Self powered wireless sensors for condition monitoring applications

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the feasibility of using kinetic energy harvesting to power wireless condition monitoring sensors.

Design/methodology/approach

The system presented duty cycles its operation depending upon the energy being harvested. The harvested energy is stored on a supercapacitor and the system samples sufficient vibration data to enable an FFT to be performed at the receiver.

Findings

The results of this study show it is perfectly feasible to power practical wireless condition monitoring sensors entirely from the vibrations of the machines being monitored.

Originality/value

Energy harvesting techniques can be used to power wireless sensors in a range of applications. Removing the need for a battery power supply presents obvious environmental benefits and avoids the need to periodically replace batteries.

Citation

Owen, T.H., Kestermann, S., Torah, R. and Beeby, S.P. (2009), "Self powered wireless sensors for condition monitoring applications", Sensor Review, Vol. 29 No. 1, pp. 38-43. https://doi.org/10.1108/02602280910926742