A Wireless and Batteryless Online Condition Monitoring System for Rolling Bearing Heat Damage Avoidance

Abstract:
Monitoring the condition of components and machines enables new business opportunities in many application fields. In the field of rotating elements, such as motors, gear boxes, or bearings, sensor data can help to determine their current conditions, and thus e.g., identify the potential need for maintenance. Overheated rolling bearings may cause major dam-ages on machines and their surroundings. Permanent monitoring of a bearing’s condition with respect to temperature and speed allows not only for the avoidance of fires, but also enables a couple of business prospects. In this paper, we present an upgradeable and retrofittable Modular Sensor System (MoSS) that has been custom-made as to fulfil the requirements of an online condition monitoring system for rolling bearings. The MoSS includes a sensor system, an energy harvesting unit, and a unit for wireless data transmission to a data logger. Aside from ensuring a long bearing life cycle, the MoSS represents a sustainable, well-integrated system that is autarkic and energy efficient.