In the present study, a type of power generators of cantilever beam structure has been studied. A dynamic model describing the power generator, which takes into consideration the vibration of the mechanical structure, the power harvesting circuit, and the coupling between them, is proposed. A set of partial differential equations describing the dynamic model are obtained. Stability analysis is then carried out to analyze elementary properties of the generator. By using modal decomposition and state space representation, the set of partial differential equations could be easily solved no matter what the external excitation is, harmonic or non-harmonic, transient or continuous, at or off resonant frequency. The characteristics of the generators are analyzed and some recommendations on design of efficient power generators are provided.

Volume Subject Area:
Nuclear Technology Applications and Innovations
Keywords:
piezoelectric, power harvesting, cantilever beam, modal decomposition, stability
Topics:
Cantilever beams, Energy harvesting, Generators, Modeling, Stability, Dynamic models, Partial differential equations, Circuits, Design, Excitation, Mechanical structures, Resonance, Transients (Dynamics), Vibration
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Copyright © 2010
 by ASME
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