Abstract
The paper presents development of a coupled-field finite element model of a contact-type piezoelectric transducer, which acts as a micropower source for MEMS sensors by harvesting energy from ambient vibrations. The proposed FE model of the cantilever-type piezotransducer couples three different physical domains: mechanical, piezoelectrical and fluidic. Both linear and nonlinear piezoelectric models are implemented. The fluid-structure interaction is modeled as viscous air damping, which manifests in the form of squeeze-film damping governed by the nonlinear compressible isothermal Reynolds equation. Vibro-impact interaction is modeled through implementation of a special adhesive-repulsive contact model that is suitable for contact simulations at the micro-scale. Performance of the FE model is demonstrated by representative dynamic simulations including parametric studies that reveal the influence of structural, excitation and ambient pressure parameters on dynamical and electrical performance of the device.
About this article
Received
10 January 2011
Accepted
28 March 2011
Published
30 June 2011
Keywords
energy harvesting
piezoelectric micropower generator
coupled-field
finite element modeling
nonlinear squeeze-film damping
contact
vibro-impact interaction
dynamics
Copyright © 2011 Vibroengineering
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