Compact Turbine Generator Layout for High-Pressure Pipe Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing current generators are not suitable for operating in environments with high pressures (up to 700 bar) and temperatures (up to 200° C.), such as those found in oil field exploration and exploitation, due to sealing issues and increased overall dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A compact turbine current generator design that can be housed inside pipes with small dimensions, featuring a hollow bearing cylinder and a hollow rotating cylinder with integrated impellers and magnetic components, ensuring effective operation under high pressure and temperature conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If current generators are positioned outside pipes with impellers inside, then energy conversion is achieved, but sealing problems occur at shaft crossings and dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the current generator body with the pipe structure by integrating the stator directly onto the pipe external surface and positioning the rotor/impeller assembly inside the pipe. This eliminates the need for separate generator housings and shaft crossings through pipe walls, thereby resolving sealing problems while maintaining energy conversion functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the rotor and impeller are positioned inside the pipe, the stator is mounted on the pipe external surface, and the magnetic field interacts across the pipe wall thickness. This nested arrangement allows the generator components to be tightly integrated within the existing pipe structure, eliminating protruding shafts and reducing overall dimensions.
2Power
If transmission shafts cross pipe walls, then mechanical power is transmitted, but sealing complexity increases under high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the transmission shaft from the system by directly coupling the impeller to the rotor on the same side of the pipe wall. The impeller is positioned inside the pipe and rotates the rotor which is mounted on the pipe external surface, eliminating the need for shafts that cross the pipe wall and the associated sealing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical shaft transmission system with a direct magnetic coupling system. The impeller inside the pipe directly drives the rotor through magnetic field interaction, eliminating mechanical shafts and their associated sealing requirements, particularly under high pressure conditions.
3Ease of repair
If generator components are housed outside pipes, then maintenance is easier, but overall dimensions of pipes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the generator components with the pipe structure itself, using the pipe as both the fluid conduit and the generator housing. The stator is mounted directly on the pipe external surface while the rotor and impeller are positioned inside, eliminating the need for separate generator housings and reducing overall pipe dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the pipe wall thickness as a functional dimension, placing the stator on the external surface and the rotor/impeller inside the pipe, with the magnetic field interacting through the wall thickness. This dimensional arrangement allows compact integration without increasing the external dimensions of the pipe.
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 compact turbine current generator effectively converts kinetic energy into electrical energy under high pressure and temperature conditions, while maintaining a compact size that fits within pipes with small sections, thus avoiding sealing problems and reducing overall dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
a hollow rotating cylinder (3) which is rotatably and coaxially engaged inside the hollow bearing cylinder (2) and defines a respective transit cylindrical chamber (4) for a fluid... At least one impeller (7) is arranged in the transit cylindrical chamber (4)... the impellers are induced in rotation by the transit of a fluid in the transit cylindrical chamber (4)
Implementation Method 2
magnetic or electromagnetic components (6) operatively engaged to the hollow bearing cylinder (2) and/or to the hollow rotating cylinder (3) to generate at least an electric current during the rotation of the hollow rotating cylinder (3) inside the hollow bearing cylinder (2)
Data Source
AI summary
A turbine current generator includes a hollow bearing cylinder to be engaged inside a pipe or a duct for the transit of a fluid, in particular a fluid transit duct deriving from the drilling or exploration of an oil field; a hollow rotating cylinder rotatably and coaxially engaged inside the bearing cylinder and defining a respective transit cylindrical chamber for a fluid. The bearing and rotating cylinders defining at least a cylindrical gap; one or more magnetic or electromagnetic components operatively engaged to the bearing cylinder and/or to the rotating cylinder to generate at least one electric current during the rotation of the rotating cylinder inside the bearing cylinder; an impeller or impellers arranged in the chamber of the rotating cylinder according to positions aligned along a longitudinal axis of the latter, the impellers engaged inside the rotating cylinder to rotate integrally with the latter upon the action of a fluid.