Closed Tidal Energy System with Onshore Bladders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tidal energy systems are limited to areas with high tidal flow velocities and suffer from issues like biofouling, corrosion, and environmental impact, making them impractical for coastal regions with low tidal ranges and high construction costs.
Innovation Solution
A closed tidal energy system using oversized, compliant on-shore and off-shore bladders with a high-efficiency hydropower turbine in between, which creates a pressure differential to capture tidal energy without external water sources, minimizing environmental impact and optimizing energy production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional tidal energy systems are used in high flow velocity areas, then energy extraction efficiency is improved, but environmental impact and system damage from debris and biofouling worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a closed-loop water circulation system that acts as an intermediary between the tidal environment and the turbine. Water is pumped from the ocean through a closed pipeline to a surge chamber on land, creating a controlled environment for the turbine while still capturing tidal energy. This mediator isolates the turbine from direct exposure to debris, biofouling, and corrosive seawater.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the turbine and generator components from the harsh marine environment and places them in a protected on-land surge chamber. Only the water intake and pump systems remain in direct contact with the ocean, while the critical energy conversion components are removed from the harmful marine environment, reducing maintenance and environmental impact.
2Productivity
If tidal energy systems are located in high tidal range areas, then energy generation potential is improved, but competition with navigation and space availability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the turbine installation from a horizontal in-water configuration to a vertical on-land configuration. The surge chamber is built on land above the tidal zone, allowing the turbine to operate in the vertical dimension rather than competing for horizontal space in navigation channels. This dimensional shift enables energy generation without blocking ship passages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the tidal energy capture process into separate functional components: the water intake and pump system remains in the marine environment, while the surge chamber and turbine are segmented and placed on land. This segmentation allows the navigation channel to remain clear while the energy generation components operate independently onshore.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If open onshore systems are used, then initial environmental conditions can be pristine, but biofouling eventually accumulates and degrades performance
Solution Approach 1:
The closed-loop water circulation system acts as an intermediary that prevents direct contact between the turbine and marine organisms. Water is pumped through a controlled closed pipeline and surge chamber, eliminating the open interface that would otherwise allow biofouling to accumulate on turbine surfaces over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a closed water circulation system with controlled flow that creates a relatively clean, short-residence-time environment for water in the surge chamber. This prevents long-term stagnation and biofouling accumulation, effectively creating a disposable-like environment where water quickly circulates through rather than remaining static and allowing biological growth.
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 efficient tidal energy extraction in non-traditional areas with minimal environmental harm and reduced maintenance, increasing energy production even in areas with small tidal ranges, and providing a cost-effective solution for coastal regions.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid is adapted to flow between the bladders depending on a pressure differential therebetween
Implementation Method 2
a high-efficiency hydropower turbine disposed within a turbine housing
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A closed system that captures energy derived from the head differential rather than open-water flows velocities while reducing potential environmental damages and costly maintenance due to bio-fouling. This energy density available in a tidal range is increased substantially via convergent "nozzles" to produce an optimal speed for power generations with the turbine sections, thereby significantly increasing the tidal energy captured by this system, even at sites where tidal energy is low (e.g., small to medium tide ranges, such as found along the East and Gulf Coasts of the United States).