Elastic Vane Rotor for Wear Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional rotors for power driving using fluids like winds and water flows have short service life due to frequent wear and a complex, costly structure with many parts, requiring frequent maintenance and repair.

Innovation Solution

A rotor design featuring fixed elastic vanes that are elastically movable relative to second fixed jibs, allowing for rotation when external forces are applied and rebounding when forces are removed, eliminating the need for barrier members and simplifying the structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If moveable vanes are used in traditional rotors, then the rotor can rotate and generate power, but the vanes wear frequently and require frequent maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation capabilityVSAvoidservice life of vanes

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional design by making the vanes fixed rather than moveable, and using elastic connecting members instead of rigid barriers. This inversion eliminates the relative motion between vanes and holders, preventing wear while maintaining power generation capability through the elastic deformation and recovery of the connecting members

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical wear-based system (moveable vanes rubbing against holders and barriers) with an elastic deformation system. The elastic connecting members absorb and release energy through deformation, substituting the mechanical friction and wear mechanism with an elastic recovery mechanism that has no wear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional rotors use moveable vanes with barrier members, then the rotor structure is complete, but the structure becomes complicated with many parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural completenessVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the barrier members from the rotor structure, as their function of restricting vane movement is no longer needed when vanes are fixed. This extraction simplifies the structure by removing unnecessary components while maintaining the essential function of the rotor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functions of multiple components into fewer elements. The elastic connecting member simultaneously provides structural support, enables vane movement, and replaces the function previously requiring separate barrier members, thereby reducing the total number of parts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional rotors have many parts, then the structure is complete, but assembly becomes time-consuming and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural completenessVSAvoidassembly time and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the rotor into modular components (hub, holders, fixed vanes, elastic connecting members) that can be manufactured separately and assembled efficiently. This segmentation allows for standardized production of each module, reducing overall assembly time and cost while maintaining structural completeness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic connecting member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects the vane to the holder, allows for elastic deformation during operation, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby simplifying assembly and reducing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 rotor achieves a longer service life and simplified assembly by using elastic vanes that do not rotate relative to the fixed jibs, reducing wear and eliminating the need for additional barrier members, thus improving efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.

Implementation Method 1

Each outer vane is elastically fixed at a corresponding second fixed jib such that the plurality of outer vanes, when acted upon by external forces, are respectively elastically movable relative to the plurality of second fixed jibs to drive the shaft to rotate along the single rotational direction and can rebound after removal of the external forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12092071B2Rotor for power driving

Publication Date: 2024.09.17 WENG ZHEN GUO

AI summary

A rotor for power driving includes a hub, a plurality of first fixed jibs, a plurality of second fixed jibs, and a plurality of outer vanes. The hub is adapted to be coupled with a shaft to rotate together in a single rotational direction. The first fixed jibs are arranged around the hub circumferentially. Each second fixed jib is engaged on an end of a corresponding first fixed jib. Each outer vane is elastically fixed at a corresponding second fixed jib and extends in a direction different from the single rotation direction when not acted upon by external forces such that the plurality of outer vanes, when acted upon by external forces, are elastically movable relative to corresponding second fixed jibs to drive the shaft to rotate along the single rotational direction and can rebound after removal of the external forces.