Cross-Flow Turbine Generator Without Shaft Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic turbines for drinking water networks face issues with sealing, complex geometry, high manufacturing costs, parasitic pressure losses, and inefficient energy conversion due to peripheral magnetic field generation, making them unsuitable for robust and economical pico-generation.
Innovation Solution
A transverse-axis hydraulic machine with a rotor installed within the conduit segment, using ball bearings for support and magnetic flux generation to transfer torque externally, eliminating the need for mechanical seals and allowing for simple, robust, and economical energy generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If axial or centripetal turbines are used in drinking water networks, then energy generation is achieved, but sealing problems occur due to the need for shaft connections between turbine and generator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical shaft connection system with a magnetic coupling system. The turbine rotor contains permanent magnets that generate a magnetic field, which couples with the stator windings to transfer rotational energy without mechanical contact. This eliminates the need for shaft seals and their associated leakage problems while maintaining reliable power transmission from the turbine to the generator.
2Power
If axial or centripetal turbines with complex blade geometry are used, then energy conversion is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple, robust turbine blades with basic geometric shapes that can be manufactured using conventional, cost-effective methods. Rather than using complex aerodynamic blade profiles, the invention uses straightforward blade designs that are easier and cheaper to manufacture while still achieving adequate energy conversion efficiency for the application.
3Power
If hydraulic turbines are installed in drinking water networks, then energy is generated, but parasitic pressure losses increase in the pipeline
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only a small portion of the available energy from the water flow, rather than attempting to maximize energy extraction. This partial action approach ensures that the turbine creates minimal resistance to flow and causes negligible pressure losses, while still generating sufficient power for low-consumption applications like sensor operation in drinking water networks.
4Power
If peripheral magnetic field generation is used in hydraulic turbines, then energy conversion is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the turbine rotor and magnetic field generation components into a single integrated unit. The permanent magnets are embedded directly in the turbine rotor, merging the mechanical rotation function with the electromagnetic field generation function. This integration simplifies the overall structure, reduces the number of separate components, and lowers manufacturing complexity and costs.
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 solution provides efficient energy conversion with minimal pressure loss, reduced manufacturing complexity, and cost-effectiveness, enabling reliable power for sensors in drinking water networks without the need for batteries.
Implementation Method 1
The rotor (2) comprises a cross-flow turbine installed in the conduit segment (1) with an axis of rotation (A) extending transversely in the conduit segment (1)... Each means (21, 21') is presented in the form of a convex disc... Each hub (21, 21') has a bearing (24) at its center and carries magnetic flux generation means such as permanent magnets (23)... The varying magnetic flux induces, within windings of the stator circuit (3) positioned outside the duct (1), an electric current
Implementation Method 2
The rotor (2) comprises a cross-flow turbine installed in the conduit segment (1)... This turbine (2), of circular section, has two blades (22)... which are mounted symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation (A) of the turbine (2) and are free to rotate about the axis (A) under the effect of a fluid flow (F) flowing in the conduit (1)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for generating electric current in a fluid flow circuit, comprising: a duct segment (1) intended to be interposed in the fluid flow circuit, a rotor (2) mounted in the duct segment (1) and able to be set in motion by the passage of a fluid through said device, and a stator or stator circuit (3) designed to cooperate with the rotor (2) and produce electric current. According to the invention, the rotor (2) is made up of a transverse flow turbine (2), the axis of rotation (A) of which extends across the duct segment (1), the turbine (2) having, at the longitudinal ends of its axis of rotation (A), means (24) for holding against the opposite walls of the duct segment (1), the stator or stator circuit (3) being positioned outside the duct segment (1) at an end of the turbine (2) which is able to be driven in rotation while the turbine (2) moves, and comprises means (23) for generating a magnetic flux for cooperating with said stator or stator circuit (3) in order to produce the electric current.