Emerson Process Management: Vibration Energy Harvester Powers Rosemount Smart Wireless Transmitter

The Intelligent Power Module offers a compact and technologically advanced power option which has the same form factor as the Emerson battery pack. It will enable the Emerson Rosemount 3051S to be powered by vibration energy harvesters (also known as vibration energy scavengers), thus eliminating the cost and logistics challenges associated with changing batteries. Perpetuum’s Intelligent Power Module has been designed so that it is compatible with other forms of energy harvesting as well, such  as thermal energy harvesting, when they become available and qualified for use.
 
Until now, Automation OEMs and end users have been limited primarily to “battery only” power options for their wireless industrial transmitters. Fast data capture rates or large amounts of collected data can result in unnecessary maintenance tasks--namely, having to change batteries in deployed wireless sensor nodes long before the useful life cycle of the transmitter is achieved. According to a Perpetuum spokesman, "Replacing batteries creates significant losses in productivity, money, time and human resources, as well as un-optimized maintenance logistics associated with scheduling, work order generation, stocking and hazardous material disposal."
 
By utilizing Perpetuum’s vibration energy harvesting power option, end users reportedly can eliminate the need to change batteries for over 10 years. Savings are even greater for “prioritized” assets (those requiring the fastest data capture rates), remote locations and hazardous or safety restricted areas, according to the company.
 
Perpetuum unveiled its Vibration Harvester Intelligent Power Module at the Emerson Global Users Exchange in Anaheim, Calif. and presented examples of the preoduct's benefits in real deployments.