Apparatus for harvesting energy from a gearbox to power an electrical device and related methods
AssigneeVestas Wind Systems A/S
InventorsAnil Nagesh Sabannavar, Jiun Keat Ong
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for monitoring component health in a gearbox of a power generation system. A gearbox has a gear set with relatively-movable components, an armature attached to one of these components, and a magnet attached to another of these components. The armature is subjected to a changing magnetic field from the magnet that generates electrical energy. An electrical device for monitoring component health is inside the gearbox and is powered by the electrical energy received from the armature.
Claims29
An apparatus for use in a power generation system, the apparatus comprising:
- a gearbox including a gear set having a first component and a second component movable relative to the first component;
- an armature attached to the first component of the gear set;
- a magnet attached to the second component of the gear set, the magnet and the armature arranged to exhibit relative motion during operation of the gear set so that the armature is subjected to a changing magnetic field from the magnet that generates electrical energy;
- and
- an electrical device inside the gearbox, the electrical device electrically coupled with the armature so that the electrical device is powered by the generated electrical energy.
A method of powering an electrical device in a gearbox, the gearbox having a gear set with a first component and a second component movable relative to the first component, comprising:
- attaching an armature to the first component of the gear set;
- attaching a magnet to the second component of the gear set;
- placing an electrical device inside the gearbox;
- and
- electrically coupling the electrical device with the armature so that electrical energy from the armature powers the electrical device when the first and second components are moved relative to each other.
A method of powering an electrical device in a gearbox having a gear set with a first component and a second component movable relative to the first component, comprising:
- causing relative movement between an armature attached to the first component of the gear set and a magnet attached to the second component of the gear set;
- generating electrical energy in the armature by subjecting the armature to a changing magnetic field from the magnet;
- and
- powering an electrical device inside the gearbox with the electrical energy.
A method for monitoring a health status of wind turbine gearbox, the method comprising:
- operating the wind turbine gearbox;
- in response to operating the wind turbine gearbox, collecting vibrational data using a wireless sensor inside the wind turbine gearbox;
- powering the wireless sensor with energy harvested from the operation of the wind turbine gearbox;
- communicating the vibrational data from the wireless sensor externally of the wind turbine gearbox;
- and
- analyzing the vibrational data to determine the health status of the wind turbine gearbox.
A monitoring system for monitoring a health status of wind turbine gearbox, the wind turbine gearbox having a gear set having a first component and a second component movable relative to the first component, the monitoring system comprising:
- a wireless sensor configured to collect vibrational data from the wind turbine gearbox during operation;
- an armature attached to the first component of the gear set, the armature coupled with the wireless sensor;
- a magnet attached to the second component of the gear set, the magnet and the armature arranged to exhibit relative motion during operation of the gear set so that the armature is subjected to a changing magnetic field from the magnet that generates electrical energy supplied from the armature to the wireless sensor;
- and
- a processing center coupled in communication with the wireless sensor, the processing center configured to receive the vibrational data communicated from the wireless sensor and to analyze the vibrational data to determine the health status of the wind turbine gearbox.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.