In this paper, an accurate physical model of a piezoelectric cantilever beam that is suitable for multi domain simulations of the transducer for energy harvesting is presented. In a composite piezoelectric cantilever beam with a proof mass that is subjected to a base acceleration, a strain is developed in the structure that produces a voltage due to the piezoelectric effect. Subsequently, the piezoelectric composite is connected to an energy reclamation circuit that uses a flyback converter topology, to maximize power transfer via an impedance match with the structure. Hence, an accurate model of the device is required to characterize its overall electromechanical behavior, to theoretically predict the power generation, and to optimize the device and power converter circuit. The Lumped Element Model (LEM) thus developed was validated within 10% experimentally on meso-scale piezoelectric cantilever composite beams.

Volume Subject Area:
Aerospace
Keywords:
Energy harvesting, self-powered sensors, lumped element modeling and piezoelectric
Topics:
Cantilever beams, Energy harvesting, Modeling, Circuits, Composite materials, Cantilevers, Composite building materials, Electromechanical effects, Energy generation, Engineering simulation, Piezoelectricity, Power converters, Sensors, Simulation, Topology, Transducers
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