Performance enhancement of cantilever piezoelectric energy harvesters by sizing analysis

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the performance of piezoelectric cantilever beams in relation to their size. The total produced power represents the main indicator of performance of a piezoelectric harvesting system while the area of the beams stays constant. Lightweight design is an important aspect in any industry, mainly in the aerospace. In this study, the effects of non-uniformity on the efficiency and power output are studied. Finite element method (FEM) with the application of superconvergent element (SCE) is adopted here to solve the equations. It is observed that the trapezoidal geometry (converging beam) provides a higher output power while the efficiency decreases. Moreover, in order to prove that the power enhancement is achievable while the amount of piezoelectric material consumed is constant the new configuration is proposed. In the configuration, an array of uniform beams connected in series is used instead of one single rectangular beam. The proposed setting generates an output power of 1.817 mW at a resonant frequency of 284.6 Hz when excited by an input acceleration of 1 g. The only challenge is the fundamental frequency difference which is met with the application of proof mass and thinner substrate and piezoelectric layers.

Optimizing Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting from Mechanical Vibration for Electrical Efficiency: A Comprehensive Review

“…Table 4 presents PEH with different cantilever beam shapes and output power. For example, the cymbal shape harvester applicable for high impact excitation with environmental dynamic loading can generate output power of 1.2 µW and the electrical energy of 97.33 V from the excitation frequency of 20 Hz [58,60,63]. Researchers have altered the typical rectangular shape to consider various geometries to achieve a uniform and large strain distribution on the used piezoelectric materials in cantilevered PEHs.…”

“…This process simply involves creating a soft mold from a positive form of the f structure, filling the mold with the piezoceramic material, and then firing the element [ Macro fiber composites (MFCs) (Figure 2b), often termed self-sensing actuators due to t electromechanical coupling characteristics, have been recently developed by the NASA La ley Research Center. They are being explored as alternative sensors for structural dynam and control applications [59,63,64]. An AFC is an anisotropic actuator which employs ro cross-section piezoelectric (PZT) fibers in the epoxy matrix.…”

Increase output of vibration energy harvester by a different piezoelectric mode and branch structure design

“…An ideal piezoelectric VEH should have the reasonable vibration pick-up feature and high output performance. In the development of VEH, the cantilever beam becomes the most commonly used host structure, since it is simple in configuration and easy to be fabricated, some designs have a proof mass at the tip of cantilever beam such as to adjust the resonance frequency to match the excitation frequency [19][20][21][22]. Roundy and Wright [23] proposed an energy harvester that had a piezoelectric cantilevered beam with proof mass.…”