Shaft Integrated Electromagnetic Energy Harvester with Gravitational Torque

• Main Authors: Michel Ullrich, Maik Wolf, Mathias Rudolph, Wolfgang Diller
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-06-01
• Series: Designs
• Subjects: energy harvesting; continuously rotating energy harvester; rotational generator; shaft integrated; eccentric mass
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2411-9660/4/2/16

This paper presents the development of an electromagnetic energy harvester for electrical supply of a sensor unit integrated on the rotating inner ring of a rolling bearing. This energy harvester is of special interest for condition monitoring tasks on rotating shafts. A sensory monitor on the inner ring can detect wear conditions at an early stage. The harvester works without mechanical and energetic contact to surrounding components by utilizing the rotational energy of the shaft. The functionality of the Energy Harvester is enabled by the inertia principle, which is caused by an asymmetrical mass distribution. We provide simulations to validate the designs. This work includes simulation studies on the electrical power output of the harvester. Therefore, the necessary simulation of the magnetic problems is realized in a substitute simulation environment. The harvester design enables existing machines to be equipped with the harvester to provide an energy supply on rotating shafts. This clamp connection enables shaft mounting independent of location without mechanical work on the shaft. With an electrical power of up to 163.6 m W, at 3600 rpm, the harvester is used as an energy supply, which enables sensor-based monitoring of slow wear processes.