Hybrid electromagnetic shock absorber for energy harvesting in a vehicle suspension

Abstract

Electromagnetic harvesters need to be designed with a mechanism to amplify the coil relative velocity to ensure compact size and lower weight. This paper discusses a novel technique to use fluid link for velocity amplification in an electromagnetic shock absorber. Incorporation of the fluid amplification significantly improves harvested power, without affecting the system dynamics. Numerical modelling and experimentation of a prototype shock absorber comprising of high energy rare earth magnets have been presented. Peak coil voltage of 0.60–24.2 V was recorded during experimentation on the prototype. Experimental and simulation results validate that incorporation of the fluid amplification link improves the harvested electric power by 9702%. Comprehensive design procedure for better harvesting efficiency and vibration isolation has been discussed. Lastly incorporation of the shock absorber in McPherson strut suspension is illustrated. The real size version will be able to harvest peak power of 18–227 W for the suspension velocities of 0.15–0.4 m/s.

A review study on energy harvesting systems for vehicles

“…With the simulations performed for this design, at a speed of 120 km/h, the power output of 40 W was harvested from the suspension system on a road with Class B surface roughness and 140 W on the road with Class C surface roughness. Satpute et al [26] designed the passive hybrid system (hydraulic-electromagnetic shock absorber (HESA)). They aimed to increase the amount of energy that could be harvested from the electromagnetic part by increasing the moving speed of the fluid (viscous oil) in the mechanical (damper) part.…”

A Comprehensive Review of the Techniques on Regenerative Shock Absorber Systems

“…As shown in Figure 19, Singh and Satpute [81,82] proposed a dual cylinder system where the main cylinder works as a shock absorber dampening the vibration through the vehicle suspension and also providing the drive to the secondary cylinder for the velocity amplification. When the secondary cylinder fails, the main cylinder will continue to operate as a passive damper.…”

“…Both the power Figure 19. Hybrid dual cylinder regenerative suspension system and its prototype [82].…”

Research of piezoelectric energy harvesting systems based on cantilevers with irregular cross-sections

“…For this purpose, linear electromagnetic energy absorbers and electromagnetic pendulum systems. can be used (Zou and et al 2010;Gonzalez-Buelga and et al, 2015;Satpute andet al 2017, Ding andLee and Chung, 2016;Yurchenko and Alevras, 2018).…”