Numerical optimization of the piezoelectric generators

Abstract

This paper presents the application of the Pareto-based multicriteria optimization technique to problems of increasing the efficiency of piezoelectric generators (PEGs). The optimization problem was solved for two types of generators: cantilever and stack. For the cantilever generator, the task was to optimize the design in such a way as to obtain the maximum output power for a given mechanical excitation. The optimization process was divided into several stages, which significantly reduced the amount of calculations. The task of optimizing the stack type for a given form of mechanical loading consisted in finding the geometric parameters of the generator at which the output voltage and power would be maximum. In the result of solving both problems, sets of geometric design parameters of PEGs were obtained, on the basis of which efficient transducers can be developed for specific operating conditions. It turned out that this technique is more suitable for optimizing the design of cantilever generators than for stack ones in given constraints. The solution of both problems was realized using the finite element method.