Ferroelectric energy generator, system, and method

1. An energy generator comprising:

a ferroelectric element;

output terminals coupled with the ferroelectric element;

an explosive charge presenting a generally conical configuration having a base and an apex, the explosive charge being positioned such that the base is directed towards the ferroelectric element and the apex is directed away from the ferroelectric element; and

a detonator coupled with the explosive charge, wherein the detonator is operable to detonate the explosive charge to generate a shock wave that propagates at least partially through the ferroelectric element to generate a voltage across at least two of the output terminals.

2. The generator of claim 1 , wherein the ferroelectric element has a polarization represented by a polarization vector and the generated shock wave propagates at least partially through the ferroelectric element generally transverse to the polarization vector to at least partially depolarize the ferroelectric element.

3. The generator of claim 1 , wherein the ferroelectric element has a polarization represented by a polarization vector and the generated shock wave propagates at least partially through the ferroelectric element generally parallel to the polarization vector to at least partially depolarize the ferroelectric element.

4. The generator of claim 1 , wherein the ferroelectric element includes lead zirconate titanate.

5. The generator of claim 1 , wherein the output terminals are coupled with opposing sides of the ferroelectric element.

6. The generator of claim 1 , wherein the explosive charge includes a detonable high explosive.

7. The generator of claim 1 , further including a housing to house at least portions of the ferroelectric element, the output terminals, the explosive charge, and the detonator.

8. An energy generator comprising:

a ferroelectric element;

output terminals coupled with the ferroelectric element;

an explosive charge;

a detonator coupled with the explosive charge, wherein the detonator is operable to detonate the explosive charge to generate a shock wave that propagates at least partially through the ferroelectric element to generate avoltage across at least two of the output terminals; and

a housing to house at least portions of the ferroelectric element, the output terminals, the explosive charge, and the detonator, the housing including a dielectric filling to facilitating positioning and shock matching of the ferroelectric element.

9. The generator of claim 8 , wherein the ferroelectric element has a polarization represented by a polarization vector and the generated shock wave propagates at least partially through the ferroelectric element generally transverse to the polarization vector to at least partially depolarize the ferroelectric element.

10. The generator of claim 8 , wherein the ferroelectric element has a polarization represented by a polarization vector and the generated shock wave propagates at least partially through the ferroelectric element generally parallel to the polarization vector to at least partially depolarize the ferroelectric element.

11. The generator of claim 8 , wherein the ferroelectric element includes lead zirconate titanate.

12. The generator of claim 8 , wherein the output terminals are coupled with opposing sides of the ferroelectric element.

13. The generator of claim 8 , wherein the explosive charge includes a detonable high explosive.

14. An energy generator comprising:

a ferroelectric element having first end, a second end, and a polarization represented by a polarization vector;

a generally conical explosive charge positioned in proximity to the second end of the ferroelectric element, the explosive charge having a base and an apex positioned such that the base is directed towards the ferroelectric element and the apex is directed away from the ferroelectric element;

a detonator coupled with the explosive charge, wherein the detonator is operable to detonate the explosive charge to generate a shock wave that propagates at least partially through the ferroelectric element generally transverse to the polarization vector to at least partially depolarize the ferroelectric element and generate a voltage across at least two of the output terminals; and

a housing to house at least portions of the ferroelectric element, the output terminals, the explosive charge, and the detonator.

15. The generator of claim 14 , wherein the ferroelectric element includes lead zirconate titanate.

16. The generator of claim 14 , wherein the ferroelectric element presents a generally rectangular configuration.

17. The generator of claim 16 , wherein the output terminals are coupled with opposing sides of the ferroelectric element.

18. The generator of claim 14 , wherein the explosive charge includes a detonable high explosive.

19. The generator of claim 14 , further including a plurality of ferroelectric elements each having output terminals coupled therewith and each having a polarization represented by a polarization vector, the ferroelectric elements positioned such that detonation of the explosive charge causes the shock wave to propagate at least partially through each of the ferroelectric elements generally transverse to each of the polarization vectors to at least partially depolarize the ferroelectric elements and generate a voltage across at least two of the output terminals.

20. The generator of claim 14 , further including an antenna element electrically coupled with the output terminals, the antenna element operable to radiate energy utilizing at least a portion of the generated voltage.

21. An energy generator comprising:

a plurality of ferroelectric elements, each ferroelectric element—

presenting a rectangular configuration having a first end and a second end,

having a polarization represented by a polarization vector, and

comprised at least partially of lead zirconate titanate;

a plurality of output terminals, two output terminals being coupled with each ferroelectric element in proximity to its first end;

a generally conical explosive charge positioned in proximity to the second ends of the ferroelectric elements, the explosive charge having a base and an apex positioned such that the base is directed towards the ferroelectric elements and the apex is directed away from the ferroelectric elements;

a detonator coupled with the explosive charge, wherein the detonator is operable to detonate the explosive charge to generate a shock wave

that propagates at least partially through the ferroelectric elements generally transverse to the polarization vectors to at least partially depolarize the ferroelectric elements and generate a voltage across at least two of the output terminals; and

a housing to house at least portions of the ferroelectric element, the output terminals, the explosive charge, and the detonator.

22. The generator of claim 21 , wherein the explosive charge includes a detonable high explosive.

23. The generator of claim 21 , further including an antenna element electrically coupled with at least one of the output terminals, the antenna element operable to radiate energy utilizing at least a portion of the generated voltage.