Patent ID: 7508085

Claim:
An energy conversion device for converting mechanical energy, from deflection of toroidal flexible member during rotation of the flexible member, to electrical energy, said energy conversion device comprising: a. one or more transducers, each transducer comprising at least two electrodes and a polymer spacer with the spacer sandwiched between said at least two electrodes in a configuration that causes a change in electric field in response to deflection of a portion of said polymer spacer; and b. one or more charge elements designed or configured to transfer electrical energy to said at least two electrodes when said portion of the spacer is deflected to a first position; and c. one or more recovery elements designed or configured to transfer electrical energy from said at least two electrodes when said portion of the spacer is deflected to a second position; and d. one or more deflection transfer elements that are designed or configured to receive deflection mechanical energy from said toroidal flexible member and transfers a portion of said deflection mechanical energy to said polymer spacer by deflecting the portion of said polymer spacer; and e. one or more charge exchange means designed or configured to form one or more electrical connections between said one or more charge elements and said two or more electrodes when said one or more said polymer spacers are deflected to said first positions and to form electrical connections between said one or more recovery elements and said two more electrodes when one or more said polymer space are deflected to said second positions.