Minesugi Kenji

Abstract We propose and demonstrate a novel method to enhance vibration harvesting based on surge-induced synchronized switch harvesting on inductor (S³HI). S³HI allows harvesting of a large amount of energy even from low-amplitude vibrations by inducing a surge voltage during the voltage inversion of a synchronized switch harvesting on inductor (SSHI). The surge voltage and the voltage amplification from the conventional voltage inversion improve energy harvesting. S³HI modifies SSHI by both rewiring the circuit without adding components and using a novel switching pattern for voltage inversion, thus maintaining the simplicity of SSHI. We propose a novel switching strategy and circuit topology and analyze six methods that constitute the S³HI family, which includes traditional S³HI and high-frequency S³HI. We demonstrate that the six methods suitably harvest energy even from low-amplitude vibrations. Nevertheless, the harvestable energy per vibration cycle depends on the switching pattern and storage-capacitor voltage. The use of the proposed switching strategy, which allows energy harvesting before energy-dissipative voltage inversion, substantially increases the harvestable energy per vibration cycle. In the typical case considered in this study, the said increase is on the order of 11%–31% and 15%–450% compared to the traditional and existing high-frequency S³HI methods, respectively, depending on the storage-capacitor voltage. Additionally, the proposed circuit can be used as a traditional circuit. It could be considered a promising alternative to S³HI methods owing to its potential auto-reboot capability, which is not found in traditional S³HI circuit.

<p>An Extensible Optical Bench (EOB) for a X-ray satellite (ASTRO-H) had a length of 6.4m in extended configuration. Although the same type of extensible mast was used in Space Radio Telescope (Halca) in 1997, the tip mass was quite different in the case of ASTRO-H. Due to the tip mass of 150 kg, the natural frequency of EOB was less than 1Hz in the extended configuration. ASTRO-H was launched on Feb. 17, 2016, and the EOB was extended on Feb. 28, 2016, successfully. However, because the vibration of EOB occurred during the extension, the extension operation was carried out over four passes intermittently. When the amplitude of induced vibration excessed the predefined threshold, we stopped the extension, then stayed until the vibration was damped. In this paper, the induced vibration during extension and its mechanism are reported. Through simulations, it is confirmed that one of the major causes of the vibration is a periodic change of gap between mast and canister at the root of EOB.</p>