Piezoelectric Generators Having an Inductance Circuit For Munitions Fuzing and the Like

Abstract

A piezoelectric generator for generating power from an acceleration is provided. The piezoelectric generator including: a piezoelectric member capable of producing an output power; means for applying a force to the piezoelectric member due to the acceleration; means for sustaining a strain in the piezoelectric member resulting from the applied force; and an inductor electrically connected to the piezoelectric member for forming an oscillating circuit.

1 . A piezoelectric generator for generating power from an acceleration, the piezoelectric generator comprising:
 a piezoelectric member capable of producing an output power;   means for applying a force to the piezoelectric member due to the acceleration;   means for sustaining a strain in the piezoelectric member resulting from the applied force; and   an inductor electrically connected to the piezoelectric member for forming an oscillating circuit.   
   
   
       2 . The piezoelectric generator of  claim 1 , wherein the inductor is electrically connected in series with the piezoelectric member. 
   
   
       3 . The piezoelectric generator of  claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric member comprises two or more layers of piezoelectric material. 
   
   
       4 . The piezoelectric generator of  claim 3 , wherein the two or more layers of piezoelectric material are arranged in a direction of the acceleration. 
   
   
       5 . The piezoelectric generator of  claim 3 , wherein the two or more layers of piezoelectric material are arranged orthogonal to a direction of the acceleration. 
   
   
       6 . The piezoelectric generator of  claim 1 , wherein the means for applying a force to the piezoelectric member comprises a mass disposed to compress the piezoelectric member upon the acceleration. 
   
   
       7 . The piezoelectric generator of  claim 1 , further comprising an elastic means for providing elasticity to one or more members acting to apply the force to the piezoelectric member. 
   
   
       8 . The piezoelectric generator of  claim 1 , wherein the means for sustaining a strain in the piezoelectric member comprises configuring two or more components to have a locking frictional tit which is engaged upon the application of the force to the piezoelectric member. 
   
   
       9 . The piezoelectric generator of  claim 8 , wherein the two or more components comprises:
 a mass disposed to compress the piezoelectric member upon the acceleration.   the piezoelectric material having at least a first angled surface; and   a locking member having at least a second angled surface in sliding contact with the first angled surface such that the piezoelectric member and locking member engage to limit relative motion therebetween.   
   
   
       10 . The piezoelectric generator of  claim 1 , wherein the means for sustaining a strain in the piezoelectric member comprises configuring two or more components to have an interference with each other which is engaged upon the application of the force to the piezoelectric member. 
   
   
       11 . The piezoelectric generator of  claim 10 , wherein the two or more components comprises:
 a mass disposed to compress the piezoelectric member upon the acceleration; and   a locking member having a portion for engaging the mass to limit relative motion therebetween.   
   
   
       12 . A method for generating power from an acceleration, the method comprising:
 applying a force to a piezoelectric member due to the acceleration;   sustaining a strain in the piezoelectric member resulting from the applied force so as to increase a time of power output from the piezoelectric member; and   connecting the piezoelectric member to a circuit to produce an oscillator) output.   
   
   
       13 . The method  claim 12 , wherein the connecting comprises including an inductor in the circuit and electrically connected to the piezoelectric member. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the indictor is electrically connected to the piezoelectric member in series.