Abstract
In this work, the energy harvestable from a colloidal vehicle suspension is evaluated. A piezoelectric stack is placed inside the cylinder of a colloidal damper. Working colloid produces a cyclical compression-decompression on the surface of the piezoelectric disks, and in this way mechanical energy recovered from the rough road excitation can be partially transformed into electrical energy. Piezoelectric stack is serially mounted together with a helical compression spring in order to obtain a vehicle suspension able to support both compressive and tensile loads. From excitation tests carried on a ball-screw shaker one determines the power production performances. Although the harvestable power (1-100 W) is relatively modest, some applications such as, charge and recharge of a battery, or usage as electrical power source for the actuator of a fuel injection system can be considered.
Highlights
Along with the development of a new generation of electrical and hybrid vehicles, increasingly amounts of electrical power are required for the transmission system, for driving various motors, for operating sensors, etc
In order to achieve a mean generated voltage of Um = 24 V, a mean generated voltage of Um = 202 V and Um = 288 V, the necessary thickness of the piezoelectric device (l = 0.1, 0.7, 1.0 mm) can be technologically obtained in a relatively easy manner
The harvesting colloidal damper is likely to be used in such practical applications
Summary
Along with the development of a new generation of electrical and hybrid vehicles, increasingly amounts of electrical power are required for the transmission system, for driving various motors, for operating sensors, etc. If an electromagnetic motor and generator is used to produce electricity, the translational bound-rebound motion has to be transformed into rotational motion of the shaft, by using an adequate mechanism such as: ball screw and nut[5], hydraulic cylinder and motor[6], rack and spur gear[7], etc. Such systems are costly, complex from a structural standpoint, and have relatively low efficiency, robustness and reliability. From excitation tests carried on a ball-screw shaker one estimates the energy harvestable and evaluates the feasibility of the proposed suspension to accommodate practical applications
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