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Fluid-Solid-Electric Lock-In of Energy-Harvesting Piezoelectric Flags

Yifan Xia, Sébastien Michelin, and Olivier Doaré
Phys. Rev. Applied 3, 014009 – Published 29 January 2015
Physics logo See Synopsis: Energetic Flags

Abstract

The spontaneous flapping of a flag in a steady flow can be used to power an output circuit using piezoelectric elements positioned at its surface. Here, we study numerically the effect of inductive circuits on the dynamics of this fluid-solid-electric system and on its energy-harvesting efficiency. In particular, a destabilization of the system is identified, leading to energy harvesting at lower flow velocities. Also, a frequency lock-in between the flag and the circuit is shown to significantly enhance the system’s harvesting efficiency. These results suggest promising efficiency enhancements of such flow-energy harvesters through the output circuit optimization.

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  • Received 24 July 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevApplied.3.014009

© 2015 American Physical Society

Synopsis

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Energetic Flags

Published 29 January 2015

A piezoelectric flag coupled to an inductive electrical circuit can be an efficient energy-harvesting device.

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Authors & Affiliations

Yifan Xia* and Sébastien Michelin

  • LadHyX-Département de Mécanique, École Polytechnique, Route de Saclay, 91128 Palaiseau, France

Olivier Doaré

  • ENSTA Paristech, Unité de Mécanique (UME), 828 Boulevard des Maréchaux, 91762 Palaiseau, France

  • *xia.yifan@ladhyx.polytechnique.fr

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Vol. 3, Iss. 1 — January 2015

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