The dynamics of a composite laminate conical shell for efficient energy harvesting purposes is analysed in this paper. The conical geometry of the shell, combined with a tailored laminate layout, is proposed to create a bistable structure which, after clamping, exhibits two stable equilibrium configurations, I-shape and C-shape. Finite elements (FE) modelling and experimental tests performed on manufactured prototypes reveal both local (in-well) and global (cross-well) dynamic responses. The influence of the shell's cantilever length on the snap-through behaviour is investigated and then an active element is embedded to bistable shell to harvest energy from in-well and cross-well oscillations. Based on the FE model and experimental results, a reduced-order model of the active system is developed. It is shown that two different mechanisms lead to snap-through transitions between the I and C configurations, significantly affecting the global dynamics of the shell. It can be concluded that the proposed reduced-order model captures the same qualitative dynamic behaviour as the time-domain simulations of the FE model near the resonance regions. The generated voltage levels are reported for various initial conditions, excitation amplitudes and frequencies, and possible interactions between I–C modes are discussed.
Reduced model of a nonlinear composite conical shell energy harvester
Brunetti M.;
2026-01-01
Abstract
The dynamics of a composite laminate conical shell for efficient energy harvesting purposes is analysed in this paper. The conical geometry of the shell, combined with a tailored laminate layout, is proposed to create a bistable structure which, after clamping, exhibits two stable equilibrium configurations, I-shape and C-shape. Finite elements (FE) modelling and experimental tests performed on manufactured prototypes reveal both local (in-well) and global (cross-well) dynamic responses. The influence of the shell's cantilever length on the snap-through behaviour is investigated and then an active element is embedded to bistable shell to harvest energy from in-well and cross-well oscillations. Based on the FE model and experimental results, a reduced-order model of the active system is developed. It is shown that two different mechanisms lead to snap-through transitions between the I and C configurations, significantly affecting the global dynamics of the shell. It can be concluded that the proposed reduced-order model captures the same qualitative dynamic behaviour as the time-domain simulations of the FE model near the resonance regions. The generated voltage levels are reported for various initial conditions, excitation amplitudes and frequencies, and possible interactions between I–C modes are discussed.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
