Parametric Excitation Applications for Enhanced Energy Harvesting in Cantilever Beams

Abstract

The present study focuses on understanding and optimizing the dynamic response of cantilever beams under time-harmonic parametric excitation in order to maximize the maximum response attainable for energy harvesting applications. Employing both analytical and experimental methodologies, the study investigates key parameters influencing the system's performance, including the effects of nonlinear inertia, Duffing-type nonlinearity, material and geometrical properties, and excitation frequency. Analytical methods, including the Method of Varying Amplitudes and the Method of Multiple Scales, are employed to obtain approximate analytical solutions representing the dynamic response characteristics of the system. Experimental validation is conducted to corroborate the theoretical findings, ensuring practical applicability. The results show that the response of the system is highly dependent on the values of the Duffing-type nonlinearity term and the nonlinear inertia term, demonstrating significant potential for energy harvesting in cantilever beam systems through tailored parametric excitation strategies.