Design Parameters Affecting the Performance of Galloping Harvesters

This study examines how key geometric and piezoelectric design parameters affect the performance of a galloping-based piezoelectric vibration energy harvester. A lumped mathematical model of the harvester is developed, incorporating structural dynamics, electromechanical coupling, and aerodynamic galloping forces.Wind tunnel experiments validate the model, showing good agreement with measured open-circuit voltages. The model is then used to assess the influence of piezoelectric patch length and bluff-body length. Longer patches increase damping and onset galloping velocity, reduce vibration amplitude, and enhance harvested energy owing to higher capacitance. Variations in bluff-body length shift the galloping onset velocity as predicted by the approximated nonlinear solution of the equation of motion.