Energy Regeneration From Suspension Dynamic Modes and Self-Powered Actuation

Abstract

This paper concerns energy harvesting from vehicle suspension systems. The generated power associated with bounce, pitch and roll modes of vehicle dynamics is determined through analysis. The potential values of power generation from these three modes are calculated. Next, experiments are carried out using a vehicle with a four jack shaker rig to validate the analytical values of potential power harvest. For the considered vehicle, maximum theoretical power values of 1.1kW, 0.88kW and 0.97kW are associated with the bounce, pitch and roll modes, respectively, at 20 Hz excitation frequency and peak to peak displacement amplitude of 5 mm at each wheel, as applied by the shaker. The corresponding experimentally power values are 0.98kW, 0.74kW and 0.78kW. An experimental rig is also developed to study the behavior of regenerative actuators in generating electrical power from kinetic energy. This rig represents a quarter-vehicle suspension model where the viscous damper in the shock absorber system is replaced by a regenerative system. The rig is able to demonstrate the actual electrical power that can be harvested using a regenerative system. The concept of self-powered actuation using the harvested energy from suspension is discussed with regard to applications of self-powered vibration control. The effect of suspension energy regeneration on ride comfort and road handling is presented in conjunction with energy harvesting associated with random road excitations.

Trajectory Optimization of Robots With Regenerative Drive Systems: Numerical and Experimental Results

“…Being lightweight, inexpensive and durable are other properties of ultracapacitors. Because of these properties, ultracapacitors are being used in many applications involving energy regeneration [3], [7]- [11].…”

Self-Powered Dynamic Systems in the Framework of Optimal Uncertainty Quantification

“…A self-powered dynamic system [1][2][3][4][5][6] contains fully or partially self-powered devices, which require reduced or no external energy input. The self-powered devices use the excessive, unwanted, or renewable energy in the system, including kinetic energy and other forms of self-generated energy.…”

“…The energy may be utilized by the self-powered device as it is generated in the system or captured and accumulated (e.g., in a rechargeable battery) for subsequent use as needed. Applications of such self-powered systems are typically associated with sensors and actuators for dynamic systems [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. In a self-powered sensor or actuator, harvested or regenerated energy (e.g., vibration kinetic energy or renewable energy) is utilized to provide the required power for the operation of the sensor or actuator.…”

“…It can be used for controlling vehicle vibration (e.g., see Ref. [27]) 1 or structural vibration in the form of a seismic monitoring and protection system [28]. Solar-powered vehicles, as self-powered dynamic systems, exploit renewable energy as a power source in a self-sustained scheme.…”

“…Figure 2 shows a regenerative electromechanical system and a solar-powered vehicle as examples of self-powered dynamic systems. The energy regeneration may power a vibration control system [1][2][3][4][5][6] in: a road vehicle with active suspension, aerial vehicle structures (e.g., wing vibration control of an aircraft), civil structures (e.g., structural vibration control for seismic safety), and so on. A solar-powered aerial vehicle (e.g., Brunel solar-powered airship [5,[29][30][31][32][33]) is a self-powered dynamic system, which uses renewable energy as the power source for the vehicle duty cycles.…”