“Conversion Of Mechanical Energy To Electrical Energy By

The Theory Of Piezo-Electric Transducer By The Use Of A

Bicycle”

ABSTRACT

Mechanical energy can also be transformed into electrical energy. For

example, a hydroelectric plant uses the mechanical energy of flowing water to
generate electrical energy. Wind energy is another mechanical to electrical energy
transformation. This paper presents the study of electromechanical systems, in order
to conceive autonomous portable generators capable of harvesting human mechanical
energy. There are two different electromechanical systems. The first one is an
electromagnetic system, made of a magnet in translation within a coil. The second one
is a piezoelectric system, which is a PZT ceramic bar, polarised longitudinally,
embedded at one end and constrained at the other end.In this study, we will be
focusing on the piezoelectric system (Poulin, G. et al. 2004). An apparatus for
conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy having a piezo transducer, which
is formed from two or more layers, and having a mass/spring system, which can
oscillate, in a holder, which is caused to oscillate mechanically when stimulated,
which oscillations periodically deform the piezo transducer such that an alternating
voltage occurs on the connecting wires of the transducer (Schmidt, F. 2007). A
transducer is any device used to convert energy from one form to another - typically
when converting input energy into output energy. For transduction to occur, a change
from one form of energy must also take place, such as a conversion from mechanical
to electrical energy or vice versa. The uses of transducers are widespread, affecting us
in many ways. A common example is a microphone, which converts the input energy
- or the sound waves produced by a voice or instrument - to output energy, or the
electrical impulses in the form of amplified sound. Piezoelectric transducers are a type
of electroacoustic transducer that converts the electrical charges produced by some
forms of solid materials into energy. The word "piezoelectric" literally means
electricity caused by pressure.

Keywords: Mechanical Energy, Electrical Energy, Electromechanical Systems, PZT

ceramic bar, Piezo-Transducer, Electroacustic Transducer, Peizoelectric, Transducer

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Bicycle”

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

We all know that technology is growing rapidly all over the world. With this
happening today, we humans are becoming more concern of the effects it can give to
the environment. A lot of technological equipment emits radiations that are harmful
not only to humans, but also to the environment. Because of the effects of some
equipment can give off, many developers are inventing eco-friendly equipment that
can be an alternative to the usual devices that we use.

Because of this, we want to develop a device that converts mechanical energy

into electrical energy. This device works with the help of a bicycle. The device will be
then attached to the body of the bicycle and the person who will use the bicycle will
be the main source of the energy. Through the pedal of the bicycle pedaled by the
person riding the bicycle, we can generate energy into the battery. The piezoelectric
transducer will be the one to convert the energy from its mechanical form into
electrical form. The force that is produced by the person will be stored into the battery
and then processed by the piezoelectric transducer. The energy stored and converted
depends on the speed and the force applied by the person driving the bicycle. This
device will be then used to charge other devices. We want to use piezoelectric
transducer because it has a high frequency response, high transient response, high
output. This means that the parameter changing at very high speeds can be sensed
easily and it can give linear output (Beckwith, T.G. et al. 1969).

This is helpful to the environment and to the person using the bicycle. It does
not produce harmful effects to the environment and it will also help humans become
healthy because cycling is a form of exercise. It is also handy because it is not that
bulky and heavy. Carrying bulky and heavy type of bike will lessen the capacity of
the cyclist to run the bicycle. The mechanical energy produce by the bike will depend
on the cyclist's pedal movement.

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1.1. Background of Study

A generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, while a motor

does the opposite - it converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. Both devices
work because of electromagnetic induction, which is when a voltage is induced by a
changing magnetic field. A piezoelectric transducer has a very high DC output
impedance, meaning, it has the effective resistance of an electric circuit or component
to alternating current, arising from the combined effects of an ohmic resistance and
reactance. Piezoelectric transducer can be modeled as a voltage source and network.
The voltage output obtained from these materials due to piezoelectric effect is
proportional to the applied force. Because of its dependence to the amount of force
applied, it is considered to have a low output and external electronic circuit has to be
connected to it (Beckwith, T.G. et al. 1969).

1.2. Statement of the Problem

Generally, this study aims to develop a portable charger, which be installed in

a bicycle for producing electrical energy. The output voltage may vary because the
speed from the bicycle is not constant. Thus, it may affect the performance of the
charger.

Specifically, the study aims to answer the following sub-questions, to wit:

1. What type of bike will it be only installed?

2. How much energy should the portable charger need?
3. Which type of generator device is more efficient to use and economically
viable?
4. How much power will the device produce?
5. How much will it cost to provide the device other than alternator?
6. Is the device can provide another connecting device like weight sensor?
7. Is the device can save load cells than the usual electric outlet?

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1.3. Objectives

1.3.1. Main Objectives

The main objective of the study is to design and develop a mechanical

energy powered portable charger that can produce electrical energy.

1.3.2. Specific Objectives

 To compare the result of a charger using an electric outlet and a

portable charger installed in a bicycle.
 To identify the electrical energy capacity of the portable charger
installed from the bicycle.
 To recommend this a highly effective form of exercise.

1.4. Significance of the Study

This study will benefit the person who really uses their bicycle for going to
school or for work. The device is easy to operate and not heavy to be installed,
portable, users friendly and cheap. Cycling is a highly effective form of exercise.
However, cycling will not specifically burn belly fat. It will certainly help to reduce
your overall body fat, but since spot reduction is a myth, you will have to be patient
for your belly fat to burn off with the rest of your fat.

This is why we came up with the idea of putting the device in a bicycle for a
multi-used. The device will generate an electrical energy from mechanical energy
brought by the effect of the cyclist. Not only it is helpful to humans, but also to the
environment due to its lack of fuel use. It will also be helpful in the reduction of air
pollution brought by vehicles run by fuels. The device installed in the bicycle will be
the highlight of the study since it is multi-purpose and eco-friendly. It is also handy
because it is not that bulky and heavy as stated in the introduction of this chapter.

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1.5. Scope and Limitation

The study focuses on the generator concept in which we will be using the
theory of piezo-electric transducer. This study will also compare the results from the
usual electrical outlet to this device. It will limit only to the comparison of producing
electrical energy by the change of mechanical energy since the output voltage may
vary because the speed and force applied from the bicycle is not constant, it may
affect the performance of the power bank as it will serves as the source of electrical
energy. For example, a 1 cm3 cube of quartz with 2 kN (500 lbf) of correctly applied
force can produce a voltage of 12500 V.

Piezoelectric materials also show the opposite effect, called the converse
piezoelectric effect, where the application of an electrical field creates mechanical
deformation in the crystal. The hammer hits the piezo-electric crystal. Due to piezo-
electric effect, a high voltage is generated in the range of 800 volts. The lighter is
wired in such a way that this whole voltage is applied in a small region of air gap
between two metallic points. For now, as a start-up, we will use the road bikes since it
is built for traveling at speed on paved roads. In addition, it is more common than the
other types of bicycles.

1.6. Theoretical Background

A miniature piezoelectric transducer element is provided, comprising; (a) a

cell element having a cavity; (b) a flexible piezoelectric layer attached to the cell
member, the piezoelectric layer having an external surface and an internal surface, the
piezoelectric layer featuring such dimensions so as to enable fluctuations thereof at its
resonance frequency upon impinging of an external acoustic wave; and (c) a first
electrode attached to the external surface and a second electrode attached to the
internal surface of the piezoelectric layer (Doron, E. et al. 2000).

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1.6.1. Piezo-Electric Effect

The transducer element may function as a transmitter. When used as a

transmitter, the electrodes are electrically connected to an electrical circuit
including a switching element for modulating the reflected acoustic wave by
controllably changing the mechanical impedance of the piezoelectric layer
according to the frequency of an electrical message signal arriving from an
electronic member, such as a sensor (Doron, E. et al. 2000). Piezoelectric
Effect is the ability of certain materials to generate an electric charge in
response to applied mechanical stress.

1.6.2. Theory of Piezo-Electric Transducer

The piezo transducer converts the physical quantity into an electrical

voltage which is easily measured by analogue and digital meter. It uses the
piezoelectric material which has a special property, i.e. the material induces
voltage when the pressure or stress applied to it. The material which shows
such property is known as the electro-resistive element. Certain crystals such
as quartz are piezoelectric. That means that when they are compressed or
struck, they generate an electric charge. It works the other way as well: If you
run an electric current through a piezoelectric crystal, the crystal changes
shape slightly.

A piezoelectric crystal is shown in the figure below.

Figure 1.6.1 Piezoelectric crystal

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Bicycle”

The polarity of the charge depends on the direction of the applied forces.

𝑄=𝑑𝑥𝐹 (1.6.1)

Where,

Q – Charge; C

d – charge sensitivity of the crystals; pF/g

F – applied force; N

The force changes the thickness of the crystals

𝐹 = (𝐴𝐸/𝑡) ∆𝑡 (1.6.2)

Where,

F – force; N

A – area of crystals; m2

E – Young’s modulus; N/m2

t – thickness of crystals; m

∆𝑡 – change of thickness; m

The area of crystals,

𝐴 = 𝜔𝑙 (1.6.3)

Where,

A – area of crystals; m2

ω – width of crystals; m

l – length of crystals; m

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The young's modulus is,

𝐸 = 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠/𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 (1.6.4)

Where,

E – Young’s modulus; N/m2

Stress – measurement of force applied; N/m2

Strain – amount of deformation of the applied force; unit less

The stress is,

𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 𝐹/𝐴 (1.6.5)

Where,

Stress – measurement of force applied; N/m2

F – force; N

A – area of crystals; m2

The strain is,

𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 = ∆𝑡/𝑡 (1.6.6)

Where,

Strain – amount of deformation of the applied force; unit less

t – thickness of crystals; m

∆𝑡 – change of thickness; m

Substituting the stress (1.6.5) and strain (1.6.6) in eq. (1.6.4),

𝐸 = (𝐹/𝐴)/(∆𝑡/𝑡) (1.6.7)

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𝐸 = (𝐹𝑡)/(𝐴∆𝑡) (1.6.8)

Where,

E – Young’s modulus; N/m2

F – force; N

A – area of crystals; m2

t – thickness of crystals; m

∆𝑡 – change of thickness; m

On substituting the value of force (1.6.2) in the equation of charge (1.6.1), we get

𝑸 = 𝒅𝑨𝑬(∆𝒕/𝒕) (1.6.9)

Where,

Q – Charge; C

d – charge sensitivity of the crystals; pF/g

A – area of crystals; m2

E – Young’s modulus; N/m2

t – thickness of crystals; m

∆𝑡 – change of thickness; m

The output voltage is obtained because of the electrode charges

𝐸0 = 𝑄/𝐶𝑝 (1.6.10)

Where,

E0 – electric field strength, V/m

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Q – Charge; C

Cp – capacitance of the piezoelectric sensor; F

Capacitance of the piezoelectric sensor,

𝐶𝑝 = (𝜀𝑟 𝜀0 𝐴)/𝑡 (1.6.11)

Where,

Cp – capacitance of the piezoelectric sensor; F

𝜀𝑟 – relative permittivity; F/m

𝜀0 – vacuum permittivity; F/m

A – area of crystals; m2

t – thickness of crystals; m

Substituting the capacitance of the piezoelectric sensor (1.6.11) and the charge
(1.6.1),

𝐸0 = 𝑑𝐹/[(𝜀𝑟 𝜀0 𝐴)/𝑡] (1.6.12)

Where,

E0 – electric field strength, V/m

d – charge sensitivity of the crystals; pF/g

F – force; N

𝜀𝑟 – relative permittivity; F/m

𝜀0 – vacuum permittivity; F/m

A – area of crystals; m2

t – thickness of crystals; m
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The pressure is,

𝑃 = 𝐹/𝐴 (1.6.13)

Where,

P – pressure; kpa

F – force; N

A – area; m2

Equating the pressure to eq. (l.6.13),

𝐸0 = [𝑑/(𝜀𝑟 𝜀0 )] 𝑡𝑃 (1.6.14)
Where,

E0 – electric field strength, V/m

d – charge sensitivity of the crystals; pF/g

𝜀𝑟 – relative permittivity; F/m

𝜀0 – vacuum permittivity; F/m

t – thickness of crystals; m

P – pressure; kpa

The G is the voltage sensitivity of the crystals,

𝐺 = 𝑑/(𝜀𝑟 𝜀0 ) (1.6.15)

Where,

G – voltage sensitivity of the crystals; V/g

d – charge sensitivity of the crystals; pF/g

𝜀𝑟 – relative permittivity; F/m

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𝜀0 – vacuum permittivity; F/m

Substituting 𝐺 to eq. (1.6.14),

𝐸0 = 𝑔𝑡𝑃 (1.6.16)

Where,

G – voltage sensitivity of the crystals; V/g

d – charge sensitivity of the crystals; pF/g

E0 – electric field strength, V/m

P – pressure; kpa

Repositioning the eq. (1.6.16) into the form of voltage sensitivity

𝐺 = 𝐸0 /𝑡𝑃 (1.6.17)

Where,

G – voltage sensitivity of the crystals; V/g

d – charge sensitivity of the crystals; pF/g

E0 – electric field strength, V/m

P – pressure; kpa

The voltage sensitivity of the crystals is expressed by the ratio of the

electric field intensity and pressure. When the mechanical deformation occurs
in the crystals, it generates charges. And this charge develops the voltages
across the electrodes. The Piezoelectric crystal is direction sensitive. The
polarity of the voltage depends on the direction of the force which is either
tensile or compressive. The magnitude and the polarity of the charges depend
on the magnitude and the direction of the applied force.

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References

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Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center.
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