Method and apparatus for conversion of movement to electrical energy

Abstract

A method for converting useful movement into electrical energy includes moving a structure against a surface thereby generating a force against a material integrated into the structure, deforming the material in response to the force to thereby generate electrical energy from the material, and harvesting the electrical energy. An apparatus for converting useful movement into electrical energy includes a smart material adapted to produce electrical energy when a force against the smart material is applied, and a plurality of coils in contact with the smart material for harvesting the electrical energy.

1 . A method for converting useful movement into electrical energy, comprising: 
 moving a structure against a surface thereby generating a force against a material integrated into the structure;    deforming the material in response to the force to thereby generate electrical energy from the material;    harvesting the electrical energy.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the material comprises a conductive elastomer.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the material further comprises a magnetostrictive material.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the structure is a tire.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the structure is an article of footwear.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of harvesting the electrical energy is performed by a plurality of coils contacting the material.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the material comprises a conductive elastomer and an electroactive powder.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the structure is a tire comprising a tire body having an outer wall for contact with the surface and opposite sidewalls.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the structure is an article of footwear having a sole for contact with the surface.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the conductive elastomer is a rubber.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the conductive elastomer is a polymer.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the electroactive powder is an electroceramic powder.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the electroactive powder comprises a magnetostrictive material.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for converting useful movement into electrical energy, comprising: 
 a smart material adapted to produce electrical energy when a force against the smart material is applied; and    a plurality of coils in contact with the smart material for harvesting the electrical energy.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising a layer of elastomer and wherein the plurality of coils comprises a layer of coils, the layer of coils sandwiched between the smart material and the layer of elastomer.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the smart material and the plurality of coils being integrated into a structure associated with useful movement, the structure selected from the set consisting of an article of footwear and a tire.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising an article of footwear having a sole, the smart material and the plurality of coils integrated into the article of footwear such that movement of the sole of the article of footwear against a surface generates the force against the smart material.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising a tire, the smart material and the plurality of coils integrated into the tire such that movement of the tire against a surface generates the force against the smart material.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the smart material comprises a conductive elastomer and an electroactive powder.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the electroactive powder comprises a magnetostrictive powder.