Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – With particular coupling link
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-30
2001-10-16
Pope, Daryl (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
With particular coupling link
C340S506000, C340S540000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304176
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a parasitically powered sensing device and, more particularly, it relates to a family of apparatuses that parasitically transforms stray mechanical and/or electrical energy associated with a system into electric power which may be used to power at least one of a sensing element, an actuator, an enunciator, an energy storage element, a processor and/or a wireless communications link.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a factory setting there are a multitude of mechanical and electrical components, each performing a particular function or functions as part of a system which may, for example, be an automated assembly line. While many of the systems components may be highly efficient, each will produce stray energy losses during its normal operation. For example, it is common for electromagnetic energy as well as mechanical/vibrational, thermal and acoustic energy to stray outside a motor stator into the surrounding environment. Similarly, fluid or air handling conduits and mechanical bearings produce stray mechanical energy typically in the form of mechanical oscillation.
Remote sensors located proximal to mechanical and electrical components may be used to determine the condition of those components or the surrounding system. In general, each of the remote sensors requires wiring for power and communication with a remote processor. However, such wiring dramatically increases the cost of each sensing device often making extensive remote sensing impractical. For example, it is not uncommon for the cost of such wiring to exceed the cost of the sensing device itself. Alternately, the remote sensing devices may be battery powered and provide information via an RF communications link. However, the batteries required to power each sensor add significant cost and maintenance problems, especially when the sensors are located in difficult to reach areas. Furthermore, batteries have an uncertain life and are therefore unreliable. They also suffer from low power density and rapid deterioration and aging especially in hostile environments. Also the load versus time curve for batteries typically show a very rapid decline in power output at the end of battery life following a relatively long period of fairly steady output. This makes it difficult to predict when batteries need to be changed.
Accordingly, there is a present need for an alternate method and apparatus for powering remote sensors which takes advantage of the stray energy radiated by the electrical and mechanical components of a system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a parasitic energy transducer which transforms stray energy into an electrical voltage to power the remote sensing devices. The remote sensing devices are generally comprised of three elements. The first element is a sensing element which may be any of the presently known devices for sensing a condition in a particular environment. The second element is a wireless communications link which provides a means for networking the remote sensing device into a remote processor which may be an automated control system, for example. The third element is a parasitic energy transducer capable of transforming stray energy into an electric potential for powering at least the wireless communications link. A plurality of transducers may be implemented within one sensing device to produce greater power to enable constant operability of the sensing element and wireless communications link or where more power is desirable. Each transducer may be tuned to the frequency of the stray energy losses of the system to provide a higher yielding and more efficient power source.
In accordance with an alternate embodiment, the apparatus further comprises an energy storage element which provides power to the wireless communications link and sensing element when the transducer is unable to do so.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention there is provided a parasitically powered sensing device for monitoring the condition of a system in an industrial environment which produces stray energy. The device comprises a processor having a memory for storing a diagnostic algorithm; a wireless communications link coupled to the processor; and a tunable transducer coupled to the processor and the wireless communications link, the transducer converting the stray energy into a voltage. The processor and wireless communications link are powered by the transducer and the processor produces a diagnostic condition signal based on the voltage and the diagnostic algorithm which is transmitted by the wireless communications link.
In accordance with still another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for sensing a condition of a system producing stray energy. The method comprises the steps of coupling a sensor to said system for detecting the condition and generating a condition signal; coupling a tunable transducer to the sensor to provide a voltage to said sensor, the transducer being tunable to the stray energy of the system; and coupling a wireless communications link to the sensor for transmission of said condition signal.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a remote sensing device which is primarily powered by a parasitic energy transducer.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a power supply for a sensing element and wireless communications link in a remote sensing device; the power supply comprising at least one parasitic energy transducer which transduces stray energy radiated from a system into electric power for consumption by at least the wireless communications link.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive remote sensing device which can detect and report an incipient fault condition of a system or component it is monitoring.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a parasitically powered remote sensing device with an on-board processor and wireless communications link wherein the processor is capable of executing diagnostic and/or prognostic algorithms.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5390206 (1995-02-01), Rein et al.
Miller John M.
Pope Daryl
Rockwell Technologies LLC
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