Efficiency improvement in a vibration power generator for a linear MR damper: numerical study

Abstract

This paper summarizes a numerical analysis of the electromagnetic field, voltage and circuit properties and the cogging force in a vibration power generator comprising permanent magnets and a coil with a foil winding. The device converts the energy harvested from vibrations into electrical energy which is next used to vary the damping characteristics of a linear MR damper attached to the generator. The objective of the study is to propose a sufficiently efficient generator whose finally developed (target) version could be integrated with a small-scale MR damper to build a single device. Two design options for the device are numerically studied, the previously engineered generator 1 and the newly devised generator 2. Generator 1 incorporates two magnet systems having four magnets each and a single-section coil, while generator 2 comprises three magnet systems with four magnets each and a two-section coil. Calculations were performed to determine the electromagnetic field, voltage and current properties and the cogging force in the generators. The electromagnetic field parameters include the distribution of the magnetic field, the electrical potential field and the current density in the open turn and closed turn of the generators’ coils. The voltage and current properties include electromotive force (emf) in the generators and the voltage, current, instantaneous power and energy of the magnetic field in the MR damper control coil which is represented by resistance parameter R and inductance parameter L. The cogging force expresses the magnetic interactions between the permanent magnet systems and ferromagnetic structural components of the generators. The occurrence of this force is very unfavourable and attempts should be made to reduce it through control of the parameters of the magnetic circuit components. On one hand, comparison of the numerical results for the electromagnetic field parameters and voltage and current properties revealed that for the predetermined RL parameters of the MR damper control coil, generator 2 seems to be more efficient than generator 1 and hence is more suitable for supplying the MR damper. On the other hand, comparison of the calculated cogging force levels revealed that its value tends to be lower in generator 1. It is reasonable to suppose that development of a final version of the generator with the defined structure and enhanced efficiency would have to involve some trade-off between the emf and the cogging force.