Battery-Free and Real-Time Wireless Sensor System on Marine Propulsion Shaft Using a Wireless Power Transfer Module

Abstract

In this paper, we present a wireless sensor system (WSS) that integrated an inductive wireless power transfer (I-WPT) module for battery-free real-time monitoring of the status of rotating shaft in ships. Firstly, an optimized I-WPT module for seamless power supply was implemented using multiple Tx and Rx coils, and its power capability of 1.75 W with an efficiency of 75% was achieved. Secondly, as a result of the high-power transfer performance of the implemented I-WPT module, an entire WSS that integrated four sensors was designed on the rotary shaft. Finally, the designed WSS was installed on a small-scale test bench system with a shaft diameter of 200 mm; it was demonstrated that the status of a propulsion shaft could be monitored in real time without a battery.

Review on Sensors for Sustainable and Safe Maritime Mobility

“…Monitoring rotating machines Powerless non-contact sensors [90] Finding the best route considering the influence of sea state Accelerometers, strain gauges [91] Evaluation of sensors' error in function of the variation of the temperature on maritime autonomous surface ships Microelectromechanical system sensors [92] Sensors network could be very useful with the spread of AUVs, which can operate in dangerous areas and accomplish tasks that could be difficult for a human-manned vehicle. The challenge is managing to design an AUV that can accomplish its tasks without the supervision of humans.…”

Editorial for the Special Issue on Electronics for Sensors II

“…In [ 6 ], Y. C. Lee and V. A. Hoang developed a wireless sensor system (WSS) for real-time monitoring of shaft positioning in marine applications. Specifically, the WSS is battery free, since it embeds an inductive wireless power transfer module that supplies power to the sensor.…”