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Research Mechanical 2015 Demonstration of Magnetostrictive Materials for Self-Powered Monitoring of Rail Vehicle Suspension Components

University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS) College of Engineering and Computer Science

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Demonstration of Magnetostrictive Materials for Self-Powered Monitoring of Rail Vehicle Suspension Components - Related Links

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Demonstration of Magnetostrictive Materials for Self-Powered Monitoring of Rail Vehicle Suspension Components

University  The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV)
Principal Investigators Heinrich Foltz, Ph. D., P.E., Electrical Engineering (PI)
Constantine Tarawneh, Ph. D., Mechanical Engineering (Co-PI)
Jazmin Ley, M.S., Mechanical Engineering (Co-PI)
PI Contact Information  Electrical Engineering
ENGR 3.214B
Dept. (956) 665-2609
Office (956) 665-5016
heinrich.foltz@utrgv.edu
Funding Source(s) and Amounts Provided (by each agency or organization)  Federal Funds (USDOT UTC Program): $63,417
Cost Share Funds (UTRGV): $33,423
Total Project Cost  $96,840
Agency ID or Contract Number  DTRT13-G-UTC59
Start and End Dates January 2015 — May 2017
Brief Description of Research Project  The purpose of the proposed project is to demonstrate the use of magneto-strictive materials for self-powered sensors in railroad suspension components. Results obtained in a previously funded University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS) project have shown that Terfenol-D has the capability to harvest significant amounts of energy (on the order of 100 mW/cm3) under conditions typical of those found in railcar bearing adapters, and is also capable of acting as a real time load sensor. Both applications use the same mounting fixture and static magnetic field bias, indicating that a single Terfenol-D core could simultaneously provide load sensing as well as sufficient power generation to supply its own support electronics, multiple additional sensors, and a low-power RF transceiver for wireless monitoring. The primary deliverable for this project will be an integrated, self-powered prototype comprising (a) a magnetostrictive core biased and packaged appropriately for mounting in or on a railroad bearing adapter, (b) support electronics simultaneously extracting power and providing calibrated load measurement, and (c) a basic wireless transceiver. The prototype will be tested in the UTCRS laboratory on a railroad bearing tester that closely simulates field service operating conditions.
Keywords magneto-strictive materials, energy harvesting, self-powered sensors, Terfenol-D, real time load sensor, power generation, wireless transceiver
Describe Implementation of Research Outcomes (or why not implemented) Place Any Photos Here Pending Project Completion.
Impacts/Benefits of Implementation (actual, not anticipated) Pending Project Completion.
Report http://www.utrgv.edu/railwaysafety/_files/documents/research/mechanical/energy-harvesting-applications.pdf
Project Website http://www.utrgv.edu/railwaysafety/research/mechanical/2015/energy-harvesting-applications/index.htm
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