Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting for Wireless Sensor Systems in Aircraft

C.A. Featherston; Karen M. Holford; Greg Waring

doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.413-414.487

Paper Titles

Application of Compressive Sampling for Accelerometer Signals Used in Structural Health Monitoring
p.455

Research on Real-Time Process Monitoring Technology and System for High-Speed Turbopump
p.463

Gearbox Condition Estimation Using Cyclo-Stationary Properties of Vibration Signal
p.471

Analysis of the Response of a Rotor System Containing a Breathing Crack
p.479

Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting for Wireless Sensor Systems in Aircraft
p.487

Condition Monitoring of CI Engine Running on Biodiesel Using Transient Process
p.495

Bispectrum Analysis of Motor Current Signals for Fault Diagnosis of Reciprocating Compressors
p.505

Experimental Study on Rubbing Acoustic Emission for Rotor-Bearing System Based on Parameter Analysis
p.513

Investigation of Condition Monitoring of a Flap System
p.521

HomeKey Engineering MaterialsKey Engineering Materials Vols. 413-414Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting for Wireless...

Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting for Wireless Sensor Systems in Aircraft

Abstract:

The use of structural health monitoring in the aerospace industry has many benefits including improved safety, reduced maintenance and extended aircraft lifecycles. A major focus of current research in this area is the development of wireless sensor 'nodes‘ which rely on batteries as a power source, severely limiting the product lifespan. This paper presents the results of work carried out to examine the feasibility of replacing or supplementing existing battery power supplies using thermoelectric energy conversion from ambient temperature differences in aircraft. An average power demand of 1mW over a typical sensor duty cycle is identified for current wireless sensor hardware. Temperature differentials between the wing fuel tanks and external air are determined and a theoretical model for thermoelectric energy harvesting potential is developed. Results indicate that average power outputs sufficient for the intended application of 6.6-22mW could be achieved during flight, based on a commercially available thermoelectric module of 30×30×4.1mm. An experimental investigation of the performance of this module when subjected to appropriate temperature conditions, using a Ranque-Hilshe vortex tube to generate easily controlled temperatures to -25°C is described. Excellent consistency is demonstrated between theoretical predictions and experimental results, confirming the accuracy of the theoretical model.

You might also be interested in these eBooks

View Preview

Info:

Periodical:

Key Engineering Materials (Volumes 413-414)

Pages:

487-494

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.413-414.487

Citation:

Cite this paper

Online since:

June 2009

Authors:

C.A. Featherston, Karen M. Holford, Greg Waring

Keywords:

Energy Harvesting, Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), Thermoelectric, Wireless Sensor

Export:

RIS, BibTeX

Price:

Permissions:

Request Permissions

References

[1] V. Jovanovic, S. Ghamaty and J. C. Bass: Design, fabrication and testing of a novel energy-harvesting thermoelectric power supply for wireless sensors, (2006), www. hi-z. com/papers. php.

DOI: 10.1115/power2006-88150

Google Scholar

[2] C.O. Mathuna, et al., Talanta: doi: 10. 1016/j. talanta. 2007. 12. 021, (2008) in press.

Google Scholar

[3] J. P. Lynch: Design of a wireless active sensing unit for localized structural health monitoring, Structural Control and Health Monitoring, Vol. 12 (2005) p.405.

DOI: 10.1002/stc.77

Google Scholar

[4] AAIB Bulletin S2/2004 - Boeing 777-236, G-YMME, (2004), http: /www. aaib. gov. uk/cms_resources/dft_avsafety_pdf_030051. pdf.

Google Scholar

[5] A. J. Paison: 1979, In-Flight Fuel Tank Temperature Survey Data, http: /ntrs. nasa. gov/archive/nasa/casi. ntrs. nasa. gov/19790015769_1979015769. pdf.

Google Scholar

[6] R. Svehla: In-Flight and Simulated Aircraft Fuel Temperature Measurements, (1990) http: /ntrs. nasa. gov: 80/archive/nasa/casi. ntrs. nasa. gov/19910006105_1991006105. pdf.

Google Scholar

[7] Hi-Z Technology, Hi-Z HZ2 Thermoelectric Module, http: /www. hi-z. com/hz2. php.

Google Scholar

[8] D. M. Rowe: Thermoelectrics, an environmentally friendly source of electrical power, Renewable Energy, Vol. 16 (1999) p.1251.

DOI: 10.1016/s0960-1481(98)00512-6

Google Scholar

[9] G. Min, D. M. Rowe: Low-Temperatue Heat Conversion CRC Handbook of Thermoelectrics, edited by D. M. Rowe, CRC Press, Boca Raton FL, (1995) pp.1-5.

DOI: 10.1201/9781420049718.ch44

Google Scholar