Abstract: A device includes a plurality of energy harvesting circuits, an energy storage device, a first diode and a second diode. The plurality of energy harvesting circuits includes a first energy harvesting circuit and a second energy harvesting circuit. The first energy harvesting circuit includes a first transducer and the second energy harvesting circuit includes a second transducer. The first transducer is structured for converting a different kind of energy into electricity than is the second transducer. The first diode is electrically connected between the first energy harvesting circuit and the energy storage device and the second diode is electrically connected between the second energy harvesting circuit and the energy storage device.

Abstract: A device for harvesting an external source of energy includes an electricity generating device and a flexure. The piezoelectric flexure has a first stable bowl-shaped position and a second stable bowl-shaped position. The electricity generating device generates electricity based on movement of the flexure. The flexure remains in the first stable bowl-shaped position until a force provided by the external source of energy causes the flexure to move from the first stable bowl-shaped position toward the second stable bowl-shaped position.

Abstract: A system for electronically recording an event that provides mechanical energy to a structure includes the structure and an event sensing and recording node. The event sensing and recording node is mounted on the structure and includes a sensor and a first electronic memory. The sensor includes a device for converting the mechanical energy into an electrical signal. The first electronic memory uses energy derived from the electrical signal for electronically recording the event. All energy for sensing the event and recording the event in the first electronic memory is derived from the mechanical energy.

Abstract: A device for harvesting an external source of energy includes an electricity generating device, a flexure, and a first stop. Displacement of the flexure is limited by the first stop. The flexure has a vibration amplitude, wherein the vibration amplitude is amplitude the flexure would have if unconstrained by the first stop. The first stop allows the flexure to oscillate with a vibration amplitude that is higher than displacement of the flexure as limited by the first stop. The electricity generating device generates electrical energy while the first stop allows the flexure to oscillate with the higher vibration amplitude.

Abstract: A device for harvesting an external source of energy includes an electricity generating device, a flexure, and a restoring spring. The electricity generating device generates electricity based on movement of the flexure. The flexure has a first stable position. When disregarding presence of the restoring spring the flexure also has a second stable position different from the first stable position. The restoring spring is positioned so when the flexure snaps from the first stable position toward the second stable position the restoring spring provides a restoring spring force to restore the flexure toward the first stable position. Substantially greater force is needed to snap the flexure from the first stable position toward the second stable position to overcome the restoring spring force than is required to snap the flexure from the second stable position toward the first stable position.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present patent application is a method of monitoring a rotating part. The method includes providing a shaft, a sensor, a processor, an energy storage device, and a transmitter. The method further includes mounting the sensor directly on the shaft and mounting said processor, said energy storage device, and said transmitter to rotate with said shaft. The method further includes rotating the shaft and waking the processor for a period of time and drawing energy to the processor from the energy storage device to provide the processor in an active mode during the period of time. The method also includes sampling the sensor during the period of time. It also includes returning the processor to sleep mode. The method also includes transmitting data derived from the sensor.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present patent application is a method of operating a rotatable part. The method includes providing a system including a rotatable part, a magnet, an emf generating circuit, a processor, and a transmitter. The magnet and the emf generating circuit are mounted for relative rotational motion there between while the rotatable part is rotating. The processor is connected to receive a signal derived from the emf generating circuit and provide data for transmission by the transmitter. The method further includes rotating the rotatable part and generating an emf in the emf generating circuit while the rotatable part rotates.

Abstract: In one embodiment a device comprises a composite structure that includes a piezoelectric flexure and a length-constraining element. The length-constraining element provides the piezoelectric flexure with a bowed shape. The piezoelectric flexure has a first stable bowed position and a second stable bowed position. The length-constraining element is one from the group consisting of a planar sheet and a columnar rod. In another embodiment a device comprises a piezoelectric flexure having a bowl shape. The piezoelectric flexure has a first stable bowl-shaped position and a second stable bowl-shaped position.

Abstract: An energy harvesting circuit includes a device for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, a solid state voltage dependent switch, and an inductor. The piezoelectric device, the solid state voltage dependent switch, and the inductor are all connected in series. The solid state voltage dependent switch has a first threshold The solid state voltage dependent switch remains open until voltage applied across the solid state voltage dependent switch by the device reaches the first threshold. When the voltage applied across the solid state voltage dependent switch reaches the first threshold the solid state voltage dependent switch closes so charge from the device flows through the switch and through the inductor.

Abstract: A system includes a structure and a circuit. The circuit is mounted to the structure. The circuit includes a sensor, a non-volatile memory, and a voltage sensitive switch. The memory and the voltage sensitive switch are connected for recording an event sensed by said sensor. The recording only uses power derived from the sensor. One embodiment of the circuit includes a processor connected for receiving a signal derived from the sensor. In this embodiment the non-volatile memory is connected to the processor for receiving and storing data derived from the signal. In one embodiment a first energy storage device is connected to receive energy from the sensor. The voltage sensitive switch is connected for releasing energy from the first energy storage device when energy stored in the first energy storage device exceeds a threshold. The processor and the non-volatile memory are connected for receiving power from the released energy.

Abstract: An electronic packaging system includes an electronic device. The electronic packaging system also includes a flexible material located adjacent a plurality of sides of the electronic device. The electronic device is located in a cavity in the flexible material. The flexible material has a first height and a first width. The electronic device has a second height. The first height is greater than the second height and the first width is greater than the first height so the flexible material protects the electronic device from loading.

Abstract: An electronic system for testing a material includes at least one module for mechanically mounting on the material. The module includes a signal generator for generating a signal generator signal. The module also includes a stimulus signal delivering device (SSDD) and an SSDD circuit for providing a device signal derived from said signal generator signal to the material. The module also includes a sensor and a sensor circuit for receiving an interaction signal derived from interaction of the device signal with the material.

Abstract: An electronic system for testing a material includes at least one module for mechanically mounting on the material. The module includes a signal generator for generating a signal generator signal. The module also includes a stimulus signal delivering device (SSDD) and an SSDD circuit for providing a device signal derived from said signal generator signal to the material. The module also includes a sensor and a sensor circuit for receiving an interaction signal derived from interaction of the device signal with the material.

Abstract: A device for monitoring a rotating shaft is provided. The device measures strain in the shaft and provides angular velocity and torque in the shaft. The device includes a sensor, sensor conditioning circuitry, a microprocessor, and a transmitter, all located on a rotating shaft. The device obtains power by harvesting mechanical energy of the rotating shaft itself. Coils are provided rotating with the shaft and permanent magnets are mounted adjacent the rotating shaft so electrical energy is induced in the coils as they rotate through the magnetic field of the permanent magnets. A battery or capacitor is connected to the coils for storing energy. A microprocessor is connected to the sensors, the storage device, and the transmitter for managing power consumption and for monitoring the amount of electrical energy stored in the storage device and for switchably connecting the storage device to the transmitter when the stored energy exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: Improved coils and clamps for variable reluctance sensors are disclosed. A method of fabricating a discrete coil involves providing a conductor wound in a coil on a tube. The coil has a coil outer surface that has insulation. A window is opened in the insulation on the coil outer surface to expose conductor of the coil for a contact. A movable core is provided within the tube for adjusting inductance of the coil. In one embodiment, the coil and tube are diced into small coils after the windows for each coil are opened. Another aspect the invention is a clamp comprising an elastic material, a shape memory alloy, and an apparatus for activating the shape memory alloy. The clamp holds the moveable core in its peak position. When the alloy is activated it changes shape and provides a force on the elastic material to change clamping state for resetting the transducer. The coils and clamps can be used for a variety of purposes in addition to the variable reluctance sensors.

Abstract: Improved coils and clamps for variable reluctance sensors are disclosed. A method of fabricating a discrete coil involves providing a conductor wound in a coil on a tube. The coil has a coil outer surface that has insulation. A window is opened in the insulation on the coil outer surface to expose conductor of the coil for a contact. A movable core is provided within the tube for adjusting inductance of the coil. In one embodiment, the coil and tube are diced into small coils after the windows for each coil are opened. Another aspect the invention is a clamp comprising an elastic material, a shape memory alloy, and an apparatus for activating the shape memory alloy. The clamp holds the moveable core in its peak position. When the alloy is activated it changes shape and provides a force on the elastic material to change clamping state for resetting the transducer. The coils and clamps can be used for a variety of purposes in addition to the variable reluctance sensors.