Energy harvesting for sensors on using free-floating flaps

Abstract

In this paper, a novel configuration of an energy harvester for local sensing using limit cycle oscillations has been designed, modeled and tested. A wing section has been designed with two free-floating flaps. In the rotational axis of each flap a dynamo is mounted that converts the vibrational energy into electricity. It has been demonstrated numerically how a simple electronic system can be used to keep such a system at stable limit cycle oscillations by varying the resistance in the electric circuit. Additionally it was shown that the stability of the system is coupled to the charge of the battery, with increasing charge level leading to a less stable system.