A miniaturized piezoelectric turbine with self-regulation for increased air speed range
File(s)1.4938000.pdf (1.93 MB)
Published version
Author(s)
Fu, H
Yeatman, EM
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This paper presents the design and demonstration of a piezoelectric turbine with self-regulation for increased air speed range. The turbine's transduction is achieved by magnetic “plucking” of a piezoelectric beam by the passing rotor. The increased speed range is achieved by the self-regulating mechanism which can dynamically adjust the magnetic coupling between the magnets on the turbine rotor and the piezoelectric beam using a micro-spring. The spring is controlled passively by the centrifugal force of the magnet on the rotor. This mechanism automatically changes the relative position of the magnets at different rotational speeds, making the coupling weak at low airflow speeds and strong at high speeds. Hence, the device can start up with a low airflow speed, and the output power can be ensured when the airflow speed is high. A theoretical model was established to analyse the turbine's performance, advantages, and to optimize its design parameters. A prototype was fabricated and tested in a wind tunnel. The start-up airflow speed was 2.34 m/s, showing a 30% improvement against a harvester without the mechanism.
Date Issued
2015-12-14
Date Acceptance
2015-12-01
Citation
Applied Physics Letters, 2015, 107
ISSN
1077-3118
Publisher
American Institute of Physics (AIP)
Journal / Book Title
Applied Physics Letters
Volume
107
Copyright Statement
© 2015 Author(s). All article
content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
Unported License. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4938000]
content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
Unported License. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4938000]
License URL
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Physics, Applied
Physics
PROOF MASS
GENERATION
WINDMILL
Applied Physics
09 Engineering
02 Physical Sciences
Notes
eid: 243905
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
243905