Dual Generator Lobed Rotor Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water distribution systems face issues with free spinning of impellers due to shaft or generator failures, leading to pressure bursts and surges, which are costly and space-intensive to mitigate with bypass arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A system with intermeshed lobed rotors, each coupled to a separate electricity generator, with independent variable-frequency drives and control mechanisms to synchronize rotational positions and prevent free spinning, eliminating single points of failure and reducing wear through software synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single generator is used with lobed rotors, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to free spinning risk upon failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single generator system into two separate generators, each coupled to one of the two lobed rotors. This segmentation ensures that if one generator fails, the other rotor cannot spin freely, thereby preventing pressure bursts while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
2Reliability
If bypass arrangements are installed to handle free spinning, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the need for external bypass arrangements by integrating redundancy directly into the generator-rotor coupling system. Each rotor has its own generator, eliminating the requirement for separate bypass valves and pressure relief systems, thereby maintaining high reliability while reducing overall device complexity and space requirements.
3Reliability
If gears are used to synchronize rotors, then reliability is improved by preventing free spinning, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical synchronization system (gears) with an independent dual-generator system. Each generator independently controls its coupled rotor, eliminating mechanical wear and maintenance requirements while maintaining reliability through redundant independent control paths.
4Productivity
If intermeshed lobed rotors are used, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but reliability worsens due to free spinning risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the efficient intermeshed lobed rotor configuration for energy conversion while segmenting the power generation into two independent generator-rotor pairs. This allows the rotors to remain mechanically coupled for efficiency while each has independent electromagnetic braking capability, preventing free spinning and ensuring reliability.
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 effectively prevents free spinning and pressure issues by distributing load between generators, reducing maintenance costs and space requirements, while maintaining efficient energy conversion and fluid control.
Implementation Method 1
the lobes of the first and the second lobed rotor intermesh to create a barrier between a high-pressure and a low-pressure side of the housing during operation of the device
Implementation Method 2
a first electricity generator to which the first lobed rotor is coupled, the first electricity generator being capable of varying the load of the first lobed rotor
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided an electricity generating device comprising a housing (10); a first lobed rotor (21) and a second lobed rotor (22) rotatably arranged in a fluid passage enclosed by the housing (10) such that the lobes of the first (21) and the second lobed rotor (22) intermesh to create a barrier between a high-pressure and a low- pressure side of the housing (10) during operation of the device; a first electricity generator (25) to which the first lobed rotor (21) is coupled, the first electricity generator (25) being capable of varying the load of the first lobed rotor (21); and a second electricity generator (26) to which the second lobed rotor (22) is coupled, the second electricity generator (26) being capable of varying the load of the second lobed rotor (22). There is also provided a method of synchronizing rotational positions of a first lobed rotor (21) coupled to a first electricity generator (25) and a second lobed rotor (22) connected to a second electricity generator (26) in a turbine, said first and second lobed rotors (21, 22) being intermeshed, comprising controlling the first and/or the second generator (25, 26) to adjust a rotational position of the first lobed rotor relative a rotational position of the second lobed rotor to avoid contact between the intermeshing lobes of the first and the second lobed rotors.