VAMPIRE: A magnetically self-powered sensor node capable of wireless transmission

This paper presents a power electronic topology for providing a vibration monitor with in-situ magnetic energy harvesting. The energy harvesting circuit uses low voltage MOSFETs and a nano-crystalline magnetic core to extract energy from an operating electrical load like a motor. This topology can be used to power sensors and wireless circuitry for diagnostics with no need for battery or special power wiring. Harvesting energy from a 90 W–60 Hz load, a Vibration Assessment Monitoring Point with Integrated Recovery of Energy (VAMPIRE) produces 7.5mW with the core volume of 2.9 cm³, and powers up a 6.5mW electrical monitor that provides sampling, signal processing, and periodic wireless data transmission through an RF channel. The system samples the vibration data at 125 Hz, and enables wireless burst transfer every 160 ms.