A magnetostrictive system in marine vessels converts vibrations into electrical power through a phenomenon known as the magnetostrictive effect. This effect is the property of certain materials to change their shape when exposed to a magnetic field and conversely, to produce a magnetic field when subjected to mechanical stress or strain.
Here's how the process generally works:
Magnetostrictive Material: The system employs a magnetostrictive material, typically an alloy like Terfenol-D (terbium, dysprosium, and iron), which exhibits a strong magnetostrictive effect. When subjected to mechanical vibrations or stress, this material undergoes slight changes in its dimensions.
Vibration Source: In marine vessels, there are various sources of vibrations, such as the movement of the vessel in the water, the operation of engines, propellers, and other machinery. These vibrations create mechanical stress in the structure of the vessel.
Transducer: The magnetostrictive material is integrated into a transducer, which is a device that converts one form of energy into another. In this case, the transducer is designed to convert the mechanical vibrations into magnetic field variations.
Magnetic Field Generation: As the magnetostrictive material experiences mechanical stress due to the vibrations, it changes its shape slightly. This leads to changes in the magnetic properties of the material, causing a corresponding change in its magnetic field.
Coil and Induction: A coil of wire is wound around the magnetostrictive material. When the material's magnetic field changes, it induces a voltage in the coil due to electromagnetic induction (Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction). This voltage is proportional to the rate of change of the magnetic field.
Electrical Output: The induced voltage in the coil is an electrical signal that can be harnessed as electrical power. This signal can be further processed and transformed to match the desired output requirements, such as voltage and current levels suitable for the vessel's electrical systems.
Energy Conversion and Storage: The induced electrical signal can be used to power various onboard systems, charge batteries, or contribute to the vessel's power grid. Depending on the specific application, the electrical power generated might be directly utilized or stored for later use.
By effectively harnessing the magnetostrictive effect, marine vessels can convert the mechanical vibrations they experience during operation into usable electrical power, helping to enhance their energy efficiency and potentially reducing the need for external power sources. The efficiency and effectiveness of this process depend on factors such as the quality of the magnetostrictive material, the design of the transducer, and the level of vibrations experienced by the vessel.