Other

51 Enterprises, LLC

Lukas R Bearden

John N Fitzpatrick

Michael H Peters

Adam Scott

Alexander M Stufflebeam

Mitchel H Szazynski

Garrett S Yesmunt

David V N Galloway

John James Fitzpatrick

Benjamin David Nibali

Kristopher C Hall

Gary Mitchell

Guille Cruze

Jim Griffith

In accordance with the present application, a high-density, low-impedance piezoelectric power generator is provided. In an example embodiment, the piezoelectric power generator has a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in a first predefined pattern; a plurality of actuators arranged in a second predefined pattern operably positioned to excite one or more of the plurality of the piezoelectric elements simultaneously within at least a first subset; and an electrical conduction system connected to sum the electrical power produced by the simultaneously excited piezoelectric elements within the first subset and for conducting an electrical current.

Piezoelectric power generator

A tether line is mounted in a retriever and, when a water vessel is launched into the water, the retriever applies a tension force to the tether line. After the water vessel is launched, the tension on the tether line pulls the water vessel from its launched floating position towards the stationary object. The retriever is rotatably mounted on the water vessel or the stationary object such that it will pivot around a vertical axis and point in a direction towards and along the tether line. A spool mounted on the structural unit holds the tether line, and an electrical or mechanical motor, such as a spring B-motor, places a torque on the spool and a tension on the tether line. After the water vessel is launched, the tension force from the motor pulls the water vessel from a launched position to the stationary object. A self-governing control mechanism in the retriever senses at least one operating parameter of the retriever and limits the retrieval of the tether line to within predetermined operating conditions. The self-governing control mechanism may sense the tension on the tether line and stop retrieval of the tether line when the tension on the tether line drops below a predetermined tension. The self-governing control mechanism may also (or alternatively) sense the speed of the spool and apply a brake force proportional to the spool's rotational speed.

Retriever device and method

In accordance with the present application, a high density, low impedance piezoelectric power generator is provided. In an example embodiment, the piezoelectric power generator has a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in a first predefined pattern; a plurality of actuators arranged in a second predefined pattern operably positioned to excite one or more of the plurality of the piezoelectric elements simultaneously within at least a first subset; and an electrical conduction system connected to sum the electrical power produced by the simultaneously excited piezoelectric elements within the first subset and for conducting an electrical current.

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Knoxville, TN, United States of America

Lukas R Bearden