PATENT INFORMATION:

CLAIMS:

1.- A piezoelectric generator system (100) comprising at least one piezoelectric generator unit (650), each generator unit (650) comprising:

An array (400) of piezoelectric modules (Mji,i), each of said piezoelectric modules (Mji,i) comprising a piezoelectric element (Eji,i) and an alternating current/direct current converter (Cji,i) for converting alternating current generated by the piezoelectric element (Eji,i) into direct current;

Tthe array (400) of piezoelectric modules (Mji,i) comprising a number of sets (i) of said piezoelectric modules (Mji,i), each of said sets (i) electrically connected to each other in parallel;

Tthe sets (i) of piezoelectric modules (Mji,i) comprising a number (j1, j2, … ji) of piezoelectric modules (Mji,i) electrically connected to each other in series;

Tthe array (400) being intended to supply electric power (Pout) when said piezoelectric modules (Mji,i) are mechanically driven by at least one dynamic load (F1, F2.. Fn) such that an electrical voltage (Vout) in each set (i) of piezoelectric modules (Mji,i) is substantially the same;

An input force control device (700) for controlling said dynamic loads (F1, F2.. Fn) such that only a predetermined amount of force (F) with a predetermined speed of application acts on the piezoelectric modules (Mji,i) such that a predetermined electric power (Pout) is supplied by the piezoelectric generator unit (650);

And said input force control device (700) comprising an activation plate (750) for evenly distributing the predetermined force (F) acting on the piezoelectric modules (Mji,i) such that they all receive substantially the same predetermined force (F), substantially at the same moment and substantially for the same time; and a damping element (760) suitable for damping the dynamic load or force (F1, F2.. Fn) so as to protect the piezoelectric modules (Mji,i).

2. - The piezoelectric generator system (100) according to claim 1, wherein it further comprises an electric power storage and supply device (200) comprising at least one electric power storage and supply unit (250), at least one of said units (250) being capable of working at least in a first, storage condition, capable of storing electric power, and in a second, supply condition, capable of delivering electric power.

3. - The piezoelectric generator system (100) according to claim 2, wherein it further comprises an output control device (800) for receiving the electric power (Pout) coming from all piezoelectric generators (650) and supplying said electric 10 power (Pout) to said electric power storage and supply device (200).

4. - The piezoelectric generator system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electric power (Pout) is proportional to a height (h) of the piezoelectric elements (Eji,i), an area (A) of the piezoelectric elements (Eji,i), and a voltage constant (g33) of the piezoelectric elements (Eji,i) in each piezoelectric generator (650) where the dynamic loads (F1, F2.. Fn) are acting.

5. - The piezoelectric generator system (100) according to any of the claims 2-4, wherein it further comprises a charge status monitoring device (600) for monitoring at least one of the charge status and the operating condition of at least one of the electric power storage and supply units (250).

6. - The piezoelectric generator system (100) according to claim 5, wherein it further comprises a switching device (300) associated with the charge status monitoring device (600) for switching between said storage and supply conditions of the power storage and supply unit (250) depending on the charge status thereof.

7. - The piezoelectric generator system (100) according to claim 6, wherein the switching device (300) is adapted for automatically switching between said storage and supply conditions of the power storage and supply units (250) depending on the charge status thereof.

8. - The piezoelectric generator system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the damping element (760) in the input force control device (700) is at least one selected from a mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and magnetic element.

9. - The piezoelectric generator system (100) according to any of the claims 2-8, wherein the electric power storage and supply unit (250) is capable of working at least in a third, standby condition, where no electric power (Pout) is stored and no electric power (Pout) is delivered.

10. - The piezoelectric generator system (100) according to any of the claims 2-9, wherein the time taken by an electric power storage and supply unit (250) for being fully charged is shorter than the time taken by an electric power storage and supply unit (250) for being discharged when electric power is delivered.

11. - The piezoelectric generator system (100) according to any of the claims 2-10, wherein the electric power storage and supply unit is a battery (250).

12. - An electrical system including the piezoelectric generator system (100) according to any of the preceding claims as a power source.

13. - The electrical system according to claim 12, wherein the piezoelectric elements (Eji,i) of the piezoelectric generator system (100) are driven by at least one dynamic load (F1, F2.. Fn) generated from at least one moving part of at least one of an electric vehicle and electric machine.

14. - The electrical system according to claim 13, wherein the piezoelectric generator system (100) is adapted to be mounted at a location of an electric vehicle selected from at least one of: a bottom of a shock absorber where it is connected to vehicle steering, between a shock absorber spring and a shock absorber spring lower support, between shock absorbers and suspensions,

between the motor and a motor locking system, between suspensions and a vehicle body, between a vehicle frame front axle and a vehicle body, between a vehicle frame rear axle and a vehicle body, and under seats of a vehicle.

15. - The electrical system according to claim 12, wherein the piezoelectric generator system (100) is driven by at least one dynamic load (F1, F2.. Fn) generated from forces of the nature such as the water or the wind.

16. - The electrical system according to claim 12, wherein the piezoelectric generator system (100) is driven by at least one dynamic load (F1, F2.. Fn) generated from any vehicle, people or animals moving on a ground.