Underwater Aqua Sails for Bidirectional Tidal Energy Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tidal energy conversion technologies face challenges in capturing the kinetic energy of tidal currents due to the bidirectional flow and variability in flow rates, as well as the limited surface area of turbines, which restricts their utility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of underwater, kite-like aqua sails coupled to cables and pulleys connected to a bullwheel and generator, allowing for bidirectional energy conversion and optimal energy harvesting across varying tidal currents, with adjustable sail positioning and tension control to maximize energy production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If traditional turbines are used for tidal energy conversion, then the device can generate electricity from tidal currents, but the limited surface area of turbine rotors restricts the cross-section of fluid flow that can be captured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional turbine rotors to three-dimensional hydrofoils that extend vertically through the water column. The hydrofoils are configured to capture kinetic energy from tidal currents across multiple dimensions, with span lengths extending 5-15 meters vertically to intercept a much larger cross-section of the fluid flow compared to traditional horizontal-axis turbines.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the energy capture function into multiple independent hydrofoil elements rather than using a single large turbine rotor. Each hydrofoil operates independently to generate lift forces, and multiple hydrofoils are distributed across the water column to collectively capture energy from a larger effective area, overcoming the limitations of single-rotor turbine surface area.
2Productivity
If turbines are placed in areas with strong tidal currents, then energy production increases, but the number of useful sites is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrofoils are designed with adjustable pitch angles and configurable orientations that can be dynamically adjusted to optimize performance for different current directions and speeds. This adaptability allows the system to effectively operate in a broader range of tidal environments compared to fixed-geometry turbines, expanding the number of suitable installation sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs bidirectional hydrofoils that can generate useful lift forces regardless of the direction of water flow. The hydrofoils are configured to extract energy from both ebb and flood tides, making the device universally applicable to various tidal current patterns and directions, thereby increasing the number of viable installation locations.
3Productivity
If the apparatus tacks back and forth during each ebb and flow to capture energy, then energy harvesting efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases due to multiple cables and pulleys
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple functional elements (hydrofoils, cables, pulleys, generators) into an integrated apparatus where the cable-pulley mechanism serves dual purposes: controlling hydrofoil orientation for optimal energy capture and transmitting mechanical forces to generators. This merging reduces the need for separate control and power transmission systems, mitigating the complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrofoils are designed to automatically adjust their orientation and positioning through the action of tidal currents themselves, utilizing the flow dynamics to maintain optimal attack angles without requiring complex active control systems. The natural hydrodynamic forces serve the control function, reducing the need for additional actuation mechanisms.
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
This non-turbine, non-foil system effectively converts tidal and ocean currents into electrical energy, overcoming the limitations of traditional turbines by capturing a larger cross-sectional flow and adapting to changing tidal conditions, thus enhancing energy production and reducing maintenance and environmental impacts.
Implementation Method 1
The underwater sails (aqua sails) are kite-like and configured to be deployed below the surface of the water... the aqua sails work by using the force of the flowing water to propel the kite-like sail through the water
Implementation Method 2
The first cable and the second cable can be coupled to pulleys that can be configured to convert motion of the first cable and the second cable into rotation
Implementation Method 3
A generator can be coupled to the main cable loop to convert the kinetic energy of the flow of water into electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is described for converting river, tidal or ocean current energy into another form of energy, such as electrical, mechanical, or chemical energy. The apparatus can include a first underwater sail(s) coupled to a first cable and second underwater sail(s) coupled to a second cable. The sails are configured to catch water flows and move their respective cables along pulleys. The first cable and the second cable can form a main cable loop that is coupled to a bull wheel. A second cable loop configures the sails to best catch the water flow. The pulleys can guide the main cable loop along a rotational direction. The rotational movement of the bullwheel can be transferred to a generator to convert the water flow into another form of energy.