A Triboelectric Nanogenerator Consisting of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Pellet for Self-Powered Detection of Mechanical Faults and Inclination in Dynamic Mechanics

A reliable mechanical fixation plays a pivotal role in guaranteeing normal operation for large-scale equipment. The detection of screw loosening or breakage as well as susceptor tilting is of significance in mechanical dynamics, especially in those with large vibration amplitude during operation. Herein, a novel triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is reported that consists of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) pellets and a single electrode installed on the bottom of a cylinder. The basic electricity-generating principle is the coupling of triboelectrification and electrostatic induction between the pellets and electrode. The dependence of the output voltage on the diameter/number of pellets is explored deeply, suggesting, by enlarging the diameter or increasing the number of pellets, the output voltage can be improved. By integrating the fabricated TENG on a vibration table, the capacity of self-powered detection of screw loosening or breakage can be achieved based on TENGs, which can predict a potential mechanical failure in real time. More importantly, the TENG can be tuned to output eight-channel data simultaneously, which enables recognizing the tiny inclining signs of equipment. This work provides a new method for the design and manufacture of intelligent sensors that can be used for failure inspection and diagnosis in future intelligent mechanics.