Cyber-Physical Hydrokinetic Turbine with Adaptive Foil Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tidal hydro-kinetic energy conversion technologies are static and unable to adapt to changing environmental conditions, requiring site-specific design and optimization, which is costly and inefficient, and pose risks to marine ecology and navigation, with unknown long-term environmental impacts.
Innovation Solution
A cyber-physical system utilizing foil members with feedback control loops for oscillatory movement within fluid flows, allowing real-time optimization of energy extraction and flow manipulation, minimizing drag, and adapting to dynamic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If fixed design turbines are used for hydrokinetic energy conversion, then energy extraction efficiency is maximized at design flow speeds, but the system cannot adapt to changing environmental conditions and site-specific variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static fixed-blade turbines to dynamic systems with adjustable blade pitch angles. The control system continuously modifies blade configuration in response to real-time flow conditions, enabling the turbine to maintain optimal performance across varying environmental conditions rather than being locked into a single design operating point.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes physical parameters of the turbine system, specifically the blade pitch angle and rotational speed, based on measured flow conditions. By dynamically adjusting these parameters rather than maintaining fixed values, the system optimizes energy extraction efficiency for each operating condition while adapting to environmental variations.
2Loss of energy
If site-specific design optimization is performed for each turbine location, then energy conversion efficiency is maximized, but installation costs increase due to time-consuming surveys and custom design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal turbine design that can be deployed across multiple sites without custom optimization. The system incorporates sensors and control mechanisms that enable a single standardized turbine model to adapt to different location conditions, eliminating the need for site-specific design surveys and reducing installation costs while maintaining high energy conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine system performs self-optimization by using onboard sensors to measure local flow conditions and automatically adjusting its operational parameters. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external expert surveys and custom design processes for each site, reducing installation costs while achieving site-specific optimization automatically.
3Power
If rotary turbines are deployed in tidal farms, then energy capture is improved, but flow kinetic energy is lost between turbines due to interference when placed close together
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling turbines to adjust their rotational speed and blade pitch in response to local flow conditions modified by neighboring turbines. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to operate efficiently even in dense arrays where flow interference occurs, reducing kinetic energy losses compared to fixed-speed rotary turbines.
4Device complexity
If fixed blade design turbines are used, then structural complexity is reduced, but the system cannot respond to unsteady flow conditions and operates efficiently only at designed flow speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static fixed-blade design to dynamic adjustable-blade design. The control system modifies blade pitch angles in real-time based on measured flow conditions, enabling the turbine to respond to unsteady and varying flow conditions while maintaining relatively simple blade structures that can be adjusted through controlled movement rather than complex variable geometry.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves high energy capture efficiency, reduces environmental impact, and allows for scalable and cost-effective deployment by adapting to changing conditions, minimizing site-specific design needs and ecological disruption.
Implementation Method 1
converting kinetic energy from a fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
feedback control loop system for optimizing the operation of the foil members
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a system for engaging a fluid flow. The system comprising one or more foil members operationally connected to a feedback control loop system. In one embodiment, the foil member is a hydrofoil member or an airfoil member. The foil members are configured for one or more degrees of freedom of oscillatory movement within the fluid flow. The feedback control loop system comprises a sensor system, actuator system, and a controller system. The feedback control loop system configured for actuating the foil members and thereby optimizing the operation of the foil members to attain one or more optimization objectives. In operation, the foil members are situated in the fluid flow and are manipulated to attain one or more optimization objectives.