Magneto-Electric Hybrid Generator for Simultaneously Harvesting Vibration and Stray Magnetic Field Energy

An array-based magneto-electric hybrid generator is presented which can respond to vibration and stray magnetic fields. Using the magnetic levitation mechanism, the generator can extract vibration energy in three axes, and the use of a magneto-electric array improves the output power. The nonlinear magnetic force on the suspending magnets is analyzed during vibration, and a nonlinear dynamical equation is established. A law for the time-varying displacement of the suspending magnets is obtained after solving the dynamical equation. The magnetic field on the magneto-electric transducer array under dual excitations is analyzed, and a theoretical model is developed. A prototype is fabricated to conduct the energy-harvesting experiments. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the generator under dual excitations.