Modeling and analysis of piezoelectric beam with periodically variable cross-sections for vibration energy harvesting

A bimorph piezoelectric beam with periodically variable cross-sections is used for the vibration energy harvesting. The effects of two geometrical parameters on the first band gap of this periodic beam are investigated by the generalized differential quadrature rule （GDQR） method. The GDQR method is also used to calculate the forced vibration response of the beam and voltage of each piezoelectric layer when the beam is subject to a sinusoidal base excitation. Results obtained from the analytical method are compared with those obtained from the finite element simulation with ANSYS, and good agreement is found. The voltage output of this periodic beam over its first band gap is calculated and compared with the voltage output of the uniform piezoelectric beam. It is concluded that this periodic beam has three advantages over the uniform piezoelectric beam, i.e., generating more voltage outputs over a wide frequency range, absorbing vibration, and being less weight.

Analysis of chaos behaviors of a bistable piezoelectric cantilever power generation system by the second-order Melnikov function

By applying the second order Melnikov function, the chaos behaviors of a bistable piezoelectric cantilever power generation system are analyzed. Firstly, the conditions for emerging chaos of the system are derived by the second order Melnikov function. Secondly, the effects of each item in chaos threshold expression are analyzed. The excitation frequency and resistance values, which have the most influence on chaos threshold value, are found. The result from the second order Melnikov function is more accurate compared with that from the first order Melnikov function. Finally, the attraction basins of large amplitude motions under different exciting frequency, exciting amplitude, and resistance parameters are given.

A preliminary research on wireless cantilever beam vibration sensor in bridge health monitoring

According to specific bridge environment, optimal design piezoelectric cantilever beam structure by using results of theoretical calculations and simulation, verify natural frequencies of piezoelectric cantilever beam and production ability of data by experiment, thus formed a complete set of design method of piezoelectric cantilever beam. Considering natural frequency of vibration and intensity of the beam body, design a new type of piezoelectric cantilever beam structure. Paper analyzes the principle of sensor data acquisition and transmission, design a hardware integration system include signal conversion module, microcontroller module and wireless transmission module, test local read and wireless transmission for the combination structure of cantilever beam and data collection card, experimental verification of the radio piezoelectric vibrating cantilever vibration response is intact, the beam produced signal by vibration, acquisition card converts and wireless transmit data, this proved a good and intuitive linear response in simulation of bridge vibration test. Finally, the paper designed a kind of new wireless sensor of vibration cantilever beam, suitable for small bridge health monitoring based on Internet of things.