Abstract
One of the biggest challenges associated with vibration energy harvesters is their limited bandwidth, which reduces their effectiveness when utilized for Internet of Things applications. This paper presents a novel method of increasing the bandwidth of a cantilever beam by using an embedded transverse out-of-plane movable mass, which continuously changes the resonant frequency due to mass change and non-linear dynamic impact forces. The concept was investigated through experimentation of a movable mass, in the form of a solid sphere, that was embedded within a stationary proof mass with hollow cylindrical chambers. As the cantilever oscillated, it caused the movable mass to move out-of-plane, thus effectively altering the overall effective mass of the system during operation. This concept combined high bandwidth non-linear dynamics from the movable mass with the high power linear dynamics from the stationary proof mass. This paper experimentally investigated the frequency and power effects of acceleration, the amount of movable mass, the density of the mass, and the size of the movable mass. The results demonstrated that the bandwidth can be significantly increased from 1.5 Hz to >40 Hz with a transverse movable mass, while maintaining high power output. Dense movable masses are better for high acceleration, low frequency applications, whereas lower density masses are better for low acceleration applications.
Highlights
With the increase in the demand for the Internet of Things, cyber-physical systems, and smart buildings, there continues to be a high interest in vibration energy harvesting to create self-sustaining systems through the harvesting and conversion of mechanical energy from the ambient environment into usable electrical energy
The results demonstrate that the movable mass generated an output voltage consisting of multiple frequencies, with a peak resonant frequency of approximately 25 Hz
We successfully validated a novel concept of widening the bandwidth a cantilever device by creating an embedded vertical or transverse movable mass system
Summary
With the increase in the demand for the Internet of Things, cyber-physical systems, and smart buildings, there continues to be a high interest in vibration energy harvesting to create self-sustaining systems through the harvesting and conversion of mechanical energy from the ambient environment into usable electrical energy. The energy converting mechanisms are different for each of these, but all these methods rely on a similar mechanical oscillating system. These cantilevers are linear systems with high Q-factors or narrow bandwidths of
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