Dynamics and energy harvesting from parametrically coupled self-excited electromechanical oscillator

The investigated parametrically coupled electromechanical structure is composed of a mechanical Duffing oscillator whose mass sits on a moving belt surface. The driving electrical network is a van der Pol oscillator whose aim is to actuate the attached DC motor to provide some rotatry unbalances and parametric coupling in the vibrating structure. The coupled oscillator is applied to energy harvesting and overcomes the limitation of low energy generation associated with a single oscillator of this kind. The system was solved analytically and validated by numerical methods. The global dynamics of the structure were investigated, and nonlinear phenomena such as Neimark–Sacker bifurcation, discontinuity-induced bifurcation, grazing–sliding, and bifurcation to multiple tori were identified. These nonlinear behaviors affect the harvested energy at bifurcation points, resulting in jumps from one energy level to another. In addition to harnessing the highest energy under hard parametric coupling, the coupling ensures that higher and more useful energy is harvested over a wider range of belt speeds. Finally, the qualitative validation of the numerical concept by experimental setup verifies the workings of the model.