Buoyancy-Driven Power System Using Rotor-Vessels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current power generation methods, such as wind and solar, face intermittency issues and inefficiencies in energy storage and transmission, while industrial processes waste potential energy in exhaust gases and byproducts, necessitating a reliable and efficient means to harness these resources.

Innovation Solution

A buoyancy-driven power system utilizing a closed-loop passage with rotor-vessels and magnets to generate electricity by exploiting density differences between fluids, allowing for the reuse of industrial waste gases and byproducts, and incorporating a passive filtration system to reduce emissions and produce hydrogen and oxygen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If wind power generation is used, then electricity can be generated when wind is available, but electricity production stops when wind is unavailable and transmission losses occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectricity generation capabilityVSAvoidcontinuous power supply

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts waste gases and byproducts from industrial processes, which are currently harmful emissions, into a useful resource for generating mechanical motion through buoyancy-driven rotor-vessels. This transforms an environmental problem into a power generation solution, enabling continuous operation independent of weather conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own generated power to drive the compression and injection mechanisms that supply fluid to the rotor-vessels, creating a self-sustaining cycle. The passive filtration system also uses the flow dynamics of the system itself to separate and remove impurities without additional energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If solar power generation is used, then electricity can be generated when sunlight is available, but productivity decreases when sunlight is filtered by clouds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectricity generation efficiencyVSAvoidconsistent power output

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts waste gases and byproducts from industrial processes, which are currently harmful emissions, into a useful resource for generating mechanical motion through buoyancy-driven rotor-vessels. This transforms an environmental problem into a power generation solution, enabling continuous operation independent of weather conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Device complexity

If industrial exhaust gases are released to atmosphere, then no additional power generation equipment is needed, but potential energy is wasted and environmental pollution occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidwaste energy in exhaust gases

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it generates mechanical power from waste gases, filters pollutants from emissions, and produces hydrogen and oxygen as valuable byproducts. This multi-functionality maximizes the utility of the waste gas input while reducing environmental impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Power

If electrical current is transmitted from wind generation sources, then power can be delivered to point of use, but transmission losses and regulatory issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power transmissionVSAvoidtransmission losses

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces electrical power transmission with direct mechanical power delivery. The rotor-vessels generate mechanical motion that can be directly coupled to mechanical loads through shafts and couplings, eliminating the need for electrical transmission infrastructure and associated losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system effectively converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, providing a reliable and efficient means to harness waste energy, reducing emissions, and producing valuable byproducts without direct fossil fuel use, addressing the limitations of existing power generation methods.

Implementation Method 1

A buoyancy-driven power system utilizing a closed-loop passage with rotor-vessels and magnets to generate electricity by exploiting density differences between fluids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of magnets and a plurality of wire coils arranged along the closed-loop passage and configured to generate a flow of current as the plurality of rotor-vessels translate along the closed-loop passage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9719485B2Buoyancy-driven power generation system

Publication Date: 2017.08.01 FAWCETT CO

AI summary

Apparatus and methods of generating electricity using buoyancy principles, a buoyancy-driven power generation system comprising a closed-loop passage defined by a surrounding structure, the closed-loop passage arranged vertically to extend longitudinally along a closed-loop path, the passage configured to retain a liquid, a plurality of rotor-vessels slidingly arranged within the closed-loop passage and configured to translate along the closed-loop path within the closed-loop passage, each of the plurality of rotor-vessels including a fluid-retention cavity formed in a body of the rotor-vessel and having a density greater than a liquid in which the plurality of rotor-vessels will be submerged for power generation operations.