Energy Harvesting From A Piezoelectric Source To Power A Wireless System

Master Thesis (2018)
Author(s)

S.K. Thiruvelselvam (TU Delft - Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science)

Contributor(s)

Patrick J. French – Mentor

W. A. Groen – Graduation committee member

Andre Bossche – Coach

Faculty
Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
Copyright
© 2018 Senthil Kumar Thiruvelselvam
More Info
expand_more
Publication Year
2018
Language
English
Copyright
© 2018 Senthil Kumar Thiruvelselvam
Graduation Date
19-04-2018
Awarding Institution
Delft University of Technology
Faculty
Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Abstract

Batteries are vital sources in many wireless embedded systems applications like the Tire Pressure Management System (TPMS) in the automobile industry. Also, the growth of electric cars will result in an increasing demand for batteries. Although batteries do not directly pollute the environment during their active life, the production phase and decomposition phase will contribute to pollution. The limited lifetime of batteries also emphasizes the need for a change to new technologies.
Replacing batteries becomes difficult in applications on desolated places. Energy harvesting can be an attractive alternative solution. Techniques like electrostatic, electromagnetic and piezoelectric energy harvesting can convert the energy in the ambiance to an useful electrical energy. Piezoelectric energy harvesting can be useful as they have been proven vital in converting vibration energy to the required form. This research focuses on powering wireless systems like a TPMS in a car by piezoelectric energy harvesting. It provides the requirements and decisions involved in designing a circuit capable of transferring input energy to output in an efficient manner. The circuit rectifies the output of a piezoelectric material and provides an output of 3.3 V. Result showed that the circuit was able to power an LED for 5.8 s. By adjusting the circuit according to the power requirements, the circuit can be the source to low power wireless embedded systems.

Files

License info not available