ENERGY HARVESTING SENSORS AND METHODS
A sensor system for monitoring a device, the sensor system including a housing, a base configured to attach the sensor system to the device to be monitored, a sensor configured to obtain data related to at least one operating parameter of the device, and an integral energy harvesting device configured to provide at least a portion of the energy required to operate the sensor system.
1 . A sensor system for monitoring a device, the sensor system comprising:
a housing;
a base configured to attach the sensor system to the device to be monitored;
a sensor configured to obtain data related to at least one operating parameter of the device; and
an integral energy harvesting device configured to provide at least a portion of the energy required to operate the sensor system.
2 . The sensor system of claim 1 wherein the sensor is configured to measure one or more of temperature, acceleration, oil quality, torque, and rotational speed.
3 . The sensor system of claim 1 wherein the energy harvesting device is configured to harvest one or more of thermal, photovoltaic, acceleration, and RF.
4 . The sensor system of claim 1 further comprising one or more of a battery and a capacitor.
5 . The sensor system of claim 1 further comprising a super capacitor.
6 . The sensor system of claim 1 further comprising a DC-DC converter in communication with the energy harvesting device, the DC-DC converter configured to boost power from the energy harvesting device.
7 . The sensor system of claim 1 wherein the housing is configured as a heat sink.
8 . The sensor system of claim 7 wherein the housing includes cooling fins.
9 . The sensor system of claim 7 wherein a thermal insulator is disposed between the base and the housing.
10 . The sensor system of claim 9 wherein the base is made of a base material having a first thermal conductivity and the housing is made of a housing material having a second thermal conductivity, the first thermal conductivity greater than the second thermal conductivity.
11 . The sensor system of claim 1 wherein the energy harvesting device is disposed between the base and the housing.
12 . The sensor system of claim 1 wherein the energy harvesting device is contained within the housing.
13 . The sensor system of claim 1 wherein the sensor is exterior to the housing.
14 . The sensor system of claim 1 wherein the sensor is contained within the housing.
15 . The sensor of claim 1 wherein the base includes a threaded post.
16 . A bearing assembly and sensor system, comprising:
a bearing assembly comprising:
a bearing housing and
a bearing set disposed in the bearing housing;
a sensor system attached to the bearing housing, the sensor system comprising:
a housing;
a base configured to attach the sensor system to the device to be monitored;
a sensor configured to obtain data related to at least one operating parameter of the device; and
an integral energy harvesting device configured to provide at least a portion of the energy required to operate the sensor system.
17 . A method of operating a wireless sensor system, comprising:
generating power with an integral energy harvesting device;
booting the sensor system to a state of full operation when the level of energy exceeds a selected threshold;
monitoring, with the sensor system, the level of energy;
maintaining the full state of operation while the level of energy exceeds that required for full operation of the system; and
reducing the state of operation when the level of energy drops below the required level.
18 . The method of claim 17 wherein generated power is stored in one or both of a battery and a capacitor of the sensor system.
19 . The method of claim 17 wherein the energy harvesting device is configured to generate power using one or more of thermal, solar, RF, and vibration energy.
20 . The method of claim 17 wherein the wireless sensor system is configured to monitor the status of a bearing assembly.