Novel vibration-based electrical energy generators for low and variable speed turbo-machinery

J. Rastegar; R. Murray

doi:10.1117/12.715017

11 April 2007 Novel vibration-based electrical energy generators for low and variable speed turbo-machinery

J. Rastegar, R. Murray

Proceedings Volume 6527, Industrial and Commercial Applications of Smart Structures Technologies 2007; 65270Z (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.715017
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2007, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

A novel class of vibration-based electrical energy generators is presented for applications in which the input rotary speed is relatively low and varies significantly over time such as wind mills, turbo-machinery used to harvest tidal flows, and the like. Current technology uses magnet and coil based rotary generators to generate electrical energy in such machinery. However, to make the generation cycle efficient, gearing or other similar mechanisms have to be used to increase the output speed. In addition, variable speed mechanisms are usually needed to achieve high mechanical to electrical energy conversion efficiency since speed variation is usually significant in the aforementioned applications. The objective of the present work is the development of electrical energy generators that do not require the aforementioned gearing and speed control mechanisms, thereby significantly reducing complexity and cost, particularly those related to maintenance and service. This novel class of electrical energy generators operates based on repeated vibration of multiple vibrating elements that are tuned to vibrate at a fixed prescribed frequency. The mechanical energy stored in the vibration elements is transformed into electrical energy using piezoelectric elements. The present generators are very simple, can efficiently operate over a very large range of input speeds, and should require minimal service and maintenance. The project is at the early stages of its development, but the analytical modeling and computer simulation studies using realistic system and component parameters indicate the potentials of this class of piezoelectric-based generators for the indicated applications.

Citation Download Citation

J. Rastegar and R. Murray "Novel vibration-based electrical energy generators for low and variable speed turbo-machinery", Proc. SPIE 6527, Industrial and Commercial Applications of Smart Structures Technologies 2007, 65270Z (11 April 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.715017

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