Power conversion from piezoelectric source with multi-stage storage
US7138911B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 4, 2004 |
| Grant date | Nov 21, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02N2/181
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and corresponding method for generating electric power from a rotating tire's mechanical energy concerns a piezoelectric power generation device associated with a power harvesting and conditioning module. The piezoelectric structure is preferably mounted within a tire structure such that electric charge is generated therein as the wheel assembly moves along a ground surface. The electrodes of the piezoelectric structure are coupled to a power harvesting and conditioning module that rectifies the resultant electric current from the piezoelectric structure, conditions and stores it in a multi-stage energy storage device, preferably a plurality of capacitors. A regulated voltage source is provided from the energy stored in the power generation device and can be used to selectively power various electronics systems integrated within a tire or wheel assembly. An example of an integrated tire electronics system for use with the disclosed power generation device corresponds to a tire monitoring system that wirelessly transmits such information as tire pressure, temperature and identification variables to a remote receiver location.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.