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:
Apr. 21, 2009
Filed:
Feb. 01, 2006
Dan J. Clingman, Auburn, WA (US);
Robert T. Ruggeri, Kirkland, WA (US);
Dan J. Clingman, Auburn, WA (US);
Robert T. Ruggeri, Kirkland, WA (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
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.