Efficient Aeroelastic Energy Harvesting From HVAC Ducts

Piezoelectric energy harvesters can be used to scavenge energy for unattended sensors in heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) ducts. In this paper, an aeroelastic energy harvester using a pinned-pinned beam is designed, modeled, and analyzed. To obtain the desired model, we use nonlinear Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, a linear piezoelectric constitutive law, and nonlinear pressure dynamics. Compared with the traditional cantilever beam used by previous researchers, the pinned-pinned beam has a higher frequency limit cycle and more efficient mode shape, which ensure higher power output at the same strain level. The pinned-pinned boundary condition also self-limits the response amplitude, limiting strain in the piezoelectric beam and premature failure. Simulation results show that the pinned-pinned beam can harvest at least 4 times more average power than a cantilever beam with the same maximum strain.Copyright © 2015 by ASME