Abstract
This article presents the development of an acoustic energy harvester using a quarter-wavelength resonator phononic crystals together with piezoelectric vibrators. The quarter-wavelength resonator phononic crystals consist of a main wave duct, several quarter-wavelength resonators, and equivalent piezoelectric vibrators. The acoustic energy is converted to mechanical energy when the sound incident in the quarter-wavelength resonator generates an oscillatory pressure as of localization efficiency, which in turns causes piezoelectric vibrators vibrating. Transfer matrix method is used to provide a physical insight into the structure band of the quarter-wavelength resonator phononic crystals, and finite element method is used to analyze the sound localization effect and evaluate the reclaimed energy of the quarter-wavelength resonator phononic crystals. Results indicate that the numerical analysis agrees well with experiments. When the frequencies of the incident sound are near both sides of the bandgap, the maximum output voltage always can be obtained.
Highlights
The extensive use of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and wireless technology in the past two decades, which are more powered by chemical batteries for a regular replacement and maintenance, has led to permanent environmental pollution.[1,2,3] many studies on self-powered electronic components by harvesting energy from ambient have been carried out, showing the potential benefit of eliminating the battery replacement and disposal
The sweep frequency sine signal is generated from the LMS data acquisition system and amplified by power amplifier to drive the LMS mid-frequency volume source; from which the sound wave is generated, for transmitting into the quarter-wavelength resonator phononic crystals (QRPCs)
Experimental and simulation investigation shows that the piezoelectric QRPCs can help harvest acoustic energy at the both sides of its bandgaps, but the acoustic-to-electric efficiency differs at different quarter-wavelength resonator (QWR) and different incident sound frequencies
Summary
The extensive use of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and wireless technology in the past two decades, which are more powered by chemical batteries for a regular replacement and maintenance, has led to permanent environmental pollution.[1,2,3] many studies on self-powered electronic components by harvesting energy from ambient have been carried out, showing the potential benefit of eliminating the battery replacement and disposal. Whereas cabling and electrical commutations complicate the installation, especially inside sealed or rotating system, acoustic energy harvesting (AEH) is a reasonable solution for obtaining local long-term power in the case of remote locations. It was suggested that the harvesting of propagating wave energy in solids or fluids can be enhanced by localizing the wave propagation in the materials. The sound waves must be localized and amplified to be reclaimed, and the resonators are usually applied. Helmholtz resonator and two types of straight resonator, namely the quarter-wavelength resonator (QWR) and half-wavelength resonator (HWR), are the School of Automotive Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, China
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