Patent · US Active

Electric door release powered by energy harvester

US9151079B2 · kind B2 · utility

15Cited by
1References
42Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 15, 2011
Grant dateOct 6, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 19, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T292/705
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A system for operating an electric door release having an actuator powered by an energy harvester. The actuator may be a piezoelectric actuator and the harvester may be a piezo harvester. The system may further include a power module, a rechargeable battery and a voltage boost circuit disposed between the energy harvester and the actuator. When a piezoelectric actuator is used, a recycle actuator discharge circuit may be disposed between the piezoelectric actuator and the power module battery for recapturing a portion of the energy delivered to the piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric harvester may include an energy input portion whereby the piezo electric harvester is excited by the energy input portion. The energy input portion may include a circular or linear driving gear for exciting the piezoelectric harvester or a stepper motor generator, driven by movement of a door. The harvester may also be a stepper motor/generator.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.