Abstract: A self-powered sensor array (SPSA) for sensing environmental parameters along a drillstring includes an outer collar having moveable member retainers with moveable members movably located in the moveable member retainers. An inner ring is rotatably supported within the outer collar with bearing elements on an outer surface of the inner ring positioned to displace the moveable members relative to the moveable member retainers in response to relative rotation between the inner ring and the outer collar. Shape memory material elements are arranged in a respective moveable member retainer. Distance sensors are configured to sense a gap responsive to a shape change of the respective shape memory material element and a displacement of the respective moveable member. Power generation components are configured such that, in response to the relative rotation, the bearing elements displace a particular moveable member into a particular moveable member retainer, generating an electric charge.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an outer structure body having an inner surface defining a cavity and an inner structure body rotatably supported within the cavity. The inner structure body has an outer surface in opposing relation to the inner surface and a central bore. Movable elements are positioned along the inner surface and movably coupled to the outer structure body. Ball elements are positioned along the outer surface and coupled to the inner structure body for movement with the inner structure body. The ball elements releasably contact the movable elements and impart motion to the movable elements in response to relative motion between the inner structure body and the outer structure body. Energy harvesters are positioned to generate electrical charges based on piezoelectric effect or magnetostrictive effect when motion is imparted to the movable elements by the ball elements.

Abstract: Self-powered active sensing systems (SASS) for use in downhole drilling environments are disclosed. Sensor devices of the SASS can include a self-powered rotational speed sensor including a ring structure attached around a drill string. The ring rotates within a groove formed in an outer housing. Bearings on the ring are arranged to contact moveable members extending from the housing into the groove thereby causing the moveable member to generate an electrical signal representing rotational speed. The SASS can include a vibration sensor having a ring spring mounted within a housing. Spherical bearings on the outer surface of the ring are configured to contact screens that are mounted to the housing and that generate a signal representing movement of the bearing/ring from vibration. Multiple SASS units configured to wirelessly transmit sensor data can be placed along a drill string providing a distributed self-powered system for measuring downhole parameters.

Abstract: A system includes sensing modules positioned along a length of a drill string. Each sensing module includes a structure arrangement composed of an outer structure body having a cavity and an inner structure body rotatably supported within the cavity. The structure arrangement is coupled to the drill string such that rotation of the drill string produces a relative rotation between the structure bodies. Ball elements are disposed in a gap between the structure bodies and move along a predetermined path defined in the gap in response to relative rotation between the structure bodies. Movable elements are positioned to physically interact with the ball elements as the ball elements move along the predetermined path. Energy harvesters in the sensor modules generate electrical energy from the mechanical energy produced by physical interaction between the ball elements and movable elements. The sensing modules include sensors to measure parameters in the drill string environment.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an outer structure body having a cavity and an inner structure body rotatably supported within the cavity. The inner structure body has a central bore. Movable elements are positioned along the inner surface and movably coupled to the outer structure body. Ball elements are positioned along the outer surface and coupled to the inner structure body for movement with the inner structure body. The ball elements are positioned to releasably contact and impart motion to the movable elements in response to relative motion between the inner structure body and the outer structure body. A plurality of triboelectric energy harvesters are positioned to generate electrical charges when motion is imparted to the movable elements by the ball elements.

Abstract: Self-powered active sensing systems (SASS) for use in downhole drilling environments are disclosed. Sensor devices of the SASS can include a self-powered rotational speed sensor including a ring structure attached around a drill string. The ring rotates within a groove formed in an outer housing. Bearings on the ring are arranged to contact moveable members extending from the housing into the groove thereby causing the moveable member to generate an electrical signal representing rotational speed. The SASS can include a vibration sensor having a ring spring mounted within a housing. Spherical bearings on the outer surface of the ring are configured to contact screens that are mounted to the housing and that generate a signal representing movement of the bearing/ring from vibration. Multiple SASS units configured to wirelessly transmit sensor data can be placed along a drill string providing a distributed self-powered system for measuring downhole parameters.

Abstract: A self-powered sensor array (SPSA) for sensing environmental parameters along a drillstring includes an outer collar having moveable member retainers with moveable members movably located in the moveable member retainers. An inner ring is rotatably supported within the outer collar with bearing elements on an outer surface of the inner ring positioned to displace the moveable members relative to the moveable member retainers in response to relative rotation between the inner ring and the outer collar. Shape memory material elements are arranged in a respective moveable member retainer. Distance sensors are configured to sense a gap responsive to a shape change of the respective shape memory material element and a displacement of the respective moveable member. Power generation components are configured such that, in response to the relative rotation, the bearing elements displace a particular moveable member into a particular moveable member retainer, generating an electric charge.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an outer structure body having a cavity and an inner structure body rotatably supported within the cavity. The inner structure body has a central bore. Movable elements are positioned along the inner surface and movably coupled to the outer structure body. Ball elements are positioned along the outer surface and coupled to the inner structure body for movement with the inner structure body. The ball elements are positioned to releasably contact and impart motion to the movable elements in response to relative motion between the inner structure body and the outer structure body. A plurality of triboelectric energy harvesters are positioned to generate electrical charges when motion is imparted to the movable elements by the ball elements.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an outer structure body having an inner surface defining a cavity and an inner structure body rotatably supported within the cavity. The inner structure body has an outer surface in opposing relation to the inner surface and a central bore. Movable elements are positioned along the inner surface and movably coupled to the outer structure body. Ball elements are positioned along the outer surface and coupled to the inner structure body for movement with the inner structure body. The ball elements releasably contact the movable elements and impart motion to the movable elements in response to relative motion between the inner structure body and the outer structure body. Energy harvesters are positioned to generate electrical charges based on piezoelectric effect or magnetostrictive effect when motion is imparted to the movable elements by the ball elements.

Abstract: A system includes sensing modules positioned along a length of a drill string. Each sensing module includes a structure arrangement composed of an outer structure body having a cavity and an inner structure body rotatably supported within the cavity. The structure arrangement is coupled to the drill string such that rotation of the drill string produces a relative rotation between the structure bodies. Ball elements are disposed in a gap between the structure bodies and move along a predetermined path defined in the gap in response to relative rotation between the structure bodies. Movable elements are positioned to physically interact with the ball elements as the ball elements move along the predetermined path. Energy harvesters in the sensor modules generate electrical energy from the mechanical energy produced by physical interaction between the ball elements and movable elements. The sensing modules include sensors to measure parameters in the drill string environment.