Abstract:
A piezoelectric generator for generating power from an acceleration is provided. The piezoelectric generator including: a piezoelectric member capable of producing an output power; means for applying a force to the piezoelectric member due to the acceleration; means for sustaining a strain in the piezoelectric member resulting from the applied force; and an inductor electrically connected to the piezoelectric member for forming an oscillating circuit.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/998,925 filed on Dec. 3, 2007 which claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/872,248 filed on Dec. 2, 2006, the contents of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to piezoelectric generators and, more particularly, to piezoelectric generators for munitions fuzing. 
         [0004]    2. Prior Art 
         [0005]    All existing and future smart and guided gun-fired munitions and mortars that are equipped with electronics for fuzing or other similar purposes require electric power for their operation. The amount of power required for proper operation of certain components in gun-fired munitions, for example for the operation of certain fuzing electronics, is small enough to be provided by harvesting the electric charge generated directly from piezoelectric elements due to the firing acceleration induced straining. The advantage of using piezoelectric elements that can generate electric energy is that it eliminates the need for a primary battery and its related safety and shelf life problems. In general, such piezoelectric generators that harvest mechanical energy during the firing acceleration provide a very high degree of safety in munitions since they provide electrical energy that could operate onboard electronics only post firing. The use of reserve batteries for such very low power requirements is not cost effective and requires the allocation of valuable space and may face safety issues. 
         [0006]    Current applications of piezoelectric elements of various designs and configurations such as stacks of piezoelectric ceramic, film layers, etc. which are loaded (strained) due to the firing acceleration in the axial direction, in bending, etc. and which may be equipped with appropriate inertial components to increase the generated loads (axial, bending, torsional, etc.), or are equipped with motion amplifying mechanisms to amplify the applied stains, have a common shortcoming that reduces their effectiveness as electrical energy generators and prevents efficient collection and storage of the generated charges. This shortcoming stems from the fact that during firing, the piezoelectric element is subjected to a very high level of acceleration induced impact type of forces during a very short period of time, in many cases of the order of one-tenth of a millisecond. As a result, the window for extraction and storage of the generated electrical charge is equally small, making efficient harvesting of the generated charge very difficult. The harvested charge is generally intended to be stored in a storage device such as a capacitor or used directly or conditioned to power a certain load. 
         [0007]    A need therefore exists for new methods and devices that allow the aforementioned charges generated by piezoelectric elements due to the firing acceleration or other similar impact forces to be harvested over significantly longer periods of time, thereby allowing the generated charges to be harvested with significantly higher efficiency. 
         [0008]    In addition, a need exists for new methods and devices that allow efficient harvesting of the aforementioned generated charges. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    An objective of the present invention is to provide new methods for the development of devices that would allow firing acceleration and or other similar impact force induced charges generated in piezoelectric elements to be sustained for periods of times that are significantly longer than the duration of the firing acceleration or other similar impact forces. 
         [0010]    An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a number of devices for implementing the aforementioned method to piezoelectric generators designed to generated charges due to the firing acceleration in munitions and other impact induced forces to significantly increase the amount of time available to harvest the generated charges. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, a piezoelectric generator for generating power from an acceleration is provided. The piezoelectric generator comprising: a piezoelectric member capable of producing an output power; means for applying a force to the piezoelectric member due to the acceleration; means for sustaining a strain in the piezoelectric member resulting from the applied force; and an inductor electrically connected to the piezoelectric member for forming an oscillating circuit. 
         [0012]    The inductor can be electrically connected in series with the piezoelectric member. 
         [0013]    The piezoelectric member can comprise two or more layers of piezoelectric material. The two or more layers of piezoelectric material can be arranged in a direction of the acceleration. The two or more layers of piezoelectric material can be arranged orthogonal to a direction of the acceleration. 
         [0014]    The means for applying a force to the piezoelectric member can comprise a mass disposed to compress the piezoelectric member upon the acceleration. 
         [0015]    The piezoelectric generator can further comprise an elastic means for providing elasticity to one or more members acting to apply the force to the piezoelectric member. 
         [0016]    The means for sustaining a strain in the piezoelectric member can comprise configuring two or more components to have a locking frictional fit which is engaged upon the application of the force to the piezoelectric member. The two or more components can comprise: a mass disposed to compress the piezoelectric member upon the acceleration, the piezoelectric material having at least a first angled surface; and a locking member having at least a second angled surface in sliding contact with the first angled surface such that the piezoelectric member and locking member engage to limit relative motion therebetween. 
         [0017]    The means for sustaining a strain in the piezoelectric member can comprise configuring two or more components to have an interference with each other which is engaged upon the application of the force to the piezoelectric member. The two or more components can comprise: a mass disposed to compress the piezoelectric member upon the acceleration; and a locking member having a portion for engaging the mass to limit relative motion therebetween. Also provided is a method for generating power from an acceleration. The method comprising: applying a force to a piezoelectric member due to the acceleration; sustaining a strain in the piezoelectric member resulting from the applied force so as to increase a time of power output from the piezoelectric member; and connecting the piezoelectric member to a circuit to produce an oscillatory output. 
         [0018]    The connecting can comprise including an inductor in the circuit and electrically connected to the piezoelectric member. The indictor can be electrically connected to the piezoelectric member in series. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a piezoelectric generator of the prior art. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a piezoelectric generator. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  illustrates a variation of the piezoelectric generator of  FIG. 2   
           [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of a piezoelectric generator. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of a piezoelectric generator. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of a piezoelectric generator. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of a piezoelectric generator. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8   a  illustrates a sectional view another embodiment of a piezoelectric generator as taken along line  8   a - 8   a  in  FIG. 8   b.    
           [0028]      FIG. 9  illustrates another embodiment of a piezoelectric generator. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  illustrates a variation of the embodiment of the piezoelectric generator of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  illustrates a variation of the embodiment of the piezoelectric generator of  FIG. 1   
           [0031]      FIG. 12  illustrates another embodiment of a piezoelectric generator. 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  illustrates a variation of the embodiment of the piezoelectric generator of  FIG. 12   
           [0033]      FIG. 14  illustrates a schematic circuit having a piezoelectric generator, 
           [0034]      FIG. 15  illustrates an exemplary plot of voltage vs. time for a piezoelectric generator and circuitry of  FIG. 14 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0035]    Although this invention is applicable to numerous and various types of devices, it has been found particularly useful in the environment of generating power aboard munitions due to a firing acceleration of the munition. Therefore, without limiting the applicability of the invention to generating power aboard munitions due to a firing acceleration of the munition, the invention will be described in such environment. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present methods and devices can also be used in generating power in other devices, including commercial electronic devices where an acceleration, such as resulting from an induced impact (where the acceleration is negative, i.e. a deceleration), can be used to generate the power from the disclosed devices and methods. In this regard, co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/447,788 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
         [0036]    In the following, an operation of the currently available piezoelectric generators for munitions and the like that employ the firing acceleration or other similar impact induced forces to generate charges that are to be harvested, and the disclosed novel method of sustaining the generated charges is described by an example of a piezoelectric element that is intended to be axially loaded in compression (strained in compression). The disclosed method is, however, readily seen to be general and applicable to piezoelectric elements that are loaded (strained) in other modes, such as in shear; bending; torsion, and the combination of two or more of the above modes. 
         [0037]    A piezoelectric element based generator  10  is shown in  FIG. 1  as attached to the structure  12  of munitions, such as in its fuzing. The piezoelectric generator  10  consists of a piezoelectric (which can be stacked of multiple layers) block  11 , which is poled to generate a charge when subjected to a force in the direction of the arrow  13 . It is noted that in the present description and for the sake of brevity, the term force is also intended to mean bending moment, torque and the like. 
         [0038]    In general, stacked piezoelectric elements with relatively thin layers (stacked parallel to the base structure  12 , hereinafter indicated as vertically, as shown in  FIG. 1 ) provide a given force (pressure over the surface area of the piezoelectric stack), they would generate lower voltage levels as they would if they were constructed as a single block or with thick layered stacks. During the firing, the munitions and its structure  12  is accelerated in the direction  14 , thereby generating a compressive strain on the piezoelectric stack  11 , which would in turn generate an electric charge in the piezoelectric element which could then be harvested using an appropriate and well known electronic or electric circuitry (not shown). To increase the level of compressive strain in the piezoelectric stack  11 , a mass  15  is attached atop the piezoelectric stack, which applies an additional compressive force (compressive strain) to the piezoelectric stack  11 , proportional to the amount of mass and the magnitude of the acceleration  14 . However, since the duration of the firing acceleration is very short, in many cases on the order of one-tenth of a millisecond or less, the window for extraction and storage of the electrical energy is equally small, making efficient harvesting of the generated charge very difficult. 
         [0039]    It is noted that in general, piezoelectric elements can be subjected to compressive load (strain) and not tensile loads (strains) since piezoelectric materials are generally brittle and susceptible to cracking and are much stronger in compression than in tension. However, one can still safely subject piezoelectric elements to higher tensile forces (strains) by first preloading them in compression to eliminate the net tensile loading during its operation or reduce it to within acceptable levels. 
         [0040]    The methods being disclosed provide the means to indefinitely sustain the aforementioned charge generating forces (strains) that are induced as a result of the tiring acceleration or other similar impact forces. The sustained charges can then be harvested over the length of time necessary for their efficient collection or even left for direct use by the intended components since piezoelectric elements act as capacitors and can hold the charge for a significant length of time, which may in fact be long enough for many munitions applications due to their short flight time. It is, however, noted that in practice, piezoelectric elements like any other capacitors do suffer from certain amount of leakage depending on their quality and this issue must be considered for each particular application. It is also noted that as the induced charges are collected, the level of generated force on the piezoelectric stack is reduced, since the piezoelectric stack resistance to the applied compressive load is in part due to the generated charges and in part due to the elasticity of the piezoelectric material structure. 
         [0041]    Mechanical means may be used to sustain or “lock” the aforementioned generated force (strain) in the piezoelectric stack  11 .  FIG. 1 , as described below. It is noted that the embodiments selected below to describe the aforementioned mechanical means for sustaining (locking) the generated force (stain) are chosen primarily for the sake of simplifying the present description. Other embodiments are provided below. 
         [0042]    A first mechanical means functions based on friction. In devices constructed based on friction, a friction force is used to prevent the piezoelectric stack  11  to return to its unstrained condition. Such a “force (stain) locking mechanism” can, for example, be provided to the piezoelectric generator  10  by providing small angles  16  ( FIG. 2 ) to the sides of the top mass  15  (identified with the number  17  in  FIG. 2 ) so that as the mass displaces down due to the shortening of the piezoelectric stack  11  as a result of the firing acceleration in the direction  14 , the angled sides of the mass  15  are wedged against the mating sides  18  protruding from the base structure  12 , thereby preventing the mass  15  from returning to its original pre-firing position following the removal of the firing acceleration, i.e. after the munition has exited the barrel. The aforementioned wedging angle must be small enough such that the generated friction force is greater than a component of the compressive force that tends to push the mass  17  out of its locking position. The allowable wedging angle is dependent of the coefficient of friction between the contacting surfaces and its maximum amount can be readily calculated using well known relationships. 
         [0043]    In practice, however, since the amount of strain in the piezoelectric stack, i.e. the downward travel of the mass  17 , is very small and in the order of micrometers, relatively stiff springs can be added in series with the piezoelectric stack, thereby significantly increasing the length of travel of the mass  17 . Such an arrangement is shown in  FIG. 3 , in which the spring  19  is added between the mass  17  and the piezoelectric stack  11  to significantly increase the total downward travel of the mass  17  as a result of the firing acceleration in the direction  14 . As a result, the level of compressive force that is achieved on the piezoelectric stack  11  is more predictable and a slight movement of the wedge mass  17  would not cause a significant portion of the compressive force to be lost. 
         [0044]    A second mechanical means functions as a locking mechanism that is based on geometrical interference between appropriate parts of the locking mechanism to prevent the piezoelectric stack  11  from returning to its pre-firing (un-strained) configuration, thereby sustaining the generated force (strain) that is applied to the piezoelectric stack  11  as a result of the firing acceleration in the direction  14  or other similar impact forces. Such a locking mechanism is shown in the schematic of  FIG. 4 . In this embodiment, the mass  20  is attached to the piezoelectric stack  11  via a spring  21  to allow a significant displacement of the mass  20  as a result of the firing acceleration in the direction of the arrow  14  for the reason described for the embodiment shown schematically in  FIG. 3 . In its pre-tiring position, the mass  20  is in the position  25  shown with dashed lines. At least one locking element  22  is provided and is initially in the position  23  (not engaged with mass  20 ), thereby allowing vertical motion of the mass  22  (about its position  25 ). It is noted that the locking elements  22  are provided with elastic elements that bias their locking tips  24  to move towards their locking position  22 . It is also noted that in the schematic of  FIG. 4 , the locking element is shown to be constructed as a single element with bending flexibility. However, in general, the locking mechanism may be constructed with any mechanism type that would provide the desired movement towards the indicated locking position with at least one elastic element (which may be an integral part of the mechanism structure) to bias its movement towards the aforementioned locking position. As a result of tiring, the munitions structure  12  is accelerated in the direction  14 , thereby forcing the mass  20  to move downward towards the piezoelectric stack  11 . As the mass  20  moves down, at a desired position, i.e. at a desired level of force being applied to the piezoelectric element by the spring  21 , the tips  24  of the locking element move into their locking position, thereby allowing the locking elements  22  to move from their positions  23  to the positions  22  to engage and lock the mass  20 . The mass is thereby locked in its position  20 , thereby “locking” the force applied by the spring  21  onto the piezoelectric element  11 . 
         [0045]    The above two methods of sustaining the generated force (strain) in the piezoelectric element  11  may also be combined. In such embodiments, the aforementioned geometrical interference type mechanisms provides the means to ensure that if friction forces do not sustain the generated strain, for example due to the generally present vibratory oscillations of the munitions platform, then a secondary means is provided to ensure the proper operation of the device. 
         [0046]    One embodiment  30 , based on friction forces alone to sustain the generated force (strain) in the piezoelectric stack  31 , is shown in the schematic of  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, the long axis of the piezoelectric stack  31  is positioned perpendicular to the direction of the firing acceleration  14 . To generate a charge, the piezoelectric stack  31  should therefore be compressed to reduce its length  36 . i.e. a compressive force has to be applied to the piezoelectric stack in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the firing acceleration  14 . The applied force (strain) should also be sustained post the firing event. To this end, the piezoelectric stack  31  is fixed on one end to a support  32 , which is fixed to the structure of the munition  12 . On the opposite side of the piezoelectric stack  31 , another support  33  is fixed to the structure of the munitions  12 . The side  35  of the support  33  facing the piezoelectric stack  31  is inclined with a relatively small angle. A matching wedging block  34  with an appropriate mass is positioned between the piezoelectric stack  31  and the support  33 . During the firing, the firing acceleration in the direction  14  acts on the mass of the block  34 , pushing it downwards, and exerting a compressive force on the piezoelectric stack  31 . With an appropriate wedging angle of the surface  35 , the wedging block is locked in place post firing due to the generated friction forces. The compressive force (strain) acting on the piezoelectric stack  31  is thereby sustained. The compressive force (strain) acting on the piezoelectric stack  31  generates an electric charge in the piezoelectric stack layers, which can then be harvested and stored in certain storage device such as a capacitor or used directly to power, for example, certain electronic or electric devices. One advantage of the present embodiment in munitions is that in general, a relatively long piezoelectric stack  31  may be used in the device without making the device very tall. 
         [0047]    In an alternative embodiment of the device shown in  FIG. 5 , at least one elastic element such as a spring washer (not shown) with relatively high spring rates is positioned between the piezoelectric stack  31  and the support  32  and/or the piezoelectric stack  31  and the wedge  34  to increase the range of motion of the wedge for the reasons described for the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0048]    Another embodiment  40  is shown in the schematic of  FIG. 6 . Similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , this embodiment is also based on friction forces alone to sustain the generated force (strain) in the piezoelectric stack  41 , which is directed in the same direction as the piezoelectric stack  31  relative to the direction of acceleration  14 . The blocks  44  with inclined surfaces  43  are fixed to the piezoelectric stack  41 . The inclined surfaces  43  of the blocks  44  mate with the similarly inclined surfaces of the supports  42 . The supports  42  are fixed to the structure of the munitions  12 . During the firing, the firing acceleration in the direction  14  acts on the total mass of the piezoelectric stack  41  and the blocks  44 , pushing them downwards between the blocks  42 , and thereby exerting a compressive force on the piezoelectric stack  41 . With an appropriate wedging angle of the surfaces  43 , the assembly of the piezoelectric stack  41  and the blocks  44  is locked in place relative to the supports  42  post firing due to the generated friction forces between the inclined surfaces. The compressive force (strain) acting on the piezoelectric stack  41  is thereby sustained. The compressive force (strain) acting on the piezoelectric stack  41  generates an electric charge in the piezoelectric stack layers, which can then be harvested and stored in certain storage device such as a capacitor or used directly to power, for example, certain electronic or electric devices. It is noted that this embodiment could have been constructed with only one wedging element  41 , leaving the opposite side (which can have a rectangular end element—not shown) to slide down against a straight edged support (not shown). Such an arrangement, however, may cause the piezoelectric stack assembly to rotate (about the direction perpendicular to the plane of the illustration) due to the difference in the vertical component of the friction forces acting at its two sliding surfaces. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  can minimize the aforementioned possibility of rotation. 
         [0049]    In an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , at least one elastic element such as spring washer (not shown) with relatively high spring rates is positioned between the piezoelectric stack  41  and one or both of the support  42 , and can be between the piezoelectric stack  41  and one or both of the wedges  44 , to increase the range of motion of the wedge for the reasons described for the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0050]    In general, the position of the traveling wedging element(s) may be exchanged, for example, in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the piezoelectric stack  41  ( 51  in  FIG. 7 ) and its two sides wedging elements  44  ( 52  in  FIG. 7 ) may be set against the munitions structure  12  as shown in  FIG. 7 . In this embodiment  50 , the supports  42  ( 53  in  FIG. 7 ) are then joined together by the relatively rigid backing  54 , and positioned as shown in  FIG. 7  over the piezoelectric slack assembly. The piezoelectric stack is held against the munitions structure surface  12 , but is allowed to expand and/or contract. As the munitions is fired, the acceleration of the munitions in the direction of the arrow  14  would act on the mass of the assembly of the elements  53  and the backing  54 , thereby applying a compressive force on the piezoelectric stack  1  via the side wedges  52 . With an appropriate wedging angle of the surfaces  55 , the assembly of the piezoelectric stack  51  and the blocks  52  is locked in place relative to the supports  53  post firing due to the generated friction forces between the inclined surfaces. The compressive force (strain) acting on the piezoelectric stack  51  is thereby sustained. The compressive force (strain) acting on the piezoelectric stack  51  generates an electric charge in the piezoelectric stack layers, which can then be harvested and stored in certain storage device such as a capacitor or used directly to power, for example, certain electronic or electric devices. 
         [0051]    In an alternative embodiment to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , at least one elastic element such as spring washer (not shown) with relatively high spring rates is positioned between the piezoelectric stack  51  and one or both of the elements  53 , which can be between the piezoelectric stack  51  and one or both of the wedges  52 , to increase the range of motion of the wedge for the reasons described for the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0052]    It is noted that even though in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2-7  the piezoelectric layers are stacked in planes perpendicular to the direction of the applied compressive loads, the compressive loads may be applied to similar layers stacked in numerous other configurations. For example, in one embodiment  60 , the layers  66  may be stacked to form a cone segment  61 , which can have an inside hole  62  as shown in the schematic of longitudinal cross-sectional view in  FIG. 8   a  (shown with ring  63 ). The layers are shown in the top view of piezoelectric element  61  in  FIG. 8   b  (without ring  63 ). The cone angle is indicated as  65 . A ring  63  with a matching inside cone angle is used as the support element attached to the munitions structure  12 . During the firing, the firing acceleration in the direction  14  acts on the mass of the piezoelectric element  61 , thereby wedging it inside the ring  63 . An additional mass  64  may be used to increase the generated compressive force. With an appropriate wedging angle of the cone surfaces  65 , the piezoelectric stack  61  is locked inside the ring  63  post firing due to the generated friction forces between generated by the radial forces compressing the contacting cone surfaces. The compressive force (strain) acting on the piezoelectric stack  61  is thereby sustained. The compressive force (strain) acting on the piezoelectric stack  61  generates an electric charge in the piezoelectric stack layers, which can then be harvested and stored in certain storage device such as a capacitor or used directly to power, for example, certain electronic or electric devices. 
         [0053]    In an alternative embodiment, the piezoelectric element  61  is composed of a single (or annular layers of) piezoelectric (cone) element, which is poled in the radial direction such that its radial contraction as it is edged into the support element  63  would generate electric charge that could be harvested as described above for the embodiment of  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b.    
         [0054]    The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b , the ring  63  can possess a certain amount of circumferential flexibility to increase the range of downward motion of the piezoelectric element  61  for the reasons described for the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0055]    In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3-4  and the aforementioned alternatives to the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 5-7  with elastic (spring) elements, the elasticity may be built into the structure of one of the elements in the line of compressive loading. For example, in the embodiment of the  FIG. 3 , the elasticity may be built into the structure of either the mass element  17  (in the direction of the compressive load) or one or both of the supports  18  (again in the direction of the compressive load). In the embodiment of the  FIG. 4 , the required elasticity of the spring element  21  may be built into the structure of the mass  20 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the aforementioned elasticity in the direction of the piezoelectric slack  31  loading may be built into the structure of the wedge  34  and/or the support  32  and/or the support  33 . In the embodiment of the  FIG. 6 , the aforementioned elasticity in the direction of the piezoelectric stack  41  loading may be built into the structure of the one or both wedges  44  and or one or both of the supports  42 . In the embodiment of the  FIG. 7 , the aforementioned elasticity in the direction of the piezoelectric stack  51  loading may be built into the structure of the one or both wedges  52  and/or one or both of the supports  53  and/or the connecting member  54 . 
         [0056]    In yet another embodiment  70 , the schematic of which is shown in  FIG. 9 , the compressive force on the piezoelectric stack  71  can be applied by a counterclockwise rotation of a cam  74 , due to the firing acceleration in the direction  14  of the munitions platform  12  acting on the mass  77 . The mass  77  may be an integral part of the cam  74 . The piezoelectric stack  71  is directed and attached to the support  72 , which is in turn fixed to the structure of the munitions  12 , similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 5  (with the piezoelectric stack and support numbered  31  and  32 , respectively). The cam  74  is attached to the munitions structure  12  by a support  76  by a rotary joint  75 , which allows it free rotation about the axis of the joint  75 . The firing acceleration in the direction  14  acts on the mass  77 , thereby forcing the cam  74  to rotate in the counterclockwise direction. Due to the shape of the cam  74  profile, this rotation causes a compressive force to be applied to the intermediate block  73 , which would in turn apply the compressive force to the piezoelectric stack  71 . The compressive force (strain) acting on the piezoelectric stack  71  generates an electric charge in the piezoelectric stack layers, which can then be harvested and stored in certain storage device such as a capacitor or used directly to power, for example, certain electronic or electric devices. 
         [0057]    In an alternative embodiment to that shown in  FIG. 9 , the cam  74  is positioned as shown in  FIG. 10 . A relatively long lever arm  77  is attached rigidly to the cam  74 , to which, its far end, a mass  79  can be attached. The firing acceleration in the direction  14  acts on the mass  78  and causes it to move downwards in the direction of the arrow  80 , thereby forcing the cam  74  to rotate in the clockwise direction. Due to the shape and positioning of the cam  74  profile, this rotation causes a compressive force to be applied to the intermediate block  73 , which would in turn apply the compressive force to the piezoelectric stack  71 . The compressive force (strain) acting on the piezoelectric stack  71  generates an electric charge in the piezoelectric stack layers, which can then be harvested and stored in certain storage device such as a capacitor or used directly to power, for example, certain electronic or electric devices. 
         [0058]    In an alternative embodiment to that shown in  FIG. 9  or  10 , at least one elastic element such as spring washer (not shown) with relatively high spring rates is positioned between the piezoelectric stack  71  and the support  72  and/or between the piezoelectric stack  71  and the block  73  to increase the range of motion of the cam for the reasons described for the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . Alternatively, as it was previously described, the desired elasticity may be built into the structure of one or more of the elements  72 ,  73  and/or the cam assembly. 
         [0059]    In yet another embodiment, a group of one or more of the aforementioned embodiments, e.g. the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , may be used to form a single piezoelectric based generator. For example, as shown in the schematics of  FIG. 11 , more than one arrangement of piezoelectric stacks  11  may be attached to the structure  12  of the munitions, to be compressed by a single mass  101  (in place of individual masses  15  in  FIG. 1 ), due to the acceleration of the munitions in the direction  14 . Similarly, more than one arrangement of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2-8  could be used to form a single piezoelectric based generator. For the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  ( 6  or  7 ), the only difference would be that the wedges  34  ( 44  or  54 ) are to be attached to the downward moving mass  105 .  FIG. 11 . For the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the only difference would be that the piezoelectric elements  61  and when present, the masses  64  are to be attached to the downward moving mass  105 .  FIG. 11 . 
         [0060]    In yet another embodiment, the aforementioned more than one of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2-8  may be configured in a variety of configurations, for example in a hollow cylindrical configuration as shown in  FIG. 12 . Such a configuration can be advantageous since due to the more distant and symmetrical distribution of the piezoelectric generators, the compressive force (downward motion of the upper moving part  86 ) becomes more uniformly distributed amount the present (preferably at least three) individual piezoelectric based generator unit. Such a configuration can be particularly advantageous in munitions applications since it leaves the most useful central volume of the munitions free for munitions specific components. 
         [0061]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , three embodiments of the piezoelectric generators shown in  FIG. 5 , one of which is indicated to be within the range  83 , are shown to be positioned around a hollow cylindrical base  82 , which is in turn attached to the munitions structure  81 . Here, the piezoelectric stack layers  88  ( 31  in  FIG. 5 ) are attached on one end (right side of the stack  88  within the range  83 ) of the support  89  (corresponding to the support  32  in  FIG. 5 ), which can be flat and vertically oriented, and on the other end to the block  91 . On the opposite side of the supports  89  are constructed with the inclined surfaces  85 , with relatively small angles. The top hollow cylindrical part  86  is constructed with extending wedges  87 , with one side surface flat and the opposite side surface inclined to mate at the inclined surfaces  85  of the supports  89 . As the munitions structure  12  accelerates during the firing in the direction of the arrow  92 , which is preferably parallel to the long axes of the cylinders  82  and  86 , the firing acceleration acts on the mass of the upper hollow cylinder  86 , and thereby wedging the parts  87  between the supports  84  and the blocks  91 . As a result, compressive forces will be applied to the piezoelectric stacks  88 . The compressive force (strain) acting on the piezoelectric stacks  88  generate electric charge in the piezoelectric stack layers, which can then be harvested and stored in certain storage device such as a capacitor or used directly to power, for example, certain electronic or electric devices. 
         [0062]    An alternative embodiment  110  to that shown in  FIG. 12  is shown schematically in  FIG. 13 . A difference between the embodiments shown in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13  is the positioning and shape of the wedging elements on the two hollow cylindrical elements  82  and  86 . In the embodiment  110 , opposing end blocks  111  and  112  (replacing blocks  91  in the embodiment of  FIG. 12 ) are provided with inclined surfaces  113  and  114 , respectively. The wedging element  115 , which is attached to the upper hollow cylinder  86 , is provided with inclined surfaces on its either sides, which matches the inclined surface  113  and  114  as shown in  FIG. 13 . As the munitions structure  12  ( FIG. 12 ) accelerates during the firing in the direction of the arrow  92  ( FIG. 12 ), which is preferably parallel to the long axes of the cylinders  82  and  86 , the firing acceleration acts on the mass of the upper hollow cylinder  86 , and thereby wedging the elements  115  between the two blocks  113  and  114 . As a result, compressive forces will be applied to the piezoelectric stacks  88  ( FIG. 12 ). The present arrangement of the wedging surfaces eliminates rotational motion of the upper hollow cylinder  86  as it travels downward as is the case for the embodiment of  FIG. 12 . The compressive force (strain) acting on the piezoelectric stacks  88  generate electric charge in the piezoelectric stack layers, which can then be harvested and stored in certain storage device such as a capacitor or used directly to power, for example, certain electronic or electric devices. 
         [0063]    In an alternative embodiment to that shown in  FIG. 12  or  13 , at least one elastic element such as spring washer (not shown) with relatively high spring rates is positioned between the piezoelectric stack  88  and the block  91  ( 111  and/or  112 ) and/or between the piezoelectric stack  88  and the supports  116  to increase the range of motion of the cam for the reasons described for the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . Alternatively, as it was previously described, the desired elasticity may be built into the structure of one or more components, such as in elements  111 ,  112 ,  115  and  116 . 
         [0064]    In the aforementioned methods of sustaining the strain in the piezoelectric elements due to the firing acceleration or other similar impact forces and the related embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2-13 , the generated charges in the piezoelectric element(s) can then be efficiently harvested over significantly longer periods of time as compared to the duration of the applied impact forces. Alternatively, noting that piezoelectric elements are capacitors and that the charges generated by the piezoelectric elements are stored in these capacitive elements, one may connect at least one inductance element to these capacitor elements to form an oscillating LC circuit as shown schematically in  FIG. 14 . In the schematic of  FIG. 14 , the capacitor element  201  represents the piezoelectric elements that are subjected to the aforementioned impact forces, the element  202  represents the inductance elements used in series with capacitors  201 , and the resistance element  203  represents the unavoidable resistance of the above elements and the circuitry. The resistance element  203  is generally desired to be as low as possible to minimize losses in the electrical energy as the charges oscillate back and forth in the circuitry. 
         [0065]    Once an oscillatory circuitry similar to that shown in  FIG. 14  is constructed, then as the piezoelectric (capacitance) element  201  is strained, such as in compression as previously described, due to the firing acceleration or other similar impact forces, an initial charge is generated in the capacitance. The resulting charge with its corresponding voltage across the capacitance element  201  will then oscillate in the closed circuit shown schematically in  FIG. 14 . If it were possible to construct the circuitry with elements that did not have any inherent resistance to the follow of current, then the initiated oscillation would last indefinitely. In reality, the circuitry would provide resistance to the flow of current, which in the schematic of  FIG. 14  is shown as a lumped resistance element  203 . As a result, during each cycle of oscillation, certain amount of present electrical energy is converted into heat, depending on the amount of resistance of the element  203  and the level of current passing through the resistance element  203 . In general, inductance elements with low internal resistance (usually the main portion of the total resistance  203 ) are available and can be used. For example, using a small piezoelectric stack element (a cylinder of about 10 mm diameter and 3 mm thick) with capacitance of C-760 nF, an inductance element with 1 10000 μH with internal resistance of R −30 mΩ will provide an oscillatory circuitry ( FIG. 14 ) with a frequency of oscillation of about (ω) 1825 Hz. If the applied firing acceleration or other similar impact force had generated a charge resulting in an initial voltage of 200 Volts, which is a typical voltage level for the above piezoelectric stack, then the resulting voltage oscillation across the piezoelectric element were simulated using a computer model of the circuitry, the plot of which is shown in  FIG. 15 . As can be seen, the oscillations die out very slowly, and if the charges are harvested over several hundred cycles of oscillations (100 cycles correspond to about 55 msec), then only a few percentage (less than 10%) of the energy is lost to heat. 
         [0066]    In general, an energy collection circuitry (not shown in  FIG. 14 , and which are well known in the art) may harvest the electrical energy by connecting into the oscillatory circuitry of  FIG. 14  at many locations as long as it does not interfere with the oscillatory operation of the circuitry. For example, the electrical energy harvesting electronics may be connected to the capacitance element to directly collect charges from this element as is well known in the art. 
         [0067]    It is noted that one or more piezoelectric (capacitive) elements  201 , additional capacitive and inductance elements may be connected in different circuitry to achieve different oscillatory circuitry as is well known in the art and the circuitry shown in  FIG. 14  is only for the purpose of describing the basic method being disclosed. 
         [0068]    While there has been shown and described what is considered to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will, of course, be understood that various modifications and changes in form or detail could readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be not limited to the exact forms described and illustrated, but should be constructed to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.