Increasing the Efficiency of Energy Scavengers

TL;DR

This paper presents a methodology to enhance energy scavenger efficiency by using magnetic forces to amplify vibrations in a cantilever beam with piezoelectric films, increasing energy output.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel magnetic configuration to amplify vibrations in beam-mass energy scavengers, improving their energy harvesting efficiency.

Findings

Magnetic attraction can significantly amplify beam vibrations.

Optimized magnet placement increases energy output.

The methodology is demonstrated through practical examples.

Abstract

In this paper, a methodology for designing efficient energy scavengers is proposed. The scavenger consists of a cantilever beam on which piezoelectric films and a mass are mounted. The mass at the tip of the beam is known as the proof mass and the device is called either an energy scavenger or a beam-mass system. The proof mass is a permanent magnet, where in its vicinity attracting permanent magnets are placed. It is shown that when the magnets have appropriate strengths and are placed appropriately, the vibration of the beam-mass system can be amplified, thereby the scavenged energy is increased. Examples are given throughout the paper.