A Study on the Analytic Power Estimation of the Electromagnetic Resonant Energy Harvester for the High-Speed Train

Abstract

This study is intended to identify the applicability of energy harvesting technologies that are regarded as new electrical power sources for the sensors on high-speed trains. The analytic estimation research is conducted on the amount of electric energy harvested from the high-speed trains, operating at a maximum speed of over 400km/h to verify the applicability of the energy harvesting technology converting the vibration energy of axle and bogie into electric power. Based on the data of the vibration acceleration on the axles and bogies, which were measured by using a 500 Hz analog filter, an analytic estimation on the amount of power harvested by an electromagnetic resonant harvester is conducted through the analysis of the main frequency. The power of the electromagnetic resonant harvester is based on a theoretical model of the mass-spring-damper system, and the harvested power from the axles and bogies in the vertical direction is analytically estimated in this study. The analytic calculations typically give the target value for the final performance of the electromagnetic resonant energy harvester. The targets of the analytic estimations are given to provide the basis for the detailed design and to give a basis for defining the basic design parameters of the electromagnetic resonant energy harvester.Electronics 2020, 9, 403 2 of 16 prevent system failure and accidents [12][13][14]. The high-speed train mostly uses the wired sensors for the monitoring system [15]. Recently, the demand for a monitoring system using a wireless sensor is gradually increasing; however, there are limitations at present regarding the installation and the difficulty of accessing high-speed trains. In particular, when applied to the monitoring system of the high-speed train using wireless sensors and IT technology, maintenance based on real-time conditions during driving becomes possible, which differs from the methods currently used in maintenance management such as periodic disassembly and inspection. As a result, the reliability and stability of the train can be improved [16].However, even in the case of wireless sensors with less installation and location constraints, the power supply problem must be solved for the innovative monitoring system. As the current energy density increase rate of the battery does not meet the demands of the application, periodic battery replacement is necessary for real-time or long-term monitoring of the high-speed train. The battery replacement, which consumes energy continuously is a limited resource, is non-environmentally friendly, and generates additional maintenance tasks [17]. Therefore, the intelligent monitoring of high-speed trains requires the development of environmentally friendly and semi-permanent 'energy harvesting' powered monitoring technology through the use of exploiting the ambient energy generated during system operation.Energy harvesting module research using electromagnetic induction should analyze the characteristics of mechanical motion [18]. Mechanical motion characteristics...

A Study on the Improvement of the Durability of an Energy Harvesting Device with a Mechanical Stopper and a Performance Evaluation for Its Application in Trains

“…The previous study verifies the applicability of VEH devices in producing electric energy from a vibration energy source, according to the operation of a high-speed train, for an intelligent monitoring system on a high-speed train using a wireless sensor node [ 1 ]. An analytic estimation study was carried out on the amount of energy harvested from the vibrational acceleration of a high-speed train based on the theoretical model of Equations (1) and (2).…”

“…The transducer is depicted as a dashpot because the conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy dampens the vibration. In sinusoidal vibrations, the analytical power dissipated by a mass-spring-damper system when its base is vibrating at its natural frequency can be calculated as follows [ 1 , 37 ]: where: P T is the total dissipated power (W) m is the vibrating mass (kg) A is the vibration acceleration amplitude of the frame of the mass-spring-damper system (m/s 2 ) ω n is the undamped natural frequency of the mass(m)-spring(k)-damper(d) system (rad/s) is the total damping ratio (−). …”

“…In recent years, due to human-caused accidents and natural disasters, the demand for an improved reliability and safety for systems and structures has increased, and the increase in the maintenance work for these systems and structures has emerged as another problem [ 1 ]. Therefore, new technology development efforts are needed to address both aspects—“improving reliability and safety” and “reducing maintenance costs”.…”

“…The previous study verified the applicability of the energy harvesting technology that produces electric energy from a vibration energy source associated with the high-speed train operation. An analytic estimation study was carried out on the amount of energy harvested from the high-speed train’s vibrational acceleration based on the theoretical model [ 1 ]. The design study was carried out on the amount of energy harvesting power possible, considering the VEH device’s design factors.…”

A study on the optimal design and the performance evaluation of electromagnetic energy harvesting device for the rolling stock application

“…The design study of the resonant EH device for the railroad system was conducted. The resonant EH device requires analysis using the equation of motion (Cepnik and Wallrabe, 2010; Kim, 2020; Williams and Yates, 1996). Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the mass-spring-damper system for the vibration EH device (Williams and Yates, 1996), which consists of a mass ( m ) on a spring ( k ).…”