Vortex-induced piezoelectric cantilever beam vibration for ocean wave energy harvesting via airflow from the orifice of oscillation water column chamber

Abstract

Micro piezoelectric generators have attracted immense interest to convert mechanical vibrations into electric energy for ultralow power wireless sensors. Herein, an ocean wave vortex-induced vibration piezoelectric energy harvester(Wavee-VIVPEH) is proposed to extract wave energy. The renewable and sustainable ocean environment energy harvesting device consists of an oscillating water column(OWC) air chamber, wind tunnel, and piezoelectric energy converter. A fixed bluff body in the vent tunnel induces airflow vortexes and excites the piezoelectric cantilever vibration converting up the ultralow frequency of ocean waves. The novel Wave-VIVPEH is a complex multi-physics system requiring feasible methodologies to enhance its performance. The theoretical models are derived to systematically investigate and optimize the operation. The flume and wind tunnel experiments and the related fluid-solid electric coupling simulations are carried out to verify the concept's feasibility. The aerodynamic kinetic performance in the OWC chamber is characterized by the models. The instantaneous maximum exhalation airspeed reaches 16.55 m/s with the air pressure of 349.97 Pa and the wave period of T = 2.5 s. In this wave condition, the results are well agreed with the simulation values of wind speed of 17.96 m/s, and air pressure of 382.55 Pa. The output power characteristics of the piezoelectric energy harvester are analyzed for the distance of the vortex wake between the piezoelectric cantilever beam and the bluff body. With the bluff body diameter of 25 mm and distance of d/dD= 4, the theoretical results on the maximum peak voltage and output power are 10.46 V, 3.26 mW agree with the simulation optimized values of the maximum peak voltage of 10.85 V and the output power of 3.55 mW. When the wind speed is 15 m/s, the theoretical voltage of 8.62 V approaches the experimental result of 8.47 V. Especially, the comparisons of the theoretical power and voltage to experimental and simulational results indicate that the ingenious Wave-VIVPEH has great potential in ocean wave energy harvesting applications to supply power for intelligent buoys.