Hydraulic system sensor
A hydraulic system includes a hydraulic circuit and a sensor for sensing a characteristic of hydraulic fluid of the hydraulic circuit. An energy harvester is configured to harvest energy from the hydraulic circuit. A controller interfaces with the sensor and is powered at least in part by the energy harvester. Various types of sensors are employed, including pressure and temperature sensors. A battery may further be included for powering the controller in addition to the energy harvester.
1. A hydraulic system, comprising:
a hydraulic circuit;
a module body connected to the hydraulic circuit, the module body having an inlet and an outlet with a fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet;
a sensor connected to the module body for sensing a characteristic of hydraulic fluid of the hydraulic circuit;
an energy harvester configured to harvest energy from the hydraulic circuit; and
a controller powered at least in part by the energy harvester, the controller interfacing with the sensor.
2. The hydraulic system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a temperature sensor.
3. The hydraulic system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a pressure sensor.
4. The hydraulic system of claim 1 , further comprising a battery for powering the controller.
5. The hydraulic system of claim 4 , wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery, and wherein the rechargeable battery is recharged by the energy harvester.
6. The hydraulic system of claim 1 , wherein the energy harvester includes a thermoelectric generator configured to generate power in response to heat generated by the hydraulic fluid.
7. The hydraulic system of claim 1 , wherein the energy harvester includes a piezoelectric device configured to generate power in response to pressure exerted on the piezoelectric device by the hydraulic fluid.
8. The hydraulic system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to compare a sensed characteristic with a stored characteristic.
9. The hydraulic system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to monitor a component of the hydraulic system based on data received from the sensor.
10. The hydraulic system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to monitor a system signature based on data received from the sensor.
11. The hydraulic system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to communicate with an external device.
12. A sensor module for sensing a characteristic of a hydraulic system, comprising:
a module body having an inlet and an outlet with a fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet;
a sensor situated in fluid communication with the fluid flow path;
an energy harvester connected to the module body and configured to harvest energy from the hydraulic system; and
a controller powered at least in part by the energy harvester, the controller interfacing with the sensor.
13. The sensor module of claim 12 , wherein the sensor includes a temperature sensor.
14. The sensor module of claim 12 , wherein the sensor includes a pressure sensor.
15. The sensor module of claim 14 , wherein the sensor includes first and second pressure sensors spaced apart from one another.
16. The sensor module of claim 12 , further comprising a battery for powering the controller.
17. The sensor module of claim 12 , wherein the energy harvester includes a piezoelectric device situated in the fluid flow path.
18. The sensor module of claim 12 , wherein the energy harvester includes a thermoelectric generator situated on an outside surface of the module body.
19. The sensor module of claim 12 , wherein the inlet is coupled to a hydraulic component and the outlet is coupled to a hydraulic hose.
20. The sensor module of claim 19 , wherein the hydraulic component is a component of a hydraulic work machine.
21. The sensor module of claim 12 , wherein the sensor is configured to measure a characteristic of a liquid flowing through the fluid flow path.
22. The sensor module of claim 12 , wherein the sensor is configured to measure a characteristic of a gas flowing through the fluid flow path.