OF ELECTRIC POWER FROM PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCERS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPOLARIZE SAID TRANSDUCERS - An apparatus produces electric power from mechanical vibrations at a frequency f. The apparatus provides a piezo element, which is moved by the mechanical vibration, for producing an electric AC voltage, and also an impedance matching device for matching the impedance of the piezo element to an optional rectifier. The apparatus has an electrically connected capacitive energy store and an energy user, which is connected in electrical parallel with the energy store and to which an output voltage is applied. The piezo element has an inductive element electrically connected to it such that an electric parallel resonant circuit is formed by the inductive element and a capacitance. The electric parallel resonant circuit effectively increases an electric output power for the apparatus. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130076206 | TOUCH PAD CONTROLLER - A system for controlling electrical appliances comprises a) a touch plate having an inner surface and an outer surface, which is accessible to a user; b) a piezoelectric module coupled with said inner surface of said touch plate and suitable to generate electric signals when deformed by pressure; c) a microcontroller connected to said piezoelectric module, said microcontroller being configured to analyze electrical signals generated by said piezoelectric module, to determine; d) circuitry coupled with said microcontroller, for receiving said control signals and for transmitting output signals to said electrical appliance; and e) a feedback module connected to said microcontroller, suitable to provide to a user feedback related to signals generated by said piezoelectric module. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130082569 | POWER GENERATION UNIT, ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, TRANSPORTATION DEVICE, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING POWER GENERATION UNIT - A power generation unit includes: a deforming member adapted to deform while switching a deformation direction; a piezoelectric device provided to the deforming member, and having a pair of electrodes; a displacement sensor adapted to detect a deformation amount of the deforming member, and then output deformation amount information as information related to the deformation amount; an inductor electrically connected to the piezoelectric device; a switch disposed between the piezoelectric device and the inductor; and a switch control section adapted to control the switch so as to set the pair of electrodes to a shorted state for a predetermined period of time when the deformation amount exceeds a predetermined level. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130082570 | POWER GENERATION UNIT, SECONDARY CELL, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A power generation unit includes a deforming member adapted to repeatedly deform a piezoelectric element, a pair of electrodes provided to the piezoelectric element, an inductor disposed between the pair of electrodes, and constituting a resonant circuit together with a capacitive component of the piezoelectric element, a first switch connected in series to the inductor, a member adapted to detect a timing at which a deformation direction of the deforming member is switched, a full bridge rectifier adapted to rectify a current output from the pair of electrodes, a capacitor connected to the full bridge rectifier, and adapted to store a current supplied from the full bridge rectifier, a second switch connected between either one of the pair of electrodes and the capacitor, and a control circuit adapted to operate the first switch and the second switch. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130082571 | POWER GENERATION UNIT, ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, TRANSPORTATION DEVICE, BATTERY, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING POWER GENERATION UNIT - A power generation unit includes a first piezoelectric device having a pair of electrodes, a second piezoelectric device stacked on the first piezoelectric device, a switch electrically connected between the pair of electrodes, a current detection section adapted to detect a current generated in the second piezoelectric device, and a control section adapted to control the switch, and the control section electrically connects the switch for a predetermined period in at least either one of a case in which the current detected by the current detection section reaches a level one of equal to and higher than a first reference value or a case in which the current reaches a level one of equal to and lower than a second reference value. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130082572 | POWER GENERATION UNIT, ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, TRANSPORTATION DEVICE, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING POWER GENERATION UNIT - A power generation unit includes a beam (a deforming member) having a piezoelectric element and deforming while switching a deformation direction, an inductor electrically connected to the piezoelectric element, a switch disposed between the piezoelectric element and the inductor, a memory (a storage section) adapted to store switching period information (information of a characteristic vibration period of the beam), and a control circuit (a control section) adapted to control one of a timing at which the switch is set to a conductive state and a timing at which the switch is set to a nonconductive state in accordance with the switching period information stored in the memory. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130113337 | VIBRATION SENSOR - A vibration sensor according to the present invention includes a piezoelectric vibrator including a diaphragm and a piezoelectric element firmly fixed to at least one plane surface of the diaphragm and a signal process substrate performing a predetermined process to a signal outputted from the piezoelectric vibrator, and wherein the piezoelectric vibrator and the signal process substrate are arranged alongside in a planar direction nearly perpendicular to a vibration direction of the piezoelectric vibrator. | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130140950 | MEMS-BASED CANTILEVER ENERGY HARVESTER - The claimed invention is directed to integrated energy-harvesting piezoelectric cantilevers. The cantilevers are fabricated using sol-gel processing using a sacrificial poly-Si seeding layer. Improvements in film microstructure and electrical properties are realized by introducing a poly-Si seeding layer and by optimizing the poling process. | 06-06-2013 |
| 20130154441 | FLOORING SYSTEM AND FLOOR TILE - One variation of a preferred flooring system includes: a first energy device configured for arrangement under a footpath, the first energy device outputting a first current in response to a force applied to the footpath; a second energy device configured for arrangement under the footpath adjacent the first energy device, the second energy device outputting a second current in response to a force applied to the footpath; a wireless transmitter; and a network that communicates the first and second currents from the first and second energy devices to the wireless transmitter; wherein the wireless transmitter is powered by the first current to transmit a data packet associated with a force applied to the footpath. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130154442 | EXTERNAL FORCE DETECTION EQUIPMENT - To easily detect an external force applied to a piezoelectric element with high accuracy and suppress influence of electrostatic charges accumulated in the piezoelectric element. A crystal element is cantilevered inside the container. Excitation electrodes are formed on upper and lower faces, respectively, of the crystal element. A movable electrode connected to the excitation electrode is provided in a leading end portion of the lower face side of the crystal element, and a stationary electrode is provided in a bottom portion of the container. An oscillation loop including the excitation electrodes, the movable electrode, the stationary electrode, and the oscillator circuit is formed. A capacitance change between the electrodes caused by a deflection of the crystal element due to an external force is detected as a frequency. A switch for opening or closing the neutralization path to discharge electrostatic charges generated in the crystal element to the ground is provided. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130214642 | ULTRASONIC SENSOR DEVICE - An ultrasonic sensor device includes a housing, a circuit board disposed at the housing, and a transducer. The transducer includes an electrically conductive casing having a bottom wall and a surrounding wall. A piezoelectric member is disposed on top of the bottom wall. A first connecting pin set is disposed in the housing, and includes a first connecting pin having one end connected to the circuit board and another end connected to the piezoelectric member, and a second connecting pin having one end connected to the circuit board and another end connected to the surrounding wall. A second connecting pin set is disposed in the housing, has one end connected to the circuit board, and another end extended into a connecting portion of the housing. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130221802 | POWER GENERATING MODULE AND MOBILE DEVICE HAVING THE SAME - A power generating module includes a multipiezoelectric channel unit including a plurality of rods connected to a frame, the rods including a piezoelectric material to generate a voltage in response to a physical force; and a weight disposed to be supported by the plurality of rods and to move in response to the physical force. A mobile electronic device includes a power generating module including a plurality of channels to convert a physical force applied to the mobile electronic device into electricity; and a logic unit connected to the power generating module to output power using the converted energy. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130257224 | ULTRASOUND ACOUSTIC ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE - An ultrasound acoustic assembly includes a number of ultrasound acoustic arrays, each array comprising an acoustic stack comprising a piezoelectric layer assembled with at least one acoustic impedance dematching layer and with a support layer. The acoustic stack defines a number of dicing kerfs and a number of acoustic elements, such that the dicing kerfs are formed between neighboring ones of the acoustic elements. The dicing kerfs extend through the piezoelectric layer and through the acoustic impedance dematching layer(s) but extend only partially through the support layer. The ultrasound acoustic assembly further includes a number of application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) die. Each ultrasound acoustic array is coupled to a respective ASIC die to form a respective acoustic-electric transducer module. Methods of manufacture are also provided. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130270964 | SENSOR COMPRISING A PIEZOELECTRIC DETECTOR WITH COMPENSATION FOR GROUND FAULTS - A sensor includes a piezoelectric detector ( | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130285507 | VIBRATION POWER GENERATING ELEMENT AND VIBRATION POWER GENERATING DEVICE USING SAME - A vibration power generating element comprises: a substrate provided with a supporting part and a cantilever that is swingably supported by the supporting part; and a power generation part formed at the cantilever and generating AC power in response to swing of the cantilever. The power generation part is provided with first and second piezoelectric converters apposed at a region that overlaps the cantilever at one surface side of the substrate. The vibration power generating element is further provided with a common electrode and individual electrodes. The common electrode is electrically connected to a lower electrode shared by the first and second piezoelectric converters. The individual electrodes are individually connected to upper electrodes of the first and second piezoelectric converters, respectively. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20140021828 | CIRCUIT FOR OPTIMIZING THE RECOVERY OF VIBRATORY ENERGY BY A MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL CONVERTER - An apparatus for converting mechanical vibration energy into electrical energy includes a converter that, when subjected to vibrations, generates an electrical potential difference, and an electrical circuit connected to terminals of the converter. The circuit includes a first arm and a second arm parallel to the first warm. The first arm has a first variable-capacitance capacitor system. The second arm includes an electrical load to be powered. A second variable-capacitance capacitor is series-connected with the electrical load. A control circuit is configured to modify respective capacitance values of the first and second capacitor systems so as to modify the converter's mechanical resonance frequency. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140062256 | PIEZOELECTRIC DEVICE - Piezoelectric harvesting devices are disclosed herein. An embodiment of a harvesting device includes a cantilever having a resonant frequency associated therewith, wherein the cantilever vibrates when in the presence of a vibration source, and wherein the harvesting device generates a current upon vibration of the cantilever. The generated current is present at an output. A bias flip circuit is used to tune the resonant frequency of the harvesting device based on measurements of the vibration source that causes the cantilever to vibrate, wherein the bias flip circuit includes a switch that connects and disconnects an inductor to the output. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140062257 | POWER GENERATING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENT - A power generating device includes: a piezoelectric member that is formed from a piezoelectric material; one pair of electrodes that are installed to the piezoelectric member; a transformation unit that repeatedly transforms the piezoelectric member; an inductor that is installed between the one pair of electrodes and configures a resonance circuit together with a capacitive component of the piezoelectric member; a switch that is connected to the inductor in series; and a switch control unit that connects the switch when a transformation direction of the piezoelectric member is switched, and cuts off the switch when a time corresponding to a half period of a resonance period of the resonance circuit elapses. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140217853 | PIEZOELECTRIC GENERATOR - The present disclosure provides an ionic ring comprising a number of piezoelectric elements, a piezoelectric device including the ionic ring, and a piezoelectric generator including the ionic ring and host devices incorporating the piezoelectric generator. The piezoelectric generator can be used to generate energy on a portable electronic device in response to mechanical deformation. The generated energy can be used instead of a battery of the portable electronic device or can be used to charge the battery. | 08-07-2014 |
| 20140232242 | PIEZOELECTRIC GENERATOR, SENSOR NODE, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING PIEZOELECTRIC GENERATOR - A piezoelectric generator includes: a base body; and at least one piezoelectric transducer disposed on the base body, and including a first electrode, a piezoelectric body, and a second electrode, wherein the piezoelectric transducer includes a support section fixed to the base body, and a vibrating section disposed apart from the base body, having one end connected to the support section and the other end set as a free end, and vibrating due to a vibration applied externally, and a distance between the other end of the vibrating section and the base body is larger than a distance between the one end of the vibrating section and the base body. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140292145 | ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEM - A system, in certain embodiments, includes a joint and an energy harvesting system. The energy harvesting system includes an energy conversion system configured to convert kinetic energy from movement of the joint into electrical energy. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140300250 | SYSTEM FOR GENERATING AND DISTRIBUTING ENERGY FROM PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIALS - The invention relates to a system that generates energy from piezoelectric materials, applied mainly to supplying energy in traffic systems. The invention reduces the costs associated with the implementation of the piezoelectric systems on roads or vehicle and pedestrian transit systems, since in some cases they are manufactured in modules. It is characterized in that it is a system that includes a piezoelectric material, which generates electrical energy, a transmission network for said generated energy and a device for rectifying electrical current for the regulation and subsequent transmission thereof. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140312737 | LAYER COMPOSITE COMPRISING ELECTROACTIVE LAYERS - The invention relates to a multi-layer composite ( | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140346925 | POWER GENERATION UNIT, SECONDARY CELL, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A power generation unit includes a deforming member adapted to repeatedly deform a piezoelectric element, a pair of electrodes provided to the piezoelectric element, an inductor disposed between the pair of electrodes, and constituting a resonant circuit together with a capacitive component of the piezoelectric element, a first switch connected in series to the inductor, a member adapted to detect a timing at which a deformation direction of the deforming member is switched, a full bridge rectifier adapted to rectify a current output from the pair of electrodes, a capacitor connected to the full bridge rectifier, and adapted to store a current supplied from the full bridge rectifier, a second switch connected between either one of the pair of electrodes and the capacitor, and a control circuit adapted to operate the first switch and the second switch. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20140354112 | PIEZOELECTRIC RESONATORS FOR REDUCTION OF NOISE AND VIBRATION IN VEHICLE COMPONENTS - Disclosed herein is a piezoelectric resonator for damping noise from a vehicle component. The piezoelectric resonator includes a first piezoceramic material having a first electrode, the first piezoceramic material disposed at a first location on one side of the vehicle component and a second piezoceramic material having a second electrode, the second piezoceramic material disposed at a second location on an opposing side of the vehicle component, wherein the first location is opposite the second location. The piezoelectric resonator also includes a shunt circuit comprising a resistor and an inductor, the shunt circuit connected to the first electrode and the second electrode in series. The shunt circuit is configured to dissipate energy from vibration experienced by the vehicle component. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20150008791 | NANOMETER ELECTRICAL GENERATOR - A piezoelectric generator is developed by providing a closed vessel within which piezoelectric powders of nanometer sizes are placed with an inert impact material and a viscous inert liquid which maintains the mixture in a cloud-like condition. A small empty space is preferably maintained in the vessel to enable free motion of the mixture when the vessel is moved. The impact material collides with the piezoelectric crystals to generate voltage pulses, and an electric current is created through one or more conductive wires in the vessel. | 01-08-2015 |
| 20150008792 | SELF-POWERED PIEZOELECTRIC ENERGY HARVESTING MICROSYSTEM - A self-powered piezoelectric energy harvesting microsystem device has CMOS integrated circuit elements, contacts and interconnections formed at a proof mass portion of a die region of a semiconductor wafer. Piezoelectric energy harvesting unit components connected to the integrated circuit elements are formed at a thinned beam portion of the die region that connects the proof mass portion for vibration relative to a surrounding anchor frame portion. A battery provided on the proof mass portion connects to the integrated circuit elements. In a cantilever architectural example, the battery is advantageously located at a distal end of the proof mass portion, opposite the joinder with frame portion via the beam portion. | 01-08-2015 |
| 20150015114 | Piecewise Piezoelectric Energy Harvester - A piezoelectric energy harvester device has a cantilevered structure with a rectangular proof mass portion defined by holes through a substrate along three sides of a proof mass portion and supported by a thinned hinge portion for free pivotal movement relative to an anchor portion. Elongated strips of piezoelectric energy harvesting units are formed in side-by-side spaced positions on the hinge portion and aligned parallel or perpendicular to a stress direction. Multiplexing electronics coupled to contact pads on the anchor portion selectively connects different strip combinations to power management circuitry, responsive to variations in vibration magnitude or modes. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150028722 | PIEZOELECTRIC ENERGY RECOVERY SYSTEM - An energy recovery system for converting mechanical vibration to electric energy is disclosed. The system includes a case providing a plurality of sidewalls, a battery received in the case with a part of the battery positioned on one of the sidewalls of the case, and a number of piezoelectric energy collectors. Each of the collectors includes a cantilever capable of being activated to vibrate by the mechanical vibration. Electric current generated by deformation of the cantilever by virtue of the mechanical vibration is transmitted to the battery for recharging the battery. | 01-29-2015 |
| 20150035409 | PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCER FOR AN ENERGY-HARVESTING SYSTEM - A piezoelectric transducer for energy-harvesting systems includes a substrate, a piezoelectric cantilever element, a first magnetic element, and a second magnetic element, mobile with respect to the first magnetic element. The first magnetic element is coupled to the piezoelectric cantilever element. The first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are set in such a way that, in response to relative movements between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element through an interval of relative positions, the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element approach one another without coming into direct contact, and the interaction between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element determines application of a force pulse on the piezoelectric cantilever element. | 02-05-2015 |
| 20150054383 | CONTROL DEVICE USING BUTTONS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A control device includes a piezoelectric element; a plurality of buttons that are placed in a position corresponding to the piezoelectric element and are configured to apply different pressures, relative to each other, to the piezoelectric element; a controller configured to, if an electric signal of a size corresponding to the pressure is output from the piezoelectric element, determine which button of the plurality of buttons is selected depending on the size of the electric signal; and an output unit configured to output a control signal corresponding to the selected button. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150076964 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE GENERATION OF ELECTRIC ENERGY FROM NOVEL NANOGENERATOR AS A THIN TAPE - The present invention discloses an apparatus and a process of using the apparatus to generate an electric energy in a crowded place. The apparatus comprises of an array of nanogenerators with a novel composition in a mesh of nanowires specifically piezoelectric nanowires embedded in a thin and transparent tape that may be paste/stick on a floor in a crowded place or a place with heavy traffic. The apparatus generates an electric field by using variations in pressure and surface temperature which is then transferred to a charging/discharging board in the form of an electric energy for later use. | 03-19-2015 |
| 20150084482 | POWER GENERATION DEVICE - A device able to generate electrical power through relative rotational motion of first ( | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150097466 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING HIGH VOLTAGE PULSES - A high voltage pulse generating system has a latching element coupled in between a ferroelectric generator (FEG) and a load, such as a vector inversion generator. Such a latching element prevents the return of current to the FEG when the FEG undergoes mechanical destruction after depolarization, thereby increasing the useful amount of energy extracted from the FEG. In some embodiments, multiple FEGs are configured with multiple latching elements to deliver multiple high-voltage, high-current pulses. | 04-09-2015 |
| 20150295519 | ELECTRICITY GENERATOR - An electricity generator including a first converter suitable for converting a variation of an energy to be harvested into a corresponding excess of electrical charges. The generator includes a circuit for collecting the excess of electrical charges, the circuit has a first controllable mechanical switch, and a control device for the first switch designed to control the switching of the switch to its closed position when the excess of electrical charges exceeds a first predetermined threshold. The switch is a magnetic switch and the control device comprises a variable magnetic field source which controls the switching of the first switch to its closed position only at the time when the excess of electrical charges exceeds the first predetermined threshold. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150311824 | SELF POWER SSHI CIRCUIT FOR PIEZOELECTRIC ENERGY HARVESTER - A self-power synchronized switch harvesting on inductor circuit for harvesting energy from a piezoelectric element generating an AC voltage, comprises an envelope detector having first and second capacitors connected in parallel with the piezoelectric element and functioning as negative and positive voltage detectors. An inductor is connected in parallel with the capacitors, and transistors are connected in circuit with the capacitors and inductor and are responsive to a change in voltage across the first capacitor from positive to negative to enable flow of positive voltage to the inductor until terminal voltage reaches a certain amount and current in the inductor reaches zero. A full-wave rectifier is connected to convert the AC output of the piezoelectric element to DC voltage, and a DC-DC converter is connected to adapt the power output of the rectified voltage. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150349667 | INTERNAL VIBRATION IMPULSED BROADBAND EXCITATION ENERGY HARVESTER SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The present invention relates to an energy harvester system. The energy harvester system includes an energy harvester device, a housing comprising internal walls surrounding at least a portion of the energy harvester device, and a flexible supporting structure supporting the energy harvester device within the housing. Movement of the housing causes the internal walls of the housing, or structures connected to the internal walls, to contact the energy harvester device, whereby the flexible supporting structure and the energy harvester device move such that the energy harvester device contacts the internal walls or structures connected to the internal walls at least one additional time (or multiple times), thereby producing energy. Also disclosed is a system comprising an electrically powered apparatus and the energy harvester system of the present invention electrically coupled to the apparatus. The present invention further relates to a method of powering an electrically powered apparatus with the energy harvester system of the present invention. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20160065094 | PIEZOELECTRIC ENERGY HARVESTER AND WIRELESS SWITCH INCLUDING THE SAME - Examples provide a piezoelectric energy harvester and a wireless switch including the same. The piezoelectric energy harvester includes a pressure transmission part situated between a pressing plate and a piezoelectric body, so as to transmit a uniform amount of pressure to the piezoelectric body, thereby generating a constant level of energy. In addition, a wireless switch uses energy generated in the piezoelectric energy harvester as its driving power, thereby transmitting radio frequency (RF) communications signals to an external electronic device to control the operation of the electronic device. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160134204 | VIBRATIONAL ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEM - A vibrational energy harvesting system is disclosed. Included is a first energy harvesting unit and a second energy harvesting unit that convert mechanical vibrations into first and second AC signals, respectively. A first AC-DC converter coupled to the first energy harvesting unit and a second AC-DC converter coupled to the second energy harvesting unit are configured to convert the first AC signal and the second AC signal into a first DC signal and a second DC signal, respectively. A DC-DC converter is coupled between the second AC-DC converter and a controller, and is configured to receive the second DC signal and provide a regulated DC signal by using energy from the second DC signal in response to a periodic signal generated by the controller. Typically, an energy storage unit is coupled to the DC-DC converter and is configured to receive and store energy from the regulated DC signal. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160141980 | PIEZOELECTRIC ENERGY HARVESTING AND SIGNAL PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF USE - The present invention relates to a system comprising an energy harvester device and a signal processing device coupled to the energy harvester device. The energy harvester device includes an elongate resonator beam comprising a piezoelectric material extending between first and second ends. A base is connected to the elongate resonator beam at the first end with the second end being freely extending from the base as a cantilever. A mass attached to the second end of the elongate resonator beam. The signal processing device includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to execute programmed instructions stored in the memory including obtaining a signal from the energy harvesting device. The obtained signal is tracked over a period of time. An environmental impact on the energy harvester device is determined based on the tracked signal. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160156283 | Implantable Micro Power Generator (IMPG) | 06-02-2016 |
| 20160204333 | PIEZOELECTRIC SENSOR | 07-14-2016 |
| 20160204717 | PIEZOELECTIRC ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEM WITH FREQUENCY MISMATCH TOLERANCE | 07-14-2016 |
