Design Optimization of Low Power Wind Belt Electric Generator using Piezoelectric Transducer

Abstract

This paper presents the design optimization of a wind belt electric generator using piezoelectric transducer for low power devices. The current wind belt energy harvester usually generates electricity through electromagnetic induction wherein a permanent magnet that is on the oscillating membrane, which is the belt, between or in proximity with copper coils induces electrical current. This prototype innovates this conventional wind belt generator by replacing the magnet and copper coil components by a piezoelectric material. This harvester operates via aeroelastic flutter where a wind slightly about 3 m/s that passes through a membrane causes a vibration where the belt is pushed into two contradicting forces. Then the piezoelectric transducers at the end of the belt generates electricity through this vibrating motion. The alternating voltage induced from the piezoelectric transducer was then rectified and filtered enough to power up low power devices like an array of light emitting diodes. A series of experiments were conducted to optimize the wind belt design parameters such as the frame length, belt length, belt material, and the exposed length of piezoelectric transducer to obtain optimum induced voltage. Results show that the best belt material is the latex rubber, while the optimum frame and belt length are 0.86m and 0.75m, respectively. Also, the optimum length exposure of the piezoelectric transducer is found to be 75 percent. The prototype was also tested to determine the minimum run time the generator will yield a stable output. Finally, a quadratic multivariate model showing the relationship of the belt and frame length to the induced voltage of the generator was created.