Piezoelectric resonant power generator

Abstract

A power generation system includes a piezoelectric component, a resilient stress inducer in operable communication with the piezoelectric component, and an actuator in operable communication with the resilient stress inducer to energize and release the resilient stress inducer and method for generating power.

1 . A power generation system comprising:
 a piezoelectric component;   a resilient stress inducer in operable communication with the piezoelectric component; and   an actuator in operable communication with the resilient stress inducer to energize and release the resilient stress inducer.   
   
   
       2 . The power generation system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the resilient stress inducer imparts a compressive stress on the piezoelectric component. 
   
   
       3 . The power generation system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the system further includes a capacitor electrically connected to the piezoelectric component to store potential energy generated by the piezoelectric component. 
   
   
       4 . The power generation system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the resilient stress inducer is a coil spring. 
   
   
       5 . The power generation system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the system comprises a second resilient stress inducer arranged so as to place one of the resilient stress inducer and the second resilient stress inducer in compression while the other of the resilient stress inducer and the second resilient stress inducer is placed in tension. 
   
   
       6 . The power generation system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the resilient stress inducer imposes a mechanical stress on the piezoelectric component when under compression and when under tension. 
   
   
       7 . The power generation system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the system further comprises a magnetic element operably connected to the resilient stress inducer and which magnetically interfaces with the actuator. 
   
   
       8 . The power generation system as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the actuator is a sucker rod manipulated by a pump jack, the sucker rod having a magnetic element thereon attractively polarized relative to the magnetic element connected to the resilient stress inducer. 
   
   
       9 . The power generation system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the piezoelectric component is two such components located spaced apart and axially aligned, the resilient stress inducer being disposed therebetween. 
   
   
       10 . A method for generating power in a wellbore comprising:
 moving an actuator;   inducing an oscillating stress on a piezoelectric component with the actuator; and   generating a voltage with the piezoelectric component in response to the induced stress on the piezoelectric component.   
   
   
       11 . The method of generating power in a wellbore of  claim 10  wherein the inducing is by energizing a resilient stress inducer. 
   
   
       12 . The method of generating power in a wellbore of  claim 11  wherein the method further comprises allowing the resilient stress inducer to oscillate after being released from energizing. 
   
   
       13 . The method of generating power in a wellbore of  claim 12  wherein the oscillation of the resilient stress inducer causes mechanical stress on the piezoelectric component. 
   
   
       14 . The method of generating power in a wellbore of  claim 10  wherein the method further includes storing the voltage generated. 
   
   
       15 . The method of generating power in a wellbore of  claim 14  wherein the storing is in a capacitor electrically connected to the piezoelectric component. 
   
   
       16 . The method of generating power in a wellbore of  claim 11  wherein the energizing is by moving a magnetic element to magnetically couple with another magnetic element in operable communication with the resilient stress inducer to one of compress or tension the resilient stress inducer. 
   
   
       17 . The method of generating power in a wellbore of  claim 16  wherein the method comprising releasing the another magnetic element and allowing the magnetic element to oscillate on the resilient stress inducer to induce the stress on the piezoelectric component. 
   
   
       18 . A downhole power generation arrangement comprising:
 a housing;   at least one first magnetic element disposed within the housing and axially oscillatorily movable within the housing;   a first resilient stress inducer and a second resilient stress inducer axially aligned with the at least one magnetic element, the first resilient stress inducer extending in one direction from the at least one magnetic element and the second resilient stress inducer extending in an axially opposite direction from the at least one magnetic element;   at least one piezoelectric component disposed in contact with one of the first and second resilient stress inducers; and   an axially oscillatorily movable component in operable communication with the housing, the component including at least one second magnetic element thereat having an attractive polarity relative to the at least one first magnetic element.