Modelling, design and parametric analysis of a levitation based energy harvester

Abstract Levitation based energy harvester (LBEH) is an energy harvesting technology which is used to convert the existing kinetic energy into electrical energy. The technique utilizes a levitating magnet which in a closed container vibrate or moves for the subjected vibrations. An outer coil which will extract energy into electrical voltage is carefully selected or designed or the rating. In this research work, a conventional LBEH is designed, simulated, and studied for a particular vibration data. The same is carried out in the FEM analysis software. The system is also mathematically derived and analyzed in the numerical tool. The results obtained from the numerical and FEM tool are compared. At the end of the research work, a parametric study is carried out for the variations in the input characteristics such as frequency, nature of vibrations and other parameters. Results obtained indicate that the power developed is maximum with a value of 0.7 V and 10 mW for the designed natural frequency of 10 Hz and decreases on either side as the bandwidth varies from 5 to 15 Hz.