CPC H02N 2/183 (2013.01) [E05B 13/108 (2013.01); E05B 47/0673 (2013.01); E05D 7/00 (2013.01); E05D 11/00 (2013.01); E06B 7/28 (2013.01); E05B 1/0007 (2013.01); E05B 47/0011 (2013.01); E05B 2047/0062 (2013.01); E05Y 2201/246 (2013.01); E05Y 2201/43 (2013.01); E05Y 2400/61 (2013.01); E05Y 2400/616 (2013.01); E05Y 2800/67 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/132 (2013.01); H02N 2/18 (2013.01); Y10T 70/5199 (2015.04); Y10T 292/57 (2015.04); Y10T 292/705 (2015.04)] | 22 Claims |
1. A piezoelectric energy harvester system for collecting kinetic energy, wherein said kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy, and wherein at least a portion of said converted electrical energy is utilized to operate a load, the system comprising:
an energy input portion including an input member configured to be rotated about a first axis by an outside force;
an energy harvesting portion including a capture member in contact with said input member and a piezoelectric energy harvester, wherein said capture member is movable by said input member, and wherein said piezoelectric energy harvester is excited by said movement of said capture member by said input member to produce said kinetic energy; and
a voltage booster configured to receive an input voltage from said piezoelectric energy harvester and to boost said input voltage to an output voltage for use by said load, wherein said input voltage includes said at least a portion of said converted electrical energy.
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