A Novel Nonlinear Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting System Based on Linear-Element Coupling: Design, Modeling and Dynamic Analysis

Abstract

This paper presents a novel nonlinear piezoelectric energy harvesting system which consists of linear piezoelectric energy harvesters connected by linear springs. In principle, the presented nonlinear system can improve broadband energy harvesting efficiency where magnets are forbidden. The linear spring inevitably produces the nonlinear spring force on the connected harvesters, because of the geometrical relationship and the time-varying relative displacement between two adjacent harvesters. Therefore, the presented nonlinear system has strong nonlinear characteristics. A theoretical model of the presented nonlinear system is deduced, based on Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, Kirchhoff’s law, piezoelectric theory and the relevant geometrical relationship. The energy harvesting enhancement of the presented nonlinear system (when n = 2, 3) is numerically verified by comparing with its linear counterparts. In the case study, the output power area of the presented nonlinear system with two and three energy harvesters is 268.8% and 339.8% of their linear counterparts, respectively. In addition, the nonlinear dynamic response characteristics are analyzed via bifurcation diagrams, Poincare maps of the phase trajectory, and the spectrum of the output voltage.

Exploring coupled electromechanical nonlinearities for broadband energy harvesting from low-frequency rotational sources

“…The parameters i, j, k, l, p and q, are equal to 0 or 1 according to the specific corner. More details about the calculation can be found in [51,52]. The magnetic force between two magnets in the y-axis can thus be calculated using…”

Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting from Suspension Structures with Piezoelectric Layers

“…Based on the theory of Kirchhoff plate and the modal analysis of physical and modal coordinates, Koszewnik et al established the distributed parameter electroelastic model of aluminum plate bonded by the harvester with two kinds of piezoelectric actuators and the results of the electroelastic analysis model are verified experimentally [ 40 ]. Zhou et al presented a novel nonlinear piezoelectric energy harvesting system, composed of a linear spring-connected linear piezoelectric energy harvester and analyzed the nonlinear dynamic response [ 41 ]. Pozzi et al presented a bimorph structure in pure bending via a compliant rotational institution with an acquired power of 3.4 mW under pure bending at a frequency of 56.7 Hz and an acceleration of 5 g; the acquired power was 1.3 mW without the compliant rotational institution [ 42 ].…”

Monitoring of Grouting Compactness in Tendon Duct Using Multi-Sensing Electro-Mechanical Impedance Method

“…With the advantage of real-time capacity, structural health monitoring (SHM) has become an emerging topic in the field of civil engineering [24][25][26][27]. Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) transducers have been widely studied and applied in the field of SHM due to their multiple advantages of wide bandwidth [28,29], quick response [30,31], dual capacity as a sensor and an actuator [32], and energy harvesting [33][34][35]. In addition, various packaging and protection methods have been developed for PZT transducers [36][37][38] so that they can be easily deployed for real-time structural monitoring through embedment for concrete structures [39][40][41] or surface bonding for steel structures, concrete structures, and composite structures [42,43].…”