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EP-4735838-A1 - AUTONOMIC SENSOR DEVICE

EP4735838A1EP 4735838 A1EP4735838 A1EP 4735838A1EP-4735838-A1

Abstract

In embodiments herein, an autonomic sensor device with one or more sensors for sensing characteristic parameters of a hydraulic fluid of a hydraulic system is provided. The autonomic sensor device for use in a hydraulic system comprises one or more sensors arranged to measure operating parameters for the hydraulic system. The sensors are arranged to interact with a control unit. The system comprises at least one rotor provided with one or more permanent magnets. The rotor is arranged to rotate in the hydraulic flow in one flow path of the hydraulic system. The system further comprises one or more coils arranged to interact with the permanent magnets whereby electric power is harvested from the hydraulic flow. The autonomic sensor device is powered by the harvested electric power. The energy harvester is thus configured to harvest energy from the hydraulic circuit of the hydraulic system.

Inventors

  • KARLSSON, MAGNUS
  • DANIELSSON, TORKEL

Assignees

  • Construction Tools PC AB

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20230629

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . Autonomic sensor device (1 ) for use in a hydraulic system, the autonomic sensor device (1 ) comprising: - one or more sensors arranged to measure operating parameters for said hydraulic system, wherein said sensors are arranged to interact with a control unit, - at least one rotor (3) provided with one or more permanent magnets (4), wherein said rotor (3) is arranged to rotate in the hydraulic flow in one flow path of said hydraulic system, and - one or more coils (5) arranged to interact with said permanent magnets (4) whereby electric power is harvested from the hydraulic flow, - wherein said autonomic sensor device (1 ) is powered by said harvested electric power.
  2. 2. Autonomic sensor device (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said rotor is arranged to rotate axially in relation to the direction of the hydraulic flow path.
  3. 3. Autonomic sensor device (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said one or more sensors are arranged outside said flow path of the hydraulic system.
  4. 4. Autonomic sensor device (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more electrical characteristic of the harvested power is analyzed.
  5. 5. Autonomic sensor device (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more power outlets powered by said harvested power.
  6. 6. Autonomic sensor device (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more outlets, and wherein said measured operating parameters are available to external devices via said one or more outlets.
  7. 7. Autonomic sensor device (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said measured operating parameters are available to external devices via wireless connection.
  8. 8. Autonomic sensor device (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said one or more coils (5) are arranged outside said flow path of the hydraulic system.
  9. 9. Autonomic sensor device (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising electronic equipment arranged to communicate with said one or more sensors, and with said control unit, wherein said electronic equipment is arranged outside said flow path of the hydraulic system.
  10. 10. Autonomic sensor device (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said coils and/or said electronic equipment is arranged on a flexible element ( ) at least partly embracing said rotor (3).
  11. 11. Autonomic sensor device (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the sensors is a temperature sensor arranged to indirectly measure temperature of the oil in the hydraulic system.
  12. 12. Autonomic sensor device (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the sensors are indirectly measuring oil pressure.
  13. 13. Autonomic sensor device (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, further arranged to analyze rotational speed, frequency, acceleration or retardation, and other electrical data of the induced power.
  14. 14. Autonomic sensor device (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of position and orientation of the sensor device (1 ) is monitored.
  15. 15. Autonomic sensor device (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the autonomic sensor device (1 ) is mounted in line with a hose comprised in the hydraulic system.
  16. 16. Autonomic sensor device (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the autonomic sensor device (1 ) is mounted in a machine housing comprised in the hydraulic system.
  17. 17. Autonomic sensor device (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the autonomic sensor device (1 ) is integrated in the machine housing of the hydraulic system.
  18. 18. Mining and/or construction rig comprising an autonomic sensor device (1 ) according to any of claims 1 -17.
  19. 19. Hydraulic attachment for use in a mining and/or construction rig, wherein said attachment comprises an autonomic sensor device (1 ) according to any of claims 1 -17.
  20. 20. A method for monitoring a hydraulic system, by use of an autonomic sensor device (1 ) arranged in line with an oil flow path of the hydraulic system to be monitored, wherein the autonomic sensor device (1 ) comprises one or more sensors, at least one rotor (3) provided with one or more permanent magnets (4) and being arranged to rotate in the hydraulic flow in the flow path of said hydraulic system, one or more coils (5) arranged to interact with said permanent magnets (4), the method comprises - harvesting electric power from the hydraulic flow by use of electric power induced in the coils (5) when the permanent magnets interacts with the coils (5) when the rotor (3) rotates, - powering sensors, electronic circuits and components comprised in or arranged to interact with the autonomic sensor device (1 ) with the harvested electric power, - measuring operating parameters of the hydraulic system by use of said one or more sensors, - analyzing rotational speed, frequency, acceleration or retardation, and other electrical data of the induced power, - calculating a health status value for the hydraulic system based on historical data, present measured operating parameters and present analyzed electrical data of the induced power, and - if a deviant health status value of the hydraulic system is calculated, generating an alert signal.

Description

AUTONOMIC SENSOR DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates generally to monitoring of hydraulic systems. More specifically, an autonomic sensor device with one or more sensors for sensing characteristic parameters of a hydraulic fluid of a hydraulic system is provided. The autonomic sensor device for use in a hydraulic system comprises one or more sensors arranged to measure operating parameters for the hydraulic system and is powered by harvested electric power. BACKGROUND Hydraulic systems often operate in harsh environmental conditions and thus, the hydraulic components can be prone to degradation and failures over time. It is therefore desirable to control the health and performance by monitoring various hydraulic components as well as the hydraulic system as a whole. Hydraulic systems include various hydraulic components such as pumps, motors, valves, actuators, hoses, etc., and a pressurized medium (liquid or gas) flows between the components. Such components are typically connected to each other and often operate in remote areas. The hydraulic components can be prone to degradation and failure over time. It is therefore desirable to monitor the health and performance of the various hydraulic components and/or the system as a whole. Systems that are configured to monitor hydraulic system parameters and collect data are often used for diagnostic purposes. Diagnostic and condition monitoring for different hydraulic components may for example include, model-based diagnostics, data-driven diagnostics, and a hybrid between data-driven and model-based diagnostics. Irrespective of which type of condition monitoring that may be used, it is central to as far as possible provide real-time measurements for various operative parameters of the hydraulic system, such as oil pressure, working temperature, oil flow etc. Sensors (sensing pressure, temperature, oil flow etc.) are provided in the hydraulic system to provide real-time measurements of various aspects of the hydraulic system to facilitate such diagnostic and condition monitoring. However, integrating measurement devices such as sensors into hydraulic components or hydraulic systems may be very difficult. Hydraulic systems are often used in remote mobile settings in heavy duty environments. Therefore, powering of sensors and measurement equipment is often troublesome. Although some monitoring solutions been presented, problems often arise with electronic equipment and other sensitive components due to the often difficult operational environment. Further, parameters of interest are often related to the hydraulic circuits which comprises hydraulic oil set under high pressure which also makes them difficult to measure and monitor without risking failure or leakage of the hydraulic system. There is a need of improvements when it comes to monitoring of hydraulic systems. SUMMARY In accordance with embodiments herein, an autonomic sensor device with one or more sensors for sensing characteristic parameters of a hydraulic fluid of a hydraulic system is provided. The autonomic sensor device for use in a hydraulic system comprises one or more sensors arranged to measure operating parameters for the hydraulic system. The measured operating parameters may be available to external devices via wireless connection. The sensors are arranged to interact with a control unit, and may be arranged outside the flow path of the hydraulic system. The system comprises at least one rotor provided with one or more permanent magnets. The rotor is arranged to rotate in the hydraulic flow in one flow path of the hydraulic system and may in embodiments be arranged to rotate axially in relation to the direction of the hydraulic flow path. The system further comprises one or more coils arranged to interact with the permanent magnets whereby electric power is harvested from the hydraulic flow. The one or more coils may be arranged outside the flow path of the hydraulic system. The coils and/or the electronic equipment may be arranged on a flexible element at least partly embracing the rotor. The autonomic sensor device is powered by the harvested electric power. The energy harvester is configured to harvest energy from the hydraulic circuit of the hydraulic system. In embodiments, the autonomic sensor device may be arranged to analyze one or more electrical characteristic of the harvested power. In embodiments, the autonomic sensor device may further comprise one or more power outlets powered by the harvested power. In embodiments, the autonomic sensor device may further comprise one or more outlets, and the measured operating parameters may be available to external devices via the one or more outlets. In embodiments, the autonomic sensor device may further comprise electronic equipment arranged to communicate with the one or more sensors, and with the control unit, wherein the electronic equipment may be arranged outside the flow path of the hydraulic system. In further em