Harmonic balance analysis of the bistable piezoelectric inertial generator

This paper applies the method of Harmonic Balance to analytically predict the existence, stability, and influence of parameter variations on the intrawell and interwell oscillations of bistable piezoelectric inertial generator. Existing work on the bistable piezoelectric harvester in the presence of varying harmonic environmental loading has been relegated to simulation and experimental analyses. Furthermore, linear piezoelectric behavior and linear damping has always been presumed. This paper improves upon an existing model for the bistable piezoelectric harvester by incorporating nonlinear dissipation and cubic softening influences in the electroelastic laminates before applying analytical methods. A framework for theoretically predicting empirical observations, such as optimal impedance loads for steady-state motions, is provided as well as other dynamic considerations such as potential well escape phenomena. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.