Modeling and analysis of novel coupled magneto-electro-aeroelastic continuous system for flutter-based energy harvesting system

This paper presents a novel continuous model for improving energy harvesting from the aeroelastic flutter induced vibrations based on the use of magneto-electro-elastic (MEE) materials. The proposed model includes a rigid airfoil attached to an elastic beam. The elastic beam is covered with one or two layers of MEE material, and two electrodes are connected to the MEE layers to harvest the electric potential from the electric field. Besides, an external coil is utilized to induce the electric energy resulting from the MEE layer's magnetic field. The equations governing the proposed energy harvesting system are derived considering the continuous beam model using the constitutive equations of MEE materials and the Gauss and Faraday's laws based on Hamilton's principle. The derived governing equations are then modified based on the method of assumed modes. Assuming that the flow is subsonic, the flow is modeled with Peter's unsteady aerodynamic theory. Moreover, the effects of system parameters such as electric and magnetic resistance on the voltage, generated current, and power are realized to determine the best design parameters in terms of generated power. The ascending trend of generated power up to a specific resistance was observed by examining the electric resistance effect, followed by a descending trend with a further increase in the electric resistance. Besides, it was found that the generated power increases with the increase of magnetic resistance. Finally, the comparison between the MEE and piezo-aeroelastic harvesting efficiencies was performed, which revealed the prior one's superiority from the generated power perspective.