UNIVERSITY OF BOLTON
UNIVERSITY OF BOLTON Patent applications | ||
Patent application number | Title | Published |
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20140145562 | PIEZOELECTRIC POLYMER ELEMENT AND PRODUCTION METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREFOR - A piezoelectric polymer element such as a fibre or film is described, having a solid cross-section and a substantially homogeneous composition. A method of forming such a piezoelectric polymer element is also described. The method has the steps of extruding a polymer material and concurrently poling a region of the extruded material. Apparatus for forming such a piezoelectric polymer element is also described that comprises an extruder for extruding a polymer element from a granular feed and a pair of electrodes for applying an electric field across a region of the element concurrently with its extrusion. Also described is a piezoelectric construct having such piezoelectric polymer elements interposed between two conductive layers. A system for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy is described in which each of the piezoelectric construct's two conductive layers is connected to a respective terminal of a rectifying circuit. | 05-29-2014 |
20130257156 | HYBRID ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICE - A piezoelectric-photovoltaic hybrid structure is described, having a plurality of superposed layers including a photo voltaic layer and a piezoelectric substrate. A method of forming such a structure is also described, including the steps of providing a piezoelectric substrate and superposing a photovoltaic layer over the substrate. A power conversion system is described, comprising such a hybrid structure with a first circuit connected to the piezoelectric substrate and a second circuit connected to the photovoltaic layer. Also discussed is a method of generating, storing, distributing, or consuming electrical energy, involving the use of such a system in connection with a distribution circuit or network, electrical load, or energy storage device. A further power conversion system is described where the piezoelectric and photovoltaic circuits are connected to a single, or a respective, DC-DC converter. A set of such power conversion systems may be connected in series at their output terminals. | 10-03-2013 |