An autonomous implantable capsule comprises a capsule body provided with an element for its anchoring to a patient's organ. An electronic unit is powered by an energy harvesting module provided with a pendular unit comprising an inertial mass coupled to an elastic piezoelectric beam forming a mechanical-electrical transducer for converting into electrical energy the oscillations of the beam. A mobile support, integral with the clamped end of the beam and mobile in axial rotation about the axis of the capsule body, can be directed by a controllable driver to adjust the angular position of the support so as to maximize the produced electrical power converted by the mechanical-electrical transducer.

Road signal systems and methods for controlling road signals include a piezoelectric layer integrated with a surface that undergoes stresses with traffic passing over the surface. A power collection circuit is configured to collect and store power from the piezoelectric layer. One or more devices receive electrical power from the power collection circuit responsive to traffic passing over the surface.

Road signal systems and methods for controlling road signals include a piezoelectric layer integrated with a surface that undergoes stresses with traffic passing over the surface. A power collection circuit is configured to collect and store power from the piezoelectric layer. One or more devices receive electrical power from the power collection circuit responsive to traffic passing over the surface.

An energy harvesting system can comprise an actuator comprising a translationally displaceable surface, the translationally displaceable surface being configured to transition from a first position to a second position upon contact by a movable unit; a vertical rack in contact with the actuator, and configured to be translationally displaced in response to translational displacement of the actuator; a pinion configured to engage with the vertical rack and to rotate in response to translational displacement of the vertical rack; a main shaft coupled to the pinion and configured to rotate with rotation of the pinion; and a flywheel and a generator coupled to the main shaft, wherein rotation of the main shaft generates mechanical energy stored by the flywheel, and wherein the generator is configured to generate electrical energy from the mechanical energy stored by the flywheel.

A piezoelectric energy harvester system for collecting kinetic energy is provided, wherein the kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy, and wherein at least a portion of the converted electrical energy is utilized to operate a load. The system comprises an energy input portion and an energy harvesting portion. The energy input portion includes an input member configured to be actionable by an outside force. The energy harvesting portion includes a capture member, a sprocket portion, and a piezoelectric energy harvester. The capture member is adapted for receiving mechanical input from the input member. The sprocket portion is disposed for movement with the capture member. The sprocket portion includes at least one radially disposed sprocket actuator configured for making contact with and exciting the piezoelectric energy harvester. The piezoelectric energy harvester is excited by the contact to produce the kinetic energy.

A vibration energy harvester includes: a fixed electrode unit having a plurality of comb-tooth electrodes; a movable electrode unit having a plurality of comb-tooth electrodes; a weight fixed to the movable electrode unit; and an adjusting weight mounting structure capable of mounting an adjusting weight for additionally adjusting a mass of the weight.

A piezoelectric energy harvester system for collecting kinetic energy is provided, wherein the kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy, and wherein at least a portion of the converted electrical energy is utilized to operate a load. The system comprises an energy input portion and an energy harvesting portion. The energy input portion includes an input member configured to be actionable by an outside force. The energy harvesting portion includes a capture member, a sprocket portion, and a piezoelectric energy harvester. The capture member is adapted for receiving mechanical input from the input member. The sprocket portion is disposed for movement with the capture member. The sprocket portion includes at least one radially disposed sprocket actuator configured for making contact with and exciting the piezoelectric energy harvester. The piezoelectric energy harvester is excited by the contact to produce the kinetic energy.

A device responsive to an acceleration pulse event, the device including: a piezoelectric device configured to generate a voltage over a duration responsive to one or more acceleration pulse events; an electrical storage device configured to receive a portion of the generated voltage to accumulate a charge; an energy dissipating device coupled to the electrical storage device and configured to dissipate the accumulated charge following the one or more acceleration pulse events and not to substantially dissipate the accumulated charge during the one or more acceleration pulse events; and a voltage limiting device coupled to the electrical storage device and configured to limit the portion of the generated voltage applied to the electrical storage device to a predetermined limit.

An energy harvesting roadway that includes a plurality of road segments and a power storage device electrically coupled to the plurality of road segments. Each of the plurality of road segments can include a surface asphalt layer, a first conductive asphalt layer located under the surface asphalt layer, a piezoelectric-based asphalt layer located between the first conductive layer and a second conductive layer located above a base asphalt layer. The piezoelectric-based asphalt layer can include a plurality of rigid piezoelectric elements and an insulating filler.

An apparatus comprises a piezoelectric element and a mechanical energy storage unit. The mechanical energy storage unit can be configured to receive a force and store the force as stored mechanical energy. The apparatus further comprises a mass configured to receive the stored mechanical energy from the mechanical energy storage unit when the stored mechanical energy is released, move with a velocity as a result of receiving the stored mechanical energy, and deform the piezoelectric element based on the velocity of the mass.