Ferris Wheel Hydropower Rotor With Selective Bucket Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional waterwheel type hydroelectric generators have low energy efficiency due to wasteful water usage, limiting their application to specific locations with ample water supply, making them unsuitable for small-scale installations and widespread use.
Innovation Solution
A hydropower generator using a Ferris wheel concept with water filling-then-emptying buckets and a selective water supply device, where water acts as both weight and rotation source, minimizing waste and maximizing energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional waterwheel type rotor is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the energy efficiency is extremely low due to wasteful water usage
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor is divided into multiple independent buckets arranged radially around the rotation axis. Each bucket operates independently to convert water weight into rotational force, allowing the system to process water more efficiently while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic filling and emptying of buckets as they rotate through the water flow. Water is selectively supplied to buckets at specific positions, and buckets empty at optimal moments during rotation, creating a rhythmic, efficient conversion of water weight into continuous rotational motion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional waterwheel type rotor is used, then the device can be installed in specific locations with ample water supply, but it cannot be widely distributed to general areas with limited water supply
Solution Approach 1:
The system selectively supplies water to buckets based on their position in the rotation cycle, using only the minimum amount of water needed to maintain efficient operation. This self-regulating water usage allows the generator to operate effectively in areas with limited water supply without wasting water, enabling widespread distribution to general areas.
3Force
If water is intensively applied to the periphery of radially disposed wings, then rotation is achieved, but most of the water flow rate and head energy is wasted and does not contribute to energy conversion
Solution Approach 1:
Water is supplied to buckets at predetermined positions before they reach the optimal power-generating position in the rotation cycle. This preliminary action ensures that buckets are filled at the right moment to maximize gravitational force conversion while minimizing water waste, as water is only supplied when and where it will be most effective.
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 Ferris wheel-based generator significantly enhances energy efficiency by utilizing all introduced water for rotation, enabling efficient power generation in limited water supply areas and facilitating widespread distribution of small-scale hydropower systems.
Implementation Method 1
a generator (400) installed on one side of the main rotational shaft (110) disposed in the center of the rotor (100) to convert rotational kinetic energy output from the rotor (100) into electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
the bucket is always horizontally balanced during rotation, and when placed at the top center of the rotor (100) during rotation, the bucket is filled with a predetermined amount of water to imply the weight
Data Source
AI summary
A small hydropower of a novel concept, comprising: two side supports; a main rotation axis provided on the upper end between the two side supports; a rotation body for rotating around the main rotation axis; fillable-then-emptiable water containers which are provided around the circumference of the rotation body, remain horizontally level, add weight by being filled with a certain amount of water when positioned at the top center of the rotation body during rotation, and remove the weight by spilling when positioned at the bottom center; a selective water supply device which can provide, to a fillable-then-emptiable water container that is positioned at the top center of the rotation body, water, and which temporarily stops discharging water until the next fillable-then-emptiable water container is positioned, if one fillable-then-emptiable water container is completely filled.