Shaft mounted energy harvesting for wireless sensor operation and data transmission
US7256505B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 31, 2004 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 31, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02N11/002
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A device for monitoring a rotating shaft is provided. The device measures strain in the shaft and provides angular velocity and torque in the shaft. The device includes a sensor, sensor conditioning circuitry, a microprocessor, and a transmitter, all located on a rotating shaft. The device obtains power by harvesting mechanical energy of the rotating shaft itself. Coils are provided rotating with the shaft and permanent magnets are mounted adjacent the rotating shaft so electrical energy is induced in the coils as they rotate through the magnetic field of the permanent magnets. A battery or capacitor is connected to the coils for storing energy. A microprocessor is connected to the sensors, the storage device, and the transmitter for managing power consumption and for monitoring the amount of electrical energy stored in the storage device and for switchably connecting the storage device to the transmitter when the stored energy exceeds a threshold.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.