Electrohydrodynamic Wind Turbine Droplet Atomization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-hydrodynamic (EHD) wind energy conversion devices are inefficient due to limitations in generating a large number of small droplets, which affects the cumulative power generation, as conventional systems rely on nozzles that either produce few droplets or increase droplet size when trying to enhance production, leading to design complexities and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The EHD system generates droplets through liquid agitation, producing a range of 10 million to 1000 million droplets per second per cm², with droplet size configurable by agitating frequency, allowing for lower voltage per droplet and higher cumulative charge without exceeding Rayleigh's limit, thereby enhancing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional nozzles or electrosprays are used to generate charged droplets, then the device structure is simple, but the number of droplets produced is low and droplet size is large, reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ultrasonic vibration to the liquid surface to generate a large number of fine droplets. The ultrasonic wave causes the liquid surface to vibrate, creating capillary waves that break into droplets. This mechanical vibration method produces 10-1000 million droplets per second per cm², vastly outperforming conventional nozzle methods while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and parameters of droplet generation by using ultrasonic frequency vibration instead of mechanical nozzle flow. By controlling the ultrasonic frequency and power, the system can generate droplets of optimal size (1-100 micrometers) and high quantity, transforming the generation mechanism from pressure-driven flow to vibration-driven atomization.
2Force
If droplet size is increased to enhance production, then fewer droplets are needed, but the drag force of low speed winds becomes insufficient to carry the droplets effectively
Solution Approach 1:
Ultrasonic vibration generates droplets in the optimal size range of 1-100 micrometers, which are small enough to be effectively carried by low-speed winds while still producing high cumulative numbers (10-1000 million droplets per second per cm²). This vibration-based atomization naturally produces droplets with surface area to volume ratios that maximize wind interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes droplet size parameters to 1-100 micrometers, which represents a critical range where droplets are small enough for effective wind transport but large enough to carry sufficient charge. This parameter optimization ensures that even in low-speed winds, the cumulative effect of many small droplets generates adequate electrical power.
3Power
If the number of droplets is increased to improve power generation, then cumulative charge increases, but voltage per droplet must be reduced to stay below Rayleigh's limit
Solution Approach 1:
Ultrasonic vibration produces an extremely high number of droplets (10-1000 million per second per cm²), which compensates for the reduced voltage per droplet. The cumulative power generation increases because the total charge collected per second is the product of droplet number and charge per droplet, and the high droplet count dominates this relationship.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by maintaining voltage per droplet below the Rayleigh limit (approximately 33 million volts per meter for water) while increasing droplet production volume. The system operates in a regime where numerous low-voltage droplets generate more total power than fewer high-voltage droplets, optimizing the power-generation efficiency.
4Power
If conventional mechanical wind turbines are used, then high power generation is achieved, but noisy rotating and moving parts make them unsuitable for certain areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation and moving parts of traditional wind turbines with an electro-hydrodynamic system. Instead of mechanical blades rotating to drive a generator, the system uses ultrasonic vibration to create charged droplets that are carried by wind to a collection electrode, generating electricity through charge separation and elimination of mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses ultrasonic vibration (high-frequency mechanical oscillation) instead of low-frequency mechanical rotation. The ultrasonic frequency (typically 20 kHz or higher) is inaudible to humans, eliminating noise pollution while still providing the mechanical energy needed to atomize the liquid into charged droplets.
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 approach significantly increases the number and efficiency of droplet generation, enabling higher power conversion from wind energy, even in low-speed winds, by producing a large number of micron-sized droplets and maintaining charge below the Rayleigh limit, thus overcoming the inefficiencies of conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
an agitator coupled to the reservoir and configured to convert the liquid into droplets
Implementation Method 2
a charging system disposed substantially opposite the reservoir opening and configured to deposit an electrostatic charge on the droplets and draw the droplets into the wind passage
Implementation Method 3
the wind speed determines the number of liquid droplets and/or solid particles carried away from the injection point per unit time
Data Source
AI summary
An electro-hydrodynamic wind energy conversion system is presented. The system includes a wind passage allowing wind flow. Further, the system includes a reservoir having an opening in communication with the wind passage and configured to hold a liquid. The system also includes an agitator coupled to the reservoir and configured to convert the liquid into droplets. Additionally, the system includes a charging system disposed substantially opposite the reservoir opening and configured to deposit an electrostatic charge on the droplets and draw the droplets into the wind passage. Moreover, the system includes a charge collector disposed at a distal end of the wind passage and configured to collect the electrostatic charge from the droplets.