Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Michael Y. Epstein, RPA
  • Patent number: 6194815
    Abstract: A piezoelectric generator comprises one or more inner hubs, an outer, stationary support, and a plurality of strap-like piezoelectric power generating elements mounted between the hubs and the outer support. The hubs are mounted for relative rotation on a first shaft mounted eccentrically on a second shaft having an axis of rotation coincident with central axis of the outer support. Rotation of the eccentric first shaft causes the hubs to follow a circular path around the outer support axis but without rotation of the hub around its own axis. The movements of the hubs cause alternate straining and destraining of the piezoelectric elements for generating electrical energy. For obtaining high energy conversion efficiency, the elements are arranged in groups of three or more substantially identical elements which are identically strained but symmetrically out-of-phase with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Ocean Power Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles B. Carroll