Abstract: A mechanical energy generating apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a shape changing flexure beam connected at opposing distal ends to first lever arms of a pair of opposing tilt connectors. The apparatus additionally includes a bias beam connected at opposing ends to second lever of the tilt connectors. The tilt connectors are pivotally connected to an adjustable length base such that a distance between the tilt connectors can be adjusted to flex the bias beam and exert a force on the second lever arms of the tilt connectors. The force exerted by the bias beam is transferred to the first lever arms and flexes the flexure beam to approximately a critical buckling stress point of the flexure beam.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a flight trajectory of a spinning projectile. In one aspect the method may involve supporting a nose of the projectile in a manner permitting the nose to be wobbled. At least one electrically responsive component may be coupled at a first end to the nose and at a second end to a base portion of the projectile. An angular position of the nose of the projectile may be sensed as the projectile flies through an atmosphere after being fired from a weapon. An electrical signal is controllably applied to the electrically responsive component, in relation to the sensed angular position of the nose, to control an attitude of the nose during flight of the projectile.

Abstract: An energy conversion apparatus having a pair of flexible beams that are supported at first ends thereof from a base. The beams each include at least one piezoelectric material layer. Second ends of each of the beams are operatively coupled to rigid links. The rigid links are in turn operatively coupled to a working element that may form, in one application, a drive member for a motor, or in a second application form a valve element for an electronic fuel injection system, or in a third application form a piston for a fluid pump. The working element is free to move linearly in a path generally parallel to the longitudinal axes of the flexible beams. As electrical signals are applied to and removed from the piezoelectric material layer(s) of each flexible beam, the beams flex repeatedly and uniformly over their full lengths. This causes a linear movement of the working element that can be used to help form a rotational motor output or a linearly moving fluid control element.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer able to convert an electrical signal into a mechanical motion. In various embodiments the transducer is used to form a motor and an actuator. In one embodiment a piezoceramic stack is supported as to experience a compressive load from a flexible beam. The flexible beam is installed under compression to assume an initial bowed shape. Applying an electrical signal to the piezoceramic stack causes decompression, and thus lengthening, of the stack. This in turn causes an increased compression of the flexible beam that causes it to flex from its initial bowed shape to an increased (i.e., more pronounced) bowed shape. An output member disposed against the flexible beam is driven by the flexing of the beam. Alternately applying and removing the electrical signal causes an alternating mechanical motion to be applied to the output member by the flexible beam.

Abstract: An energy harvesting apparatus and method. In one form the apparatus makes use of a pair of flexible beams that are supported at first ends thereof from a base. Second ends of each of the beams are operatively coupled to rigid links. The rigid links are in turn operatively coupled to a mass component that is free to move linearly in a path generally parallel to the longitudinal axes of the flexible beams. Movement of the mass component in response to vibration forces causes a twisting moment to be applied at the second end of each flexible beam. This causes a uniform flexing of each of the flexible beams. A piezoceramic material layer on each beam generates electrical signals in response to the flexing motion of the beam.

Abstract: An energy harvester apparatus that includes a piezoelectric beam having opposing first and second ends, with the first end being fixedly supported to a support structure. A negative spring force subsystem has a first end fixedly secured against movement, and a second end secured to the second end of said piezoelectric beam. The negative spring force subsystem includes a linkage system and a biasing element operably associated with the linkage system for applying an adjustable, negative spring force to the piezoelectric beam to soften the piezoelectric beam. The negative spring force subsystem is adjusted to flex the beam sufficiently to overcome the inherent stiffness of the beam such that two stable positions for the beam are created. The beam is therefore able to oscillate between the two stable positions in an over center fashion in response to a low magnitude vibration signal. In various embodiments the system is implemented to provide an input drive signal to control various types of external devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating vortexes in fluid flow generally adjacent to a surface includes: (a) at least one vortex generating element; and (b) a piezoelectric motor element coupled with the at least one vortex generating element. The piezoelectric motor element responds to a varying voltage signal to move the at least one vortex generating element between a first position extending into the fluid flow an operating distance from the surface and a second position generally flush with the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in low frequency vibration energy harvesting (VEH) and with actuators requiring a low deflection force. The apparatus includes a piezo flexure that is loaded with a compressive pre-load force to place the piezo flexure under compression. The piezo flexure may be supported at an intermediate point or at one end thereof. The compressive pre-load force produces flexes the piezo flexure into one or the other of two stable positions, these positions being offset on opposite sides of a longitudinal centerline representing the position of the piezo flexure that would be produced without the compressive pre-load force applied thereto. The compressive pre-load effectively provides a negative spring constant which “softens” the piezo flexure and enhances a responsiveness of the piezo flexure to low frequency vibration energy. The piezo flexure also operates over a much wider frequency bandwidth than conventional systems incorporating a tip mass.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a torque to an external member to assist in twisting or deforming the external member. In one implementation the apparatus is useful for providing a force to a torque tube to assist in rotating, bending or twisting a wing, an airfoil, or a rotorcraft blade. The apparatus includes at least one biasing member which provides a biasing force to a linkage assembly, where the linkage assembly is pivotally coupled to a torque tube. The torque tube is fixedly coupled to the structure which needs to be bent, twisted or flexed. The energy stored in the biasing member provides the great majority of mechanical force required to rotate the torque tube and bend, twist or deform the structure when the structure is urged back into an unflexed or un-deformed state, the energy stored in the structure is transferred back to the apparatus.

Abstract: A non-linear power generator system that may include a flexible beam for receiving a mechanical input, the flexible beam being supported in a bowed configuration; an electrically responsive member supported adjacent one end of the flexible beam so as to be under a compressive force exerted by the flexible beam; and the flexible beam being adapted to move towards a flattened shape from the bowed shape in response to the mechanical input, to transmit the mechanical input to the electrically responsive member, to cause a compression of the electrically responsive member that results in an electrical output signal being generated by the electrically responsive member.

Abstract: An energy harvesting apparatus and method for harvesting vibration energy over a wide frequency band and at low amplitudes. The apparatus includes a reaction component that is supported by a plurality of independent piezoelectric flexures from a base. The flexures are secured to the base and to portions of the reaction component so that they create equal but opposite constant moments applied to the reaction component that cancel one another out. As the base experiences lateral vibration energy, this causes a swinging or rolling motion of the reaction component, that causes changes in stress and/or strain experienced by the flexures. This causes the flexures to generate electrical signals that can be used powering external devices.

Abstract: A broadband vibration energy harvesting apparatus and method. In one embodiment, a straight piezoelectric beam and a straight biasing beam are disposed parallel to one another and axially compressed by a support structure such that both of the beams are slightly bowed. This buckles and reduces the axial stiffness of both of the beams. The piezoelectric beam is secured to an external vibrating structure and supported by the structure. The flexing motion of the piezoelectric beam generates electrical signals that can be used to power a wide variety of devices. The apparatus is especially sensitive to small amplitude vibration signals and is able to harvest vibration energy over a wide range of frequencies, and is not limited to vibrations at discrete resonant frequencies. The apparatus is especially well suited for use in powering remotely located electrical sensors and actuators employed in automotive, aircraft and aerospace applications.

Abstract: A non-linear, piezoelectric mechanical-to-electrical generator especially well adapted for use with a Stirling engine, to thus form an electrical power generation system. In one form the generator includes a flexible beam that is configured in a bowed orientation to exert a compressive stress on a piezoceramic stack. A mechanical, linearly reciprocating member is positioned against the flexible beam at a midpoint of the beam. The mechanical member applies a force to the flexible beam that initially tends to flatten the flexible beam, which increases the compressive stress applied to the piezoceramic stack, thus compressing the stack and causing it to generate an electrical output signal. When the mechanical member removes the force, the flexible beam reverts to its initial, bowed configuration. This allows the piezoceramic stack to decompress, and it generates another electrical signal.

Abstract: An impedance tuning system, especially for a cellular telephone system. The system can be used to match the impedance of an antenna element with that of an output stage of a transmitter driving the antenna element. The system includes a piezo capacitor in parallel with the magnetostrictive inductor to form an LC circuit. A voltage controller applies a voltage bias signal to the piezo capacitor and a current controller applies a current bias signal to the inductor. A primary controller monitors the frequency of the output signal from the transmitter and controls the voltage and current controllers as needed to alter the impedance of the system as needed to match the impedance of the antenna element with that of the output stage of the transmitter. In an alternative form an ultrasonic sensor is provided.

Abstract: An energy harvesting apparatus and method. In one form the apparatus makes use of a pair of flexible beams that are supported at first ends thereof from a base. Second ends of each of the beams are operatively coupled to rigid links. The rigid links are in turn operatively coupled to a mass component that is free to move linearly in a path generally parallel to the longitudinal axes of the flexible beams. Movement of the mass component in response to vibration forces causes a twisting moment to be applied at the second end of each flexible beam. This causes a uniform flexing of each of the flexible beams. A piezoceramic material layer on each beam generates electrical signals in response to the flexing motion of the beam.

Abstract: An energy harvesting apparatus and method for harvesting vibration energy over a wide frequency band and at low amplitudes. The apparatus includes a reaction component that is supported by a plurality of independent piezoelectric flexures from a base. The flexures are secured to the base and to portions of the reaction component so that they create equal but opposite constant moments applied to the reaction component that cancel one another out. As the base experiences lateral vibration energy, this causes a swinging or rolling motion of the reaction component, that causes changes in stress and/or strain experienced by the flexures. This causes the flexures to generate electrical signals that can be used powering external devices.

Abstract: A broadband vibration energy harvesting apparatus and method. In one embodiment, a straight piezoelectric beam and a straight biasing beam are disposed parallel to one another and axially compressed by a support structure such that both of the beams are slightly bowed. This buckles and reduces the axial stiffness of both of the beams. The piezoelectric beam is secured to an external vibrating structure and supported by the structure. The flexing motion of the piezoelectric beam generates electrical signals that can be used to power a wide variety of devices. The apparatus is especially sensitive to small amplitude vibration signals and is able to harvest vibration energy over a wide range of frequencies, and is not limited to vibrations at discrete resonant frequencies. The apparatus is especially well suited for use in powering remotely located electrical sensors and actuators employed in automotive, aircraft and aerospace applications.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer able to convert an electrical signal into a mechanical motion. In various embodiments the transducer is used to form a motor and an actuator. In one embodiment a piezoceramic stack is supported as to experience a compressive load from a flexible beam. The flexible beam is installed under compression to assume an initial bowed shape. Applying an electrical signal to the piezoceramic stack causes decompression, and thus lengthening, of the stack. This in turn causes an increased compression of the flexible beam that causes it to flex from its initial bowed shape to an increased (i.e., more pronounced) bowed shape. An output member disposed against the flexible beam is driven by the flexing of the beam. Alternately applying and removing the electrical signal causes an alternating mechanical motion to be applied to the output member by the flexible beam.

Abstract: A mechanical energy generating apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a shape changing flexure beam connected at opposing distal ends to first lever arms of a pair of opposing tilt connectors. The apparatus additionally includes a bias beam connected at opposing ends to second lever of the tilt connectors. The tilt connectors are pivotally connected to an adjustable length base such that a distance between the tilt connectors can be adjusted to flex the bias beam and exert a force on the second lever arms of the tilt connectors. The force exerted by the bias beam is transferred to the first lever arms and flexes the flexure beam to approximately a critical buckling stress point of the flexure beam.

Abstract: A non-linear, piezoelectric mechanical-to-electrical generator especially well adapted for use with a Stirling engine, to thus form an electrical power generation system. In one form the generator includes a flexible beam that is configured in a bowed orientation to exert a compressive stress on a piezoceramic stack. A mechanical, linearly reciprocating member is positioned against the flexible beam at a midpoint of the beam. The mechanical member applies a force to the flexible beam that initially tends to flatten the flexible beam, which increases the compressive stress applied to the piezoceramic stack, thus compressing the stack and causing it to generate an electrical output signal. When the mechanical member removes the force, the flexible beam reverts to its initial, bowed configuration. This allows the piezoceramic stack to decompress, and it generates another electrical signal.