Energy-harvesting sensor system and method therefor
US11223300B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jan 11, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 14, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F1/3215
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A sensor network that is easy to deploy and substantially maintenance-free is disclosed. Sensor networks in accordance with the present invention include a base station and at least one sensor node that is operative for monitoring the occupancy of an area and wirelessly communicating information to the base station. The sensor node includes an energy harvester for converting ambient energy into electrical energy and an energy manager that enables self-powering of the sensor node using only the electrical energy derived from the ambient energy. The energy manager also includes a cold-start module that enables initiation of sensor-node operation even in the absence of any stored energy onboard the sensor node.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.