The aim of the diploma thesis was to design an electromagnetic generator to the purpose of supplying signalling and safety devices on the rail tracks. The electromagnetic generator is a separate electrical source, which is mainly needed for safety in the case of not covered tracks by electrical installation. The thesis proposes two types of electromagnetic generator and one with non-linear stiffness, which are designed for the passage of trains with low frequency.

La récupération d’énergie vise à réaliser des dispositifs électromécaniques de taille centimétrique permettant d’alimenter des systèmes électroniques en puisant de manière opportuniste l’énergie du milieu environnant. Parmi les différentes sources disponibles (solaire,thermique etc.) les vibrations ambiantes sont susceptibles de fournir assez de puissance pour alimenter des microsystèmes autonomes tels que des noeuds de réseaux de capteurs communicants. L’enjeu consiste à concevoir des microgénérateurs effectuant la conversion de cette énergie mécanique ambiante en énergie électrique exploitable de manière optimale.Ces travaux de thèse proposent dans un premier temps un critère d’étude et de comparaison des performances des générateurs de types piézoélectriques ou électromagnétiques, à partir d’un modèle normalisé unifié. Dans un second temps, un circuit non linéaire d’extraction de l’énergie est étudié pour les générateurs électromagnétiques, et ses performances sont discutées en comparaison avec un circuit classique d’extraction de l’énergie. A partir de ces résultats, une nouvelle structure de générateur électromagnétique est conçue, optimisée puis validée expérimentalement. / Energy harvesting from ambient energy aims at realizing electromechanical miniaturized generators to supply electronic systems from energy of our local environment. Among the available sources (solar, thermal…), ambient vibrations show the requirements to supply autonomous microsystems like communication sensors nodes of sensors networks. The issue is to develop microgenerators doing the optimal conversion of the mechanical energy into usable electrical energy, and supplying the maximal power density. This works presents a criterium to compare piezoelectric systems and electromagnetic systems, based on a common normalized model. In a second part, a new nonlinear extraction circuit for electromagnetic generators is theoretically studied, and its practical advantages are highlighted in comparison with a classical extraction circuit. Based on these results, a new structure of electromagnetic generator is studied,optimized and experimentally validated.

Dedicated sensors are widely used throughout many industries to monitor everyday operations, maintain safety, and report performance characteristics. In order to adopt a more sustainable solution, much research is being applied to self-powered sensing, implementing solutions which harvest wasted ambient energy sources to power these dedicated sensors. The adoption of not only wireless sensor nodes, but also self-powered capabilities in the nuclear energy process is critical as it can address issues in the overall safety and longevity of nuclear power. The removal of wires for data and power transmission can greatly reduce the cost of both installation and upkeep of power plants, while self-powered capabilities can further reduce effort and money spent in replacing batteries, and importantly may enable sensors to work even in losses to power across the plant, increasing plant safety. This thesis outlines three harvesting opportunities in the nuclear energy process from: thermal, vibration, and radiation sources in the main structure of the power plant, and from thermal and radiation energy from spent fuel in dry cask storage. Thermal energy harvesters for the primary and secondary coolant loops are outlined, and experimental analysis done on their longevity in high-radiation environments is discussed. A vibrational energy harvester for large rotating plant machine vibration is designed, prototyped, and tested, and a model is produced to describe its motion and energy output. Finally, an introduction to the design of a gamma radiation and thermal energy harvester for spent nuclear fuel canisters is discussed, and further research steps are suggested. / Master of Science / In this work multiple energy harvesters are investigated aimed at collecting wasted ambient energy to locally power sensor nodes in nuclear power plants, and in spent nuclear fuel canisters. Locally self-powered, wireless sensors can increase safety and reliability throughout the nuclear process. To address this a thermal energy harvester is tested in a radiation rich environment, and its performance before and after irradiation is analyzed. A vibrational energy harvester designed for use on large rotating machinery is discussed, manufactured, and tested, and a mathematical model describing it is produced. Finally, an introduction to harvesting radiation and heat given off from spent nuclear fuel in dry cask canister storage is investigated. Power capabilities for each design are considered, and the impact of such energy harvesting for wireless sensor nodes on the longevity, safety, and reliability of nuclear power plants is discussed.