A system and corresponding method for generating electric power from a
rotating tire's mechanical energy concerns a piezoelectric power
generation device associated with a power harvesting and conditioning
module. The piezoelectric structure is preferably mounted within a tire
structure such that electric charge is generated therein as the wheel
assembly moves along a ground surface. The electrodes of the
piezoelectric structure are coupled to a power harvesting and
conditioning module that rectifies the resultant electric current from
the piezoelectric structure, conditions and stores it in a multi-stage
energy storage device, preferably a plurality of capacitors. A regulated
voltage source is provided from the energy stored in the power generation
device and can be used to selectively power various electronics systems
integrated within a tire or wheel assembly. An example of an integrated
tire electronics system for use with the disclosed power generation
device corresponds to a tire monitoring system that wirelessly transmits
such information as tire pressure, temperature and identification
variables to a remote receiver location.