System and method for harvesting electric power from a rotating tire's static electricity
US6847126B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 25, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 9, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29D2030/0094
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A power harvesting solution concerns a generally non-conductive tire structure that is formed with at least one defined conductivity path through which static electricity accumulated in the tire structure during tire rotation can dissipate to ground. Such conductivity path is formed from a portion of conductive material that may be partially surrounded by additional insulative material to restrict the flow of electric charge to ground. An energy storage device, such as a capacitor or rechargeable battery, is coupled with the conductivity path and configured to store selected amounts of the electric charge dissipating through the conductivity path. Various diode elements may be provided in combination with the energy storage device to prevent reverse discharging of and to provide voltage protection for the energy storage device. Sufficient accumulations of such harvested energy can then power tire electronic systems, including various condition-responsive devices (i.e., sensors, etc.) a revolution counter, a radio frequency (RF) device, a rechargeable battery or a lighting device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.