scholarly journals PiezoMEMS Nonlinear Low Acceleration Energy Harvester with an Embedded Permanent Magnet

Micromachines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Permanent Magnet ◽  
Power Density ◽  
Microelectromechanical Systems ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Vibration Energy ◽  
Vibration Energy Harvesting ◽  
Magnetic Forces ◽  
Out Of Plane ◽  
Repulsive Forces ◽  
Energy Harvesting Devices

Increasing the power density and bandwidth are two major challenges associated with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based vibration energy harvesting devices. Devices implementing magnetic forces have been used to create nonlinear vibration structures and have demonstrated limited success at widening the bandwidth. However, monolithic integration of a magnetic proof mass and optimizing the magnet configuration have been challenging tasks to date. This paper investigates three different magnetic configurations and their effects on bandwidth and power generation using attractive and repulsive magnetic forces. A piezoMEMS device was developed to harvest vibration energy, while monolithically integrating a thick embedded permanent magnet (NdFeB) film. The results demonstrated that repulsive forces increased the bandwidth for in-plane and out-of-plane magnetic configurations from <1 to >7 Hz bandwidths. In addition, by using attractive forces between the magnets, the power density increased while decreasing the bandwidth. Combining these forces into a single device resulted in increased power and increased bandwidth. The devices created in this paper focused on low acceleration values (<0.1 g) and low-frequency applications.

A Wide Frequency Range Tunable Vibration Energy Harvesting Device Using Magnetically Induced Stiffness

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinod R. Challa ◽  
M. G. Prasad ◽  
Yong Shi ◽  
Frank Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Resonance Frequency ◽  
Vibration Energy ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Vibration Energy Harvesting ◽  
Magnetic Forces ◽  
Resonance Frequencies ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Continuous Power ◽  
Energy Harvesting Devices

Although wireless sensors show extensive promise across a wide range of applications, one requirement necessary for widespread deployment is a suitable long-life power source. Self sustainable powering techniques allow for efficient use of these sensors, whose potential life is usually longer than that of the power sources. Vibration energy harvesting techniques offer to have the potential to be employed in powering these devices. The most important requirement of vibration energy harvesting devices is that they be in resonance to harvest energy efficiently. Most of the vibration energy harvesting devices built, irrespective of the mechanism involved, are based on a single resonance frequency, with the efficiency of these devices is very much limited to that specific frequency. In this paper, a frequency tunable mechanism is presented which allows the energy harvesting device to generate power over a wide range of frequencies. External magnetic forces have been used to induce additional stiffness which is variable depending on the distance between the magnets. This technique allowed us to tune the resonance frequencies to have +/− 20% of the original (untuned) resonant frequency. Further, the device can be tuned to higher and lower frequency with respect to the untuned resonance frequency by using attractive and repulsive magnetic forces, respectively. As a proof-of-concept, a piezoelectric cantilever-based energy harvesting device with a natural frequency of 26 Hz was fabricated whose resonance frequency was successfully tuned over a frequency range of 22 Hz to 32 Hz, enabling a continuous power output of 240 μW to 280 μW over the entire frequency range. The tuning mechanism can be employed to any vibrating structure.

scholarly journals Experiment Investigation of Bistable Vibration Energy Harvesting with Random Wave Environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 3868
Author(s):  
Qiong Wu ◽  
Hairui Zhang ◽  
Jie Lian ◽  
Wei Zhao ◽  
Shijie Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Cantilever Beam ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Vibration Energy ◽  
Random Wave ◽  
Periodic Signal ◽  
Vibration Energy Harvesting ◽  
Motion Activity

The energy harvested from the renewable energy has been attracting a great potential as a source of electricity for many years; however, several challenges still exist limiting output performance, such as the package and low frequency of the wave. Here, this paper proposed a bistable vibration system for harvesting low-frequency renewable energy, the bistable vibration model consisting of an inverted cantilever beam with a mass block at the tip in a random wave environment and also develop a vibration energy harvesting system with a piezoelectric element attached to the surface of a cantilever beam. The experiment was carried out by simulating the random wave environment using the experimental equipment. The experiment result showed a mass block’s response vibration was indeed changed from a single stable vibration to a bistable oscillation when a random wave signal and a periodic signal were co-excited. It was shown that stochastic resonance phenomena can be activated reliably using the proposed bistable motion system, and, correspondingly, large-scale bistable responses can be generated to realize effective amplitude enlargement after input signals are received. Furthermore, as an important design factor, the influence of periodic excitation signals on the large-scale bistable motion activity was carefully discussed, and a solid foundation was laid for further practical energy harvesting applications.

scholarly journals Enhanced low-frequency vibration energy harvesting with inertial amplifiers

2021 ◽  
pp. 1045389X2110322
Author(s):  
Sondipon Adhikari ◽  
Arnab Banerjee
Keyword(s):  
Low Frequency ◽  
Vibration Energy ◽  
Vibration Energy Harvesting ◽  
Micro Scale ◽  
Energy Harvesters ◽  
Low Frequency Vibration ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Mechanical Approach ◽  
Ambient Excitation ◽  
Piezoelectric Vibration

Piezoelectric vibration energy harvesters have demonstrated the potential for sustainable energy generation from diverse ambient sources in the context of low-powered micro-scale systems. However, challenges remain concerning harvesting more power from low-frequency input excitations and broadband random excitations. To address this, here we propose a purely mechanical approach by employing inertial amplifiers with cantilever piezoelectric vibration energy harvesters. The proposed mechanism can achieve inertial amplification amounting to orders of magnitude under certain conditions. Harmonic, as well as broadband random excitations, are considered. Two types of harvesting circuits, namely, without and with an inductor, have been employed. We explicitly demonstrate how different parameters describing the inertial amplifiers should be optimally tuned to maximise harvested power under different types of excitations and circuit configurations. It is possible to harvest five times more power at a 50% lower frequency when the ambient excitation is harmonic. Under random broadband ambient excitations, it is possible to harvest 10 times more power with optimally selected parameters.

An enhanced performance of a horizontal diamagnetic levitation mechanism–based vibration energy harvester for low frequency applications

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 578-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sri Vikram Palagummi ◽  
Fuh-Gwo Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Figure Of Merit ◽  
Permanent Magnets ◽  
Energy Harvester ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Experimental System ◽  
Vibration Energy ◽  
Vibration Energy Harvesting ◽  
Vibration Energy Harvester ◽  
Diamagnetic Levitation

This article identifies and studies key parameters that characterize a horizontal diamagnetic levitation mechanism–based low frequency vibration energy harvester with the aim of enhancing performance metrics such as efficiency and volume figure of merit. The horizontal diamagnetic levitation mechanism comprises three permanent magnets and two diamagnetic plates. Two of the magnets, lifting magnets, are placed co-axially at a distance such that each attracts a centrally located magnet, floating magnet, to balance its weight. This floating magnet is flanked closely by two diamagnetic plates which stabilize the levitation in the axial direction. The influence of the geometry of the floating magnet, the lifting magnet, and the diamagnetic plate is parametrically studied to quantify their effects on the size, stability of the levitation mechanism, and the resonant frequency of the floating magnet. For vibration energy harvesting using the horizontal diamagnetic levitation mechanism, a coil geometry and eddy current damping are critically discussed. Based on the analysis, an efficient experimental system is setup which showed a softening frequency response with an average system efficiency of 25.8% and a volume figure of merit of 0.23% when excited at a root mean square acceleration of 0.0546 m/s2 and at a frequency of 1.9 Hz.

Assessment of MEMS Vibration Energy Harvesting for High Temperature Sensing Applications

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 (HiTEN) ◽  
pp. 000261-000265
Author(s):  
S T Riches ◽  
K Doyle ◽  
N Tebbit ◽  
Y Jia ◽  
A Seshia
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Temperature Sensing ◽  
Vibration Energy ◽  
Mems Devices ◽  
Vibration Energy Harvesting ◽  
High Temperature Electronics ◽  
Sensing Applications ◽  
Aero Engine ◽  
Energy Harvesting Devices

Distributed electronics for improving the accuracy of sensing in harsh high temperature environments, such as aero-engine and down-well is a growing field, where reduced power input requirements in cabling and batteries is viewed a key enabler for accelerating the adoption of high temperature electronics. Although batteries are available that can operate up to 200°C, they offer limited life at high temperatures and are bulky, increasing the costs of deployment and maintenance. Cabling also adds weight and takes up space in limited access applications. Energy harvesting in-situ offers the opportunity to make a step change in the design of high temperature electronics modules and in expanding their possible range of applications; for example, in sensor systems for combustor and turbine monitoring in aero-engines. This paper covers an assessment of MEMS vibration energy harvesting technology for high temperature sensing applications. MEMS devices based on the principle of parametric resonance, using AlN on Silicon have been designed and fabricated, along with sourcing of high temperature components for rectification, impedance matching and energy storage. The MEMS devices have been packaged into ceramic chip carriers and measured for energy output from a random vibration profile representative of an aerospace application. The measured output from the MEMS vibration energy harvester is capable of providing sufficient power to be of interest for autonomous sensing applications. This paper reports on the performance of the MEMS vibration energy harvesting devices and their associated circuitry at room temperature and at temperatures of up to 150°C. The challenges remaining to develop robust energy harvesting devices that could be applied in aero-engine, down-well and other high temperature applications are described. This work has been carried out under the Innovate UK supported project HI-VIBE, in a collaboration between GE Aviation Systems – Newmarket and the University of Cambridge.

Vibration Energy Harvesting to Power Ultrasonic Sensors in Heavy Haul Railway Cars

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Auteliano A. Santos ◽  
Matheus V. Lopes ◽  
Vanessa Gonçalves ◽  
Jony J. Eckert ◽  
Thiago S. Martins
Keyword(s):  
Economic Value ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Vibration Energy ◽  
Vibration Energy Harvesting ◽  
Vibration Energy Harvester ◽  
Important Indicator ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Heavy Haul ◽  
Heavy Haul Trains

Long heavy-haul trains are now a reality, especially for ore transportation. In some railways, compositions of up to 330 wagons are in service, requiring several locomotives. Trains like that travel long distances, sometimes through cities or in uninhabited regions. They are driven by just one driver which must keep the whole train working safely on the track. The wagons don’t have any source of electrical energy to power sensors and to transmit their signals to the locomotive; nor wireless communication. In fact, in some of these railways, there is no internet along with the track out of the cities. One important indicator of the safety of the train is the force between the wagons during the trip, through the shunting. Using strain gauges to measure these forces is a possible solution and ultrasonic stress sensors (UST) is a suitable alternative. UST with Lcr waves requires a low amount of energy and can be employed in rusty and dirty places. However, they also need an energy source. Wind and solar solutions are not always adequate because, unfortunately, there are places where these components have economic value and they can be stolen. A possible source of energy to power the USTs could be the Vibration Energy Harvester (VEH). These simple and not expensive systems can be built in small packs, giving the energy to measure the forces and transmit the data to the locomotive or designated sites along the track. This work aims to evaluate the possibility of using VEH to power USTs to measure the forces between the wagons during the journey. Knowing that the oscillation in the shunting has a very low frequency, the work intent to optimize a multi-beam VEH to be able to capture the highest amount of energy possible, in a very small arrangement, using genetic algorithm. The result shows that VEH is an adequate alternative to power autonomous UST sensors.

High-performance low-frequency bistable vibration energy harvesting plate with tip mass blocks

Energy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 180 ◽  
pp. 737-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Li ◽  
Shengxi Zhou ◽  
Zhichun Yang ◽  
Tong Guo ◽  
Xutao Mei
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Vibration Energy ◽  
Vibration Energy Harvesting ◽  
Tip Mass
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