A piezoelectric energy harvesting from the vibration of the airflow around a moving vehicle

Abstract

In this study, an energy harvester using the mechanical vibrations created by the airflow on piezoelectric transducers outside a vehicle was designed, produced and introduced. The introduced harvester has an energy production potential of mu J level. Given an energy power, very little power but long-term harvest was achieved. While the introduced vehicle was driven at speeds of 70, 90, and 110 km/h, energy production at location angles of 0 degrees, 45 degrees, and 90 degrees was determined for each speed. Vehicle speed, location angle, airflow outside the vehicle, and harvester output were measured. Output voltage of the harvester was found to be directly proportional to vehicle speed. Output of the transducers was combined using a circuit topology that would maximize the output voltage. Thanks to this circuit highest output voltage was obtained from the location angle of 0 degrees. Thus, maximum output power was obtained at a speed of 110 km/h for 0 degrees location angle. This research develops a new design method for efficient and practical energy generated by piezoelectric sensors placed on a vehicle from the vibration of the airflow around a moving vehicle. This energy harvester can meet the internal micro energy needs of the vehicle with an external battery.