Flexible Membrane Fluid Energy Generator with Separation Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy recovery devices from fluid flows, such as wind or water, face limitations in capturing energy efficiently, particularly in marine environments, where installation costs are high and energy capture performance is suboptimal.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a flexible membrane with separation limiting means that promotes undulatory movement by maintaining a minimum distance between membrane areas, allowing the membrane to curve and undulate in fluid flows, thereby increasing energy capture capacity beyond its physical dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the membrane is stretched tightly between attachment points to maximize structural stability, then structural stability is improved, but the membrane cannot undulate and energy capture capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by ensuring the membrane has a developed length greater than the straight-line distance between attachment points, forcing it to follow a curved path. This curvature enables undulatory motion in fluid flows while maintaining structural stability through the separation limiting means that constrain the membrane to its curved geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of membrane tension by introducing separation limiting means that maintain a minimum distance between attachment points. This allows the membrane to remain stable structurally while having sufficient slack (changed tension parameter) to undulate and capture energy from fluid flows.
2Productivity
If the membrane is allowed to undulate freely to maximize energy capture, then energy capture capacity is improved, but structural stability deteriorates due to excessive separation between membrane areas
Solution Approach 1:
The separation limiting means act as an intermediary between the membrane areas, mediating the balance between undulation and stability. These means allow the membrane to undulate for energy capture while preventing excessive separation that would compromise structural integrity, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and stability.
3Productivity
If the membrane developed length is increased to enable undulation, then energy capture capacity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional separation limiting means
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the membrane itself as a flexible thin film that inherently provides the undulation capability when properly constrained. By utilizing the membrane's flexibility and the simple separation limiting means, the solution achieves energy capture without requiring complex mechanical structures, thus improving productivity while minimizing device complexity.
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 device enhances energy recovery performance by multiplying energy capture through undulatory motion, capturing energy from a larger fluid volume and optimizing energy extraction by adjusting the ratio of fluid velocity to membrane wave velocity.
Implementation Method 1
the membrane resists the flow at least as long as this flow does not exceed a limiting velocity. This is because, when the membrane is subjected to the flow forces of the fluid stream, the latter creates excess pressure on the incident side of each of the curves of the membrane with respect to the flow, and an underpressure on the opposite side
Implementation Method 2
the membrane is made to move in an undulatory fashion and the separation limiting means limit the separation between the first and second areas of the membrane
Implementation Method 3
force transmission means connected to a second area of the membrane remote from the first area of the membrane, this second area of the membrane being movable with respect to the support, these force transmission means being arranged to transmit mechanical energy from the second area toward the energy converter
Implementation Method 4
an energy converter; force transmission means connected to a second area of the membrane remote from the first area of the membrane... arranged to transmit mechanical energy from the second area toward the energy converter
Data Source
AI summary
A device for recovering energy from a flow of fluid including a support, a flexible membrane, an attachment system for attaching at least a first area of the membrane connecting this first area of the membrane to the support; force transmission means connected to a second area of the membrane remote from the first membrane area, this second area of the membrane being movable with respect to the support. The device includes separation limiting means, adapted to limit the separation of the first area of the membrane from at least a first point of the attachment system and to limit the separation of the second area of the membrane from a second point of the attachment system, these separation limiting means being such that the first and second areas are spaced apart from each other by a minimum distance (Dmin) smaller than the shortest length (Lmin) separating these first and second areas measured along a face of the membrane.