Energy Harvesting Using a Piezoelectric “Cymbal” Transducer in Dynamic Environment

TLDR

The study investigated harvesting electrical energy from mechanical vibrations in a dynamic environment using a “cymbal” piezoelectric transducer. The authors tested a 29‑mm‑diameter, 1‑mm‑thick cymbal at 100 Hz and 7.8 N, generating 39 mW across 400 kΩ, and designed a DC–DC converter that delivered 30 mW to a 5 kΩ load with a 2 % duty cycle at 1 kHz, targeting 50–150 Hz vibrations up to 1 kN. The cymbal transducer proved promising, with the metal cap enhancing endurance and stress amplification, producing 39 mW at 100 Hz and 7.8 N, and enabling 30 mW transfer to a low‑impedance load.

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the capability of harvesting the electrical energy from mechanical vibrations in a dynamic environment through a “cymbal” piezoelectric transducer. Targeted mechanical vibrations lie in the range of 50–150 Hz with force amplitude in the order of 1 kN (automobile engine vibration level). It was found that under such severe stress conditions the metal–ceramic composite transducer “cymbal” is a promising structure. The metal cap enhances the endurance of the ceramic to sustain high loads along with stress amplification. In this preliminary study, the experiments were performed at the frequency of 100 Hz on a cymbal with 29 mm diameter and 1 mm thickness under a force of 7.8 N. At this frequency and force level, 39 mW power was generated from a cymbal measured across a 400 kΩ resistor. A DC–DC converter was designed which allowed the transfer of 30 mW power to a low impedance load of 5 kΩ with a 2% duty cycle and at a switching frequency of 1 kHz.