Ballistic Gel Fish Model for Turbine Strike Force Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The injury and mortality of fish during hydropower turbine blade strikes pose significant challenges due to the diversity of fish species and the high costs and complexities associated with using live animals for testing, as well as the difficulty in capturing and testing various species and strike variables.
Innovation Solution
A fish model made from ballistic gel, replicating the density, dimensions, and weight distribution of a selected species, created through additive manufacturing and equipped with sensors for force measurement, allowing for the simulation of turbine blade strikes without harming live fish.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If live fish are used for turbine blade strike testing, then valuable injury and mortality data can be obtained, but the cost of capture, purchase, laboratory space, and food becomes prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates ballistic gel models that are physical copies of live fish, replicating their external morphology, internal organ structures, and density distributions. These models can be manufactured repeatedly at low cost using 3D scanning and additive manufacturing, eliminating the need to continuously capture and maintain live fish while providing consistent test subjects for turbine blade strike experiments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state from biological organisms to synthetic ballistic gel models with controlled density parameters. By adjusting the ballistic gel formulation to match the density and structural properties of different fish species, the models provide reliable test data without the ongoing costs of live animal maintenance
2Adaptability or versatility
If live fish are used for testing various strike variables, then comprehensive injury data can be collected, but the number of fish required and the time and effort to conduct tests becomes formidable
Solution Approach 1:
Ballistic gel models can be rapidly manufactured to represent different fish species and sizes, allowing researchers to test multiple species configurations without the time-consuming processes of capturing, acclimating, and maintaining live fish populations. The models remain available for repeated testing across various strike variables
Solution Approach 2:
The fish models are pre-manufactured with accurate anatomical structures and density distributions before testing begins. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for live fish handling, acclimation periods, and ethical review processes that would extend testing timelines, allowing immediate commencement of strike variable experiments
3Adaptability or versatility
If live fish are used for turbine passage studies, then species-specific injury risks can be assessed, but the difficulty in finding and capturing rare or protected species becomes a barrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables creation of ballistic gel models for any fish species by scanning reference specimens or using anatomical data, including rare or protected species that would be difficult or illegal to capture. This approach provides unlimited access to diverse species configurations without conservation concerns or capture difficulties
Solution Approach 2:
The ballistic gel modeling system serves as a universal platform that can represent any fish species by adjusting the gel density, anatomical structure, and dimensional parameters. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate live fish populations for each species study
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
Enables cost-effective and extensive testing of various fish species and strike scenarios, providing accurate data on injury and mortality probabilities from hydroelectric turbine blade impacts without the need for live fish, with reusable molds and embedded sensors for precise force measurement.
Implementation Method 1
The fish model is cast from ballistic gel to include the density, dimensions, and weight distribution of a selected species of living fish
Implementation Method 2
Each fish model includes a surrogate skin and an internal sensor for strike force measurements
Implementation Method 3
The fish model is formed by additively manufacturing a mold based on a three-dimensional scan of an actual fish
Data Source
AI summary
A fish model to replace the use of live fish in hydroelectric studies is provided. The fish model is cast from ballistic gel to include the density, dimensions, and weight distribution of a selected species of living fish. The fish model is formed by additively manufacturing a mold based on a three-dimensional scan of an actual fish. The mold is then used to mass produce fish models for force measurement testing at various blade speeds, thickness, and impact angles. Each fish model includes a surrogate skin and an internal sensor for strike force measurements. Optional additional sensors include strain gauges, temperature probes, pressure probes, and load sensors, for example.