Piezoelectric Windmill: A novel solution to remote sensing

Shashank Priya, Chih Ta Chen, Darren Fye, Jeff Zahnd

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

230 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study demonstrates a technology, "Piezoelectric Windmill", for generating the electrical power from wind energy. The electric power-generation from wind energy is based on piezoelectric effect and utilizes the bimorph actuators. Piezoelectric Windmill consists of piezoelectric actuators arranged along the circumference of the mill in the cantilever form. Using the camshaft gear mechanism an oscillating torque is generated through the flowing wind and applied on the actuators. A working prototype was fabricated utilizing 12 bimorphs (60 × 20 × 0.5 mm3) having a preload of 23.5 gm. Under a nominal torque level corresponding to normal wind flow and oscillating frequency of 6 Hz, a power of 10.2 mW was successfully measured across a load of 4.6 kΩ after rectification. Combined with the wireless transmission, this technology provides a practical solution to the remote powering of sensors and communication devices.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)L104-L107
JournalJapanese Journal of Applied Physics, Part 1: Regular Papers and Short Notes and Review Papers
Volume44
Issue number1-7
DOIs
StatePublished - 2005

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Engineering
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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