Self-sensing for robust automatic charge management of dielectric elastomer generators

Plinio Zanini; Gianluca Rizzello; Stefan Seelecke; Jonathan Rossiter; Martin Homer

doi:10.1117/12.2295355

27 March 2018 Self-sensing for robust automatic charge management of dielectric elastomer generators

Plinio Zanini, Gianluca Rizzello, Stefan Seelecke, Jonathan Rossiter, Martin Homer

Proceedings Volume 10594, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) XX; 105941J (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2295355
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2018, Denver, Colorado, United States

Abstract

Among the main issues with the implementation of Dielectric Elastomer Generators (DEGs) is the need for pre-charging to perform mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion. In cases when energy harvesting has to be performed in an environment with unpredictable characteristics (e.g., wind, waves, human walking), defining the best times for charge injection and energy extraction in a cycle is a non-trivial problem. In this paper, we present a novel Self-Sensing with Peak Detection (SSPD) method to control the charges on the material using capacitive self-sensing techniques, which defines an optimal cycle and requires no knowledge of the mechanical excitation amplitude or frequency. The effectiveness of the approach is proved by means of numerical simulations based on an highly accurate model of the DEG device.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Plinio Zanini, Gianluca Rizzello, Stefan Seelecke, Jonathan Rossiter, and Martin Homer "Self-sensing for robust automatic charge management of dielectric elastomer generators", Proc. SPIE 10594, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) XX, 105941J (27 March 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2295355

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available