An investigation on a cylinder harvester made of piezoelectric coupled torsional beams

ABS T R A C T A theoretical model is developed for a piezoelectric coupled torsional beam (PCTB) which can make full use of the positive effect of the piezoelectric material. A corresponding cylinder harvester is presented which is made of a series of paired PCTB and tooth fixed around the concentric baseboard and excitation turntable. The PCTBs with same piezoelectric bimorph are restrained by paired grooves and bearings located in the concentric base-board and restraint plate. Owing to the periodic wallop from the excitation teeth, a torsional shear is induced to the piezoelectric bimorphs leading to an electric charge for energy harvesting. Based on the theoretical model of the PCTB, the influences of the sizes of the cylinder harvester and the excitation frequency of the PCTBs on the root mean square (RMS) of the generated electric power are studied by simulation and experiment methods. The research results show that a RMS of the electric power can reach up to 8.426 KW for a cylinder harvester structure with a radius of 0.5 m. The research proposes a valuable technique for efficient and practical energy conversion and applications.

Automated summary

A theoretical model is developed for a piezoelectric coupled torsional beam to utilize the positive effect of the piezoelectric material. A corresponding cylinder harvester is presented, made of a series of paired PCTBs and excitation teeth, successfully inducing torsional shear to the piezoelectric bimorphs leading to energy harvesting. The research results show that the RMS of the electric power can reach up to 8.426 KW for a cylinder harvester structure with a radius of 0.5 m.