Microgenerator uses vibration to produce energy.
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Press Release Summary:
Wireless and battery-free Model PMG17 converts kinetic energy into electrical energy from vibrations of equipment running at mains frequency (50 or 60 Hz). Product generates up to 100 µW when attached to surface exhibiting minimum vibration magnitude of 16 mg between 59 and 60 Hz. Microgenerator suits wireless sensor nodes for continuous monitoring and control of plant machinery.
Original Press Release:
New Vibration Energy Harvester Generates More Power from Low Levels of Vibration
Following the success of its PMG7 microgenerator, Perpetuum has launched its next generation microgenerator, PMG17.
PMG17 is the next major breakthrough in vibration energy harvesting technology. The wireless and battery-free device is capable of generating useful energy from levels of vibration that are 35% lower than previously possible, and across a large bandwidth of vibration frequencies. OEMs, sensor manufacturers and end-users can benefit from using the generators to power easy-to-install devices that accurately monitor machinery and processes such as the condition of plant equipment. This allows them to make significant savings in installation time and cost, often without shutdowns, as well as achieving the operating benefits from increased monitoring and control.
The practical microgenerator is a proven energy source for low-power electronic systems such as wireless sensor nodes. It converts kinetic energy from vibration of equipment running at mains frequency (50 or 60Hz) into electrical energy and can generate up to 100µW when attached to a surface exhibiting a minimum vibration magnitude of 16mg between 59Hz and 60Hz. This is enough to power a wireless transmitter sending up to 6Kbytes of critical condition monitoring data every few minutes, or smaller amounts of data, such as temperature reading, several times a second.
PMG17 covers a large bandwidth so it can accommodate commonly observed slip frequencies of 60Hz AC motors. As a result it requires no adjustment to harness energy from the majority of induction and synchronous motors found in industrial applications.
The PMG17 is the "battery free" power behind many wireless sensor nodes. These nodes enable the continuous monitoring and control of plant machinery. Critical temperature and vibration information can now be analyzed and acted upon by operations staff. As a result, outages and unplanned machine downtime can be minimized.
"This technology is continuing to prove itself following the successful launch of our first generation microgenerator earlier this year," says Roy Freeland, CEO, Perpetuum. "This new product is the next major breakthrough in the technology. It allows users to gain valuable data from levels of vibration that are 35% lower than previously possible. No competitive offering has come close to this level of performance in terms of the conditions under which will operate reliably."
The microgenerator is a robust device capable of operating in a multitude of industrial environments. It is easy to install with no shut down of operations required. It can be attached in any orientation and needs no maintenance.
It is a truly perpetual source of power.
For more information please contact:
info@perpetuum.com
Perpetuum Ltd,
Southampton Science Park,
Southampton, Hants. SO16 7NS
Tel: + 44 23 8076 5888
http://www.perpetuum.com
About Perpetuum:
Perpetuum, a spin-out company from the University of Southampton, was founded in 2004. The company provides unique solutions for self-powered sensor systems eliminating the need for external wires or batteries.
Perpetuum's vibration energy-harvesting microgenerators meet the demands for a wireless energy source created by the recent development of low power sensors, microprocessors and transceivers.
It developed the world's first truly effective device capable of sending large amounts of data (up to 6kbytes every few minutes) from many types of industrial equipment even those operating at minimal vibration levels (25mg).
Field trials at Yorkshire Water, the US Navy and a major international oil company have proven this is a practical method of continuous monitoring of plant and machinery.
