Abstract: The present invention relates to flexible thin film batteries on semiconducting surface or the conductive or insulating packaging surface of a semiconductor device and methods of constructing such batteries. Electrochemical devices may be glued to a semiconducting surface or the conductive or insulating packaging surface of a semiconductor device or deposited directly thereon. The invention also relates to flexible thin film batteries on flexible printed circuit board where the electrochemical devices may also be glued or deposited on the flexible printed circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention relates to flexible thin film batteries on semiconducting surface or the conductive or insulating packaging surface of a semiconductor device and methods of constructing such batteries. Electrochemical devices may be glued to a semiconducting surface or the conductive or insulating packaging surface of a semiconductor device or deposited directly thereon. The invention also relates to flexible thin film batteries on flexible printed circuit board where the electrochemical devices may also be glued or deposited on the flexible printed circuit board.

Abstract: An electrochemical device includes an environmentally sensitive layer and a thin encapsulation layer deposited over said sensitive layer in which the thin encapsulation is a ceramic-metal composite laminate.

Abstract: A system that powers a wireless sensor mechanism from ambient sources without the need to replace a battery is disclosed. The present invention uses an energy harvesting mechanism built onto, for example, a substrate to recharge a rechargeable energy storage mechanism that is built on the same substrate. The energy storage mechanism provides power to a transmission/receiving mechanism and microprocessor that may also be arranged on said substrate. The energy-harvesting mechanism may be combined with a power management unit to enable efficient use and regulation of the harvested energy.

Abstract: Described herein is, for example, a battery or capacitor over voltage (overcharge) and under-voltage protection circuit, that, for example, is adapted to not draw current from the battery or capacitor to be charged unless charge energy is detected and to not charge an energy storage device when an over-charge condition is sensed. The protection circuit may, for example, not be turned on unless an over voltage condition is present. Incoming energy to the system can be shunted to ground via a shunt load of various types including resistive loads and active components such as a zener diode. In some embodiments, no switching of the inbound power is required. Within limits, no regulation of inbound power is needed. When inbound power is sufficient to charge the battery or capacitor, regulation can occur via the applied shunt regulator if overcharge voltage conditions exist. Either type of charge source, voltage or current, can be used to provide charge energy.

Abstract: Example embodiments for antennas that can transceive signals in horizontally-polarized omni-directional manners are described. In an example embodiment, an antenna includes a tube forming a slot and a supporting structure on which one or more transmission lines and at least one ground are disposed. In another example embodiment, an antenna includes a horizontally-polarized antenna assembly including at least one slot aperture antenna and a vertically-polarized antenna part.

Abstract: A user-powered apparatus, system, and method of providing a pedestrian with information is disclosed. The present invention harvests energy created by a moving pedestrian and takes the harvested energy and uses it to recharge an energy storage device that is embedded in the same footwear. Also built into the footwear may be a microcontroller and sensor, and a transmitter/receiver mechanism by which signals may be transmitted to and received from a wrist watch, iPod®, cell phone and/or any similar portable device on the pedestrian. The footwear may be capable of receiving signals transmitted by the portable device or GPS satellite. The GPS satellite may provide information about the geographical location of the pedestrian. Since the energy storage device may be flexible, it can survive on footwear that gets flexed a significant amount.

Abstract: A system that powers a wireless sensor mechanism from ambient sources without the need to replace a battery is disclosed. The present invention uses an energy harvesting mechanism built onto, for example, a substrate to recharge a rechargeable energy storage mechanism that is built on the same substrate. The energy storage mechanism provides power to a transmission/receiving mechanism and microprocessor that may also be arranged on said substrate. The energy-harvesting mechanism may be combined with a power management unit to enable efficient use and regulation of the harvested energy.

Abstract: Described herein is, for example, a battery or capacitor over voltage (overcharge) and under-voltage protection circuit, that, for example, is adapted to not draw current from the battery or capacitor to be charged unless charge energy is detected and to not charge an energy storage device when an over-charge condition is sensed. The protection circuit may, for example, not be turned on unless an over voltage condition is present. Incoming energy to the system can be shunted to ground via a shunt load of various types including resistive loads and active components such as a zener diode. In some embodiments, no switching of the inbound power is required. Within limits, no regulation of inbound power is needed. When inbound power is sufficient to charge the battery or capacitor, regulation can occur via the applied shunt regulator if overcharge voltage conditions exist. Either type of charge source, voltage or current, can be used to provide charge energy.

Abstract: A power unit for attachment to scaffolding towers such as commonly used for overhead work in the installation of wiring, ductwork, painting, and finishing. A single power unit attached to one leg of a scaffolding tower can move, about the worksite, a large scaffolding tower assembly comprised of one or more individual scaffolding towers. Two power units working in tandem on separate legs of the scaffolding tower assemblage, provides increased maneuverability. Each power unit has separate motors to drive and to change the direction of a scaffolding tower assembly. One electric motor pivots the power unit about the scaffolding tower leg to which it is attached, thereby changing the direction of motion of the scaffolding tower assembly. Another electric motor of the power unit provides power to a drive wheel of the power unit, and consequently moves the scaffolding tower assembly.