Design of a novel piezoelectric energy harvesting device for low frequency environments

Whittle, Brad (2006) Design of a novel piezoelectric energy harvesting device for low frequency environments. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The advent of low-power wireless sensor technology has opened the door for new power harvesting technologies. This thesis explores three different types of piezoelectric power harvesting designs, namely the cantilever beam, cymbal transducer, and a new design referred to as a carriage spring, and compares them rigorously through the use of computer simulation software. The carriage spring design proves to have the benefit of increased mechanical-to-electrical power conversion and easily adjustable resonance frequency. Consequently, such a design is modeled through a Design of Experiments (DOE) statistical regression analysis and is then investigated further by physical experimentation.

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