Piezoelectric polymer composite article and system

Abstract

The subject invention provides composite articles ( 20, 120 ) and associated systems ( 32, 132 ). A first composite article ( 20 ) includes a piezoelectric layer ( 22 ) having a piezoelectric property. The piezoelectric layer ( 22 ) is sandwiched between a first conductive layer ( 28 ) and a second conductive layer ( 30 ). At least one of the conductive layers ( 28, 30 ) is a conductive polymer having an electrically conductive property. A second composite article ( 120 ) includes first and second piezoelectric layers ( 122, 124 ) having a piezoelectric property. The first and second piezoelectric layers sandwich an insulating layer ( 126 ). A first system ( 32 ) and a second system ( 132 ) each include a control device ( 34 ) electrically connected to the first composite article ( 20 ) or the second composite article ( 120 ), respectively. The control device ( 34 ) measures an electrical signal generated by the respective piezoelectric layers ( 22, 122, 124 ) and/or produces an electrical signal to actuate the respective piezoelectric layers ( 22, 122, 124 ).

1 . A composite article ( 20 ) comprising;
 a piezoelectric layer ( 22 ) having a piezoelectric property and defining a first side ( 24 ) and a second side ( 26 ),   a first conductive layer ( 28 ) disposed in contact with said first side ( 24 ) of said piezoelectric layer ( 22 ), and   said first conductive layer ( 28 ) comprising a first conductive polymer having carbon nanotubes and an electrically conductive property.   
     
     
         2 . A composite article ( 20 ) as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said piezoelectric layer ( 22 ) comprises a polymer having a piezoelectric property. 
     
     
         3 . A composite article ( 20 ) as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said piezoelectric layer ( 22 ) comprises polyvinylidine difluoride (PVDF). 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A composite article ( 20 ) as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first conductive layer ( 28 ) comprises nylon. 
     
     
         6 . A composite article ( 20 ) as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first conductive layer ( 28 ) comprises a plurality of conductive sections ( 46 ) electrically insulated from each other. 
     
     
         7 . A composite article ( 20 ) as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a second conductive layer ( 30 ) disposed in contact with said second side ( 26 ) of said piezoelectric layer ( 22 ) and comprising a second conductive polymer having an electrically conductive property. 
     
     
         8 . A composite article ( 20 ) as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a second conductive layer ( 30 ) disposed in contact with said second side ( 26 ) of said piezoelectric layer ( 22 ) and comprising a metal. 
     
     
         9 . A composite article ( 20 ) as set forth in  claim 1  in combination with a head ( 52 ) of a golf club ( 54 ) for sensing a point of impact of a golf ball on said head ( 52 ). 
     
     
         10 . A composite article ( 20 ) as set forth in  claim 1  in combination with a bed ( 56 ) for monitoring breathing of an individual. 
     
     
         11 . A system ( 32 ) comprising;
 a piezoelectric layer ( 22 ) having a piezoelectric property and defining a first side ( 24 ) and a second side ( 26 ),   a first conductive layer ( 28 ) disposed in contact with said first side ( 24 ) of said piezoelectric layer ( 22 ) and comprising a first conductive polymer having carbon nanotubes and an electrically conductive property,   a second conductive layer ( 30 ) disposed in contact with said second side ( 26 ) of said piezoelectric layer ( 22 ) and having carbon nanotubes and an electrically conductive property, and   a control device ( 34 ) electrically connected to said first conductive layer ( 28 ) and said second conductive layer ( 30 ).   
     
     
         12 . A system ( 32 ) as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said control device ( 34 ) is further defined as a meter ( 42 ) for receiving an electrical signal produced by said piezoelectric layer ( 22 ). 
     
     
         13 . A system ( 32 ) as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said first conductive layer ( 28 ) defines a periphery having at least three edges ( 48 ). 
     
     
         14 . A system ( 32 ) as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said meter ( 42 ) is further defined as at least three meters ( 42 ) electrically connected to said first conductive layer ( 28 ) at separate locations along said periphery. 
     
     
         15 . A system ( 32 ) as set forth in  claim 14  further comprising a processor ( 50 ) electrically connected to said at least three meters ( 42 ) for determining a compression point on said piezoelectric layers ( 22 ) based on the locations of the electrical connections along said periphery of said first conductive layer ( 28 ) and each electrical signal measured at each of said at least three meters ( 42 ). 
     
     
         16 . A system ( 32 ) as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said control device ( 34 ) is further defined as a power supply ( 44 ) electrically connected to said first conductive layer ( 28 ) and said second conductive layer ( 30 ) for applying an electrical signal to said conductive layers ( 28 ,  30 ) for actuating said piezoelectric layer ( 22 ). 
     
     
         17 . A system ( 32 ) as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said second conductive layer ( 30 ) comprises a second conductive polymer having an electrically conductive property. 
     
     
         18 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A composite article as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said first conductive layer define gaps of air between said conductive sections to electrically insulate said conductive sections from each other. 
     
     
         27 . A composite article ( 20 ) as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said second conductive layer ( 30 ) comprises a plurality of conductive sections ( 46 ) electrically insulated from each other. 
     
     
         28 . A composite article as set forth in  claim 27  wherein said conductive layers each define gaps of air between said conductive sections to electrically insulate said conductive sections from each other. 
     
     
         29 . A laser positioning sensor ( 32 ) comprising;
 a first piezoelectric segment and a second piezoelectric segment, each segment including
 a piezoelectric layer ( 22 ) having a piezoelectric property and defining a first side ( 24 ) and a second side ( 26 ), and 
 a first conductive layer ( 28 ) disposed in contact with said first side ( 24 ) of said piezoelectric layer ( 22 ), wherein 
 said first conductive layer ( 28 ) comprising a first conductive polymer having an electrically conductive property, 
   said piezoelectric segments each shaped as a right triangle having hypotenuses disposed adjacent one another and electrically isolated from one another,   at least one meter electrically connected to each of said piezoelectric segments for measuring an electrical signal generated by a sweeping laser beam crossing each of said piezoelectric segments, and   a processor in communication with said at least one meter for determining a position of the sweeping laser beam based on the electrical signal generated by said piezoelectric segments.