Self-powered, piezo-surface acoustic wave apparatus and method
US8860553B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 10, 2009 |
| Grant date | Oct 14, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 22, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03H9/145
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An autonomous, self-powered device includes a radioisotope-powered current impulse generator including a spring assembly comprising a cantilever, and a piezoelectric-surface acoustic wave (P-SAW) structure connected in parallel to the current impulse generator. Positive charges are accumulated on an electrically isolated 63Ni thin film due to the continuous emission of β-particles (electrons), which are collected on the cantilever. The accumulated charge eventually pulls the cantilever into the radioisotope thin-film until electrical discharge occurs. The electrical discharge generates a transient magnetic and electrical field that can excite the RF modes of a cavity in which the electrical discharge occurs. A piezoelectric-SAW resonator is connected to the discharge assembly to control the RF frequency output. A method for generating a tuned RF signal includes inputting an energy pulse to a P-SAW resonator, exciting the resonant frequency thereof, and outputting an RF signal having a frequency tuned to the resonator frequency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.