Influence of the excitation parameters of the mechanical subsystem on effectiveness of energy harvesting system

Piezoelectric transducers are used more and more often in modern technical devices. The wide range of their possible applications is a result of the possibility to use both direct and reverse piezoelectric effect. Nowadays, application of piezoelectric transducers in energy harvesting systems is getting more and more popular. It is caused by the easy way to convert energy of mechanical vibration to the electric voltage using piezoelectric transducers. This paper presents results of influence analysis of the vibrating mechanical subsystem's excitation parameters on the effectiveness of the system designed for energy harvesting. The considered vibrating system is a composite plate with piezoelectric transducer bonded to its surface. Vibrations of the system are excited by means of an actuator with possibility to change the excitation amplitude and frequency. Recovering of electrical energy from mechanical vibrations is possible by using the direct piezoelectric effect - generation of the electric voltage while the transducer is mechanically deformed. In carried out test Macro Fiber Composite (MFC) piezoelectric transducers were used. It was proved that the time that is necessary for switch on the output voltage in analyzed system depends on the frequency of the excitation.