Patent · US Active

Piecewise piezoelectric energy harvester

US9711711B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
1References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 3, 2014
Grant dateJul 18, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 2, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/42
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A piezoelectric energy harvester device has a cantilevered structure with a rectangular proof mass portion defined by holes through a substrate along three sides of a proof mass portion and supported by a thinned hinge portion for free pivotal movement relative to an anchor portion. Elongated strips of piezoelectric energy harvesting units are formed in side-by-side spaced positions on the hinge portion and aligned parallel or perpendicular to a stress direction. Multiplexing electronics coupled to contact pads on the anchor portion selectively connects different strip combinations to power management circuitry, responsive to variations in vibration magnitude or modes.

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