MEC 518 Energy Harvesting

Instructor: Prof. Ya Wang

HW1 (Due on Feb 8, 4pm, Blackboard Submission Only)

An energy harvester is designed to convert external energy exerted by force F(t) into electricity using
piezoelectric stack actuator with a force amplification frame. Its schematic diagram, and
material/mechanical properties are shown in the following figures and Table. The stack actuator is 7mm
by 7mm by 32.4mm. The external force is F (t) = 210.6sin (3.918t + 0.1854) + 0.2465sin (16.5t 0.8601) .

Schematic Diagram

Top view

Side view.

Figure Schematic and Dimension of the Energy Harvester (unit: mm).

Table Material and mechanical properties of the energy harvester.
Property
Unit
Value
3
Density of Frame
kg/m
7850
Elastic Modulus of Frame
GPa
200
Poisson Ratio of Frame
0.29
Yield Tensile Strength of Frame
MPa
260
Density of Piezoelectric Stack
kg/m3
7700
Elastic Modulus of Piezoelectric Stack
GPa
41.7
Capacitance of Piezoelectric Stack
nF
2000
Number of layers of Piezoelectric Stack
300
Layer thickness of Piezoelectric Stack
mm
0.1
Piezoelectric constant (d33)
m/V
475e-12
T
F/m
1.67e-8
Dielectric permittivity constant (33 )
1.1 Consider the energy harvester a 1 DOF spring-mass system shown in Figure 1.1, -- derive its

equation of motion using energy methods and piezoelectric constitutive equations; -theoretically solve and numerically simulate the displacement of the piezoelectric stack and the
power output of the piezoelectric stack.

Figure 1.1 Equivalent dynamic representation 1DOF

MEC 518 Energy Harvesting

Instructor: Prof. Ya Wang

1.2 If the energy harvester is modeled as a 2DOF spring-mass system shown in Figure 1.2, --

derive its equation of motion using energy methods and piezoelectric constitutive equations; -theoretically solve and numerically simulate the displacement of the piezoelectric stack and the
power output of the piezoelectric stack; discuss both models.

Figure 1.2 Equivalent dynamic representation 2DOF