Apparatus and method for generating electricity from energy in a flowing stream of fluid
US6011346A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 10, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 4, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 10, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B41/0085
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus to generate electricity from energy in a flowing stream of fluid comprises a piezoelectric member and a flow restrictor connected with the member to cause portions of a flowing stream of fluid to flow past different sides of the member such that the member deforms to generate electricity in response thereto. A particular such apparatus includes a conduit to conduct a flowing stream of fluid; a divider disposed along at least a portion of the length of the conduit such that the divider divides that portion of the conduit into two flow channels; a piezoelectric member connected to the divider such that one side of the piezoelectric member is exposed to one of the two flow channels and another side of the piezoelectric member is exposed to the other of the two flow channels; and a flow restrictor disposed at a location between one end of the divider and the other end of the divider. A method comprises: dividing a flowing stream of fluid into two portions and conducting one of the portions along one side of a piezoelectric member and conducting the other of the portions along another side of the piezoelectric member; and restricting one of the portions of flowing fluid relati…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.