Self-powered multi-mode monitoring system and method for weight poses of gravity energy storage lifting system

Abstract

The invention discloses a self-powered multi-mode monitoring system and method for the weight pose of a gravity energy storage lifting system, and relates to the technical field of safety monitoring of gravity energy storage systems, and the system comprises an outer frame, an inner frame, an elastic supporting rope, a movable baffle, a friction nanometer generator, a nylon rope and a center ring. The inner frame is sleeved with the outer frame, and through holes are formed in the corresponding positions of the four faces where the inner frame and the outer frame are located. The front end of the friction nanometer generator is fixed on the movable baffle, the rear end of the friction nanometer generator is close to the wall face of the inner frame, the friction nanometer generator is connected with the center ring through the nylon rope, the center ring is arranged in the inner frame, the front end of the elastic supporting rope is fixed in a through hole formed in the outer frame, and the rear end of the elastic supporting rope is connected with the movable baffle. According to the invention, the characteristic that the friction nanometer generator converts mechanical behaviors into electric signals is fully utilized, and real-time monitoring of key dynamic parameters of the hoisting system, such as the swing angle, the azimuth angle and the vibration frequency, is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of safety monitoring of gravity energy storage systems, and in particular to a self-powered multi-modal monitoring system and method for monitoring the posture of heavy objects in a gravity energy storage lifting system. Background Art

[0002] With the large-scale integration of renewable energy, its intermittent and fluctuating characteristics pose significant challenges to grid peak regulation, impacting the stability and reliability of power supply systems. To ensure the safe and stable operation of the power grid, developing efficient energy storage technologies has become a key initiative to address these challenges. Among various energy storage technologies, tower gravity energy storage has become a key research area due to its large storage capacity, strong environmental adaptability, and environmental friendliness. This technology uses a lifting system to lift heavy objects (such as concrete blocks) to a height to store energy. When needed, the weight is released, converting gravitational potential energy into electricity. However, in actual operation, the lifting system is susceptible to pendulum effects, wind-induced vibrations, and other dynamic disturbances, which reduce the stability and energy conversion efficiency of the energy storage system and may even pose safety risks. Therefore, real-time monitoring of key dynamic parameters of the lifting system can help improve the efficiency of the energy storage system and ensure its safe operation.

[0003] Currently, dynamic monitoring of hoisting systems mainly relies on commercially available off-the-shelf sensors. Although these sensors are technologically mature and have stable performance, they generally have problems such as high cost and strong dependence on external power supplies, which limits their widespread application in specific working conditions and environments. In addition, for the motion monitoring of the wire rope-hoisting system in gravity energy storage systems under multiple working conditions, existing technologies have not yet formed a systematic and effective solution. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a new monitoring device that does not require an additional power supply and is suitable for complex operating environments to meet the actual needs of tower gravity energy storage systems for dynamic monitoring. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In response to the shortcomings of the existing technology, the present invention provides a self-powered multimodal monitoring system and method for the posture of heavy objects in a gravity energy storage lifting system. The present invention fully utilizes the characteristics of friction nanogenerators to convert mechanical behavior into electrical signals, and realizes real-time monitoring of key dynamic parameters of the lifting system including swing angle, azimuth angle, and vibration frequency, effectively breaking through the limitation of traditional monitoring equipment's dependence on external power supply.

[0005] The present invention achieves the above technical objectives through the following technical means.

[0006] A self-powered multimodal monitoring system for the posture of heavy objects in a gravity energy storage lifting system comprises an outer frame, an inner frame, an elastic support rope, a movable baffle, a friction nanogenerator, a nylon rope, and a center ring; the inner frame is sleeved within the outer frame, and through holes are provided at corresponding positions on the four surfaces of the inner and outer frames; the front end of the friction nanogenerator is fixed to the movable baffle, and the rear end is close to the wall of the inner frame; the friction nanogenerator is connected to the center ring via a nylon rope, and the center ring is arranged within the inner frame; the front end of the elastic support rope is fixed to the through hole provided in the outer frame, and the rear end is connected to the movable baffle.

[0007] In the above solution, when in use, the steel wire rope passes through the central ring.

[0008] In the above solution, the friction nanogenerator includes two strips of polytetrafluoroethylene-based friction material and two strips of nylon-based friction material; the two strips of polytetrafluoroethylene-based friction material and the two strips of nylon-based friction material are formed into an origami structure with compressibility and elasticity through a folding process.

[0009] In the above solution, the polytetrafluoroethylene-based friction material strips and the nylon-based friction material strips are overlapped and distributed, and the polytetrafluoroethylene-based friction material strips and the nylon-based friction material strips are compressed and stretched under the action of external force, thereby realizing the contact and separation of the polytetrafluoroethylene-based friction material strips and the nylon-based friction material strips.

[0010] In the above scheme, the installation azimuth angles of the four nanogenerators are distributed at 0°, 90°, 180° and 270°.

[0011] In the above scheme, when the installation azimuth angles are distributed at 0°, 90°, 180° and 270°, the corresponding response azimuth angles are 90°~270°, 180°~360°, 270°~360°, 0°~90° and 0°~180° respectively.

[0012] The working method of the self-powered multimodal monitoring system of the posture of heavy objects in the gravity energy storage lifting system is as follows: during the operation of the lifting system, the lifted heavy objects often experience periodic swings or irregular offset movements due to the influence of wind loads, changes in lifting speed or braking interference factors. First, the steel wire rope acts on the central ring, and the disturbance signal is effectively transmitted to the movable baffles in the corresponding directions in combination with the nylon rope. Under the action of the force, the movable baffles will drive the friction nanogenerator to perform periodic contact and separation movements, thereby triggering the friction electrification effect; since each friction nanogenerator is installed at a different azimuth angle, when the heavy object undergoes a complex posture disturbance, multiple friction nanogenerators will participate in the output at the same time. By processing the collected voltage signals, the real-time swing angle, azimuth angle and vibration frequency of the lifting system can be obtained, which can realize multi-directional multimodal perception of the lifting system.

[0013] Beneficial Effects: The device of the present invention features a simple structure, with both the inner and outer frames made of acrylic sheet, making it lightweight and easy to manufacture. Conventional hoist system monitoring devices often rely on commercial sensors, which are not only expensive to purchase but also typically require an external power source, making them difficult to meet the requirements for sustained and stable operation in complex environments or specific scenarios. To address these issues, the present invention, based on a theoretical design, incorporates four triboelectric nanogenerators with consistent electrical output performance, symmetrically arranged and embedded within a hollow rectangular box. During operation, when the hoist system is subjected to external disturbances such as wind load, vibration, or swing, mechanical energy is transmitted via a steel wire rope through a center ring and nylon rope to a movable baffle. The movable baffle drives the friction layer in the origami structure to periodically contact and separate, continuously generating a triboelectric signal. This signal is generated without the need for an external power source, enabling self-powered motion state sensing. By integrating and analyzing the output signals of multiple triboelectric nanogenerators, multimodal parameters of the hoist system, such as real-time swing angle, azimuth, and vibration frequency, can be monitored. The device provides rich monitoring dimensions and a sensitive response. Compared with traditional monitoring solutions, it has obvious advantages in terms of passivity, adaptability, and low cost. It is especially suitable for gravity energy storage systems that require continuous monitoring for a long time without external power supply. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an application scenario of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the fabrication of a triboelectric nanogenerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the working mode of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0020] 1-first polytetrafluoroethylene-based friction material; 2-second polytetrafluoroethylene-based friction material; 3-first nylon-based friction material; 4-second nylon-based friction material; 5-inner frame; 6-first nylon rope; 7-second nylon rope; 8-third nylon rope; 9-outer frame; 10-top cover; 11-fourth nylon rope; 12-center ring; 13-first friction nanogenerator; 14-first movable baffle; 15-first elastic support rope; 16-second elastic support rope; 17-second movable baffle; 18-second friction nanogenerator; 19-third friction nanogenerator; 20-third movable baffle; 21-third elastic support rope; 22-fourth elastic support rope; 23-fourth movable baffle; 24-fourth friction nanogenerator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following describes embodiments of the present invention in detail, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0022] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "axial", "radial", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0023] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "connect," "fixed," etc. should be understood broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed, detachable, or integral connections; mechanical or electrical connections; direct or indirect connections through an intermediary; or internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0024] The present invention provides a self-powered multi-modal monitoring system for the posture of a heavy object in a gravity energy storage lifting system, comprising an outer frame 9, an inner frame 5, an elastic support rope, a movable baffle, a friction nanogenerator, a nylon rope and a center ring 12; its outer shape is a hollow rectangular box, and four friction nanogenerators with the same electrical output performance are symmetrically arranged inside. Figure 2 As shown, the triboelectric nanogenerator is fabricated from two identical nylon-based friction materials and two polytetrafluoroethylene-based friction materials, fabricated through a series of folding processes. Four triboelectric nanogenerators are connected by four nylon ropes, each with its front end fixed to a movable baffle and its rear end connected to a central ring. When the lifting system is subjected to external disturbances, causing it to swing or rotate, the steel ropes transmit external mechanical energy to the movable baffle through the central ring 12 and the nylon ropes, driving the triboelectric nanogenerator to produce a periodic compression-separation motion, thereby outputting a corresponding electrical signal. By processing and analyzing the output voltage signal, real-time monitoring of the lifting system's swing angle, azimuth, and vibration frequency can be achieved. This device boasts a simple structure, requires no external power supply, and is sensitive to mechanical motion. Compared to traditional monitoring devices, it offers greater environmental adaptability and is particularly suitable for monitoring scenarios requiring continuous, adaptive operation without an external power source.

[0025] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the multimodal self-powered monitoring system has a box-like overall structure, with through-holes with a diameter of 2 mm provided at the midpoints of the four walls of the inner frame 5 and the outer frame 9. The front ends of the four triboelectric nanogenerators are fixed to the movable baffles, and the rear ends are mounted at the midpoints of the small holes on the corresponding walls of the inner frame. Each triboelectric nanogenerator is connected to the central ring 12 via a nylon rope. These four nylon ropes pass through the small holes of the inner frame 5, with the front ends connected to the triboelectric nanogenerator and the movable baffles, and the rear ends connected to the central ring. Simultaneously, the front ends of the four elastic support ropes are fixed to the through-holes on the four walls of the outer frame, and the rear ends are connected to the movable baffles. These elastic support ropes are used to provide support during operation and have both tension and compression operating states to provide auxiliary support for the triboelectric nanogenerators.

[0026] The through hole on the outer frame is used to fix one end of the elastic support rope, and the through hole on the inner frame is used to guide the nylon rope through, thereby achieving stable connection and motion transmission of the structure.

[0027] The elastic support rope can realize two working states, namely tension and compression, and is used to support the friction nanogenerator. One end of the elastic support rope is fixed to the outer frame, and the other end is fixed to the movable baffle.

[0028] The movable baffle is fixedly connected to the front ends of the four friction nanogenerators, and plays the role of transmitting motion and triggering the operation of the friction nanogenerators.

[0029] The triboelectric nanogenerator is constructed from two strips of polytetrafluoroethylene-based friction material and two strips of nylon-based friction material, combined using a specific origami technique. During the folding process, a through-hole is created in the center of the structure for the nylon rope to pass through. This allows the friction layers to periodically contact and separate under external force, generating a triboelectric signal.

[0030] One end of the nylon rope is fixed to the movable baffle, and the other end is connected to the center ring, which is used to effectively transmit the movement of the center ring (i.e. the lifting wire rope) to the movable baffle and the friction nanogenerator.

[0031] The center ring is located at the center of the system. It is used to connect four nylon ropes and allow the lifting wire rope to pass through to achieve the transmission and distribution of mechanical energy. It is the core connecting component for mechanical input and energy conversion in this system.

[0032] like Figure 1 The figure shows a typical application scenario of the system described in the present invention in a tower crane gravity energy storage system. The multimodal self-powered monitoring system is fixedly installed at a preset position below the lifting point. The wire rope of the lifting system passes through the central ring of the monitoring system from top to bottom, so that the disturbance generated by the wire rope during movement can be effectively transmitted to the monitoring system.

[0033] like Figure 4 As shown, the present invention is a self-powered multimodal monitoring system for the posture of a heavy object in a gravity energy storage lifting system, comprising an inner frame 5, an outer frame 9 and a top cover 10 for supporting the entire monitoring system; a center ring 12 is provided at the center of the inner frame for allowing a steel wire rope to pass through, ensuring that the movement of the steel wire rope during the lifting of the heavy object can be transmitted to the monitoring system; nylon ropes 1 to 4 (6, 7, 8, 11) are respectively connected to the energy conversion unit, the movable baffle and the center ring for transmitting the movement of the system; friction nanogenerators 1 to 4 (13, 18, 19, 24 ) is the core energy conversion unit of the system, which is arranged on the four walls of the inner frame according to its serial number, with the corresponding installation azimuths of 0°, 90°, 180° and 270°, respectively. It can undergo mechanical deformation under the swinging or rotational motion of the load and generate a voltage signal; the movable baffles 1 to 4 (14, 17, 20, 23) are used to cooperate with the friction nanogenerator to achieve contact of the friction layer under mechanical disturbance; the elastic support ropes 1 to 4 (15, 16, 21, 22) connect the movable baffles and the outer frame to support the friction nanogenerator.

[0034] like Figure 4As shown, the triboelectric nanogenerator consists of four triboelectric strips: two strips made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and two strips made of nylon. These strips are folded using a specific process to form a compressible and elastic origami structure. Under external force, the structure undergoes periodic compression and extension, enabling contact and separation at the friction interface. During contact, due to the electronegativity difference between polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and nylon, the nylon surface loses electrons, becoming positively charged, while the polytetrafluoroethylene surface gains electrons, becoming negatively charged. When the two films are fully bonded, equal opposite charges are generated on their surfaces, resulting in an electrically neutral state. As the external force is released, the films gradually separate under the action of elastic restoring forces, increasing the potential difference between the two films and inducing a current in the external circuit. This process continues until the two films separate to their maximum distance, at which point the triboelectric layers reach electrical equilibrium. This cycle repeats when the films contact and separate again, generating an alternating electrical signal. By collecting the output voltage of the friction nanogenerator and combining it with numerical analysis methods, key parameters such as the swing angle change, azimuth angle change, and vibration frequency of the lifting system during the disturbance process can be obtained.

[0035] like Figure 5 Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the operating mode of an embodiment of the present invention. Taking triboelectric nanogenerator No. 1 as an example, its corresponding installation azimuth angle is 0°. In actual operation, the effective response azimuth angle range of triboelectric nanogenerator No. 1 is 90° to 270°. When the weight is swung to 180°, the output voltage generated by triboelectric nanogenerator No. 1 reaches its peak, while its output voltage is close to zero at 90° and 270°. Similarly, the remaining three triboelectric nanogenerators exhibit similar operating characteristics and are arranged at predetermined installation azimuth angles. Through symmetrical installation, each triboelectric nanogenerator exhibits a "voltage rise-peak-fall" output trend within the covered azimuth angle range, demonstrating excellent directional sensitivity. Furthermore, the four triboelectric nanogenerators are spatially arranged to work in pairs, meaning any two adjacent triboelectric nanogenerators have partially overlapping response areas, achieving continuous coverage and monitoring of the entire 360° azimuth angle. This ensures stable output of valid signals even when the hoisting system undergoes multi-directional swinging or rotation, meeting the requirements of multimodal parameter acquisition.

[0036] The working process of the multi-modal self-powered monitoring system of the gravity energy storage lifting system based on the friction nanogenerator is as follows:

[0037] During the operation of the lifting system, the hoisted load often experiences periodic swings or irregular offset motions due to factors such as wind loads, changes in lifting speed, or braking interference. This motion first acts on the center ring 12 through the steel wire rope, and in combination with nylon ropes 1-4 (6, 7, 8, 11), the disturbance signal is effectively transmitted to the movable baffles (14, 17, 20, 23) in the corresponding directions. Under the action of the force, the movable baffles (14, 17, 20, 23) drive the friction nanogenerators (13, 18, 19, 24) to undergo periodic contact and separation motions, thereby triggering the triboelectric effect. Because the friction nanogenerators are installed at different azimuth angles, when the load undergoes complex posture disturbances, multiple friction nanogenerators may participate in the output simultaneously. By processing the collected voltage signals, the real-time swing angle, azimuth angle, and vibration frequency of the lifting system can be obtained, realizing multi-directional multimodal perception of the lifting system.

[0038] In the present invention, the nylon rope includes a first nylon rope 6, a second nylon rope 7, a third nylon rope 8 and a fourth nylon rope 11; the elastic support rope includes a first elastic support rope 15, a second elastic support rope 16, a third elastic support rope 21 and a fourth elastic support rope 22; the movable baffle includes a first movable baffle 14, a second movable baffle 17, a third movable baffle 20 and a fourth movable baffle; the friction nanogenerator includes a first friction nanogenerator 13, a second friction nanogenerator 18, a third friction nanogenerator 19 and a fourth friction nanogenerator 24.

[0039] Throughout this specification, reference to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples" means that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in conjunction with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0040] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it will be understood that the above embodiments are illustrative and are not to be construed as limitations on the present invention. A person skilled in the art may change, modify, replace and modify the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention without departing from the principles and purpose of the present invention.

Claims

1. A self-powered multi-modal monitoring system for the posture of heavy objects in a gravity energy storage lifting system, characterized in that: The invention comprises an outer frame, an inner frame, an elastic support rope, a movable baffle, a friction nanogenerator, a nylon rope and a center ring; the inner frame is sleeved in the outer frame, and through holes are provided at corresponding positions of the four surfaces of the inner frame and the outer frame; the front end of the friction nanogenerator is fixed on the movable baffle, and the rear end is close to the wall of the inner frame; the friction nanogenerator is connected to the center ring through a nylon rope, and the center ring is arranged in the inner frame; the front end of the elastic support rope is fixed in the through hole provided in the outer frame, and the rear end is connected to the movable baffle.

2. The self-powered multi-modal monitoring system for the posture of a heavy object in a gravity energy storage lifting system according to claim 1 is characterized in that: When in use, the wire rope passes through the center ring.

3. The self-powered multi-modal monitoring system for the posture of a heavy object in a gravity energy storage lifting system according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The friction nanogenerator comprises two strips of polytetrafluoroethylene-based friction material and two strips of nylon-based friction material; the two strips of polytetrafluoroethylene-based friction material and the two strips of nylon-based friction material are formed into an origami structure with compressibility and elasticity through a folding process.

4. The self-powered multi-modal monitoring system for the posture of a heavy object in a gravity energy storage lifting system according to claim 3 is characterized in that: The polytetrafluoroethylene-based friction material strips and the nylon-based friction material strips are overlapped and distributed, and the polytetrafluoroethylene-based friction material strips and the nylon-based friction material strips are compressed and stretched under the action of external force, thereby achieving contact and separation between the polytetrafluoroethylene-based friction material strips and the nylon-based friction material strips.

5. The self-powered multi-modal monitoring system for the posture of a heavy object in a gravity energy storage lifting system according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The four nanogenerators are installed at azimuth angles of 0°, 90°, 180° and 270°.

6. The self-powered multi-modal monitoring system for the posture of a heavy object in a gravity energy storage lifting system according to claim 5, characterized in that: When the installation azimuth angles are distributed at 0°, 90°, 180° and 270°, the corresponding response azimuth angles are 90°~270°, 180°~360°, 270°~360°, 0°~90° and 0°~180° respectively.

7. The method for operating the self-powered multi-modal monitoring system for the posture of a heavy object in a gravity energy storage lifting system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: During the operation of the lifting system, the lifted objects often experience periodic swings or irregular offset movements due to wind loads, changes in lifting speed or braking interference. First, the steel wire rope acts on the central ring, and the disturbance signal is effectively transmitted to the movable baffles in the corresponding directions in combination with the nylon rope. Under the action of force, the movable baffles will drive the friction nanogenerators to perform periodic contact and separation movements, thereby triggering the friction electrification effect; since each friction nanogenerator is installed at a different azimuth angle, when the weight undergoes complex posture disturbances, multiple friction nanogenerators will participate in the output at the same time. By processing the collected voltage signals, the real-time swing angle, azimuth angle and vibration frequency of the lifting system can be obtained, which can realize multi-directional multimodal perception of the lifting system.

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