scholarly journals Numerical and Experimental Study on Energy-Harvesting Piezoelectric Flags

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yifan Xia ◽  
Sébastien Michelin ◽  
Olivier Doaré
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Piezoelectric Materials ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Electrical Circuit ◽  
Flexible Plate ◽  
Critical Flow Velocity ◽  
Output Circuit ◽  
Harvesting Efficiency

Placed in a fluid flow, a cantilevered flexible plate flaps spontaneously above a critical flow velocity. The resulting self-sustained vibrations of such a flag may be used to produce electrical energy and power an output circuit using piezoelectric patches covering the flag that deforms with the flapping motion. Previous work showed only moderate harvesting efficiency with a resistive output circuit, but proposed numerous directions for improvement. We propose a numerical and experimental investigation of the coupled dynamics of such a fluid-solid-electric system, and analyze the influence of the output circuit on the dynamics and harvesting efficiency. In particular, inductive-resistive circuits are considered. Our numerical results show that such resonant circuits lead to a destabilization of the system and a spontaneous flapping at lower fluid velocities. Also they significantly increase the energy harvesting efficiency of the piezoelectric flags as a result of a frequency lock-in between the flag and the electrical circuit. Wind tunnel tests are performed with prototypes of piezoelectric flags and basic resonant circuits. We show that such circuits effectively enhance the energy harvesting performance when they are in resonance with the piezoelectric flag. Meanwhile, the internal resistance of the inductive elements also shows an important influence on the harvested electrical power. In both numerical and experimental studies, the importance of piezoelectric coupling strength is observed. Our results show that promising efficiency enhancements of such flow energy harvesters would be achieved through the optimization of the output circuit as well as development of new piezoelectric materials.

scholarly journals Thermomechanical Effects on Electrical Energy Harvested from Laminated Piezoelectric Devices

Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 141
Author(s):  
Pornrawee Thonapalin ◽  
Sontipee Aimmanee ◽  
Pitak Laoratanakul ◽  
Raj Das
Keyword(s):  
Elevated Temperature ◽  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Electromechanical Coupling ◽  
Piezoelectric Materials ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Piezoelectric Sensor ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Piezoelectric Devices ◽  
Thermomechanical Effects

Piezoelectric materials are used to harvest ambient mechanical energy from the environment and supply electrical energy via their electromechanical coupling property. Amongst many intensive activities of energy harvesting research, little attention has been paid to study the effect of the environmental factors on the performance of energy harvesting from laminated piezoelectric materials, especially when the temperature in the operating condition is different from the room temperature. In this work, thermomechanical effects on the electrical energy harvested from a type of laminated piezoelectric devices, known as thin layer unimorph ferroelectric driver (called THUNDER) were investigated. Three configurations of THUNDER devices were tested in a controlled temperature range of 30–80 °C. The THUNDER devices were pushed by using a cam mechanism in order to generate required displacements and frequencies. The experimental results exhibited a detrimental effect of the elevated temperature on the generated voltage and the harvested electrical power. It is due to changes in residual stress and geometry. These results are advantageous for many applications of the THUNDER devices and for future design of a new laminated piezoelectric sensor and energy harvester in an elevated temperature environment.

Energy Harvesting for Smart Shoes: A Real Life Application

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuele Frontoni ◽  
Adriano Mancini ◽  
Primo Zingaretti ◽  
Andrea Gatto
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Power Efficiency ◽  
Indoor Localization ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Reducing Power ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Technical Developments ◽  
Microprocessor Technology

Advanced technical developments have increased the efficiency of devices in capturing trace amounts of energy from the environment (such as from human movements) and transforming them into electrical energy (e.g., to instantly charge mobile devices). In addition, advancements in microprocessor technology have increased power efficiency, effectively reducing power consumption requirements. In combination, these developments have sparked interest in the engineering community to develop more and more applications that utilize energy harvesting for power. The approach here described aims to designing and manufacturing an innovative easy-to-use and general-purpose device for energy harvesting in general purpose shoes. The novelty of this device is the integration of polymer and ceramic piezomaterials accomplished by injection molding. In this spirit, this paper examines different devices that can be built into a shoe, (where excess energy is readily harvested) and used for generating electrical power while walking. A Main purpose is the development of an indoor localization system embedded in shoes that periodically broadcasts a digital RFID as the bearer walks. Results are encouraging and real life test are conducted on the first series of prototypes.

Energy harvesting from quasi-static deformations via bilaterally constrained strips

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (18) ◽  
pp. 3572-3581
Author(s):  
Suihan Liu ◽  
Ali Imani Azad ◽  
Rigoberto Burgueño
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Low Power ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting ◽  
Power Budget ◽  
Piezoelectric Energy ◽  
Static Conditions

Piezoelectric energy harvesting from ambient vibrations is well studied, but harvesting from quasi-static responses is not yet fully explored. The lack of attention is because quasi-static actions are much slower than the resonance frequency of piezoelectric oscillators to achieve optimal outputs; however, they can be a common mechanical energy resource: from large civil structure deformations to biomechanical motions. The recent advances in bio-micro-electro-mechanical systems and wireless sensor technologies are motivating the study of piezoelectric energy harvesting from quasi-static conditions for low-power budget devices. This article presents a new approach of using quasi-static deformations to generate electrical power through an axially compressed bilaterally constrained strip with an attached piezoelectric layer. A theoretical model was developed to predict the strain distribution of the strip’s buckled configuration for calculating the electrical energy generation. Results from an experimental investigation and finite element simulations are in good agreement with the theoretical study. Test results from a prototyped device showed that a peak output power of 1.33 μW/cm2 was generated, which can adequately provide power supply for low-power budget devices. And a parametric study was also conducted to provide design guidance on selecting the dimensions of a device based on the external embedding structure.

A parametric analysis of the nonlinear dynamics of bistable vibration-based piezoelectric energy harvesters

2020 ◽  
pp. 1045389X2096318
Author(s):  
Luã Guedes Costa ◽  
Luciana Loureiro da Silva Monteiro ◽  
Pedro Manuel Calas Lopes Pacheco ◽  
Marcelo Amorim Savi
Keyword(s):  
Nonlinear Dynamics ◽  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Parametric Analysis ◽  
Electromechanical Coupling ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Piezoelectric Materials ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Harmonic Excitation ◽  
Piezoelectric Energy ◽  
Harvesting Systems

Piezoelectric materials exhibit electromechanical coupling properties and have been gained importance over the last few decades due to their broad range of applications. Vibration-based energy harvesting systems have been proposed using the direct piezoelectric effect by converting mechanical into electrical energy. Although the great relevance of these systems, performance enhancement strategies are essential to improve the applicability of these system and have been studied substantially. This work addresses a numerical investigation of the influence of cubic polynomial nonlinearities in energy harvesting systems considering a bistable structure subjected to harmonic excitation. A deep parametric analysis is carried out employing nonlinear dynamics tools. Results show complex dynamical behaviors associated with the trigger of inter-well motion. Electrical power output and efficiency are monitored in order to evaluate the configurations associated with best system performances.

scholarly journals Performance assessment of a small-size ocean wave energy harvester

2019 ◽  
Vol 283 ◽  
pp. 05006
Author(s):  
Yongjie Sang ◽  
Bertrand Dubus
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Power ◽  
Vertical Motion ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Electrical Circuit ◽  
Optimal Choice ◽  
Ocean Wave ◽  
Unit Weight ◽  
Ocean Energy ◽  
Ocean Wave Energy

A lightweight electromechanical device is studied to harvest energy of ocean waves and supply electrical power to small-size ocean observation equipment such as sonobuoys. It is composed of a magnet fixed to the floating housing which follows the motion of the ocean surface and a moving coil connected to the case via a flexible spring. As the floating housing follows the vertical motion of water surface, a voltage is induced in the coil due to relative velocity between the coil and the magnet, and kinetic energy of the ocean wave is converted into electrical energy. Full bridge rectifying circuit and smoothing capacitor are used to convert AC voltage to constant voltage. Single degree of freedom electromechanical model of the prototype transducer (LGT-4.5 geophone) is developed and simulated with an electrical circuit software to predict energy harvesting performance. Vibration experiments are also performed with a shaker to validate transducer model and quantify output voltage. Parametric analysis is conducted to identify optimal choice of capacitance in terms of maximum stored energy and minimum charging time. This device is simple and small size relative to ocean wavelength compared to classical linear permanent magnetic generator used in offshore power plant. Its power generation per unit weight is compared to larger scale ocean energy converters.

scholarly journals Hollow Piezoelectric Ceramic Fibers for Energy Harvesting Fabrics

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 155892501300800
Author(s):  
François M. Guillot ◽  
Haskell W. Beckham ◽  
Johannes Leisen
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Lead Zirconate Titanate ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Lead Zirconate ◽  
Ceramic Fibers ◽  
Power Sources ◽  
Electromechanical Performance ◽  
Alternative Power

In the past few years, the growing need for alternative power sources has generated considerable interest in the field of energy harvesting. A particularly exciting possibility within that field is the development of fabrics capable of harnessing mechanical energy and delivering electrical power to sensors and wearable devices. This study presents an evaluation of the electromechanical performance of hollow lead zirconate titanate (PZT) fibers as the basis for the construction of such fabrics. The fibers feature individual polymer claddings surrounding electrodes directly deposited onto both inside and outside ceramic surfaces. This configuration optimizes the amount of electrical energy available by placing the electrodes in direct contact with the surface of the material and by maximizing the active piezoelectric volume. Hollow fibers were electroded, encapsulated in a polymer cladding, poled and characterized in terms of their electromechanical properties. They were then glued to a vibrating cantilever beam equipped with a strain gauge, and their energy harvesting performance was measured. It was found that the fibers generated twice as much energy density as commercial state-of-the-art flexible composite sensors. Finally, the influence of the polymer cladding on the strain transmission to the fiber was evaluated. These fibers have the potential to be woven into fabrics that could harvest mechanical energy from the environment and could eventually be integrated into clothing.

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.

Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting for Powering Micro Electromechanical Systems (MEMS)

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Majeed
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Low Power ◽  
Piezoelectric Materials ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting ◽  
Wireless Technology ◽  
Power Devices ◽  
Piezoelectric Energy ◽  
Technical Innovations ◽  
Low Power Electronics

Recent advancements in wireless technology and low power electronics such as micro electrome-chanical systems (MEMS), have created a surge of technical innovations in the eld of energy har-vesting. Piezoelectric materials, which operate on vibrations surrounding the system have becomehighly useful in terms of energy harvesting. Piezoelectricity is the ability to transform mechanicalstrain energy, mostly vibrations, to electrical energy, which can be used to power devices. This paperwill focus on energy harvesting by piezoelectricity and how it can be incorporated into various lowpower devices and explain the ability of piezoelectric materials to function as self-charging devicesthat can continuously supply power to a device and will not require any battery for future processes.

Scavenging Energy From Piezoelectric Materials for Wireless Sensor Applications

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Green ◽  
Karla M. Mossi ◽  
Robert G. Bryant
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Wireless Sensors ◽  
Piezoelectric Materials ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Wireless Sensor ◽  
Battery Life ◽  
Sinusoidal Vibration ◽  
Sensor Applications ◽  
Energy Harvesting Devices

Wireless sensors are an emerging technology that has the potential to revolutionize the monitoring of simple and complex physical systems. Prior research has shown that one of the biggest issues with wireless sensors is power management. A wireless sensor is simply not cost effective unless it can maintain long battery life or harvest energy from another source. Piezoelectric materials are viable conversion mechanisms because of their inherent ability to covert vibrations to electrical energy. Currently a wide variety of piezoelectric materials are available and the appropriate choice for sensing, actuating, or harvesting energy depends on their characteristics and properties. This study focuses on evaluating and comparing three different types of piezoelectric materials as energy harvesting devices. The materials utilized consisted on PZT 5A, a single crystal PMN 32%PT, and a PZT 5A composite called Thunder. These materials were subjected to a steady sinusoidal vibration provided by a shaker at different power levels. Gain of the devices was measured at all levels as well as impedance in a range of frequencies was characterized. Results showed that the piezoelectric generator coefficient, g33, predicts the overall power output of the materials as verified by the experiments. These results constitute a baseline for an energy harvesting system that will become the front end of a wireless sensor network.

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