Self-Powered MEMS Sensor System for Monitoring of Ocean Parameters

In this paper a design of a self-powered sensor system to operate Micro-Electro-Mechanical Sensors (MEMS) is proposed. The arrangement for energy harvesting from ocean waves has been used to convert the wave kinetic energy to useful electric power, which comprises of Mechanical Motion Rectifier (MMR), energy storage element, motion regulator mechanism and an electric generator. The harvester can utilize vertical as well as horizontal movement of ocean waves. A float is used which transfer the ocean wave motion to the energy harvester, which further is stored in the energy storage element through MMR. Further, as threshold energy is stored in the energy storage element it drives a rotary electric generator to generate electric power. Proposed architectures is represented in block diagrams and Matlab-Simscape simulations with rigid body analysis indicate that a float with 30 mm sized square cross section area can deliver peak power of 1.87 W, for amplitude 20mm at 0.5–1.5 Hz frequency, which can be used to power various sensors used for ocean monitoring.