Harvesting energy from vehicular vibrations using piezoelectric devices
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsChandra S. Namuduri, Yunjun Li, Timothy J. Talty, Robert B. Elliott, Nancy McMahon
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Abstract
An energy harvesting apparatus for deployment on a vehicle having a frame includes a spring assembly coupled to the frame and configured for compressions and extensions during vehicle travel. A piezoelectric device is mounted on the spring assembly for generating electrical energy in response to the strain imposed thereon. A rectifier is coupled to the piezoelectric device for converting AC electrical energy to DC.
Claims17
An energy harvesting apparatus, comprising:
- a vehicular spring assembly configured for compressions and extensions during vehicle travel, wherein the spring assembly comprises one or more leaf springs;
- and
- a piezoelectric device mounted on all four sides of at least one of the one or more leaf springs of the vehicular spring assembly for generating electrical energy in response to strain imposed thereon in response to the compressions and extensions.
An energy harvesting apparatus deployed on a vehicle having a frame, the apparatus comprising:
- a leaf spring assembly coupled to the frame and configured for compressions and extensions during vehicle travel;
- a piezoelectric device mounted on all four sides of the leaf spring assembly for generating electrical energy in response to strain imposed thereon in response to the compressions and extensions;
- and
- a rectifier coupled to the piezoelectric device for converting the electrical energy from AC to DC.
An energy harvesting apparatus configured to be deployed on a vehicle having a frame, the apparatus comprising:
- a leaf spring assembly comprising one or more leaf springs coupled to the frame and configured for compressions and extensions during vehicle travel, the leaf spring assembly having a plurality of surfaces comprising four surfaces for each leaf spring of the leaf spring assembly;
- piezoelectric fiber composite material attached to each of the four sides of a leaf spring of at least one leaf spring plurality of surfaces for generating AC electrical energy in response to strain imposed thereon due to the compressions and extensions;
- and
- a rectifier coupled to the piezoelectric fiber composite for converting the AC electrical energy to DC energy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.