Multi-parametric environmental diagnostics and monitoring sensor node

• US 10,429,367 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2015
• Issued: 10/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qatar University, Universita' Degli Studi Di Brescia (Repubblica Italiana)
• Original Assignee: Qatar University
• Inventors: Crescini, Damiano, Touati, Farid, Crescini, Paolo, Legena, Claudio, Galli, Alessio, Mnaouer, Adel Ben
• Primary Examiner(s): Sinha, Tarun
• Application Number:
  US15/304,855
• Publication Number:
  US 20170184560A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,608 Days
• Field of Search: 73 2901
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/00 Component parts of measuring arrangements not specially adapted for a specific variable G01D13/00, G01D15/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/02 Measuring two or more variables by means not covered by a single other subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0092 Pressure sensor associated with other sensors, e.g. for measuring acceleration or temperature G01L9/025, G01L9/045, G01L9/065, G01L9/085, G01L9/105, G01L9/125, G01L19/02, G01L19/04 take precedence; measuring two or more variable G01D21/02; temperature sensors with pressure compensation G01K1/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/26 by investigating electrochemical variables; by using electrolysis or electrophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0031 comprising two or more sensors, e.g. a sensor array
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0037 NOx
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/004 CO or CO2
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0044 Sulphides, e.g. H2S
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0054 Ammonia
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0073 Control unit therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/11 Weather houses or other ornaments for indicating humidity
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/345 using capacitors as storage or buffering devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

The multi-parametric environmental diagnostics and monitoring sensor node (10) provides monitoring and diagnostics of a variety of different ambient environmental factors and is powered by multiple sources of renewable energy. The multi-parametric environmental diagnostics and monitoring sensor node (10) includes a base (38) and a plurality of environmental condition sensors (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, 36f) mounted thereon. A controller (47) is also mounted on the base (38), the plurality of environmental condition sensors (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, 36f) being in communication therewith. An external photovoltaic cell (18) is mounted to the base and an internal photovoltaic cell (34) is mounted in an opposed orientation on a cover (32). The external photovoltaic cell (18) and the internal photovoltaic cell (34) charge a power storage module (52), which powers the plurality of environmental condition sensors (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, 36f) and the controller (47).

Claims

1. A multi-parametric environmental diagnostics and monitoring sensor node, comprising:

a base having opposed upper and lower faces and an opening formed therein;

a plurality of environmental air quality sensors, each of the sensors having opposed upper and lower surfaces;

a connector engaging each of the lower surfaces of the environmental sensors, wherein each of the connectors are mounted on at least one auxiliary harvesting module;

a microcontroller mounted on the upper face of the base, the environmental air quality sensors being in communication with the microcontroller;

a power storage module in communication with the environmental air quality sensors and the microcontroller;

an external photovoltaic cell mounted within the base, the external photovoltaic cell being exposed through the opening in the base;

a cover attached to the upper face of the base, the cover having an opening defined therein;

the at least one auxiliary harvesting module in communication with the power storage module;

an internal photovoltaic cell mounted on the cover, the internal photovoltaic cell being exposed through the opening in the cover; and

a power management circuit connected to the power storage module, the power management circuit having a plurality of switches configured for selectively controlling communication between the power storage module and the external photovoltaic cell, the internal photovoltaic cell, and the at least one auxiliary harvesting module to charge the power storage module either separately or simultaneously from multiple sources, the internal and the external photovoltaic cells each being in communication with the power storage module for electrical charging thereof, the base being adapted for mounting on a support surface such that the external photovoltaic cell is selectively exposed to light from an external source and the internal photovoltaic cell is selectively exposed to light from an internal source.

2. The multi-parametric environmental diagnostics and monitoring sensor node as recited in claim 1, wherein said power storage module comprises a supercapacitor.

3. The multi-parametric environmental diagnostics and monitoring sensor node as recited in claim 2, further comprising a thermoelectric generator mounted on the upper face of said base and being in communication with the supercapacitor.

4. The multi-parametric environmental diagnostics and monitoring sensor node as recited in claim 3, wherein said base is formed from a thermally conductive material, such that the thermoelectric generator is driven by a temperature differential between the support surface and an internal environmental.

5. The multi-parametric environmental diagnostics and monitoring sensor node as recited in claim 4, further comprising a piezoelectric transducer in communication with said supercapacitor for charging said supercapacitor from electrical energy generated by vibrations.

6. The multi-parametric environmental diagnostics and monitoring sensor node as recited in claim 5, further comprising a radio frequency energy harvester in communication with said supercapacitor for charging said supercapacitor with electrical energy derived from radio frequency waves.

7. The multi-parametric environmental diagnostics and monitoring sensor node as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the switches comprises a CMOS switch.

8. The multi-parametric environmental diagnostics and monitoring sensor node as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the switches comprises a MOSFET switch.

9. The multi-parametric environmental diagnostics and monitoring sensor node as recited in claim 1, further comprising a lens covering said internal photovoltaic cell.

10. The multi-parametric environmental diagnostics and monitoring sensor node as recited in claim 1, wherein said cover has at least one aperture formed therein above each of the environmental air quality sensors to expose the sensors to ambient environmental air.

11. The multi-parametric environmental diagnostics and monitoring sensor node as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one auxiliary harvesting module is selected from the group consisting of a thermoelectric generator, a piezoelectric transducer, and a radio frequency energy harvester.