ELIMINATING WIRING IN AIRCRAFT INSTRUMENTATION THROUGH ENERGY HARVESTING

Abstract

Installing the many sensors required for flight testing is currently a difficult and awkward process requiring significant wiring. Short term sensor installation could be greatly improved if individual sensors did not have to be connected to a distant power source. This paper proposes that small aerodynamic vibration energy harvesting devices could provide power directly to sensors and simplify installation. To investigate feasibility, the simplest known energy harvester configuration is chosen. A mathematical model to represent the device is then developed. A test scenario using the aerodynamic vibrations present on the F-15B aircraft is then incorporated into the model. The test results are analyzed to determine if the energy harvesting device can produce sufficient energy to justify further analysis. Finally, potential design improvements are discussed.