Patent ID: 8456063

Claim:
Device for converting mechanical energy from the random impact of discrete objects into electrical energy, comprising: a frame; juxtaposed strips suspended on the frame by at least a first and second longitudinal end, the strips configured to be impacted by discrete objects in a direction substantially transverse to a mid-plane of the strips, the strips having a length much greater than their width, the juxtaposed strips configured to be mechanically independent from each other to vibrate freely; a first plurality of electrodes on a first face of a core of the strips, the core being made from material for transducing mechanical energy into electrical energy, the first plurality of electrodes comprising a first set of juxtaposed discrete blades extending longitudinally from the first longitudinal end of the strips to the second longitudinal end of the strips; and a second plurality of electrodes on the second face of the core of strips, the second plurality of electrodes comprising a second set of juxtaposed discrete blades extending from the first longitudinal end of the strips to the second longitudinal end of the strips, the first and second pluralities of electrodes overlapping at least partially, and apertures extending between the first and second set of electrode blades, the apertures having a width of at least 1 millimeter and facilitate the discharge of the objects that impact the strips.