Bidirectional Axial Flow Turbine with Self-Pivoting Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wave energy conversion devices incur energy conversion losses due to the use of intermediary mechanisms and complex mechanical designs, and they often suffer from inefficiencies, noise, and unsightly installations near coastal areas.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional axial flow turbine with self-pivoting blades is employed in a submerged structure, allowing direct conversion of wave-induced fluid flow into rotational energy, with blades automatically adjusting to optimize efficiency in both flow directions and reducing the need for additional mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If air turbines or hydraulic motors are used as intermediary mechanisms to convert wave energy, then mechanical motion can be produced to drive generators, but energy conversion losses increase and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intermediary air turbine or hydraulic motor from the energy conversion chain, allowing wave-induced water flow to directly drive the water turbine generator. This extraction of unnecessary intermediary components eliminates the associated energy conversion losses while simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric blade design where the turbine blades are specifically shaped to efficiently capture bidirectional water flow from waves. The blades have different geometries on opposite sides to optimize performance for both upward and downward flow directions, enabling direct water-to-generator conversion without symmetric intermediary mechanisms.
2Power
If air turbines are positioned above the water surface, then mechanical parts can drive generators, but corrosive effects from salt-laden air/water boundary increase and noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the turbine above the water surface as in conventional air turbine designs, the patent inverts the approach by submerging the water turbine generator directly in the water. This inversion places the mechanical components in the water environment where they are naturally protected from corrosive salt air, while the bidirectional blade design ensures continued effectiveness in capturing wave energy.
3Power
If wave overtopping devices create higher surface elevation to generate hydroelectric power, then power can be produced, but direct contact with surface waves increases and large basins are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the turbine from the traditional wave overtopping configuration that requires large basins and head maintenance. By placing the bidirectional water turbine generator directly in the water column, the system eliminates the need for complex basin structures and head maintenance mechanisms, allowing direct conversion of passing wave energy.
4Device complexity
If fixed blade angle turbines are used, then mechanical design is simpler, but efficiency range is limited and startup conditions are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from fixed blade angle turbines to dynamic self-pivoting blades that automatically adjust their angle of attack in response to bidirectional water flow. This dynamic adaptation allows the turbine to maintain high efficiency across a broad range of flow conditions and directions, significantly expanding the productivity envelope while adding minimal mechanical complexity through simple pivot joints.
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 turbine achieves efficient energy conversion with reduced mechanical complexity, improved startup conditions, and a broader efficiency range, minimizing noise and visual impact while effectively harnessing bidirectional wave energy.
Implementation Method 1
allowing direct conversion of wave-induced fluid flow into rotational energy
Implementation Method 2
bidirectional axial flow turbine with self-pivoting blades is employed in a submerged structure
Data Source
AI summary
A bidirectional axial flow turbine with self-pivoting blades is provided for use in a central opening of submerged horizontally-aligned structure forming a wave energy conversion device. Entry and exit inner guide vanes are positioned on opposite sides of the vertically-aligned central opening, for directing the bidirectional fluid flow into and out of the central opening and inducing a vortex swirl in both directions of fluid flow that has the same direction of rotation. Within the opening, a turbine hub is mounted with a plurality of uniformly spaced self-pivoting blades that have a symmetrical blade profile to the bidirectional flow. The self-pivoting blades automatically change their blade angle in response to the force of water flow on the blades, so that they turn the turbine shaft in the same rotational direction in both flow directions.