Maximum mechanical energy harvesting strategy for a piezoelement

Abstract

The electromechanical conversion capacity of a piezoelectric power generator is investigated by considering a quasi-static work cycle. How the maximum energy can be harvested from a piezoelectric element limited by its maximum parameters such as the maximum strain, maximum field, maximum surface charge density and maximum stress is detailed in this paper. The work cycle in which the electric field and the stress are controlled in a way designed to get the most energy is illustrated. A contrast has been made between synchronized switching harvesting with an inductor (SSHI) and the methods introduced here, and it is pointed out theoretically that the proposed method yields more power than SSHI. © IOP Publishing Ltd.