Table of Content

01 July 2022, Volume 43 Issue 7

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Articles

Enhanced galloping energy harvester with cooperative mode of vibration and collision

Qiong WANG, Zewen CHEN, Linchuan ZHAO, Meng LI, Hongxiang ZOU, Kexiang WEI, Xizheng ZHANG, Wenming ZHANG

2022, 43(7):  945-958.  doi:10.1007/s10483-022-2869-9

Abstract ( 1007 )   HTML ( 47)   PDF (2640KB) ( 179 )  

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The low power and narrow speed range remain bottlenecks that constrain the application of small-scale wind energy harvesting. This paper proposes a simple, lowcost, and reliable method to address these critical issues. A galloping energy harvester with the cooperative mode of vibration and collision (GEH-VC) is presented. A pair of curved boundaries attached with functional materials are introduced, which not only improve the performance of the vibration energy harvesting system, but also convert more mechanical energy into electrical energy during collision. The beam deforms and the piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH) generates electricity during the flow-induced vibration. In addition, the beam contacts and separates from the boundaries, and the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) generates electricity during the collision. In order to reduce the influence of the boundaries on the aerodynamic performance and the feasibility of increasing the working area of the TENG, a vertical structure is designed. When the wind speed is high, the curved boundaries maintain a stable amplitude of the vibration system and increase the frequency of the vibration system, thereby avoiding damage to the piezoelectric sheet and improving the electromechanical conversion efficiency, and the TENG works with the PEH to generate electricity. Since the boundaries can protect the PEH at high wind speeds, its stiffness can be designed to be low to start working at low wind speeds. The electromechanical coupling dynamic model is established according to the GEH-VC operating principle and is verified experimentally. The results show that the GEH-VC has a wide range of operating wind speeds, and the average power can be increased by 180% compared with the traditional galloping PEH. The GEH-VC prototype is demonstrated to power a commercial temperature sensor. This study provides a novel perspective on the design of hybrid electromechanical conversion mechanisms, that is, to combine and collaborate based on their respective characteristics.

Recent advancement of flow-induced piezoelectric vibration energy harvesting techniques: principles, structures, and nonlinear designs

Dongxing CAO, Junru WANG, Xiangying GUO, S. K. LAI, Yongjun SHEN

2022, 43(7):  959-978.  doi:10.1007/s10483-022-2867-7

Abstract ( 880 )   HTML ( 16)   PDF (2866KB) ( 161 )  

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Energy harvesting induced from flowing fluids (e.g., air and water flows) is a well-known process, which can be regarded as a sustainable and renewable energy source. In addition to traditional high-efficiency devices (e.g., turbines and watermills), the micro-power extracting technologies based on the flow-induced vibration (FIV) effect have sparked great concerns by virtue of their prospective applications as a self-power source for the microelectronic devices in recent years. This article aims to conduct a comprehensive review for the FIV working principle and their potential applications for energy harvesting. First, various classifications of the FIV effect for energy harvesting are briefly introduced, such as vortex-induced vibration (VIV), galloping, flutter, and wake-induced vibration (WIV). Next, the development of FIV energy harvesting techniques is reviewed to discuss the research works in the past three years. The application of hybrid FIV energy harvesting techniques that can enhance the harvesting performance is also presented. Furthermore, the nonlinear designs of FIV-based energy harvesters are reported in this study, e.g., multi-stability and limit-cycle oscillation (LCO) phenomena. Moreover, advanced FIV-based energy harvesting studies for fluid engineering applications are briefly mentioned. Finally, conclusions and future outlook are summarized.

The X-structure/mechanism approach to beneficial nonlinear design in engineering

Xingjian JING

2022, 43(7):  979-1000.  doi:10.1007/s10483-022-2862-6

Abstract ( 989 )   HTML ( 9)   PDF (6590KB) ( 164 )  

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Nonlinearity can take an important and critical role in engineering systems, and thus cannot be simply ignored in structural design, dynamic response analysis, and parameter selection. A key issue is how to analyze and design potential nonlinearities introduced to or inherent in a system under study. This is a must-do task in many practical applications involving vibration control, energy harvesting, sensor systems, robotic technology, etc. This paper presents an up-to-date review on a cutting-edge method for nonlinearity manipulation and employment developed in recent several years, named as the X-structure/mechanism approach. The method is inspired from animal leg/limb skeletons, and can provide passive low-cost high-efficiency adjustable and beneficial nonlinear stiffness (high static & ultra-low dynamic), nonlinear damping (dependent on resonant frequency and/or relative vibration displacement), and nonlinear inertia (low static & high dynamic) individually or simultaneously. The X-structure/mechanism is a generic and basic structure/mechanism, representing a class of structures/mechanisms which can achieve beneficial geometric nonlinearity during structural deflection or mechanism motion, can be flexibly realized through commonly-used mechanical components, and have many different forms (with a basic unit taking a shape like X/K/Z/S/V, quadrilateral, diamond, polygon, etc.). Importantly, all variant structures/mechanisms may share similar geometric nonlinearities and thus exhibit similar nonlinear stiffness/damping properties in vibration. Moreover, they are generally flexible in design and easy to implement. This paper systematically reviews the research background, motivation, essential bio-inspired ideas, advantages of this novel method, the beneficial nonlinear properties in stiffness, damping, and inertia, and the potential applications, and ends with some remarks and conclusions.

A review of nonlinear piezoelectric energy harvesting interface circuits in discrete components

Bin ZHANG, Hongsheng LIU, Shengxi ZHOU, Jun GAO

2022, 43(7):  1001-1026.  doi:10.1007/s10483-022-2863-6

Abstract ( 928 )   HTML ( 5)   PDF (3468KB) ( 170 )  

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Piezoelectric energy harvesting is considered as an ideal power resource for low-power consumption gadgets in vibrational environments. The energy extraction efficiency depends highly on the interface circuit, and should be highly improved to meet the power requirements. The nonlinear interface circuits in discrete components have been extensively explored and developed with the advantages of easy implementation, stable operation, high efficiency, and low cost. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art progress of nonlinear piezoelectric energy harvesting interface circuits in discrete components. First, the working principles and the advantages/disadvantages of four classical interface circuits are described. Then, the improved circuits based on the four typical circuits and other types of circuits are introduced in detail, and the advantages/disadvantages, output power, efficiency, energy consumption, and practicability of these circuits are analyzed. Finally, the future development trends of nonlinear piezoelectric energy harvesting circuits, e.g., self-powered extraction, low-power consumption, and broadband characteristic, are predicted.

Modeling, analysis, and simulation of X-shape quasi-zero-stiffness-roller vibration isolators

Xiaoye MAO, Mengmeng YIN, Hu DING, Xiaofeng GENG, Yongjun SHEN, Liqun CHEN

2022, 43(7):  1027-1044.  doi:10.1007/s10483-022-2871-6

Abstract ( 894 )   HTML ( 9)   PDF (1796KB) ( 183 )  

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Existing quasi-zero stiffness (QZS) isolators are reviewed. In terms of their advantages, a novel X-shape QZS isolator combined with the cam-roller-spring mechanism (CRSM) is proposed. Different from the existing X-shape isolators, oblique springs are used to enhance the negative stiffness of the system. Meanwhile, the CRSM is used to eliminate the gravity of the loading mass, while the X-shape structure leaves its static position. The existing QZS isolators are demonstrated and classified according to their nonlinearity mechanisms and classical shapes. It is shown that the oblique spring can realize negative stiffness based on the simplest mechanism. The X-shape has a strong capacity of loading mass, while the CRSM can achieve a designed restoring force at any position. The proposed isolator combines all these advantages together. Based on the harmonic balance method (HBM) and the simulation, the displacement transmissibilities of the proposed isolator, the X-shape isolators just with oblique springs, and the X-shape isolators in the traditional form are studied. The results show that the proposed isolator has the lowest beginning isolation frequency and the smallest maximum displacement transmissibility. However, it still has some disadvantages similar to the existing QZS isolators. This means that its parameters should be designed carefully so as to avoid becoming a bistable system, in which there are two potential wells in the potential energy curve and thus the isolation performance will be worsened.

A state-of-the-art review on low-frequency nonlinear vibration isolation with electromagnetic mechanisms

Bo YAN, Ning YU, Chuanyu WU

2022, 43(7):  1045-1062.  doi:10.1007/s10483-022-2868-5

Abstract ( 1005 )   HTML ( 8)   PDF (3863KB) ( 84 )  

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Vibration isolation is one of the most efficient approaches to protecting host structures from harmful vibrations, especially in aerospace, mechanical, and architectural engineering, etc. Traditional linear vibration isolation is hard to meet the requirements of the loading capacity and isolation band simultaneously, which limits further engineering application, especially in the low-frequency range. In recent twenty years, the nonlinear vibration isolation technology has been widely investigated to broaden the vibration isolation band by exploiting beneficial nonlinearities. One of the most widely studied objects is the "three-spring" configured quasi-zero-stiffness (QZS) vibration isolator, which can realize the negative stiffness and high-static-low-dynamic stiffness (HSLDS) characteristics. The nonlinear vibration isolation with QZS can overcome the drawbacks of the linear one to achieve a better broadband vibration isolation performance. Due to the characteristics of fast response, strong stroke, nonlinearities, easy control, and low-cost, the nonlinear vibration with electromagnetic mechanisms has attracted attention. In this review, we focus on the basic theory, design methodology, nonlinear damping mechanism, and active control of electromagnetic QZS vibration isolators. Furthermore, we provide perspectives for further studies with electromagnetic devices to realize high-efficiency vibration isolation.

Investigation on dynamic characteristics of a rod fastening rotor-bearing coupling system with fixed-point rubbing

Yang YANG, H. J. OUYANG, Jin ZENG, Hui MA, Yiren YANG, Dengqing CAO

2022, 43(7):  1063-1080.  doi:10.1007/s10483-022-2819-7

Abstract ( 885 )   HTML ( 6)   PDF (2020KB) ( 116 )  

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The aim of this paper is to gain insight into the nonlinear vibration feature of a dynamic model of a gas turbine. First, a rod fastening rotor-bearing coupling model with fixed-point rubbing is proposed, where the fractal theory and the finite element method are utilized. For contact analysis, a novel contact force model is introduced in this paper. Meanwhile, the Coulomb model is adopted to expound the friction characteristics. Second, the governing equations of motion of the rotor system are numerically solved, and the nonlinear dynamic characteristics are analyzed in terms of the bifurcation diagram, Poincaré map, and time history. Third, the potential effects provided by contact degree of joint interface, distribution position, and amount of contact layer are discussed in detail. Finally, the contrast analysis between the integral rotor and the rod fastening rotor is conducted under the condition of fixed-point rubbing.

Recent advances in wave energy converters based on nonlinear stiffness mechanisms

Xiantao ZHANG, Haicheng ZHANG, Xiao ZHOU, Ze SUN

2022, 43(7):  1081-1108.  doi:10.1007/s10483-022-2864-6

Abstract ( 955 )   HTML ( 6)   PDF (7513KB) ( 128 )  

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Wave energy is one of the most abundant renewable clean energy sources, and has been widely studied because of its advantages of continuity and low seasonal variation. However, its low capture efficiency and narrow capture frequency bandwidth are still technical bottlenecks that restrict the commercial application of wave energy converters (WECs). In recent years, using a nonlinear stiffness mechanism (NSM) for passive control has provided a new way to solve these technical bottlenecks. This literature review focuses on the research performed on the use of nonlinear mechanisms in wave energy device utilization, including the conceptual design of a mechanism, hydrodynamic models, dynamic characteristics, response mechanisms, and some examples of experimental verification. Finally, future research directions are discussed and recommended.

Utilization of nonlinear vibrations of soft pipe conveying fluid for driving underwater bio-inspired robot

Huliang DAI, Yixiang HE, Kun ZHOU, Zerui PENG, Lin WANG, P. HAGEDORN

2022, 43(7):  1109-1124.  doi:10.1007/s10483-022-2866-7

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Creatures with longer bodies in nature like snakes and eels moving in water commonly generate a large swaying of their bodies or tails, with the purpose of producing significant frictions and collisions between body and fluid to provide the power of consecutive forward force. This swaying can be idealized by considering oscillations of a soft beam immersed in water when waves of vibration travel down at a constant speed. The present study employs a kind of large deformations induced by nonlinear vibrations of a soft pipe conveying fluid to design an underwater bio-inspired snake robot that consists of a rigid head and a soft tail. When the head is fixed, experiments show that a second mode vibration of the tail in water occurs as the internal flow velocity is beyond a critical value. Then the corresponding theoretical model based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) is established to describe nonlinear vibrations of the tail. As the head is free, the theoretical modeling is combined with the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to construct a fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulation model. The swimming speed and swaying shape of the snake robot are obtained through the FSI simulation model. They are in good agreement with experimental results. Most importantly, it is demonstrated that the propulsion speed can be improved by 21% for the robot with vibrations of the tail compared with that without oscillations in the pure jet mode. This research provides a new thought to design driving devices by using nonlinear flow-induced vibrations.

A brief review of metamaterials for opening low-frequency band gaps

Kai WANG, Jiaxi ZHOU, Dongguo TAN, Zeyi LI, Qida LIN, Daolin XU

2022, 43(7):  1125-1144.  doi:10.1007/s10483-022-2870-9

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Metamaterials are an emerging type of man-made material capable of obtaining some extraordinary properties that cannot be realized by naturally occurring materials. Due to tremendous application foregrounds in wave manipulations, metamaterials have gained more and more attraction. Especially, developing research interest of low-frequency vibration attenuation using metamaterials has emerged in the past decades. To better understand the fundamental principle of opening low-frequency (below 100 Hz) band gaps, a general view on the existing literature related to low-frequency band gaps is presented. In this review, some methods for fulfilling low-frequency band gaps are firstly categorized and detailed, and then several strategies for tuning the low-frequency band gaps are summarized. Finally, the potential applications of this type of metamaterial are briefly listed. This review is expected to provide some inspirations for realizing and tuning the low-frequency band gaps by means of summarizing the related literature.