https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2015-02598-0
Regular Article
Nonlinear analysis of an electrodynamic broadband energy harvester
1 Chair for Measurement and Sensor Technology, Technische Universität Chemnitz, Reichenhainer Straße 70, 09126 Chemnitz, Germany
2 Laboratory of Electromechanical Systems, National Engineering School of Sfax, University of Sfax, Route de Soukra km 4, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia
3 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Lublin University of Technology, 20-618 Lublin, Poland
4 Laboratoire de Génie Electrique et Ferroélectricité, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon, 8 rue de la Physique, 69621 Villeurbanne Cedex, France
a e-mail: sonia.bradai@s2013.tu-chemnitz.de
Received: 25 August 2015
Revised: 9 September 2015
Published online: 20 November 2015
In order to maximize energy from ambient vibration sources, wide band harvesters working at a range of frequencies are important. This paper presents an electrodynamic energy harvester model working for a frequency band from 25 Hz to 45 Hz. The developed converter consists of a magnetic spring formed by one moving magnet placed between two fixed magnets. A ring magnet is placed around the moving magnet leading to additional nonlinear stiffness to increase the power output. A comparison to a basic configuration electrodynamic converter was carried out by finite element analysis to show that a significant increase in power output was realized. Simulation results have been confirmed by experimental investigations under harmonic excitations. Based on the experimental time series, we have examined the frequency spectrum and phase portraits to identify the dynamic response of the system. In conclusion, the generator is able to harvest 1.5 times more energy than the simple generator for the bandwidth of 20 Hz with the resonant frequency of 35 Hz and the excitation amplitude of 2 mm.
© The Author(s) 2015
