Abstract:
An electrical generating device combines solar cells and piezoelectric generators into a single generating system, configured in such a manner that the solar cells or the solar cell supporting structures act on the piezoelectric generators, resulting in an electrical generating system that can produce electricity from both solar energy and from the force of the wind.

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0001]    (Not applicable.) 
       FIELD 
       [0002]    Electrical generating systems and devices that do not consume natural resources while generating electricity. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a combined electrical generating device that incorporates one energy generating technology, solar cells, and another energy generating technology, piezoelectric generators, into a single generating system. This combination results in an electrical generating system that can produce electricity from both solar energy and from the force of the wind. The system can be produced in modules that allow it to be deployed in arrays of many different sizes, which allows the system to be used in a variety of locations. 
         [0004]    Scientists and engineers have devoted substantial resources towards identifying “alternative” sources of energy-sources that do not require the burning of fossil fuels such as oil, coal, or natural gas. Existing forms of alternative energy include solar panels consisting of arrays of photovoltaic cells or foils; wind-or-water driven generators; and biogas recovery and generation systems. Most of these systems are designed to operate on a large scale, and all of them focus on a single method of energy conversion (solar, wind, or hydro, for example). There is a need for an alternative energy generation system that can be employed on a smaller scale, such as in an urban environment, and that can generate electricity from more than one alternative energy source. 
         [0005]    These exist in the prior art a number of energy generating devices and ideas that do not meet this criteria. 
         [0006]    For example Damian O&#39;Sullivan has created a solar lampion that can be used both outdoors and indoors. The Solar Lampion is composed of an array of 36 ‘standard size’ solar cells (held together by an open spaced frame), each of which is connected to rechargeable battery that feeds a light-emitting diode (LED). The solar cells convert the sun&#39;s energy to electricity during the day to charge the battery. At night, the Lampion can be carried indoors (or outside), and the LED is powered by the charged battery. (http://mocoloco.com/archives/002630.php) 
         [0007]    There are a number of manufacturers of Photovoltaic cells. One list can be found at http://www.solarbuzz.com/solarindex/CellManufacturers.htm 
         [0008]    Ovonics and IOWA are two different manufacturers that produce the product “Thin Film,” a light and flexible photovoltaic panel that is produced in a “roll-to-roll” method allowing the product to be up to 13″ wide and up to 2400 feet long. Thin Film is an amorphous photovoltaic and uses a thin stainless steel foil and a weatherproof plastic “elastomer polymer” coating. It has a lower rate of efficiency compared to crystalline structure solar panels but can absorb a larger spectrum in varying light conditions. It is more durable than crystalline panels and uses no cadmium and very little silicon. 
         [0009]    OKSolar and Unisolar make durable solar roof shingles that would replace conventional asphalt shingles. They cost about $16 per square foot, 20 times what an asphalt shingle costs to install, but are an integrated architectural element that can pay for themselves over 25 years rather than end up in a landfill. 
         [0010]    The U.S. Department of Energy&#39;s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has developed the first ultra-thin solar cells comprised entirely of inorganic nanocrystals and spin-cast from solution. These dual nanocrystal solar cells are as cheap and easy to make as solar cells made from organic polymers and offer the added advantage of being stable in air because they contain no organic materials. This would ideally be used as a rooftop laminate. See http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/MSD-nanocrystal-solar-cells.html 
         [0011]    Nanosolar has developed nanotechnology and high-yield high-throughput process technology for a thin-film solar device technology. Nanosolar has taken an efficient and durable thin-film device technology, called CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide) and has developed thin film solar cells. 
         [0012]    In another type of photovoltaic cell, DayStar Technology&#39;s LightFoil™ consists of high efficiency CIGS solar cells deposited on thin titanium foil, less than the thickness of common household aluminum foil. The flexibility is both physical and in the foil&#39;s form factor, which enables molding to curved surfaces and can be cut to shape to conform to complex geometric requirements. See http)://www.daystartech.com/lightfoil.cfm 
         [0013]    Unlike many wind-generating inventions, the present invention does not require the use of large parts, such as, for example, the large propellers that many such generators use to generate electricity from wind energy. 
         [0014]    For example, the Helical Vertical Access Windmill called the QuietRevolution (QR5), incorporates three ‘S’ shaped blades that are tapered to shed noise. The windmill&#39;s vertical axis is easy to integrate with existing masts and buildings, and the helical (twisted) design captures turbulent winds and eliminates vibration. The windmill&#39;s blades, spars and torque tube are made of robust carbon fiber, and all moving parts are sealed to minimize maintenance. The windmill incorporates a direct drive in-line generator with auto-shutdown and peak power tracking that is incorporated into the mast. See http://www.quietrevolution.co.uk/qr5.htm 
         [0015]    A piezoelectric windmill has been developed as a laboratory exercise. See Piezoelectric Windmill: A Novel Solution to Remote Sensing—By: Shashank PRI YA, Chih-Ta CHEN, Darren FYE and Jeff ZAHND; —Materials Science and Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Tex. 76019, U.S.A.; —Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 44, No. 3, 2005, pp. L 104-L 107, #2005 The Japan Society of Applied Physics; http://mse.uta.edu/Priya/Piezoelectric%20Windmill.pdf. This windmill applies a rotating force to a camshaft that operates on a series of piezoelectric generators to generate electricity, that is then rectified and stored. 
         [0016]    There are a number of manufacturers of traditional large-scale, wind-driven turbine generators. These include Enercon, GE, Nordex, Vestas, Frisa, Soytes, Zhejiang Windey, Carbide, and DeWind. A number of small-scale turbine generating manufacturers also exist, including Abundant Renewable Energy, Bergey Windpower Co., Entegrity Wind Systems, Energy Maintenance Service, Lorax Energy, Northern Power Systems, Solar Wind Works, Southwest Windpower Co., Wind Turbine Industries Corp. 
         [0017]    A smaller piezoelectric generator is used to power a radio-frequency signal transmitter called the Lightning Switch. See http://www.lightingswitch.com (as of Jan. 12, 2007). The Lightning Switch is designed to replace a traditional wired wall switch, and it communicates by way of the RF signal with one or more receivers tha are plugged in to powered electrical sockets. When an electrical device is plugged into the receiver, the Lightning Switch will cause the receiver to apply power to (or remove power from) the device. The Lightning Switch receives all of its power from the piezoelectric generator. 
         [0018]    None of these, however, combine the features of a solar cell generating system with those of a wind-driven generating system. The present invention&#39;s novel combination of piezoelectric generators with solar panels permits the device to generate electricity even in the absence of light of sufficient intensity to cause the photovoltaic foil to generate electricity, provided there is sufficient wind available to drive its piezoelectric generators. 
         [0019]    The present invention is designed to be modular, so that its size can be tailored to the amount of space available. Deployed in sufficient numbers, the present invention could generate substantial amounts of electricity. 
         [0020]    It would therefore be desirable to use piezoelectric generators combined with solar cells in a modular array of combined generators to produce electricity. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to produce electricity by combining a device to generate electricity by using photovoltaic cells, which can be referred to as solar cells, with a device for generating electricity by use of piezoelectric generators. The resulting electricity-generating device is a hybrid solar and wind generating panel that combines solar cells and piezoelectric generators into an energy conversion device that is modular and lightweight. 
         [0022]    Photovoltaic solar cells are semiconductor devices that convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. Piezoelectric devices are composed of materials that change their geometry or dimensions when an electrical charge is applied to them, and conversely, generate an electrical charge when mechanical pressure is applied to them. 
         [0023]    It is another object of the present invention to combine the electrical generating capacity of multiple piezo/solar generators of the present invention in a system that integrates the individual generating capabilities of many generators in a single unified unit. 
         [0024]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the structure of the piezo solar generating device can comprise three main parts. The first part is a backing, such as aluminum or plastic, cut into a shape that is sized and shaped to accommodate a solar cell. The second part is a solar cell that is attached to the backing. The third part is a piezoelectric generator, which is positioned such that movement of the backing causes the piezoelectric generator to deform. 
         [0025]    The solar cell captures sunlight and converts it to electrical energy. There are several types of solar cells, any of which could be made suitable for use as the solar cell of the subject invention. One type of solar cell consists of a large-area, single layer p-n junction diode, typically made using silicon wafers, that generates electrical energy from light sources with the wavelengths of solar light. Another type of solar cell uses an inexpensive substrate such as glass or ceramic, and is commonly known as a thin-film solar cell. A third type of solar cell does not rely on a traditional p-n junction to separate photogenerated charge carriers. These include photoelectrochemical cells, Polymer solar cells, nanocrystal solar cells, DayStar&#39;s™ Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide (CIGS) technology solar cells placed on flexible specialty metal foils, and NANOSOLAR CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide) cells, manufactured using nano-scale printing methods. 
         [0026]    The movement of the backing, in response to the force of the wind, causes the piezoelectric generator to deform which, given an appropriate amount of force, will cause the piezoelectric generator to produce electricity. 
         [0027]    Both the electricity generated by the solar foil and the electricity generated by the piezoelectric generator is stored in an electric storage device, such as one or more capacitors or batteries. The stored electricity can be used as direct current or converted to alternating current through a variety of means that are known to those skilled in the art, such as inverters or by driving a motor generator. 
         [0028]    In each embodiment of the present invention, a solar cell is mounted to a movable support plate. The supporting plate is designed so that it moves in response to an outside force, such as wind. The force generated by the moving support plate is applied in a variety of novel ways to a piezoelectric generator. In one embodiment of the present invention, the photovoltaic foil is mounted on a support plate that is flexibly attached to a mounting plate by way of a flexible coupling located at a point between the midpoint and the end of the support plate. The support plate moves in response to an applied force. When it moves, the end of the support plate that is closest to the flexible coupling contacts and moves one end of a piezoelectric generator, causing it to generate electricity. 
         [0029]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the solar cell is mounted to a support plate that also comprises a piezoelectric generator. One end of the piezoelectric generator system support plate is attached to a mounting plate that holds it in place. Wind forces act directly on the photovoltaic foil assembly and cause the piezoelectric generator to deform, causing it to generate electricity. 
         [0030]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the solar cell is mounted to a support plate that is attached to a pivoting mounting bracket in a “see-saw” type of construction. The pivoting mounting bracket is positioned between two piezoelectric generators. When moved in one direction by the force of the wind acting on the solar cell and support plate, the pivoting mounting bracket applies a force to one of the piezoelectric generators, causing it to deform and generate electricity. When moved in the opposite direction by the force of the wind, the pivoting mounting bracket applies a force to the other piezoelectric generator, causing it to generate electricity. The opposing pressure applied by the two opposing piezoelectric generators on each side of the pivoting mounting bracket causes the pivoting mounting bracket to assume a resting point at a predetermined optimal position. 
         [0031]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the solar cell is mounted to a support plate that is attached to a mounting bracket by way of a ball and socket or similar such joint that allows the support plate to move from side to side in response to a force such as the wind. One or more cranks are connected to the support plate that drive a cylinder that includes vanes or cams that act on a piezoelectric generator when the cylinder is rotating, causing the piezoelectric generator to deform as the cylinder turns and to thereby generate electricity. 
         [0032]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed descriptions thereof, which are to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
         [0033]    The foregoing description of background art may include insights, discoveries, understandings or disclosures, or associations together with disclosures, that were not known in the relevant art prior to the present invention but which were provided by the invention. Some such contributions of the invention may have been specifically pointed out herein, whereas other such contributions of the invention will be apparent from their context. Merely because a document may have been cited here is not an admission that the field of the document, which may be quite different from that of the invention, is analogous to the field or fields of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is a side view of one embodiment of the invention 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  is a side view of another embodiment of the invention 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  is a side view of still another embodiment of the invention 
           [0037]      FIG. 4  is a planar view of a fourth embodiment of the invention 
           [0038]      FIG. 5  is a view of a kit that embodies the invention 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an electrical energy generating device  10  is comprised of a solar cell  12  mounted to a movable support plate  14 . The movable support plate  14  is affixed to a mounting bracket  16  at a point  18  located between the midpoint of movable support plate  14  and the lower end of movable support plate  14 . A flexible material  20  separates movable support plate  14  from mounting bracket  16  so that movable support plate  14  is able to pivot about point  18  in response to an applied force  20  directed towards movable support plate  14 . A fastener  22 , such as a bolt or a rivet, connects and holds together movable support plate  14 , flexible material  20 , and mounting bracket  16  so that movable support plate  14  moves relatively freely from starting point A to ending point B in response to applied force  20 , and then returns to staring point A when applied force  20  is removed. One end of a piezoelectric generator  24  is attached to mounting bracket  16 , such that the other end of piezoelectric generator  24  extends beyond the arc  26  defined by the upper end of movable support plate  14  when it moves from position A to position B in response to force  20 . When moving along arc  26 , the moving upper end of support plate  14  contacts the end of piezoelectric generator  24 , causing piezoelectric generator  24  to deform. The deformation of piezoelectric generator  24  causes it to generate electricity. The generated electricity is transmitted to electricity storage device  26 , such as a battery or capacitor, by insulated wire  28 . 
         [0040]    The solar cell  12  also generates electricity in response to light stimulus of an appropriate intensity. The electricity generated by solar cell  12  is transmitted to electricity storage device  26  by way of insulated wire  30 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , an electrical energy generating device  40  is composed of a solar cell  42  that can be mounted to a flexible support plate  44  by an adhesive or a fastener. The flexible support plate  44  is mounted directly on a piezoelectric generator  46  by way of various means known in the art, such as adhesive or fasteners. The piezoelectric generator-photovoltaic foil assembly  42 - 44 - 46  is attached to wall mounting plate  48  by way of a fastener  50  such as a bolt or rivet or by similar means. The assembly  42 - 44 - 46  moves from point A to point B in response to applied force  52  causing piezoelectric generator  46  to deform, and returns to point A when applied force  52  is removed. 
         [0042]    The deformation of piezoelectric generator  46  causes it to generate electricity. The generated electricity is transmitted to electricity storage device  54 , such as a battery or capacitor, by insulated wire  56 . The solar cell  42  also generates electricity in response to light stimulus of an appropriate intensity. The electricity generated by solar cell  42  is transmitted to electricity storage device  54  by way of insulated wire  58 . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , an electrical energy generating device  60  is comprised of a solar cell  62  mounted on a rigid support backing  64  by way of various means known in the art, such as adhesive or fasteners. Rigid support backing  64  is configured in a roughly triangular shape, and is attached to mounting plate  66  by way of a movable hinge at mounting point  68 . The two ends of rigid support backing  64  that are closest to mounting point  68  each rest against one of the piezoelectric generators  70  or  72 . Rigid support backing  64  moves in response to applied force  74  from point A to Point B. In so doing, rigid support backing  64  presses against piezoelectric generator  70 , causing it to deform and generate electricity. The electricity so generated is transmitted to electricity storage device  78 , such as a battery or capacitor, via insulated wire  71 . 
         [0044]    Rigid support backing  64  may also move in response to applied force  76  in the opposite direction, causing rigid support backing  64  to press against piezoelectric generator  72 , causing it to deform and generate electricity. The electricity so generated is transmitted to electricity storage device  78 , such as a battery or capacitor via insulated wire  73 . The solar cell  62  also generates electricity in response to light stimulus of an appropriate intensity. The electricity generated by solar cell  62  is transmitted to electricity storage device  78  via insulated wire  77 . 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , an electrical energy generating device  80  is comprised of a solar cell  82  mounted on a rigid support backing  84  by way of various means known in the art, such as adhesive or fasteners. Rigid support backing  84  is attached to mounting plate  86  by way of support arm  88 . Support arm  88  is attached to mounting plate  86  by means of flexible joint  90 , such as a ball-and-socket joint or other joint known in the art that will both support rigid support backing  84  while allowing it to pivot in a number of different directions. Rigid support backing  84  is also attached to opposed cranks  85  and  87 , which in turn are attached to rotating drum  89 . Rotating drum  89  is attached to mounting plate  86  by means of drum supports  95 . Movement of rigid support backing  84  in response to application of force  91  causes opposed cranks  85  and  87  to turn rotating drum  89 . Rotating drum  89  comprises lateral cam vanes  92  that exert a force on one end of piezoelectric generator  93  as rotating drum  89  turns, causing piezoelectric generator  93  to deform and generate electricity. The other end of piezoelectric generator  93  is fixably attached to mounting plate  86 . The electricity generated by piezoelectric generator  93  is transmitted to electricity storage device  95 , such as a battery or capacitor, via insulated wire  98 . Solar cell  82  also generates electricity in response to light stimulus of an appropriate intensity. The electricity generated by solar cell  82  is transmitted to electricity storage device  95  via insulated wire  94 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , an electrical energy generating device kit  90  is comprised of solar cell component  92 , a piezoelectric generator  94 , a mounting plate  96 , an electricity storage device  98 , electrical connectors  100 , and mounting hardware  102 . One or more of these components may be omitted depending on the application. For example, electricity storage device  98  may be omitted if a single electricity storage device will be used to collect and store the electricity generated by more than one device. 
         [0047]    In each instance described above, the solar cell can be a LightFoil™ or similar product, supplied by DayStar Technologies, Inc., or others. The piezoelectric generators can be a THUNDER (Thin Layer Unimorph Ferroelectric Driver and Sensor) device, supplied by FACE International, or others. 
         [0048]    The present invention can be combined in arrays of varying sizes depending on available space and need for generating capacity. Each such array requires an appropriately-sized energy storage device.