Energy Harvesting from Highly Unsteady Fluid Flows using Piezoelectric Materials

摘要: In the present work we explore some aspects of energy harvesting from unsteady, turbulent fluid flow using piezoelectric generators. Turbulent flows exhibit a large degree coherence in their spatial and temporal scales, which provides unique opportunity for harvesting. The voltage generated by short, flexible cantilever beams placed inside boundary layers wakes circular cylinders at high Reynolds numbers is investigated. Matching flow's predominant frequency with natural generator appears to maximize output voltage. This also dependent on generator's location field. A three-way coupled interaction simulation that takes into account aerodynamics, structural vibration, electrical response has been developed. results agree reasonably well experimental data paving way such tool estimate performance different devices within unsteady fields.