ENERGY PRODUCTION FROM RAILS BY USING PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIAL

INTRODUCTION: The need of the hour is to produce energy from places where we are actually losing energy thereby increasing the efficiency, lowering the cost and producing greener energy. The idea we propose is related to producing energy from vibrating rails in the traction system. There is a vibration produced in the rails whenever a train passes over them. This vibration can be utilised to produce electricity and hence increase the overall efficiency of the traction system. PRINCIPLE: The basic principle used in this model is that whenever a piezo-electric material is subjected to a physical pressure there is an electrical potential developed across its surface. This potential though is very small, can be utilised by adding up many units in series and hence increasing the capacity. MATERIAL USED: QP(Quick Pack): QPV22bL Peizo Electric Material From MIDE technologies It contains two layers of piezo electric material placed one over the other to increase the outpu as shown:

ARRANGEMENT OF THE APPARATUS

The tip mass has to be adjusted both in mass as well as position to set the frequency of oscillation in the material. This is because tuning the beam to proper frequency leads to maximum utilisation of energy. RELATION BETWEEN TIP MASS & NATURAL FREQUENCY

CONCLUSION: Thus we can develop a way to harvest the energy normally wasted in the rails for the benefit of the railways and the nation.