Deep Ocean Turbine With Dynamic Flaps For Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ocean energy harvesting technologies, particularly those utilizing ocean waves and tidal power, face inefficiencies and insufficient energy generation, limiting their widespread adoption and ability to meet modern energy demands, especially in deep ocean environments.
Innovation Solution
A deep ocean power generator device featuring a hollow tube platform with submerged turbine blades and moveable flaps that rotate to maximize energy capture from ocean currents, reducing drag and enhancing efficiency, coupled with a method for submerging, anchoring, and stabilizing the platform to generate electricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional ocean wave energy devices are used, then power generation is achieved, but energy utilization efficiency is insufficient and power generation efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine flaps are designed to dynamically open and close based on the rotational position of the turbine blades. When the front side of a blade contacts the ocean current, the flaps close to maximize energy capture. When the back side is exposed, the flaps open to reduce drag. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both energy utilization efficiency and power generation efficiency throughout the rotation cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the turbine by varying the flap positions (open/closed states) according to the rotational phase. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to different flow conditions during rotation, improving overall energy capture efficiency while maintaining high power generation output.
2Loss of energy
If turbine flaps are kept closed to maximize energy capture, then energy utilization improves, but drag increases reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The flaps are positioned at the trailing edge of each turbine blade and are capable of independent rotation. They close when the front side of the blade faces the current to capture maximum energy, and open when the back side is exposed to minimize drag resistance. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between energy capture and drag reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap opening and closing operates periodically with each rotation of the turbine blade. The flaps close during the power-stroke phase when energy capture is needed, and open during the return-stroke phase when drag reduction is prioritized. This periodic action optimizes the balance between energy capture efficiency and drag force throughout the operational cycle.
3Power
If shallow sea tidal power plants are used, then power generation is achieved, but energy output is insufficient for modern standards
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine is divided into multiple blades, each with multiple independently controllable flaps. This segmentation allows each blade-flap combination to optimize its position independently, maximizing the total energy capture across the entire turbine structure and thereby increasing overall power output and generation capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine design ensures continuous energy capture through coordinated flap movements across all blades. As one blade rotates through its cycle, other blades are at different phases, ensuring that energy capture is continuous throughout the rotation. This continuity maximizes power output and generation capacity.
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 enables consistent and efficient conversion of deep ocean kinetic energy into electrical energy, overcoming previous inefficiencies and cost challenges, while providing a reliable and scalable power generation method.
Implementation Method 1
convert kinetic energy generated from the deep ocean current into electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
as the ocean current presses against them
Implementation Method 3
turning a generator
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating power using a device in deep ocean is disclosed comprising a power generator, a hollow tube turbine platform configured to achieve a desired depth in the deep ocean, a submerging device attached to the turbine platform, a plurality of turbine blades assembly, and at least one power transmission-and-distribution cable.