Analysis of plate oscillatory motion in a variable air flow for power generation

This paper investigates the translational oscillatory motion of a single-degree-of-freedom thin plate under variable airflow conditions, including wind gusts, harmonic flow, and airflow with random parameters. The proposed airflow device is designed as a swing pendulum, where the plate is connected to a fixed base by two identical cranks, with a power generator attached to the end of one crank axle. The rotary motion of the cranks due to airflow is evaluated using an energy dissipation parameter. The interaction between the airflow and the plate undergoing translational (i.e., non-rotational) motion is studied numerically through computer simulations, applying the principle of superposition. In this approach, the fast chaotic motion of air particles (Brownian motion) is separated from the slower flow motion. The modeling incorporates the concept of pressure (downwind) and suction (upwind) zones for a rigid body immersed in an airflow. The analytical formulas derived from these calculations are then used to analyze the motion of the electromechanical system. System parameters are optimized, using generated power as the evaluation criterion. Numerical results confirm the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed wind energy system under non-stationary airflow conditions. The device is suitable for installation in open fields, on building rooftops, along highways, or in tunnels. It is environmentally friendly and poses no harm to people.