The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 28, 2018
Filed:
Jan. 04, 2016
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Sahrudine Apdalhaliem, Seattle, WA (US);
Waeil M. Ashmawi, Bellevue, WA (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A system and method for harvesting energy from a vehicle, e.g., an aircraft, in operation. A plurality of piezoelectric members are coupled between structural members in the vehicle. A first portion of the plurality of piezoelectric members are non-resonant piezoelectric spacers coupled between structural members subject to a constant load during operation of the vehicle. A second portion of the plurality of piezoelectric members are resonant piezoelectric fillers coupled between structural members subject to a cyclical load during operation of the vehicle. Electrical conversion circuitry is coupled to each of the plurality of piezoelectric members for converting the output of each piezoelectric member to usable electrical energy. The electrical conversion circuitry is coupled to an energy storage device for storing the usable electrical energy and/or to an interface circuit for supplying energy for use in an electrical system in the vehicle.