Wireless Monitoring of Induction Machine Rotor Physical Variables

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Embedded Systems

Background:

• Growing need for electric machine monitoring for enhanced control and maintenance.
• Challenges in powering embedded systems on rotating motor components.

Purpose of the Study:

• Develop a self-powered embedded system for monitoring rotor variables in squirrel cage induction motors.
• Overcome power supply limitations for rotor-mounted sensors.

Main Methods:

• Designed an embedded system with data acquisition, power conversion/storage, and wireless data transmission (NRF24L01 module).
• Integrated a magnetic generator to harvest energy from the motor's rotating field, eliminating the need for batteries or collector rings.
• Utilized a DS18b20 temperature sensor for initial validation, focusing on a critical maintenance parameter.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a feasible approach for powering and data transmission from a rotating motor component.
• Initial tests with a temperature sensor showed promising results for rotor variable monitoring.
• The magnetic generator successfully provided power, and wireless data transmission was established.

Conclusions:

• The developed embedded system shows potential for real-time rotor monitoring in induction motors.
• Further improvements can establish the system's full feasibility for predictive maintenance and advanced control.
• This self-powered, wireless approach offers a novel solution for challenging motor monitoring applications.