Intelligent Reciprocator Sealing Based on Triboelectric Power Generation Principle

doi:10.3901/JME.2025.19.146

Abstract

Abstract: The real-time detection and diagnosis of abnormal operating conditions in mechanical seals are essential for ensuring the reliability of high-end equipment centered around reciprocating machinery. To address the challenges posed by compact structures and high-pressure environments in seal performance monitoring, triboelectric nanogenerators, leveraging their self-powered and self-sensing capabilities, provide an effective solution for in-situ and long-term monitoring. Thus, an AC-TRS (abrasion-resistant coating assisted triboelectric reciprocating sealing system) has been developed and utilized for in-situ sensing. A triboelectric pair consisting of a polymer sealing ring and a wear-resistant coating deposited on the rotating shaft is established, forming a sliding free-layer type triboelectric nanogenerator. The coating moves reciprocally with the shaft, alternating contact and separation with the seal ring. The movement induces AC electricity within the inner metal framework of the seal ring. The design of the AC-TRS system is integrated into the mechanical sealing structure, requiring only the application of wear-resistant coating on the moving shaft, thereby demonstrating its ultra-compact design. The impact of different materials on AC-TRS output signals is investigated, and results represent the combination of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating and carbon fiber-modified PTFE (PTFE+CF) sealing ring can significantly enhance the self-powered and self-sensing ability of AC-TRS. The output stability and structural reliability of AC-TRS under 470 000 reciprocating cycles are experimentally confirmed. Additionally, the linear relationships between output amplitude and reciprocating speed, as well as between signal frequency and reciprocating speed, are clarified. These relationships are employed as indices to achieve high-precision self-sensing of reciprocating motion under both constant and variable speed complex working conditions. The results offer reference for the development of intelligent reciprocating mechanical sealings.

Key words: reciprocating intelligent sealing, triboelectric, self-powered, self-sensing, motion state sensing

CLC Number:

TH117

ZHANG Xiantao, WANG Song, YAO Zhihong, GONG Likun, GUO Fei, ZHANG Chi, HAN Qinkai, WANG Yuming. Intelligent Reciprocator Sealing Based on Triboelectric Power Generation Principle[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2025, 61(19): 146-156.

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