Thermoelectric Sensor Powering for Battery-Free Hot Spot Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional temperature sensors in electrical systems face complications with battery replacement and require wiring harnesses, necessitating an improved operating mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a thermoelectric generating module to convert heat into electrical energy, regulating it with a maximum power point tracking technique for charging an energy storage device, and triggering sensor data acquisition when the charge reaches a threshold, eliminating the need for batteries and wiring harnesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If thermocouples are used to measure hot spots, then temperature measurement is achieved, but the wiring harness becomes complicated to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature sensing function from the hot spot area and places it in a safe, accessible location. The sensor is positioned remotely from the high-temperature zone, connected only by a simple thermal coupling mechanism rather than complex wiring harnesses extending into hazardous areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a thermal coupling intermediary (such as a thermally conductive but electrically isolating material or structure) that transfers temperature information from the hot spot to the sensor without requiring direct electrical connections or complex wiring through the thermal hazard zone.
2Device complexity
If battery-operated temperature sensors are used, then wiring complexity is reduced, but battery replacement becomes necessary at periodic intervals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the sensor system to harvest its own operating power from the thermal environment it is measuring. The thermoelectric generator converts the temperature difference between the hot spot and ambient environment into electrical energy, allowing the sensor to be self-powered without external batteries or wiring connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical energy storage system (batteries) with a thermoelectric energy conversion system. Instead of storing energy chemically in batteries that deplete over time, the system continuously converts thermal energy from the environment into electrical energy through the Seebeck effect in thermoelectric materials.
3Ease of operation
If battery-operated sensors are deployed, then installation is simplified, but safety concerns arise from battery replacement in electrical systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source function from external batteries and integrates it directly into the sensor housing at the measurement location. This eliminates the need to handle, install, or replace batteries in potentially hazardous electrical environments, while the sensor remains easily installable as a self-contained unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system generates its own power locally through thermoelectric conversion, eliminating the need for external battery replacement operations. The system is installed once and maintains continuous operation by harvesting energy from the thermal gradient, removing all safety hazards associated with battery handling in electrical systems.
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, safe, and wireless real-time data acquisition of temperature and humidity data without batteries or wiring, facilitating automatic transmission to receiving devices.
Implementation Method 1
generating an electrical energy corresponding to a heat dissipated from a surface of an equipment
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for operating a sensor device includes generating an electrical energy corresponding to a heat dissipated from a surface of an equipment, regulating the electrical energy to generate an optimum output voltage using a maximum power point tracking technique and feeding the optimum output voltage to charge an energy storage device, triggering a sensor device to acquire sensor data when a charge stored in the energy storage device is equal to or greater than a pre-defined threshold value, and transmitting the sensor data to a receiving device.