Wireless energy transmission to supplement energy harvesters in sensor network applications

Abstract

In this paper we present a method for coupling wireless energy transmission with traditional energy harvesting techniques in order to power sensor nodes for structural health monitoring applications. The goal of this study is to develop a system that can be permanently embedded within civil structures without the need for on-board power sources. Wireless energy transmission is included to supplement energy harvesting techniques that rely on ambient or environmental, energy sources. This approach combines several transducer types that harvest ambient energy with wireless transmission sources, providing a robust solution that does not rely on a single energy source. Experimental results from laboratory and field experiments are presented to address duty cycle limitations of conventional energy harvesting techniques, and the advantages gained by incorporating a wireless energy transmission subsystem. Methods of increasing the efficiency, energy storage medium, target applications and the integrated use of energy harvesting sources with wireless energy transmission will be discussed.

Electromechanical impedance of piezoelectric transducers for monitoring metallic and non-metallic structures: A review of wired, wireless and energy-harvesting methods

“…Energy harvesting is the much talked about area of research by many international forums such as the International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE) (Farinholt et al, 2010). The vision of this area is derived from the requirements of EMI to uplift itself to cater the needs of industry and academic.…”

A Multi-scale Approach to Statistical and Model-based Structural Health Monitoring with Application to Embedded Sensing for Wind Energy

“…In terms of power consumption, embedded sensor nodes for SHM generally fall either into the "low-power" or the "wall power" categories. Low-power sensor nodes typically have limited functionality, minimal processing capabilities, and are often intended for use with energy harvesting systems [53,54]. In this loose definition, wall-power systems may draw 1W or more, far less than a standard data acquisition (DAQ) system or desktop PC, but, except at very low duty cycles, they would be beyond the serviceability of most energy harvesting systems, with the exception of reliable solar power.…”

“…In order to prevent the charge in the storage capacitor from being drained by attempts at powering the microcontroller, an ultra-low power switch originally developed by Mascarenas et al [75] was adapted for use with the WID3 [53,76]. One innovation of the switch developed for the WID3 was that, in addition to withholding energy from the node until the storage capacitor reached a predetermined voltage level, it would turn off after the capacitor dropped below a lower, predetermined level.…”