US3666976A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid operated electric generator utilizing a piezoelectric device
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1965-11-10
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Granted: 1972-05-30
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Expires: 1985-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A fluid operated electric generator to convert fluid source energy, for example, in a rapidly moving vehicle or projectile to usable electrical power. The generator comprises an acoustic oscillator including an annular nozzle and an acoustically resonant cavity coaxial with the nozzle and spaced therefrom. The resonant cavity comprises a cylindrically shaped pipe having an annular knife edge facing the nozzle. Positioned at the bottom of and forming the end of the cylindrically shaped cavity is a piezoelectric disc. The fluid directed toward the cavity by the nozzle, upon striking the knife edge, produces acoustic oscillations which are stabilized at a single frequency by the resonant cavity and are coupled to the piezoelectric disc. The piezoelectric disc responsive to displacement by the acoustic oscillations provides an electrical signal at the oscillating frequency.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D Gourlay
- 👤 Hughes Aircraft Co
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:25
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02N; H02N2/00; H02N2/18; H02N2/185; F; F42; F42C; F42C11/00; F42C11/02; F42C15/00; F42C15/28; F42C15/29; H10; H10N; H10N30/00; H10N30/30; H10N30/308
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A fluid operated electric generator comprising: first means including a nozzle and an acoustically resonant cavity positioned coaxially of the nozzle and spaced therefrom for producing acoustic oscillations; second means coupled to said nozzle for producing a jet of fluid; and third means coacting with said resonant cavity and responsive to the acoustic oscillations for producing electrical energy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
A fluid operated electric generator comprising: first means including a nozzle and an acoustically resonant cavity positioned coaxially of the nozzle and spaced therefrom for producing acoustic oscillations; second means coupled to said nozzle for producing a jet of fluid; and third means coacting with said resonant cavity and responsive to the acoustic oscillations for producing electrical energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The fluid operated electric generator of claim 1 wherein the first means is an acoustic oscillator including a nozzle having a central axis and a resonant cavity positioned coaxially with said central axis and spaced a predetermined distance from said nozzle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fluid operated electric generator of claim 2 wherein the nozzle is annular in shape and the resonant cavity includes an annular knife edge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
The fluid operated electric generator of claim 1 wherein the first means is an acoustic oscillator including an annular nozzle having a central axis and a resonant cavity positioned coaxially with said central axis and having an annular knife edge spaced a predetermined distance from said nozzle and the second means is a source of fluid coupled to said nozzle for producing a jet of fluid directed to strike said knife edge and excite said resonant cavity to generate acoustic oscillations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fluid operated electric generator of claim 1 wherein the third means is a piezoelectric generator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fluid operated electric generator of claim 5 wherein the piezoelectric generator is a disc of piezoelectric material and cooperates with said resonant cavity to close one end thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
118 words
The fluid operated electric generator of claim 1 wherein the first means is an acoustic oscillator including an annular nozzle having a central axis and a resonant cavity positioned coaxially with said central axis and having an annular knife edge spaced a predetermined distance from said nozzle and the second means is a source of fluid coupled to said nozzle for producing a jet of fluid directed to strike said knife edge and excite said resonant cavity to generate acoustic oscillations and said third means is a disc of piezoelectric material cooperating with said resonant cavity to close one end thereof, said disc of piezoelectric material being responsive to said acoustic oscillations for generating an alternating electrical signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
116 words
A source of electric power comprising: an acoustic oscillator including an annular nozzle having a central axis and a resonant cavity positioned coaxially with said central axis having an annular knife edge spaced at a predetermined distance from said nozzle; a source of fluid coupled to said nozzle for producing a jet of fluid directed to strike said knife edge and excite said resonant cavity to generate acoustic oscillations; a piezoelectric element in said resonant cavity and responsive to said acOustic oscillations for generating an alternating electrical output signal; and an electrical resonant circuit coupled to said piezoelectric element for resonating the capacitance of said piezoelectric element and enhancing the electrical signal generated by said element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
116 words
A source of electric power comprising: an acoustic oscillator including an annular nozzle having a central axis and a resonant cavity positioned coaxially with said central axis having an annular knife edge spaced at a predetermined distance from said nozzle; a source of fluid coupled to said nozzle for producing a jet of fluid directed to strike said knife edge and excite said resonant cavity to generate acoustic oscillations; a piezoelectric element in said resonant cavity and responsive to said acOustic oscillations for generating an alternating electrical output signal; and an electrical resonant circuit coupled to said piezoelectric element for resonating the capacitance of said piezoelectric element and enhancing the electrical signal generated by said element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The source of electric power of claim 8 wherein the piezoelectric element has a disc shape and cooperates with said resonant cavity to close one end thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The source of electric power of claim 8 wherein the source of fluid includes means for stabilizing cooling and filtering said fluid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |