Modelling of drive-train using a piezoelectric energy harvesting device integrated with a rotational vibration absorber

With technological evolution, the complexity of wireless sensor networks for condition monitoring in rotating systems has increased steadily. This entails a consequent issue to transfer energy from stationary devices to rotating parts. For this reason, big efforts have been made to research alternative methods for producing the power needed to supply sensors. Mechanical vibrations have received great interest as potential power source. In a drive-train, they represent the visible effect of the corresponding power dissipation caused by the interconnections between the parts.A detailed study of the energy transfer paths is necessary to implement a model of a device able to convert the energy that would otherwise be dissipated. Several methods and models have already been proposed in literature for various configurations of drive-train, and some of them consider also the energy transfer paths. Starting from the simplest model represented by two degrees of freedom mass-spring-damper system, the first aim of this paper is to consider the increase in complexity due to the introduction of other bodies.A model of the drive-train is implemented by simulation and the results are compared with experimental data. The torque in output from a combustion engine is assumed as input in the simulation model and the losses in it are neglected.Afterwards, the consequence of the introduction of a tuned vibration absorber is investigated by simulation. More specifically, the tuned vibration absorber is integrated with an energy harvesting device able to convert mechanical to electric energy. Then, the generated power is estimated.Finally, by changing the position of the energy harvesting vibration absorber in the simulation of the drive-train, different configurations are studied in order to evaluate the vibration reduction and the power generation.