Multi-Source Energy Harvesting Sensor Node for Autonomous Environmental Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional environmental monitoring sensor devices require large numbers of batteries, which are toxic and require significant maintenance, and they often lack efficient energy harvesting capabilities for long-term, untethered operation.
Innovation Solution
A multi-parametric environmental diagnostics and monitoring sensor node powered by multiple renewable energy sources, including photovoltaic cells, thermoelectric generators, vibration transducers, and RF energy harvesters, with a power management system that selectively charges a supercapacitor from these sources, enabling continuous operation without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sensor devices are deployed in large numbers for environmental monitoring, then monitoring coverage and data resolution are improved, but the quantity of toxic batteries and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor node harvests energy autonomously from environmental sources (light, heat, vibration, RF signals) to power its operations, eliminating the need for external battery replacement or recharging. The node serves itself by converting ambient energy into electrical power for continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the energy source parameter from conventional batteries to renewable environmental energy sources. By utilizing multiple harvesting mechanisms (photovoltaic, thermoelectric, piezoelectric, RF), the system transforms the way energy is supplied, converting waste environmental energy into useful electrical power.
2Productivity
If conventional sensor devices are deployed in large numbers, then real-time environmental data collection is improved, but the maintenance staff and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor node performs self-maintenance by continuously harvesting energy from the environment to power its operations and transmission capabilities. This eliminates the need for periodic human intervention for battery replacement or recharging, allowing large-scale deployment without proportional increases in maintenance staff.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple energy harvesting mechanisms ensure continuous power supply by operating in parallel and complementing each other. When one source is insufficient, others compensate, ensuring uninterrupted sensor operation and data transmission without maintenance interruptions.
3Device complexity
If sensor nodes use single energy source, then device complexity is reduced, but energy sufficiency for continuous operation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor node combines multiple energy harvesting mechanisms (photovoltaic cells, thermoelectric generators, piezoelectric elements, RF harvesters) into a unified power system. These diverse energy sources are merged to work together, providing sufficient total energy for continuous operation by compensating for each other's limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system is designed to universally accept energy from multiple different sources and convert them all into usable electrical power. The system performs multiple functions by harvesting from light, heat, vibration, and RF signals, making the energy supply system adaptable and robust for various environmental conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The sensor node achieves efficient and sustainable energy harvesting, reducing the need for batteries and maintenance, while providing reliable, long-term monitoring of environmental parameters with low power consumption and high data transmission efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
An external photovoltaic (solar) cell is mounted to the base and is exposed through the opening in the base. The cover has a cover opening formed therein. An internal photovoltaic cell is mounted to the cover and is exposed through the opening in the cover. The internal and external photovoltaic cells are each in communication with the power storage module for electrical charging thereof.
Implementation Method 2
The power storage module may include a supercapacitor or the like, and may be powered by additional, auxiliary energy harvesting modules, such as a thermoelectric generator, a vibration transducer, and a radio frequency (RF) energy harvester. Preferably, the base is formed from a thermally conductive material, such as metal, so that the thermoelectric generator is driven by a temperature differential between the window and the internal environment of the room.
Data Source
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AI summary
The multi-parametric environmental diagnostics and monitoring sensor node (10) provides monitoring and diagnostics of a variety of different ambient environmental factors and is powered by multiple sources of renewable energy. The multi-parametric environmental diagnostics and monitoring sensor node (10) includes a base (38) and a plurality of environmental condition sensors (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, 36f) mounted thereon. A controller (47) is also mounted on the base (38), the plurality of environmental condition sensors (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, 36f) being in communication therewith. An external photovoltaic cell (18) is mounted to the base and an internal photovoltaic cell (34) is mounted in an opposed orientation on a cover (32). The external photovoltaic cell (18) and the internal photovoltaic cell (34) charge a power storage module (52), which powers the plurality of environmental condition sensors (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, 36f) and the controller (47).