Implementation of Thermoelectric Generators in Airliners for Powering Battery-Free Wireless Sensor Networks

In recent years, wireless sensor networks (WSN) have been considered for various aeronautical applications to perform sensing, data processing and wireless transmission of information, without the need to add extra wiring. However, each node of these networks needs to be self-powered. Considering th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of electronic materials 2014-06, Vol.43 (6), p.2444-2451
Main Authors: Dilhac, Jean-Marie, Monthéard, Romain, Bafleur, Marise, Boitier, Vincent, Durand-Estèbe, Paul, Tounsi, Patrick
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerospace engineering
Aircraft
Applied sciences
Characterization and Evaluation of Materials
Chemistry and Materials Science
Electrical engineering
Electronics
Electronics and Microelectronics
Engineering Sciences
Exact sciences and technology
Generators
Instrumentation
Materials Science
Micro and nanotechnologies
Microelectronics
Optical and Electronic Materials
Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices
Sensors
Solid State Physics
Thermoelectric, pyroelectric devices, etc
Wireless networks
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Summary:In recent years, wireless sensor networks (WSN) have been considered for various aeronautical applications to perform sensing, data processing and wireless transmission of information, without the need to add extra wiring. However, each node of these networks needs to be self-powered. Considering the critical drawbacks associated with the use of electrochemical energy sources such as narrow operating temperature range and limited lifetime, environmental energy capture allows an alternative solution for long-term, deploy and forget, WSN. In this context, thermoelectricity is a method of choice considering the implementation context. In this paper, we present hands-on experience related to on-going implementations of thermoelectric generators (TEG) in airliners. In a first part, we will explain the reasons justifying the choice of ambient energy capture to power WSN in an aircraft. Then, we will derive the general requirements applying to the functional use of TEG. Finally, in the last section, we will illustrate the above issues through practical implementations.
ISSN:0361-5235
1543-186X
DOI:10.1007/s11664-014-3150-1