An experimentally validated finite element formulation for modeling 3D rotational energy harvesters. (15th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ramírez, J.M.; Gatti, C.D.; Machado, S.P.; Febbo, M.
• Is Part Of: Engineering structures. Volume 153(2017:Dec. 15)
• Page Start: 136
• Page End: 145
• Publication Date: 2017-12-15
• Subjects: Finite element method -- Rotating beam -- Piezoelectric material -- Energy harvesting -- Arduino board -- Wireless sensor -- Bluetooth; Structural engineering -- Periodicals; Structural analysis (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Construction, Technique de la -- Périodiques; Génie parasismique -- Périodiques; Pression du vent -- Périodiques; Earthquake engineering; Structural engineering; Wind-pressure; Periodicals; 624.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2017.10.027
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-0296

Abstract

Highlights: A one-dimensional finite element is developed to modeling 3D rotating EH devices. A geometrically nonlinear finite element is formulated. An Arduino board is implemented as a data acquisition. The proposed FE results are compared with Abaqus simulations and experiments. Abstract: Piezoelectric energy harvesting devices convert mechanical energy into electrical energy due to the mechanical deformations of the structures. Energy harvesting prototypes are used to feed low-power electronic devices and sensors. In this work, a one-dimensional finite element is developed for modeling three-dimensional rotational energy harvesters. The rotating piezoelectric beam is formulated by means of a geometrically nonlinear finite element with six mechanical degrees of freedom and one electrical degree of freedom per node. Using Timoshenko beam theory for the mechanical domain and a first-order theory for the electrical field, the electromechanical equilibrium equations of motion are then derived using D'Alembert principle. In order to validate our finite element formulation, two energy harvesting devices are built and tested, getting insights into the generation of electrical power, natural frequencies and time responses of the dynamical variables. An Arduino board is implemented as the data acquisition system that transfers the voltage signal via Bluetooth, avoiding the complexity of slip-rings mechanisms for data transmission. Finally, the results of our formulation are compared with those obtained using a commercial software (Abaqus) and the experimental results. A good correlation between the three methods is obtained, providing evidence that our formulation accurately predicts the behavior of rotational energy harvesters.