Generator employing piezoelectric and resonating elements

摘要

Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices and methods for generating electricity, transforming voltages and generating motion using one or more piezoelectric elements operably coupled to one or more non-piezoelectric resonating elements. In one embodiment, a non-piezoelectric resonating element is configured to oscillate and dissipate mechanical energy into a piezoelectric element, which converts a portion of such mechanical energy into electricity and therefore acts as a generator. In another embodiment, a piezoelectric element is configured to drive one or more mechanical elements operably coupled to the one or more non-piezoelectric resonating elements, and therefore acts as a motor. In still another embodiment, a piezoelectric element is operably coupled to a non-piezoelectric resonating element to form an electrical transformer. The mechanical properties of the non-piezoelectric resonating elements are typically selected to permit relatively high permissible stress and strain in comparison to the corresponding piezoelectric elements to which coupled or attached.

主权项

1. A method of generating electric power comprising the steps of:
providing a non-piezoelectric resonating element; attaching one side of a piezoelectric element to a proximal end of said non-piezoelectric element, attaching an opposing side of said piezoelectric element to a base; heating a working fluid in proximity to a distal end of said non-piezoelectric resonating element; directing repeatedly said heated working fluid to expand toward and apply pressure to a distal end of said non-piezoelectric resonating element to cause a distal end of said non-piezoelectric resonating element to oscillate; deforming said piezoelectric element with repeated oscillations of said distal end of said non-piezoelectric resonating element to create a deformed piezoelectric element; transferring electrical current generated by said deformed piezoelectric element to the electrical load; and heating said working fluid to coincide with said distal end of said non-piezoelectric resonating element moving away from said expanding working fluid, a duration of said heating does not exceed one half of a period of resonant oscillations of said non-piezoelectric resonating element.