Energy harvesting utilizing stress induced phase transformation in ferro-electric piezocrystals

US9048762B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force · US

Inventors

• Peter Finkel · Downingtown, US
• Ahmed H. Amin · Attleboro, US
• Colin J Murphy · Newport, US
• Christopher S. Lynch · Sherman, US
• Wen D Wong · Los Angeles, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 14, 2013
• Grant date: Jun 2, 2015
• Expiry date: Jan 1, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10N30/886

Abstract

A transducer for generating electrical energy from an expected force includes a single crystal ferroelectric material having a phase transition stress level. Mechanical stress is provided to this crystal at a level approaching the phase transition stress level, such that the expected external force will cause the phase transition. At least two electrodes are joined to the single crystal for receiving electrical energy created by the phase transition. The electrodes can be joined to conditioning and storage circuitry. In further embodiments, the phase transition is induced by an expected temperature change.