Design Feasibility of a Vortex Induced Vibration Based Hydro-Kinetic Energy Harvesting System

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Varun Lobo ◽  
Nyuykighan Mainsah ◽  
Arindam Banerjee ◽  
Jonathan W. Kimball
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Vortex Induced Vibration ◽  
Energy Harvesting System

Optimizing the Electrical Power in an Energy Harvesting System

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 1550171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mattia Coccolo ◽  
Grzegorz Litak ◽  
Jesús M. Seoane ◽  
Miguel A. F. Sanjuán
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Energy Harvester ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Resonance Phenomenon ◽  
Vibrational Resonance ◽  
Energy Harvesting System

In this paper, we study the vibrational resonance (VR) phenomenon as a useful mechanism for energy harvesting purposes. A system, driven by a low frequency and a high frequency forcing, can give birth to the vibrational resonance phenomenon, when the two forcing amplitudes resonate and a maximum in amplitude is reached. We apply this idea to a bistable oscillator that can convert environmental kinetic energy into electrical energy, that is, an energy harvester. Normally, the VR phenomenon is studied in terms of the forcing amplitudes or of the frequencies, that are not always easy to adjust and change. Here, we study the VR generated by tuning another parameter that is possible to manipulate when the forcing values depend on the environmental conditions. We have investigated the dependence of the maximum response due to the VR for small and large variations in the forcing amplitudes and frequencies. Besides, we have plotted color coded figures in the space of the two forcing amplitudes, in which it is possible to appreciate different patterns in the electrical power generated by the system. These patterns provide useful information on the forcing amplitudes in order to produce the optimal electrical power.

Active Pneumatic Road Rumble Energy Harvesting System

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melody Coffey ◽  
Raymond Dalke ◽  
Ryian Williams ◽  
Devyn Sutton ◽  
Jan Brink ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Electric Energy ◽  
Compressed Air ◽  
Pneumatic System ◽  
Appreciable Amount ◽  
Energy Losses ◽  
The Road ◽  
Pneumatic Motor ◽  
Energy Harvesting System

Transportation vehicles traveling on busy roads and highways waste an appreciable amount of their kinetic energy. The lost energy dissipation is due to many factors such as: the friction due to braking, the friction of the tires on the road, the friction of the vehicle body against the surrounding air, and the friction due to the engine’s moving parts. In an effort to save some of this lost energy, it is possible to harvest it through pneumatic and mechanical devices built into the road, especially on highly traffic highways. With over 1 billion cars in the world, there is a huge potential for tapping into the lost energy, and harvesting it for another use. This technical paper focuses on designing a pneumatic and mechanical system that collects the lost kinetic energy of multiple passing cars. A new energy harvesting system utilizing pneumatic and mechanical components has been developed. In this system, a vehicle’s tires pass over a pneumatic manifold system equipped with exciter keys. These keys are depressed and activate a pneumatic system to compress air. Each exciter key is coupled to a connecting rod and piston assembly. The compressed air generated by many exciter keys is then collected in an air tank and channeled to a pneumatic motor. The pneumatic motor transmits then a rotational motion to an electricity generator that produces electric energy. The electric energy can be stored into a series of batteries. The modular pneumatic manifold systems would be located where car drivers encounter deceleration ramps, when approaching a stop sign, or entering a toll booth plaza, etc. The pneumatic system was designed using a computer drawing CAD software. The vehicle’s kinetic energy losses are thoroughly analyzed and their distribution is comprehensively determined using the first principle of thermodynamics, and the thermodynamics theory for compressed air. Energy losses to the system keys and springs, and different friction losses are also determined. A pneumatic model of the manifold, and piping connections to the air tank has been programmed using a pneumatic software for modeling and simulation. An economic viability study of such systems has also been performed. Parameters such as the number of passing cars and the number of strokes on the exciter keys necessary to fill an air tank are determined. A physical prototype of the modular manifold has been built, and experimental measurements are expected to be performed in an upcoming second phase of the project. It is envisioned that such harvesting energy systems can be used to produce energy locally in remote road areas to power stop lights, or street lights. This type of system can also be adapted to be used with other transportation systems such as trains and buses to produce electricity for their respective stations when traffic is heavy.

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