Axial-Entry Turbine Assembly With Thrust Absorption for Low-Flow Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine designs for low flow and low pressure systems are inefficient and expensive due to counterforces opposing water flow, making them unsuitable for small water systems.
Innovation Solution
A turbine assembly with a rotor that rotates about an axis and a thrust absorbing member, allowing axial fluid entry and radial exit, reducing torque requirements and optimizing fluid flow to generate rotational energy effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a traditional reaction type turbine (e.g., Francis turbine) is used, then high power and high volume water flow are achieved, but the system becomes expensive, complicated and inefficient for low flow or low pressure systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional turbine design by reversing the flow direction and rotor position. Instead of water entering radially and exiting axially with the rotor at the inlet, the design has water enter axially at the inlet and exit radially at the outlet, with the rotor positioned at the outlet. This inversion eliminates the counterforce problem and enables efficient operation in low flow/low pressure systems
2Quantity of substance
If a traditional reaction type turbine is used, then high volume water flow is handled, but efficiency deteriorates at very low water head pressure and flow due to counterforce
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotor from the conventional inlet position and relocates it to the outlet position. This extraction of the rotor from the inlet flow path eliminates the counterforce that opposes water flow in traditional turbines, allowing efficient energy conversion even at very low water head pressure and flow conditions
3Power
If high flow designs are used for low flow systems, then power generation capability is provided, but cost and complexity increase while efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the turbine by reversing the flow direction and rotor position. This parameter change transforms the turbine from a high-flow optimized design to one that efficiently operates in low flow/low pressure systems, providing adaptability across different water system conditions
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 design is more efficient and flexible for low flow or low pressure systems, producing rotational energy with reduced torque and frictional losses, suitable for applications like swimming pool generators.
Implementation Method 1
fluid is operable to enter the turbine assembly generally axially with regard to the axis of rotation of the rotor and to exit the turbine assembly generally radially with regard to the axis of rotation of the rotor
Implementation Method 2
The thrust absorbing member absorbs the axial thrust force caused by the incoming flow of fluid onto the axial thrust bearing of the turbine assembly, thereby reducing frictional losses
Implementation Method 3
the kinetic energy of flowing water is used to turn a turbine assembly which converts the energy into rotational energy
Data Source
AI summary
A turbine assembly for a generator including a rotor that is operable to rotate about an axis; and a thrust absorbing member, wherein fluid is operable to enter the turbine assembly generally axially with regard to the axis of rotation of the rotor and to exit the turbine generally radially with regard to the axis of rotation of the rotor. The fluid is operable to contact the thrust absorbing member prior to contacting the rotor.