SYSTEM FOR GENERATING ELECTRIC POWER FROM A ROTATING TIRE'S MECHANICAL ENERGY USING REINFORCED PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIALS

A system for generating electric power from a rotating tire's mechanical energy has a piezoelectric structure and an energy storage device. The structure comprises a plurality of piezoelectric fibers embedded in a generally unidirectional fashion in an epoxy matrix. The structure is mounted on a support substrate for distributing mechanical strain in the piezoelectric structure uniformally. The structure is mounted within a tire for generating electric charge as the wheel moves along a ground surface. Electrodes within the piezoelectric structure are couples to a power module to rectify the electric current and store it in a storage device, f. ex. an electrolytic capacitor or a rechargeable battery. A regulated voltage source receives the generated and stored energy to the power various electronic systems integrated in the tire (10) or wheel, f. ex. A tire monitoring system with wireless transmission of tire pressure, temperature, identification information to a remote receiver.