Portable flexible hydroenergy power generation integrated device
By designing a portable, flexible hydropower generation integrated device, utilizing a water column power generation module and a circuit processing module, the ecological disturbance and micro-energy harvesting bottlenecks in existing hydropower development technologies have been solved, achieving lightweight, multi-scenario adaptability, and efficient energy conversion, providing a stable and reliable power supply.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NANJING UNIV OF AERONAUTICS & ASTRONAUTICS
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing renewable energy technologies have limitations. Hydropower development relies on large-scale infrastructure, leading to ecological disturbances. Micro-energy harvesting technology faces development bottlenecks. Traditional fossil fuels cause greenhouse gas emissions and ecological imbalances. There is a lack of portable, efficient, and environmentally friendly energy solutions.
Design a portable flexible hydroelectric power generation integrated device. It adopts a flexible and foldable structure, utilizes a water column power generation module and a circuit processing module to generate electrical energy through metal positive and negative conductors, and combines a rectifier bridge and capacitor storage to realize energy conversion and storage.
It achieves lightweight design, adaptability to multiple scenarios, high-efficiency energy conversion, and environmentally friendly power output, making it suitable for outdoor camping, disaster emergency response, and other scenarios, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and providing a stable and reliable power supply.
Smart Images

Figure CN224264869U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of hydropower generation technology, and in particular to a portable flexible hydropower generation integrated device. Background Technology
[0002] The global energy sector currently faces multiple challenges. Over-reliance on traditional fossil fuels exacerbates greenhouse gas emissions and ecological imbalances. Data from the United Nations Environment Programme shows that 750 million people worldwide still lack basic electricity access. Existing renewable energy technologies have significant limitations: hydropower development relies on large-scale infrastructure projects, leading to ecological disturbances; wind and solar energy suffer from intermittent drawbacks; and the development of micro-energy harvesting technologies has encountered bottlenecks. These contradictions highlight the urgency of developing new, environmentally friendly micro-energy systems, requiring efficient capture and conversion of natural mechanical energy through material innovation and structural optimization. Summary of the Invention
[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, this invention proposes a portable flexible hydroelectric power generation integrated device. The project aims to utilize the mechanical energy in natural resources such as water columns for energy collection and conversion.
[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0005] A portable flexible hydropower generation integrated device, comprising:
[0006] A water column power generation module includes at least one section of power generation pipe. The inner wall of the pipe is provided with a metal negative conductor, and the outer wall of the pipe is surrounded by a metal positive conductor. The top of the pipe is connected to an upstream water storage container to form a water column. The water flowing through the pipe forms a water voltaic AC signal. The inclination of the power generation pipe is adjusted to change the length of the water column in the pipe so that it matches the length of the metal positive conductor.
[0007] The circuit processing module is connected to the electrodes of the pipeline, converts the water-volt AC signal into unidirectional pulsating DC and stores it, or directly connects the water-volt AC signal to the electrical equipment as a power supply.
[0008] Preferably, the circuit processing module uses a rectifier bridge to achieve AC-DC conversion and uses capacitors to store the converted DC power.
[0009] As a preferred option, a pressure stabilizing device is also installed between the upstream water storage bag and the pipeline.
[0010] As a preferred option, the pressure stabilizing device is a Murphy drip chamber for medical infusion devices.
[0011] Preferably, a flow regulating switch is also included, located downstream of the water storage container, with its two ends connected to the water storage container and the generator pipe respectively; closing the flow regulating switch cuts off the water flow; a small air hole is opened in the pipe between the flow regulating switch and the generator pipe, and the flow regulating switch is adjusted so that the inlet flow velocity of the generator pipe is slightly less than the outlet flow velocity, so as to generate a continuous segmented and stable output of water column-air-water column.
[0012] Preferably, a flexible water delivery module is also included for connecting the water storage container to the pipeline.
[0013] As a preferred option, the flexible water delivery module is a foldable hose.
[0014] Preferably, the pipe is made of fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer (FEP), with copper tape wrapped parallel to the pipe axis, and a copper wire pre-embedded between the tape and the FEP as the positive electrode, extending to the circuit interface; a round hole is opened below the copper tape, and an aluminum wire is inserted into the pipe cavity to contact the liquid column as the negative electrode.
[0015] Preferably, the number of pipes is four segments connected in series, arranged in a row of four columns, with electrodes of the same polarity connected in series, and the two main electrodes connected to the integrated circuit to collect electricity or each pipe individually realizes water column power generation.
[0016] Compared with existing technologies, this new invention has the following innovative advantages:
[0017] (1) Easy to fold, lightweight and portable: The flexible foldable structure realizes the lightweight and high portability of the equipment, while ensuring power generation efficiency and durability;
[0018] (2) Multi-scenario adaptability: The design is flexible and can adapt to various environmental conditions and usage scenarios, such as outdoor camping, remote areas, disaster emergency response, etc. It can generate electricity using various water sources such as rainwater and river water;
[0019] (3) High-efficiency energy conversion: Compared with traditional water droplet power generation technology, this application adopts advanced dielectric materials and optimized electrode design to enhance the charge generation and transmission efficiency when water droplets come into contact with materials, which can achieve higher energy conversion efficiency, provide stable and reliable power output, and can automatically adjust energy collection and storage according to power demand to improve energy use efficiency;
[0020] (4) Environmentally friendly and sustainable: It generates electricity solely by the gravity of water itself, without the need for external mechanical devices, thus reducing dependence on fossil fuels and helping to reduce carbon footprint and environmental impact;
[0021] (5) Easy to maintain and expand: With modular design, the power generation unit can be easily added or replaced as needed to adapt to different power demands and application scenarios. Attached Figure Description
[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a portable hydroelectric generator integrator according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] Figure 2 This is the test data of the power generation voltage of a single (3cm copper foil) according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the LED lighting test principle of one embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an energy harvesting circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0026] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of this invention, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Embodiments of this invention will be described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this invention, and should not be construed as limiting this invention.
[0027] This application discloses a water-droplet power generation technology. By combining energy management circuits and optimizing power generation devices, it enables portable flexible water-powered integrated devices that drive commonly used commercial electronic devices and products. It mainly utilizes the power generation principle of water flowing in a dielectric channel (Nano Energy 73 (2020): 104748.), selects flexible materials to construct the overall system, and develops a foldable outdoor power generation device weighing <500g. After folding, the volume is reduced to 1 / 5 of the unfolded state, making it an easy-to-fold, lightweight, and portable water-droplet power generator, achieving portability for outdoor use.
[0028] This system breaks through the limitations of traditional hydropower generation and also has LED emergency lighting functions. Its biodegradable material process and 5,000-bend durability ensure stable operation in harsh environments such as rainstorms and low temperatures. It can be deployed and used immediately by the weight of water without mechanical transmission, providing a zero-carbon emission and highly portable green energy solution for outdoor emergency and disaster relief scenarios, with both environmental friendliness and commercial application potential.
[0029] Specifically, this invention is illustrated by examples of the fabrication of the water column module and the water droplet module, as well as the integration and assembly of the overall circuit:
[0030] Example 1
[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the water column power generation module:
[0032] To enable the device to generate controllable segmented liquid columns in the power generation section, this application employs a Murphy drip chamber (a medical infusion device) as a pressure stabilizing device to maintain a constant downstream outlet water pressure. Even if the liquid level in the upstream storage bag drops, the outlet pressure remains constant. By adjusting the flow control switch, all valves can be directly closed when not in use, or the device can generate stable water-air-water column flows separately, achieving multi-mode flow control.
[0033] Specifically,
[0034] In the fully closed mode, the water flow is cut off by turning off the flow regulation switch;
[0035] In the segmented generation mode, a small vent is opened in the pipeline between the flow regulating switch and the generator tube. The flow regulating switch is adjusted so that the inlet velocity of the generator tube is slightly less than the outlet velocity, resulting in a continuous and stable output of water-air-water column in the lower FEP tube. In this embodiment, the vent is positioned at a sufficient distance from the bottom copper foil to avoid affecting the water flow. By adjusting the inclination of the FEP tube, the length of the water column in the FEP tube is changed to match the length of the surface copper foil electrode, achieving optimal power generation.
[0036] Single generator tube construction:
[0037] A 10cm long, 4mm inner diameter, and 1mm wall thickness fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer (FEP) round tube is used as the base. A 2.5cm wide copper tape is wrapped parallel to the tube axis, and an 8cm copper wire is pre-embedded between the tape and PTFE as the positive electrode, extending to the circuit interface. A 0.8mm diameter round hole is opened 2mm below the copper tape, and an 8cm aluminum wire is inserted into the tube cavity to contact the liquid column as the negative electrode. The tube is sealed with nano tape to prevent leakage.
[0038] Four power generation tubes are arranged horizontally in a row and four columns. Electrodes of the same polarity are connected in series. Finally, the two main electrodes are connected to the integrated circuit to collect power or each water column can generate power for individual use. It supports centralized power supply of the main electrodes or time-sharing multiplexing of independent units.
[0039] Power generation process: A water column flows from a 1200ml IV bottle into the infusion set through a five-way pipe (4.95mm side diameter), and then into the FEP pipe, flowing from top to bottom; the water column generates electricity in the FEP pipe, and the electricity is conducted to the integrated circuit part through copper wires.
[0040] Example 2
[0041] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the circuit processing module:
[0042] A 2W04 through-hole rectifier bridge was selected as the rectifier module to convert the bidirectional AC pulses output from the water column generator into unidirectional pulsating DC power. A 2.2uf through-hole electrolytic capacitor was selected as the energy storage module to temporarily store the rectified DC power and smooth voltage fluctuations. 3VF5 LEDs were selected for demonstrating the lighting function, and a breadboard was selected for connecting various electronic components.
[0043] The circuit processing module receives the AC power output from the generator section, converts it into DC power through a rectifier bridge, and stores it in a capacitor, thus realizing power integration and storage.
[0044] Functionality implementation:
[0045] Tests showed that when four wires were connected in parallel, the peak power output dropped sharply as the number of wires connected in parallel increased. Therefore, a series connection of four wires was selected as the power generation device for the system.
[0046] The generator was tested with a digital oscilloscope and the peak output voltage reached approximately 520V. The generated electricity can be used directly or collected over a period of time to make LED lights blink.
[0047] Instantaneous power generation effect: When connected to the light bulb test circuit, the pulse voltage generated by a single water column power generator can make 50 small light bulbs flash simultaneously at a high frequency. When connected to the entire power generation device, it can make letters flash.
[0048] Charging and power generation effect: when connected to, for example Figure 2 In the energy harvesting circuit shown, a 2W04 through-hole rectifier bridge is used to rectify the AC pulse signal generated by four parallel generators. A 2.2uf through-hole electrolytic capacitor is connected to the output terminal, which can charge the 2.2uf capacitor to 2.5V within 1 minute.
[0049] Example 3
[0050] In this embodiment, a flexible water delivery channel is constructed using medical-grade VC (polyvinyl chloride) tubing to connect the water storage container to the power generation pipe. When the system is working, the pipe is straightened to achieve a 1-meter height difference between the water storage bag and the water column power generation inlet, ensuring sufficient water pressure at the water column power generation inlet to drive power generation.
[0051] The medical-grade VC (polyvinyl chloride) flexible hose achieves three-dimensional deformation self-adaptation capability through a spiral winding structure design. Its 0.8mm wall thickness maintains hydraulic conductivity while giving the device excellent plasticity—it forms a high-efficiency power generation network when unfolded and can be seamlessly coiled into a 22×16×6cm portable storage box when stored. Testing has shown that this flexible structure, combined with corrugated pipe reinforcement, can be repeatedly bent and stretched, ensuring structural integrity in outdoor conditions while achieving ultimate portability through a modular quick-release design—"unfold to generate electricity, store like a measuring tape"—perfectly adapting to various outdoor energy collection needs.
[0052] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A portable flexible hydropower generation integrated device, characterized in that, include: A water column power generation module includes at least one section of power generation pipe. The inner wall of the pipe is provided with a metal negative conductor, and the outer wall of the pipe is surrounded by a metal positive conductor. The top of the pipe is connected to an upstream water storage container to form a water column. The water flowing through the pipe forms a water voltaic AC signal. The circuit processing module is connected to the electrodes of the pipeline, converts the water-volt AC signal into unidirectional pulsating DC and stores it, or directly connects the water-volt AC signal to the electrical equipment as a power supply.
2. The portable flexible hydropower generation integrated device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circuit processing module uses a rectifier bridge to achieve AC-DC conversion and uses capacitors to store the converted DC power.
3. The portable flexible hydropower generation integrated device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A pressure stabilizing device is also installed between the upstream water storage container and the pipeline.
4. The portable flexible hydropower generation integrated device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The pressure stabilizing device is a Murphy drip chamber for medical infusion.
5. The portable flexible hydropower generation integrated device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a flow regulating switch, located downstream of the water storage container, with its two ends connected to the water storage container and the generator pipe respectively; closing the flow regulating switch cuts off the water flow; a small air hole is opened in the pipe between the flow regulating switch and the generator pipe, and the flow regulating switch is adjusted so that the inlet flow velocity of the generator pipe is less than the outlet flow velocity, so as to generate a continuous segmented and stable output of water column-air-water column.
6. The portable flexible hydropower generation integrated device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a flexible water delivery module for connecting the water storage container to the pipeline.
7. The portable flexible hydropower generation integrated device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The flexible water delivery module is a foldable hose.
8. The portable flexible hydropower generation integrated device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pipeline is made of fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer (FEP), with copper tape wrapped parallel to the pipe axis, and copper wires are embedded between the tape and the FEP as the positive electrode, extending to the circuit interface; a round hole is opened below the copper tape, and an aluminum wire is inserted into the pipe cavity to contact the liquid column as the negative electrode.
9. The portable flexible hydropower generation integrated device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pipeline consists of four parallel sections arranged in a row of four columns. Electrodes of the same polarity are connected in series, and the two main electrodes are connected to the integrated circuit to collect electricity, or each pipeline can generate electricity from the water column independently.