Self-Powered Energy Sensor Using Current Transformer and Hall Effect
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy monitoring systems for building HVAC systems require invasive and costly submetering or maintenance-intensive wired sensors to measure power consumption of smaller equipment, which is inefficient and disruptive.
Innovation Solution
A self-powered wireless smart energy sensor that harvests energy from power lines using a current transformer and includes a Hall effect sensor to measure current flow, allowing for non-invasive, real-time, and continuous monitoring without the need for maintenance or wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wired energy sensors or battery-powered wireless sensors are used, then power consumption can be measured, but maintenance is required and installation is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor harnesses energy from the power line itself through electromagnetic induction to power its own operation, eliminating the need for external power sources or battery replacements. This self-powered mechanism allows the sensor to operate autonomously without maintenance intervention for power supply
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces wired mechanical connections and battery-powered systems with wireless electromagnetic energy harvesting. The sensor uses electromagnetic induction to wirelessly extract power from the nearby power line, substituting physical wiring and battery compartments with field-based energy transfer
2Loss of information
If submetering is implemented to determine power consumption of smaller equipment, then detailed power data is obtained, but installation is disruptive, expensive, and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of power measurement from the complex submetering infrastructure. By placing a simple sensor near the power line that harnesses electromagnetic energy, it separates the measurement function from the power distribution system, obtaining detailed power consumption data without requiring invasive installation into electrical circuits
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor acts as an intermediary between the power line and the monitoring system. It wirelessly harvests energy from the power line's electromagnetic field and transmits measurement data without becoming part of the electrical circuit itself, enabling detailed monitoring without disruptive installation
3Duration of action of stationary object
If wired energy sensors are used, then continuous monitoring is achieved, but maintenance is required
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor continuously monitors power consumption by harvesting energy from the power line to power its own operation. This self-sustaining mechanism eliminates the need for battery replacements or external power maintenance, enabling indefinite continuous operation without intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor recovers energy that would otherwise be lost as electromagnetic radiation from the power line. By harvesting this ambient electromagnetic energy, the sensor converts waste energy into operational power, eliminating the need for disposable batteries or external power sources
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
Enables efficient, cost-effective, and maintenance-free monitoring of current flow through power lines, providing accurate and instantaneous data on energy usage across HVAC systems, which can be integrated with building management systems for optimized control decisions.
Implementation Method 1
The energy harvesting element is configured to mount around a power line and harvest energy in response to a load being applied to the power line
Implementation Method 2
The sensing element is configured to generate a signal in response to a load being applied to the power line... The signal generated by the sensing element is representative of a magnetic field generated by a load being applied to the power line... the sensing element is a Hall effect sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor for measuring current flow includes a power generation circuit, a current measurement circuit and a microcontroller. The power generation circuit includes a current transformer that harvests energy from a load applied to the conductor and uses the harvested energy to power the current measurement circuit and microcontroller. The current measurement circuit includes a Hall effect sensor that outputs a voltage signal in response to detecting a magnetic flux generated by the flow of current through the conductor. The microcontroller calculates a current measurement based on the voltage signal received from the current measurement system. The Hall effect sensor is able to generate the voltage signal used to measure current flow at the same time that the current transformer harvests energy from the current flowing through the conductor. A fault detection system is able to alert a user to problems with the current transformer and/or the Hall effect sensor.