Small Size and Low-Cost TENG-Based Self-Powered Vibration Measuring and Alerting System

Vibration measurement systems containing sensors, signal conditioning, and data acquisition devices, are important for monitoring motors, gearboxes, turbines, etc. Microelectromechanical and piezoelectric sensors are predominantly used for vibration measurements. However, they are not cost-effective, flexible in design, and incapable of self-powering. Recently, triboelectric nano-generator (TENG)-based vibration sensors have been considered as a possible alternative to resolve this problem, and tremendous progress has been achieved. Previous work on TENG-based sensors is limited to optimizing the sensor design, while the signal conditioning and data acquisition of TENG signal still need investigation for actual applications. This work develops a TENG-based vibration measurement device and self-powered alerting system that is integrated with the signal condition and data acquisition systems. The experimental results show that the proposed measurement system successfully measures signals within the range of 0-1800 Hz frequency. Meanwhile, the TENG generates a high output, up to 80 V and 0.55 mu A from small size TENG area (3.6 cm(2)). The signal is adequate to harvest energy for self-powering to drive alerting components (harvest 320 mJ in 36 h, which drives alarming for duration of 1.5 s). The proposed device is cost-effective (30 $), small (105 cm(3)), and consumes less power (0.18 W) in comparison to commercial devices.

Automated summary

Vibration measurement systems are important for monitoring various equipment, but current sensor technologies have limitations in cost, design flexibility, and self-powering. Triboelectric nano-generator (TENG)-based vibration sensors have emerged as a possible alternative. This study develops a TENG-based vibration measurement device and self-powered alerting system with signal conditioning and data acquisition capabilities. Experimental results show successful signal measurement within a frequency range of 0-1800 Hz, while the TENG generates sufficient power for self-powering the system. The proposed device is cost-effective, small, and consumes less power compared to commercial devices.