Self-powered wireless thermoelectric sensors

Abstract

Sensors capable of measuring various performance parameters of an operational power generation unit could help improve system performance and overall efficiencies. For example, measurement of temperatures, temperature differences, or exhaust gas concentrations could provide both a quick quantitative and qualitative assessment of system health and allow for operation of power units with smaller safety margins and therefore higher efficiencies. For this study a technique is presented that can transmit data about an operational system wirelessly in real-time to an external location. For these experiments thermoelectric element leads were connected to a solenoid coil. When the thermoelectric was exposed to a temperature difference a current was generated in the thermoelectric and solenoid coil resulting in a magnetic field. A receiver was then used to measure the changes in magnetic field of the system. Two primary configurations were developed to test this wireless sensor configuration: dynamic and static. For dynamic measurements a pendulum and pneumatic air cylinder were used to simulate a moving component that may pass the external Hall sensor such as a fan or turbine blade. For dynamic measurements it was determined that for accurate results it is very important to maintain the distance constant between the Hall sensor and solenoid coil. For stationary measurements the temperature difference across the thermoelectric was related to output measurements from the Hall sensor. Overall, results show that data can be wirelessly transmitted to an external location using this method.