Piezoelectric acceleration timer

An apparatus for measuring a time lapsed during a vibration, the apparatus comprising:

• a piezoelectric sensor, the piezoelectric sensor having at least two sensor layers oriented substantially parallel with respect to each other, at least one of the sensor layers comprises a piezoelectric material for generating an electric potential in response to the vibration;
• an energy storage device, the energy storage device electrically coupled to the piezoelectric sensor, the energy storage device configured for receiving the electric potential generated by the piezoelectric sensor;
• and
• a measurement module, the measurement module electrically coupled to the energy storage device, the measurement module configured for measuring the electric potential received at the energy storage device, the measurement module further configured for determining the time lapsed during the vibration based on:
• the electric potential received at the energy storage device, and predetermined charging characteristics of the energy storage device for a predetermined charging voltage expected to be produced by the piezoelectric sensor in response to the vibration.

A method for measuring a time lapsed during a vibration, the method comprising:

• generating an electric potential in response to a deflection of a piezoelectric sensor during the vibration;
• charging an energy storage device utilizing the generated electric potential;
• measuring an amount of electric potential stored in the energy storage device;
• and
• determining the time lapsed during the vibration based on:
• the amount of the electric potential stored in the energy storage device, and predetermined charging characteristics of the energy storage device for a predetermined charging voltage expected to be produced by the piezoelectric sensor in response to the vibration.