Recurrence Plot and Recurrence Quantification of the Dynamic Properties of Cross-Shaped Laminated Energy Harvester

The paper examines the dynamic properties of bistable cross-shaped laminate plates for broadband energy harvesting applications by converting mechanical vibration energy into the electrical power output. Bistable laminates plates coupled to piezoelectric transducers were excited by application of harmonic excitations and exhibited a range of vibration patterns. The vibration patterns included single-well oscillations and snap-through vibrations of both periodic and chaotic character; such vibration patterns led to a different power output. Classical spectral analysis of measured voltage, displacement and velocity time histories indicated the presence of a variety of nonlinear and chaotic phenomena. As a result, an analysis of the measured displacement and voltage time histories was carried out with the use of the Recurrence Plots and the Recurrence Quantification Analysis methods. The Recurrence Plots method was used for detection of qualitative changes in the dynamic behaviour of the non-linear harvesting system. In order to facilitate interpretation of piezoelectric voltage and laminate displacement, a detailed analysis using Recurrence Plots, Recurrence Quantification Analysis was employed.