Cooling Tower with Repositionable Fan for Dual-Mode Power Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling towers are inefficiently operated outside the summer season due to their design, leading to underutilization of wind resources and reduced functionality in seasons like spring, autumn, and winter.
Innovation Solution
A cooling tower design that allows the blowing fan to be positioned inside or outside the casing and adjusts its angle to generate power during non-operation periods, while maintaining cooling functionality by using a rotating shaft with multiple coupling points and a power generator motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the blowing fan is fixed inside the casing for cooling operation, then cooling performance is maintained, but power generation capability in non-summer seasons is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The blowing fan is designed with a movable structure that can dynamically change its position between inside and outside the casing. The rotating shaft with multiple coupling points enables the fan to be relocated based on operational needs, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to different functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The blowing fan serves dual functions: it acts as a cooling device when positioned inside the casing during summer, and as a wind turbine for power generation when positioned outside the casing in non-summer seasons. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by allowing one component to fulfill multiple roles.
2Productivity
If the blowing fan operates inside the casing for cooling, then cooling efficiency is optimized, but wind resource utilization for power generation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning of the blowing fan based on the season or operational mode. Before power generation operation begins, the fan is pre-positioned outside the casing. Before cooling operation, it is pre-positioned inside the casing. This preliminary action simplifies the operational process by establishing the correct configuration in advance.
3Ease of manufacture
If the blowing fan blade angle is fixed, then manufacturing is simplified, but efficiency is lost when switching between cooling and power generation modes
Solution Approach 1:
The blade angle is made dynamic rather than fixed. The blowing fan blades can be adjusted to different angles depending on the operational mode: one angle optimized for cooling when inside the casing, and a different angle optimized for power generation when outside the casing. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and operational efficiency.
4Loss of energy
If the cooling tower is idle in non-summer seasons, then structural integrity is maintained, but wind energy resource is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The idle cooling tower structure in non-summer seasons is converted into a beneficial power generation facility. Instead of leaving the structure unused and wasting wind resources, the blowing fan is repositioned outside the casing to function as a wind turbine, converting the previously idle structure into an energy-producing asset.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling tower structure achieves seasonal multi-functionality: it serves as a cooling system during summer and transforms into a wind power generation system during non-summer seasons. This universal design eliminates energy waste by ensuring the structure remains productive throughout the year.
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 cooling tower efficiently generates electricity in non-summer seasons, enhances power generation efficiency, and maintains cooling performance without altering the existing structure, thus increasing utilization and leveraging wind resources.
Implementation Method 1
a blowing fan providing a flow force of air to a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a power generator motor rotating the rotating shaft or generating power according to rotation of the rotating shaft
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger disposed in the heat exchange region
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention comprises: a casing forming an air supply area, an exhaust area, and a heat exchanger area; an air supply port communicating with the air supply area and formed in the casing; an exhaust port communicating with the exhaust area and formed in the casing; a heat exchanger disposed in the heat exchange area; and a blowing power generation unit that provides flow force to the air supply area and the exhaust area and generates electricity by means of external force, wherein the blowing power generation unit comprises: a blowing fan; a rotary shaft having a first coupling part and a second coupling part to which the blowing fan is coupled; and a generator motor that rotates the rotary shaft or generates electricity by rotation of the rotary shaft.