Circuit design considerations for regulating energy generated by dielectric elastomer generators

Ho Cheong Lo; Thomas Mckay; Benjamin M. O'Brien; Emilio Calius; Iain Anderson

doi:10.1117/12.880723

28 March 2011 Circuit design considerations for regulating energy generated by dielectric elastomer generators

Ho Cheong Lo, Thomas Mckay, Benjamin M. O'Brien, Emilio Calius, Iain Anderson

Proceedings Volume 7976, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2011; 79760C (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.880723
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2011, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Dielectric Elastomer Generator(s) (DEG) have many unique properties that give them advantages over conventional electromagnetic generators. These include the ability to effectively generate power from slow and irregular motions, low cost, relatively large energy density, and a soft and flexible nature. For DEG to generate usable electrical energy circuits for charging (or priming) the stretched DEG and regulating the generated energy when relaxed are required. Most prior art has focused on the priming challenge, and there is currently very little work into developing circuits that address design issues for extracting the electrical energy and converting it into a usable form such as low DC voltages (~10 V) for small batteries or AC mains voltage (~100 V). This paper provides a brief introduction to the problems of regulating the energy generated by DEG. A buck converter and a charge pump are common DC-DC step-down circuits and are used as case studies to explore the design issues inherent in converting the high voltage energy into a form suitable for charging a battery. Buck converters are efficient and reliable but also heavy and bulky, making them suitable for large scale power generation. The smaller and simpler charge pump, though a less effective energy harvester, is better for small and discrete power generation. Future development in miniature DE fabrication is expected to reduce the high operational voltages, simplifying the design of these circuits.

Citation Download Citation

Ho Cheong Lo, Thomas Mckay, Benjamin M. O'Brien, Emilio Calius, and Iain Anderson "Circuit design considerations for regulating energy generated by dielectric elastomer generators", Proc. SPIE 7976, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2011, 79760C (28 March 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.880723

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