Composite Piezoelectric Energy Storage for High-Density Power Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The demand for smaller, lighter power electronics has pushed magnetic components to their limits, necessitating alternative passive components for miniaturized power converters, where piezoelectric resonators (PRs) offer promising alternatives, but further miniaturization and efficiency improvements are needed.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an additional mass or compliant material with a piezoelectric resonator to create a multi-material electromechanical energy storage component, enhancing efficiency, power density, and energy handling capabilities, while maintaining or improving mechanical energy storage density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If magnetic components are used for power conversion, then power handling capability is achieved, but size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional magnetic components with piezoelectric resonators that utilize piezoelectric effects instead of electromagnetic induction. This substitution enables power conversion functionality while dramatically reducing component size and weight, as piezoelectric materials can achieve comparable power handling in much smaller footprints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite structures combining piezoelectric materials with other functional materials to enhance power handling capability while maintaining miniaturization. The composite approach allows optimization of both mechanical properties and electromechanical coupling for high power density in reduced size.
2Volume of moving object
If piezoelectric resonators are used for power conversion, then size is reduced, but power density and efficiency need improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes thickness extensional vibration modes where the piezoelectric resonator operates in the thickness dimension rather than lateral dimensions. This dimensional approach enables high power density by concentrating energy storage and transfer in the thickness direction, allowing miniaturization in planar area while maintaining or enhancing power handling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes multiple parameters including material composition, resonator geometry, electrode configuration, and operating frequency to maximize power density. By carefully tuning these parameters, the piezoelectric resonator achieves high power handling in a miniaturized form factor.
3Area of stationary object
If piezoelectric resonators are miniaturized, then footprint is reduced, but energy storage capability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for reduced planar area by utilizing the thickness dimension for energy storage. The thickness extensional vibration mode allows the resonator to store mechanical energy in the thickness direction, effectively trading lateral footprint for vertical energy storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures that enhance energy storage density within the piezoelectric resonator. By combining materials with complementary properties, the system achieves high energy storage capability in a miniaturized footprint.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach results in a composite energy storage component with decreased losses and increased power densities by a factor of two or more, allowing for more efficient power conversion and reduced size.
Implementation Method 1
the transducer material includes a piezoelectric material
Implementation Method 2
piezoelectric resonators (PRs) offer a promising alternative to conventional power conversion circuits
Data Source
AI summary
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an electrical-to-electrical power converter includes an energy storage component including a transducer material and a second material for mechanical energy storage, the second material attached to the transducer material. In some embodiments, the transducer material and the second material are both configured to store mechanical energy.