A hybrid generator for virbration energy harvesting applications

Abstract

As vibrations are present almost everywhere in urban infrastructure, they are an excellent source to power wireless sensors. Based on our previous clamped-free cantilever, we have developed a beam-type vibratory energy harvester that is suspended on both sides. In the generator, a piezoelectric and an electromagnetic transducer are merged to increase the power output. Different arrangements of magnet and inductor have been tested. At resonance 300 muW and 120 muW can be drawn with 10m/s <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> stimulation and optimal load conditions from the piezoelectric and electromagnetic generator part, respectively.