Finite element modeling of a new magnetic SMA based energy harvester using a corrugated structure and investigating the effective parameters

In recent years demand for mobile electrical power has been increased and due to this application, energy harvester systems have been developed to convert mechanical energy into suitable electrical energy using smart materials. In this investigation, a novel arrangement of a new energy harvester using Magnetic Shape Memory Alloys (MSMAs) is developed. Elements of MSMA are attached to a corrugated beam and their roots are fixed to the base support. The reason of using the corrugated beam is to increase the stiffness of the structure in less thickness and also to increase the effective strain field in MSMA elements. This feature reduces the length of the system and the occupied volume. The way of harvesting energy from this system is based on conversion of vibrational energy to the magnetic flux gradient. That is to say; there is a number of copper coils that wrapped around the MSMA elements in a constant magnetic field. If strain or stress field is applied to the MSMA elements, some variants in specific direction are changed and as a result, the electrical current is induced to the coils. The AC voltage is produced as a result of change in magnetic flux of the surrounding coil according to Faraday’s Law. The problem is studied with simulations in Abaqus using UMAT code for modeling behaviour of MSMA elements. Also, to simulate the material properties of MSMA substance, Kiefer and Lagoudas nonlinear model is used. It will be shown the effect of various parameter on output voltage value.