US 7,791,982 B2Granted

Impact energy powered golf ball transmitter

OwnerLawrence J. Karrinventor

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Abstract

Electrical power can be generated from impact based energy, such as from a golf ball being struck by a golf club. One or more piezo-electric devices, which are embedded in the core of the golf ball, are stressed by the impact and generate energy. Each piezo-electric device generates energy when stressed, which is then rectified and stored in a capacitor circuit. The stored energy in the capacitor circuit is used to power a transmitter to emit energy via an antenna, including all necessary electronics such as an oscillator, a modulator, and various control and logic circuits. The transmitted signals can be received by a hand held locator device. The described impact generated energy powers the transmitter a sufficiently long amount of time for the golfer to locate the golf ball. The impact based energy generation can also be used for other non-golf applications.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A golf ball device that is arranged to emit a radio frequency transmission using energy generated from the impact of the golf ball device with a surface, the golf ball device comprising:

an antenna;
a radio frequency transmitter system that is located in a central area of an inner core of the golf ball device, wherein the radio frequency transmitter system includes an output that is coupled to the antenna, and wherein the radio frequency transmitter system is arranged to emit the radio frequency transmission via the antenna when powered;
an impact power generator that is located in the central area of the inner core of the golf ball device and arranged to generate power in response to impact of the golf ball with the surface, the impact power generator comprising a capacitor circuit, a rectifier circuit and a plurality of piezo-electric devices, wherein the piezo-electric devices are arranged to provide electrical energy to an input of the rectifier circuit in response to mechanical stresses on the piezo-electric devices from the impact of the golf ball with the surface,
wherein an output of the rectifier circuit is coupled to the capacitor circuit, wherein the capacitor circuit is arranged to store charge such that the capacitor circuit acts as a temporarily power supply for the golf ball device;
and
wherein the piezo-electric devices include a first piezo-electric device aligned for maximal energy conversion along an x-axis relative to the central area of the inner core, a second piezo electric device aligned for maximal energy conversion along a y-axis relative to the central area of the inner core, and a third piezo electric device is aligned for maximal energy conversion along a z-axis relative to the central area of the inner core, whereby the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis form an orthogonal set.

3 more elements

A method for emitting a radio frequency transmission from a golf ball device in response to the impact of the golf ball device with a surface, the method for the golf ball device comprising:

arranging a plurality of piezo-electric devices along separate axes relative to a center of the golf ball device such that each piezo-electric device is oriented for maximal energy conversion along a separate axis relative to the central area of the inner core of the golf ball device such that that maximum conversion of kinetic energy to electrical energy is achieved when the golf ball device is impacted along the axis of the golf ball device most aligned with the corresponding piezo-electric device;
generating electrical energy with piezo-electric devices in response to mechanical stresses on the piezo-electric devices from the impact of the golf ball with the surface;
rectifying the electrical energy generated by the piezo-electric devices and combining the energy from each of the plurality of piezo-electric devices;
storing charge from the rectified and combined electrical energy in a capacitor circuit, wherein the capacitor circuit is arranged to operate as a temporary power supply for the golf ball device;
applying power from the temporary power supply to a radio frequency transmitter system that is located in a central area of the inner core of the golf ball device, wherein the radio frequency transmitter system includes an output that is coupled to an antenna;
enabling high-frequency oscillations in the radio frequency transmitter system when the temporary power supply is operational such that the radio frequency transmitter system is prepared for emission of radio frequency transmissions;
and
modulating signals with the high frequency oscillations when the temporary power supply is operational such that the radio frequency transmission is emitted by the radio-frequency transmitter system via the antenna as a modulated signal.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/772,006Filed 29 Jun 2007
Published: US 2009/0003136 A11 Jan 2009
Granted: 7 Sep 2010
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

G01S 1/685
Marker, boundary, call-sign, or like beacons transmitting signals not carrying directional information: using pulse modulation, e.g. pulse…
A63B 24/0021
Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training…
A63B 43/00
Balls with special arrangements
A63B 37/0003
Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles: golf balls