Piezoelectric cantilevers for energy harvesting with irregular design of the cross sections

Abstract

Results of the numerical and experimental investi-gations of the piezoelectric rectangular cantilevers with ir-regular design of the cross section area are presented in this paper. The aim of the investigation was to analyse how mod-ification of the cross section area by periodical gaps acts on power density of the piezoelectric energy harvesting sys-tems based on a rectangular cantilever. It was found out, that modifications of the cross section area ensure higher strain values and allows to improve strain distribution in piezo ce-ramic layer and by this way to improve power density of the energy harvesting systems. Numerical investigations of the piezoelectric cantilevers with irregular design of the cross section area were performed in order to analyse strain dis-tribution and predict electrical characteristics of the im-proved energy harvesting systems. Experimental investiga-tions of the prototypes were performed and results of the numerical modelling were validated. Results of the numeri-cal and experimental investigation are discussed as well.