Design and Simulation of a Scalable Hybrid Energy Harvesting Device for Low Frequency Rotations

Abstract

In this paper a design concept and a finite element analysis of a combined electromagnetic/piezoelectric scalable hybrid energy harvesting device is presented, which converts mechanical energy from low frequency rotations into electrical energy. The electromagnetic (EM) transducer comprises an electric coil and a permanent magnet which is moved by the changing gravitation force vector caused by the rotational movement. The piezoelectric (PE) transducer is based on a vibrational energy harvester excited through magnetic plugging, which is induced by the movement of the permanent magnet of the EM harvester. As the magnetic plugging mechanism acts as a frequency-up conversion the device can be used in a wide range of rotational frequencies. The performance of both transducers is evaluated by finite element simulations to estimate the output power.