Claims:I/We Claim:
1. A system (100) for generating electricity using piezoelectric effect, the system (100) comprising:
a plurality of piezoelectric sensors (102a-102n) configured to generate Alternating Current (AC) electrical energy using the piezoelectric effect; and
a processor (112) coupled to the plurality of piezoelectric sensors (102a-102n), wherein the processor (112) is configured to:
receive the generated AC electrical energy from the piezoelectric sensors (102a-102n);
measure the AC electrical energy;
convert the generated AC electrical energy into DC electrical energy;
store the converted DC electrical energy into a charge storage (108);
determine total power stored in the charge storage (108); and
enable connection of suitable loads (118) based on the determined power stored in the charge storage (108).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a voltage regulator (114), a relay (116), and a Light Emitting Diode (LED) (120).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor (112) is further configured to be operated through a user device (122) using Internet of Things (IoT).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a voltage sensor (104) configured to measure the generated electrical energy.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a first charge converter (106), the charge storage (108), and a second charge converter (110), wherein the first charge converter (106) is configured to convert the generated AC electrical energy into Direct Current (DC) electrical energy, wherein the charge storage (108) is configured to store the converted DC electrical energy, wherein the second charge converter (110) is configured to convert the DC electrical energy into AC electrical energy.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first charge converter (106) is a rectifier, wherein the charge storage (108) is a battery, and the second charge converter (110) is an inverter.
7. A method of generating electrical energy, comprising steps of:
receiving the generated electrical energy through piezoelectric sensors (102a-102n);
measuring the electrical energy generated through the piezoelectric sensors (102a-102n) using a voltage sensor (104);
converting the generated AC electrical energy into DC electrical energy using a first charge converter (106);
storing the converted DC electrical energy into a charge storage (108);
determining total power stored in the charge storage (108); and
connecting loads (118) if determined power stored in the charge storage (108) is sufficient enough to operate the loads (118).
8. The method as claimed as claimed in claim 7, comprises a step of activating a Light Emitting Diode (120) when the determined total power is not sufficient enough to operate the loads (118).
9. The method as claimed as claimed in claim 7, wherein the loads (118) are selected from, one of, a DC load, an AC load.
10. The method as claimed as claimed in claim 7, wherein the stored electrical energy is converted into the AC electrical energy using a second charge converter (110).
Date: 5th April 2022
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant
, Description:BACKGROUND
Field of the invention
[001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a system for generating power, and more particularly to a system for harvesting power using piezoelectric effect.
Description of Related Art
[002] Day to day, electrical energy utilization is increasing because of increase of various types of loads such as industrial, residential, commercial, and agricultural loads. Presently, a usage of electric vehicles is also increasing. In future, most of the vehicles can be operated with electricity. In addition, the electrical vehicle also adds with loads. Therefore, it increases the load demand on an electrical grid. To meet the electrical load demand, most of the electricity is generated from conventional energy sources such as coal, oil, natural gas, etc., and the remaining power is generated from renewable energy sources such as water, solar, wind, etc.
[003] The electricity is also generated from a piezoelectric sensor. The piezoelectric sensor converts a mechanical stress or vibrations into electrical energy. In the sensors, the generating voltage is directly proportional to stress or vibrations.
[004] In existing systems, the generated power has directly connected to the load and the available power load will not be regulated. Also, the currently available solutions do not give a freedom of remote monitoring.
[005] There is thus a need for a system for harvesting mechanical strain produced by passing vehicles over a speed breaker or roads, highways into a usable form of energy and providing power to different electrically operated devices.
SUMMARY
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide a system for generating electricity using a piezoelectric effect. The system includes a plurality of piezoelectric sensors configured to generate Alternating Current (AC) electrical energy using the piezoelectric effect. The system further includes a processor connected to the piezoelectric sensors. The processor is configured to receive the generated AC electrical energy through the piezoelectric sensors. The processor is further configured to measure the AC electrical energy. The processor is further configured to convert the generated AC electrical energy into DC electrical energy. The processor is further configured to store the converted DC electrical energy into a charge storage. The processor is further configured to determine a total power stored in the charge storage. The processor is further configured to connect suitable loads based on the determined power stored in the charge storage.
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure further provide a method for generating electrical energy. The method includes steps of receiving the generated electrical energy through piezoelectric sensors; measuring the electrical energy generated through the piezoelectric sensors using a voltage sensor; converting the generated AC electrical energy into DC electrical energy using a first charge converter; storing the converted DC electrical energy into a charge storage; determining total power stored in the charge storage; connecting loads if the determined power stored in the charge storage is sufficient enough to operate loads.
[008] Further, the method includes a step of converting the power stored in the charge storage to AC electrical energy using a second charge converter.
[009] Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a number of advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a system and a method for generating electrical energy. Next, embodiments of the present application provide a system that enables usage of generated electricity for local usage and/or charging of electrical vehicles.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system that provides generated piezoelectric power for electrification of highways.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system that is operated, monitored, and controlled by Internet of things.
[0012] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0013] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present disclosure. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present disclosure and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present disclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present disclosure are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting a system for generating electricity using piezoelectric effect, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method of generating electrical energy using the system, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0017] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present disclosure. It will be clear from this description of the disclosure that the disclosure is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the disclosure also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the disclosure to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims.
[0019] “In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.”
[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting a system 100 for generating electricity using a piezoelectric effect, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 100 comprises a plurality of piezoelectric sensors 102a-102n, a voltage sensor 104, a first charge converter 106, a charge storage 108, a second charge converter 110, a processor 112, a voltage regulator 114, a relay 116, loads 118, and a Light Emitting Diode (LED) 120.
[0022] The piezoelectric sensors 102a-102n (hereinafter referred to as piezoelectric sensors 102) may be configured to generate electrical energy using the piezoelectric effect. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the piezoelectric sensors 102 may be installed on roads, highways, expressways, and within speed breakers. The mechanical strain produced by passing vehicles over a speed breaker and/or on roads, highways, expressways may be captured using the piezoelectric sensors 102, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0023] The voltage sensor 104 may be configured to measure the generated electrical energy, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The voltage sensor 104 may be connected to the piezoelectric sensors 102 to measure the electrical energy generated by the piezoelectric sensors 102, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] The first charge converter 106 may be configured to convert an output generated by the piezoelectric sensors 102 into a usable form of energy. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the first charge converter 106 may be, but not limited to, an Alternating Current (AC) to Direct Current (DC) converter such as a rectifier, and so forth. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the first charge converter 106 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] The charge storage 108 may be capable of storing an output energy generated by the piezoelectric sensors 102. The charge storage 108 may be, but not limited to, a battery, a charge accumulator, and so forth. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the charge storage 108 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0026] The second charge converter 110 may be configured to convert the stored electrical energy into an AC electrical energy. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the second charge converter 110 may be, but not limited to, a Direct Current (DC) to an Alternating Current (AC) converter such as an inverter, and so forth. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the second charge converter 110 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] The processor 112 may be configured to control operations of components of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor 112 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control unit (PLC), a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a computing device, a development board, and so forth. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the processor 112 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] The voltage regulator 114 may be configured to create and maintain a fixed output voltage, irrespective of changes to the input voltage or load conditions. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the voltage regulator 114 may be configured to keep the voltage from the charge storage 108 within a range that is compatible with the other electrical components i.e., the loads 118.
[0029] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor 112 of the system 100 may be connected to the relay 116. The relay 116 may be used for activating the loads 118 based on the received signals from the processor 112, in an embodiment of the present disclosure. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the relay 116 may be, but not limited to, an electromagnetic relay, a solid-state relay, a hybrid relay, a thermal relay, a reed relay, and so forth. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the relay 116 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] The loads 118 may be electrical components that may be connected to the system 100. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the loads 118 may be, but not limited to, a DC load, an AC load. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the loads 118 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the loads 118 may be automatically selected or can be manually operated through a user device 122 using Internet of things (IoT).
[0031] The light emitting diode (LED) 120 may be configured to illuminate, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The LED 120 may be configured to display a warning/error, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method 200 of generating the electrical energy using the system 100, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0033] At step 202, the system 100, receives the generated electrical energy through the piezoelectric sensors 102 whenever the vehicle passes over one of the piezoelectric sensors 102 installed on the roads, the highways, the expressways.
[0034] At step 204, the system 100, measures the electrical energy generated from the piezoelectric sensors 102 using the voltage sensor 104.
[0035] At step 206, if the voltage sensor 104 measures zero electrical charge generated by the piezoelectric sensors 102, then the method 200 proceed to step 208, otherwise, the method 200 proceed to a step 210.
[0036] At the step 208, the system 100, activates the light emitting diode 120 configured to display a sign of warning/error.
[0037] At the step 210, the system 100, converts the generated AC electrical energy into the DC electrical energy using the first charge converter 106 and stores the converted DC electrical energy into the charge storage 108. The first charge converter 106 is a rectifier.
[0038] At step 212, the system 100, determines the total power stored in the charge storage 108.
[0039] At step 214, if the system 100 determines that the power is sufficient to drive the loads 118, then the method 200 proceeds to a step 216, otherwise the method 200 returns to the step 204.
[0040] At the step 216, the system 100, connects the loads 118. The loads 118 may be, selected from, but not limited to, DC load, AC load. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the load is AC load, then the system 100, converts the stored DC energy into AC electrical energy using the second charge invertor 110.
[0041] While the disclosure has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0042] This written description uses examples to disclose the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined in the claims and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.