Evaluation of Piezoaeroelastic Energy Harvesting Potential of a Jet Transport Aircraft Wing with Multiphase Composite using Iterative Finite Element Method

This paper presents new insight on the potential of piezoaeroelastic energy harvesting on the transport aircraft wing structure. A novel numerical investigation is conducted in the present study. An advanced iterative finite element method ( FEM) is applied to estimate the amount of harvested energy. Currently, FEM-based commercial software has a limited application on piezoelectric structures, i.e., actuator and sensor. The iterative FEM algorithm extends the commercial software implementation for the energy harvesting analysis. The multidisciplinary issue of the aeroelastic phenomenon and piezoelectric energy harvesting is evaluated in the present case. Likewise, interestingly, stress and failure analysis of a lifting surface with an active energy harvesting component could be enabled. Implementation of a wing with an embedded piezoelectric layer is concerned. A cruise flight condition and gust disturbance are evaluated. The analysis concerning the occurrence of gust also provides a more realistic insight into the power harvested during a flight operation.