Traveling Wave Propeller Using Crenated Strip Fin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical devices fail to efficiently create repetitive or undulating motions to harness energy or produce thrust in various environments, such as fluid media, land, or air, limiting their application in propulsion systems and energy conversion.
Innovation Solution
The use of a deformed crenated strip fin made from an arc-like flexible sheet-like material with strained-deformations, integrated into a mechanism with couplings and actuators, which induce traveling waves to exert force on fluids or surfaces, enabling propulsion and energy harvesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional mechanical devices are used to create repetitive or undulating motions, then basic propulsion or fluid movement can be achieved, but efficiency is insufficient and application versatility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The traveling wave mechanism serves multiple functions: it can generate thrust for propulsion, move fluids through pumping action, and potentially harvest energy from fluid motion. The same basic structure with undulating fins can be applied across different environments (fluid media, land, air) and different scales, making the system universally applicable while maintaining high efficiency through the traveling wave motion principle
2Power
If actuators are used to sequentially rotate vertebrae to create traveling waves, then propulsion thrust and fluid movement are generated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The propulsion system is divided into discrete segments: multiple vertebrae with attached fins, where each vertebra can be independently actuated. This segmentation allows the complex traveling wave motion to be broken down into simpler individual rotations, making the system more manageable and controllable while still generating effective thrust through the coordinated action of all segments
3Use of energy by moving object
If strained-deformations are incorporated into crenated strip fins, then internal energy state is stored and propulsion efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sheet material undergoes controlled parameter changes during manufacturing: it is deformed into strained configurations and then locked into place using couplings. This allows the material to store internal energy in the form of elastic strain, which is then released during operation to enhance propulsion efficiency. The parameter change from unstrained to strained state is permanent and maintains the energy storage capability
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 solution allows for efficient propulsion systems in sub-sea vessels, personal propulsion, surface vessels, and fluid handling, while also enabling energy harvesting from moving fluids, enhancing the versatility and efficiency of mechanical devices in diverse environments.
Implementation Method 1
the traveling waves of sinusoidal deformations may exert force on the fluid causing the fluid to move and/or creating thrust
Implementation Method 2
In a fluid medium, the traveling waves of sinusoidal deformations may exert force on the fluid causing the fluid to move
Implementation Method 3
Where the actuators are of a type that are capable of harnessing energy, such as electromagnetic motors or dielectric elastomers, the mechanisms may also harness energy when fixed in an environment with moving fluid
Data Source
AI summary
The TRAVELING WAVE PROPELLER, PUMP AND GENERATOR APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS include force or forces applied to an arc-like flexible sheet-like material to create a deformed crenated strip fin with strained-deformations. The strained-deformations take on a sinusoid-like form that express the internal energy state of the flexible sheet-like material after it has been configured into a crenated strip fin. After being incorporated into a mechanism with couplings that prevent the crenated strip fin from returning to its un-strained state, the strained-deformations persist. Actuators may be used to sequentially rotate vertebrae attached to the fins causing the travel of sinusoid-like deformations along the fins. In a fluid medium, the traveling waves of sinusoidal deformations may exert force on the fluid causing the fluid to move and/or creating thrust. When anchored in moving fluid, hydrodynamic loading of the fins may cause the fins to move and transmit force to an electromagnetic generator or other energy-harnessing transducer to generate electricity.