Extensible Element Energy Conversion System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid machines for energy conversion, such as grinding mills and other fluid machines, suffer from low efficiency due to friction and thermal dissipation, limiting their ability to effectively convert gravitational, kinetic, or density-based energy into useful kinetic or potential energy.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a support structure with guide channels and extensible elements that can switch between compressed and dilated configurations, using a moving assembly to apply tensile force and minimize friction, allowing for efficient conversion of energy by exploiting the difference in fluid density and potential energy storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional fluid machines are used for energy conversion, then energy conversion can be achieved, but efficiency is low due to friction and thermal dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional fluid dynamic machines with a mechanical system using extensible elements that expand and contract to directly convert gravitational and kinetic energy. This substitution eliminates fluid friction and thermal dissipation losses inherent in conventional fluid machines, achieving higher energy conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state and volume of extensible elements during operation. By varying the volume of extensible elements as they move through the fluid, the system optimizes energy capture while minimizing resistance and friction losses, thereby improving overall efficiency
2Force
If fluid machines operate with high force interaction, then energy conversion capability is improved, but friction and thermal effects increase causing energy dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fluid-based force transmission with a direct mechanical system where extensible elements physically expand and contract. This substitution maintains strong force interaction for energy conversion while avoiding the friction and thermal dissipation that occur in fluid-machine interactions
3Reliability
If traditional energy conversion systems are used, then energy transfer is possible, but reversibility and energy recovery are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamically adjustable extensible elements that can expand and contract in response to varying energy conditions. This dynamic capability enables the system to operate reversibly, capturing energy during both expansion and contraction phases, thereby improving adaptability and energy recovery potential
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 system achieves high efficiency in energy conversion with low friction losses, enabling reversible energy transfer and partial energy recovery, significantly improving upon the efficiency of traditional fluid machines.
Implementation Method 1
The system for energy conversion (1) determines a conversion of potential energy into useful energy whose value is proportional to a total volume of fluid (100) displaced by the extensible elements (4) in a dilated configuration
Implementation Method 2
The system achieves high efficiency in energy conversion with low friction losses
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
A system for energy conversion (1), comprising a support structure (2) defining at least one guide channel (3); at least a plurality of extensible elements (4) between a compressed configuration and a dilated configuration and vice versa and configured to move a volume of a fluid (100) in which they are immersible equal to the predetermined volume difference between the dilated configuration and the compressed configuration of each extensible element (4). The extensible elements (4) are configured to slide along the guide channel (3) during a switching of the extensible elements (4). During the switching of the extensible elements (4) the system (1) determines a conversion of potential energy into an useful energy, whose value is proportional to a total volume of the fluid (100) displaced by the extensible elements (4) in the dilated configuration and at a depth (H) reached by an extensible element (4) with respect to said free surface (110) of the fluid (100).