Ferroelectric energy generator, system, and method

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and energy generators that generate electrical energy through direct explosive shock wave depolarization of at least one ferroelectric element. In one embodiment, a generator ( 10 ) comprises a ferroelectric element ( 12 ), output terminals ( 14 ) coupled with the ferroelectric element ( 12 ), an explosive charge ( 16 ), and a detonator ( 18 ) coupled with the explosive charge ( 16 ). The detonator ( 18 ) is operable to detonate the explosive charge ( 16 ) to generate a shock wave that propagates at least partially through the ferroelectric element ( 12 ) to generate a voltage across at least two of the output terminals ( 14 ).

1 . An energy generator comprising:
 a ferroelectric element having a polarization represented by a polarization vector;   a plurality of output terminals coupled with the ferroelectric element;   an explosive charge; and   a detonator coupled with the explosive charge, wherein the detonator is operable to detonate the explosive charge to generate a shock wave that propagates at least partially through the ferroelectric element generally non-parallel to the polarization vector to at least partially depolarize the ferroelectric element and generate a voltage across at least one output terminal.   
   
   
       2 . The generator of  claim 1 , wherein the generated shock wave propagates through the ferroelectric element generally transverse to the polarization vector to at least partially depolarize the ferroelectric element. 
   
   
       3 . The generator of  claim 1 , wherein the ferroelectric element includes lead zirconate titanate. 
   
   
       4 . The generator of  claim 1 , wherein the output terminals are coupled with opposing sides of the ferroelectric element. 
   
   
       5 . The generator of  claim 1 , wherein the explosive charge has a configuration presenting a narrowed end and a widened end that is wider than the narrowed end. 
   
   
       6 . The generator of  claim 5 , wherein the widened end of the explosive charge is directed towards the ferroelectric element, and the narrowed end of the charge is directed away from the ferroelectric element. 
   
   
       7 . The generator of  claim 6 , further including a housing to house at least portions of the ferroelectric element, the output terminals, the explosive charge, and the detonator. 
   
   
       8 . The generator of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of ferroelectric elements each having output terminals coupled therewith, the ferroelectric elements positioned such that detonation of the explosive charge causes the shock wave to propagate at least partially through each of the ferroelectric elements to generate a voltage across at least two of the output terminals. 
   
   
       9 . An energy generator comprising:
 a ferroelectric element;   a plurality of output terminals coupled with the ferroelectric element;   an explosive charge having a narrowed end and a widened end that is wider than the narrowed end; and   a detonator coupled with the explosive charge, wherein the detonator is operable to detonate the explosive charge to generate a shock wave that propagates at least partially through the ferroelectric element to generate a voltage across at least one output terminal.   
   
   
       10 . The generator of  claim 9 , wherein the widened end of the explosive charge is directed towards the ferroelectric element, and the narrowed end of the charge is directed away from the ferroelectric element. 
   
   
       11 . The generator of  claim 9 , wherein the ferroelectric element has a polarization represented by a polarization vector and the generated shock wave propagates at least partially through the ferroelectric element generally non-parallel to the polarization vector to at least partially depolarize the ferroelectric element. 
   
   
       12 . The generator of  claim 11 , wherein the generated shock wave propagates generally transverse to the polarization vector. 
   
   
       13 . The generator of  claim 9 , wherein the ferroelectric element has a polarization represented by a polarization vector and the generated shock wave propagates at least partially through the ferroelectric element generally parallel to the polarization vector to at least partially depolarize the ferroelectric element. 
   
   
       14 . A method of generating electrical energy, the method comprising:
 positioning a ferroelectric element proximal to an explosive charge;   coupling a plurality of output terminals with the ferroelectric element; and   detonating the explosive charge to generate a shock wave that propagates at least partially through the ferroelectric element to generate a voltage across at least one output terminal,   wherein the shock wave propagates from the explosive charge unimpeded to the ferroelectric element.   
   
   
       15 . The method of generating electrical energy of  claim 14 , further comprising providing a housing to house at least portions of the ferroelectric element, the plurality of output terminals, and the explosive charge. 
   
   
       16 . The method of generating electrical energy of  claim 14 , further comprising coupling the output terminals with a power conditioning system for to which the generated voltage is applied. 
   
   
       17 . The method of generating electrical energy of  claim 14 , wherein the shock wave is the only force affecting the ferroelectric element to generate the voltage.