Aktiebolaget Skf

Skf Magnetic Mechatronics

Mark Rhodes

Julian Franchitti

Condition monitoring device including a condition monitoring sensor configured to acquire vibration signals produced by the system and an integrated power supply having an energy harvester for providing power energy to the condition monitoring sensor and having an electromagnetic coil and a permanent magnet. The integrated power supply includes a system power switch between the energy harvester and the condition monitoring sensor and configured to be switched between at least a first high impedance position providing power energy of the energy harvester to the sensor and a second low impedance position where no power is transmitted to the sensor. Also, a system for restricting movement of the energy harvester configured to be connected across the electromagnetic coil in the low impedance passive position of the system power switch.

Condition monitoring device having a power switch between an integrated energy harvester and a method for operating said power switch

A system for managing sensor power to a remote wireless condition monitoring sensor installed on a railway rolling stock. The system provides an energy harvester that derives wireless sensor power, a rechargeable battery connected to the energy harvester for supplying energy to the rechargeable battery and for powering the system, an antenna for sending signals to a remote database based on measured vibration and acceleration data, a central processing unit having a memory an arithmetic logic unit and a control unit for controlling a function of the system. The remote wireless condition monitoring sensor is protected from potentially fatal over voltage and under voltage conditions and the operating life is prolonged by entering dedicated modes of operation based on battery voltage and available energy capacity as instructed by the central processing unit. Also, a method for carrying out the function of the system.

Power management scheme for vibration harvester sensor

A condition monitoring sensor system having a power supply; a condition monitoring sensor; a processor; a permanently powered power-on timer; and a watchdog timer. The permanently powered power-on timer is set for a first predetermined duration and is configured to wake the processor by connecting the processor to the power supply if the power-on timer elapses. Upon waking up, the processor is configured to reset the power-on timer to the first predetermined duration and is configured to control at least the condition monitoring sensor. The condition monitoring sensor may take condition monitoring data. Upon waking up, the processor is configured to set the watchdog timer for a second predetermined duration. The watchdog timer is powered via the power supply, which forces the processor and the watchdog timer to enter a sleep mode by disconnecting the processor and the watchdog timer from the power supply if the watchdog timer elapses.

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RG South Queensferry, United Kingdom

Mark Rhodes