Magneto-Electric Converter Stack for Energy Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electricity generators in the field of energy recovery are not simple, effective, or compact enough to efficiently convert variations in magnetic fields into electrical potential differences.
Innovation Solution
A magneto-electric converter is designed with a stack of layers comprising a magnetostrictive material and a piezoelectric material, where the piezoelectric material has electrodes and a specific polarization axis, connected to a backing layer with conductive means, allowing for efficient conversion of magnetic field variations into electrical potential differences, and is integrated with a magnetic field source that can rotate to optimize orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a magneto-electric converter is designed with a stack of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric layers, then conversion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by stacking magnetostrictive layers and piezoelectric layers together to form a magneto-electric converter. The magnetostrictive layer converts magnetic field variations into mechanical deformation, which is then converted by the piezoelectric layer into electrical potential difference. This composite structure enables efficient energy conversion while maintaining a relatively compact and simple overall device design.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter is segmented into distinct functional layers: a magnetostrictive layer and a piezoelectric layer, each performing a specific conversion function. This segmentation allows for optimized material selection and configuration in each layer while keeping the overall device structure manageable and manufacturable.
2Ease of manufacture
If the piezoelectric layer uses interdigitated electrodes, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the piezoelectric layer may use interdigitated electrodes, which are commonly manufactured using standard ceramic processing techniques. The interdigitated electrode configuration allows for flexible connection schemes while the manufacturing precision requirements are managed through established fabrication processes for piezoelectric ceramics with interdigitated electrode patterns.
3Loss of energy
If the polarization axis of the piezoelectric material is oriented parallel to the reference plane, then conversion effectiveness is improved, but structural constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the piezoelectric layer has a polarization axis in the plane defined by the layer, parallel to the reference plane. This local orientation optimization ensures that the piezoelectric effect is maximized for the specific deformation mode produced by the magnetostrictive layer, improving conversion effectiveness while maintaining a simple planar structure.
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
The converter achieves high conversion efficiency and compactness, enabling the generation of a significant amount of electrical charges with each quarter turn of the magnetic field source, while maintaining mechanical resistance and reducing acoustic noise through a sound-absorbing buffer layer.
Implementation Method 1
The converter is also composed of a magnetostrictive layer fixed according to the reference plane and without a degree of freedom to the electromechanical transducer, capable of converting a variation in the magnetic field into a mechanical deformation
Implementation Method 2
The converter consists, on the one hand, of an electromechanical transducer comprising a piezoelectric layer capable of transforming a mechanical deformation into an electrical potential difference between two electrical terminals connected to its electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A magneto-electric converter capable of converting a variation in magnetic field into a potential difference between two electrical terminals includes a support layer comprising two electrical terminals; a stack disposed on the support layer of a first layer made from a magnetostrictive material defining the reference plane and of a second layer made from a piezoelectric material having a polarization axis in the plane defined by the second layer, parallel to the reference plane; the second layer comprising electrodes; and a means for electrical connection of the electrodes to the electrical terminals.