Chain-Vane Hydroelectric Turbine for Variable Wave Energy Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wave energy conversion systems suffer from low efficiency due to variations in wave intensity, direction, and height, leading to significant energy loss.
Innovation Solution
A hydropower plant design featuring a tapered funnel inlet, inclined turbine section with gears and roller chains, and frames with vanes, which directs and accelerates water waves into an upward flow to optimize energy conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional turbine is used to convert wave energy, then the system structure is simple, but the energy conversion efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine is divided into multiple gears (first gear, second gear, third gear) arranged at different heights, each processing water flow independently. This segmentation allows the system to capture kinetic energy from waves of varying heights and directions more effectively, resolving the contradiction by maintaining structural simplicity through modular gear units while significantly improving energy conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a conventional single-plane turbine to a multi-level three-dimensional gear system. Gears are positioned at different vertical heights (first gear at lower level, second gear at intermediate level, third gear at upper level), creating an upward water flow path. This dimensional expansion allows the turbine to utilize waves with varying directions and heights, improving energy capture efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity through repeated modular units
2Productivity
If the turbine processes waves of varying directions and heights, then energy capture is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each gear unit serves multiple functions: the first gear captures energy from incoming waves, the second gear processes intermediate flow, and the third gear handles upper-level flow. All gears connect through roller chains to a common rotor, creating a universal system that handles varying wave conditions with a standardized modular structure, improving energy capture without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine employs a nested hierarchical structure where multiple gears are arranged vertically within a single turbine housing. The first gear is positioned at the lower level, the second gear at the intermediate level, and the third gear at the upper level, with all gears nested within the same structural envelope and connected through roller chains. This nesting approach allows the system to process multi-directional and multi-height waves while containing the complexity within a compact, organized structure
3Productivity
If a tapered funnel inlet is used to accelerate water flow, then kinetic energy conversion is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet structure employs a tapered funnel shape with curved surfaces that gradually narrow from the wide inlet opening to the outlet. This curved geometric form naturally accelerates water flow through geometric convergence without requiring complex mechanical components, improving kinetic energy conversion efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity through a single molded or fabricated funnel component
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
Enhances the conversion of kinetic energy from water streams by efficiently utilizing waves of varying directions and velocities, maximizing electrical energy generation.
Implementation Method 1
convert kinetic energy from streams of water reservoirs, sea, ocean waves or river water into electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
a turbine arranged in the turbine section and designed in the form of gears connected to one another by roller chains
Implementation Method 3
The turbine is connected to a rotor of an electric generator
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A hydroelectric power plant comprising an inlet funnel (1) with a widened inlet and a narrowed outlet opening for the water flow, a turbine section (2) with side walls whose opposing sections are arranged substantially parallel to each other, a turbine arranged in the turbine section (2) in the form of gears (3, 4) connected to each other by roller chains (5) rotatably arranged between the walls of the turbine section, wherein a plurality of frames (8) are arranged on the roller chains (5) perpendicular to them, each frame (8) being provided with a plurality of vanes (9) pivotable at the same angle, the gears (3, 4) being arranged at different heights to the horizontal, for generating an upward section of the water flow as it passes through the turbine, and between the gears (3,4) A barrier (6) is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the turbine section (2) to provide an inclined surface for the water flow, wherein the blades (9) of each frame (8) are simultaneously rotatable by 90 degrees alternately in a first and a second direction as they pass the upper and lower edges of the closed barrier (6).