A piezoelectric energy harvester with vortex induced vibration

This paper presents a piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH) which can convert fluid kinetic energy into electricity with vortex induced vibration (VIV). The PEH is composed by a piezoelectric cantilever beam and a cylinder extension. Dynamic response and energy harvesting of the PEH are studied numerically. It is found that maximum output power can be obtained with optimal resistance and the more power output, the stronger elimination of vibration amplitude. Vibration frequency makes greater contribution on power output at smaller cylinder diameter and decreases with increasing of cylinder diameter. Vibration amplitude plays main role on output power and increases first until reaching peak point with increasing of cylinder diameter. Maximum output power can be obtained with reasonable cylinder diameter.