Patents Assigned to Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5512795
    Abstract: An electrical energy generator comprises a cylindrical stator, a cylindrical liner of a piezoelectric material in concentric contact with the stator, and an armature rotatable about the liner. In one embodiment, as the armature rotates, the armature squeezes successive portions of the liner against the stator for alternately compressing and decompressing the liner portions for causing them to generate electrical energy. In another embodiment, the armature causes alternating stretching and destretching of successive portions of the liner between spaced apart portions of the stator for causing the liner portions to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Y. Epstein, Charles B. Carroll