Research on Vibration Accumulation Self-Powered Downhole Sensor Based on Triboelectric Nanogenerators

TL;DR

This paper introduces a self-powered downhole sensor that uses vibration energy to measure drilling vibrations without needing external power.

Contribution

The novel sensor combines triboelectric nanogenerators with electromagnetic power generation for self-powered vibration measurement in drilling.

Findings

The sensor has a measurement range of 0 to 11 Hz with 3.2% linearity and 1.032 sensitivity.

The sensor unit and generator set produced maximum output powers of 0.258 μW and 25.5 mW, respectively.

The sensor functions effectively under high temperature and humidity conditions.

Abstract

In drilling operations, measuring vibration parameters is crucial for enhancing drilling efficiency and ensuring safety. Nevertheless, the conventional vibration measurement sensor significantly extends the drilling cycle due to its dependence on an external power source. Therefore, we propose a vibration-accumulation-type self-powered sensor in this research, aiming to address these needs. By leveraging vibration accumulation and electromagnetic power generation to accelerate charging, the sensor’s output performance is enhanced through a complementary charging mode. The experimental results regarding sensing performance demonstrate that the sensor possesses a measurement range spanning from 0 to 11 Hz, with a linearity of 3.2% and a sensitivity of 1.032. Additionally, it exhibits a maximum average measurement error of less than 4%. The experimental results of output performance measurement indicate that the sensor unit and generator set exhibit a maximum output power of 0.258 μW and 25.5 mW, respectively, and eight LED lights can be lit at the same time. When the sensor unit and power generation unit output together, the maximum output power of the sensor is also 25.5 mW. Furthermore, we conducted tests on the sensor’s output signal in conditions of high temperature and humidity, confirming its continued functionality in such environments. This sensor not only achieves self-powered sensing capabilities, addressing the power supply challenges faced by traditional downhole sensors, but also integrates energy accumulation with electromagnetic power generation to enhance its output performance. This innovation enables the sensor to harness downhole vibration energy for powering other micro-power devices, showcasing promising application prospects.

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