Piezoelectric generator for the power supply of the monitoring system

An article presents simulation study results of a piezoelectric generator, which can be used for supplying power to wireless sensor nets in the parameters monitoring systems of structure. In many technology branches, parameter monitoring of structures is necessary to guarantee a non-failure operation of technical applications. A monitoring system often contains tens or hundreds of sensors. The application of a conventional supply of these sensors requires the use of either kilometers of wire or hundreds of batteries. A promising field of research is an utilization of natural properties of piezoelectric materials for a conversion of mechanical energy, e.g. from vibration to electric energy. In the first part of this article, the piezoelectric ceramics is discussed in the field of its application in generators. In the second part the structure of a generator is discussed. The article focuses on the structure consisting of the piezoelectric material connected with the cantilever beam. In the last part, the results of simulation research are presented and discussed.