Power for Vehicle Embedded MEMS Sensors

Embedded wireless sensors of the future will enable flight vehicle systems to be "highly aware" of onboard health and performance parameters, as well as the external flow field and potential threat environments. Because there will be no opportunity to replace batteries on a regular basis, these systems will have to rely on energy harvesting strategies to convert ambient energy into electrical energy to provide long-lived power. TPL proposes to develop a micropower system that will combine TPL's patented microbatteries and microsupercapacitors with vibrational energy harvesting for use with wireless structural health monitoring (SHM) systems. The solution proposed will include all components required for a complete power supply for wireless SHM sensors, including proprietary power regulation and conditioning circuitry that draws very low power. TPL is a leader in designing and manufacturing power for light weight, minimum volume, minimum footprint, wireless systems. TPL's effort has been supported by Goodrich Fuel and Utility Systems whose expertise with Structural Health Monitoring will provide guidance on sensor requirements, integration and packaging. These relationships will facilitate realizing devices that will meet end-user requirements, and provide a commercialization pathway for Phase III.