Affiliations: [a] Science and Technology on Integrated Logistics Support
Laboratory, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan,
China
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Zhongsheng Chen, Science and Technology on
Integrated Logistics Support Laboratory, National University of Defense
Technology, Changsha 410073, Hunan, China. Tel.: +86 731 8457 4322; Fax: +86
731 8457 3395; E-mail: czs_study@sina.com
Abstract: This paper presents a nonlinear rotating vibration energy harvester
by employing a piezoelectric cantilever beam and a nonlinear magnetic force due
to a pair of magnets. A mathematical model is derived for the nonlinear
rotating harvester based on the Lagrange's equation and the assumed-mode
method, where piezoelectric coupling behavior is also included. From the model,
the potential function of the nonlinear rotating harvester is firstly studied.
Then its output characteristics under rotating speeds varying linearly and
nonlinearly with time are carefully examined, respectively. The effects of the
distance between the two magnets, the sweep rate, the sweep direction and the
growth rate of the rotating speed on the output characteristics are
investigated numerically. The simulation results reveal that all these
parameters have strong influences on characteristics of the rotating harvester.
When an optimal distance is achieved, a nonlinear rotating energy harvester is
fit for low frequency and variable rotating motion more than a linear one. All
conclusions will provide guidelines for designing nonlinear rotating vibration
energy harvesters.
