Response regimes of nonlinear energy harvesters with a resistor-inductor resonant circuit by complexification-averaging method

In this paper, the steady-state response regimes of nonlinear energy harvesters with a resistor-inductor resonant circuit are theoretically investigated. The complexification averaging (CA) method is used to theoretically analyze the energy harvesting performance and reduce the motion equations into a set of first-order differential equations. The amplitudes and phases of both the response displacement and the output voltage are derived, and the corresponding stability conditions are determined. The response regimes are studied with the variation of nonlinear stiffness coefficients and coupling parameters, which are verified by the time domain analysis. The frequency island phenomenon is found and analyzed. Additionally, the backbone curve for deducing the extreme vibration frequency and amplitude is derived. Simultaneously, the analytical expressions of the switching points (critical amplitude and frequency) to identify the hardening and softening properties are established. Accordingly, a criterion is given to determine the occurrence of the jump phenomenon, and its effectiveness is verified. Overall, this paper presents an in-depth theoretical analysis of nonlinear energy harvesters with a resistor-inductor resonant circuit. It presents the theoretical framework and guidance for more extensive evaluations and understanding the theoretical analysis of nonlinear energy harvesters with external circuits.