Synchronization of cantilevers arranged in line of a piezoelectric energy harvester

Max Spornraft, Norbert Schwesinger, Shlomo Berger

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Synchronization opens further ways to improve cantileverbased energy harvesting arrays in view of power output, easier rectification and scaling. Objective of this study is to investigate the synchronization behavior of a cantilever-Array based energy harvesting systems. Thereby, synchronization is achieved by mechanical coupling through a so-called "overhang". Nakajima et al. [1] and Wang et al. [2] already verified this principle for the synchronization of two and three cantilevers, but at constant vibrational excitation. Regarding energy harvesting, no application of this method is presently available. In this paper, we investigate the synchronization behavior of a piezoelectric cantilever-line energy harvester in airflow. The design of the energy harvester bases upon a piezoelectric cantilever-line and a common bluff body, arranged upstream. To investigate synchronization of the cantilevers, three commonly available piezoelectric bimorphs were employed to study synchronization. Mounted on a common bluff body, the effect of overhang material and position was studied. Therefore, different constellations were examined by impulse excitation as well as vortex-induced vibration in a wind channel. In several measurements, we found arrangements and parameters allowing for an in-phase synchronization of neighborly cantilevers of the line. The knowledge gained allows for a direct electrical connection of piezoelectric cantilevers with just one single rectifier unit. Cantilevers coupled with overhangs arranged in the right order oscillate with the same frequency and phase, i.e. without any charge cancellations. This knowledge opens ways to develop basic design rules for the synchronization of cantilevers.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationIntegrated System Design and Implementation; Structural Health Monitoring; Bioinspired Smart Materials and Systems; Energy Harvesting
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers
ISBN (Electronic)9780791857304
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015
EventASME 2015 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems, SMASIS 2015 - Colorado Springs, United States
Duration: 21 Sep 201523 Sep 2015

Publication series

NameASME 2015 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems, SMASIS 2015
Volume2

Conference

ConferenceASME 2015 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems, SMASIS 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityColorado Springs
Period21/09/1523/09/15

Keywords

  • Cantilever
  • Energy harvesting
  • Overhang
  • Piezoelectric
  • Synchronization

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