TY - JOUR
T1 - Enhanced vibrational energy harvester based on velocity amplification
AU - Cottone, Francesco
AU - Frizzell, Ronan
AU - Goyal, Suresh
AU - Kelly, Gerard
AU - Punch, Jeff
PY - 2014/3
Y1 - 2014/3
N2 - This article presents a fundamental investigation in which velocity amplification is employed in non-resonant structures to enhance the power harvested from ambient vibrations. Velocity amplification is achieved utilising sequential collisions between free-moving masses, and the final velocity is proportional to the number of masses and the mass ratios selected. The governing theory is discussed, particularly how the final velocity scales with the number of masses. This article examines n-mass velocity-amplified vibration energy harvesters and examines their performance relative to single-mass harvesters. Electromagnetic energy conversion is chosen as it is fundamental in allowing the free movement of the masses. Experimental results from two- and three-mass prototypes are presented that demonstrate a wider frequency response and a gain in power of 33 times compared to single-mass configurations under wideband random excitation. The volume of the devices was constrained, which resulted in the two-mass system outperforming the triple-mass system counter to expectations. This was caused by the triple-mass device experiencing an increased number of impact due to the volume constraint, leading to high losses in the system. It is recommended that in order to realise the full benefits of the triple-mass system, additional volume for mass actuation is required.
AB - This article presents a fundamental investigation in which velocity amplification is employed in non-resonant structures to enhance the power harvested from ambient vibrations. Velocity amplification is achieved utilising sequential collisions between free-moving masses, and the final velocity is proportional to the number of masses and the mass ratios selected. The governing theory is discussed, particularly how the final velocity scales with the number of masses. This article examines n-mass velocity-amplified vibration energy harvesters and examines their performance relative to single-mass harvesters. Electromagnetic energy conversion is chosen as it is fundamental in allowing the free movement of the masses. Experimental results from two- and three-mass prototypes are presented that demonstrate a wider frequency response and a gain in power of 33 times compared to single-mass configurations under wideband random excitation. The volume of the devices was constrained, which resulted in the two-mass system outperforming the triple-mass system counter to expectations. This was caused by the triple-mass device experiencing an increased number of impact due to the volume constraint, leading to high losses in the system. It is recommended that in order to realise the full benefits of the triple-mass system, additional volume for mass actuation is required.
KW - electromagnetic generators
KW - velocity amplification
KW - Vibration harvesting
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84893529704&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1045389X13498316
DO - 10.1177/1045389X13498316
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84893529704
SN - 1045-389X
VL - 25
SP - 443
EP - 451
JO - Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures
JF - Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures
IS - 4
ER -