Floating Hydrokinetic Generator With Spring-Magnet Oscillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind, face limitations in land resource requirements, intermittency, high capital costs, and environmental impact, while existing hydrokinetic energy harvesting devices have low yield, scalability issues, and high operational costs due to underwater installation and maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A hydrokinetic energy harvesting system that floats on the water surface, utilizing multiple modules with a cascaded arrangement of basic units containing springs, ferromagnetic fluid, and rare-earth magnets to amplify oscillatory motion and reduce friction, generating substantial electrical energy through electromagnetic induction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If hydrokinetic energy devices are installed inside the water body, then they can harness wave energy, but the components are subjected to high atmospheric pressures requiring routine maintenance and huge operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the energy conversion components inside the water body as in conventional devices, this invention inverts the approach by positioning the magnets and coils above the water surface. The floating float transfers wave motion through a rod to the magnets, allowing energy generation without submerging sensitive components, thereby eliminating pressure-related maintenance issues while maintaining energy harvesting capability.
2Power
If conventional hydrokinetic devices are installed inside water body, then they can generate power, but the installation is tedious and time-consuming limiting commercial viability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional installation approach by placing the complex magnetic and electrical components above water where they can be easily assembled and maintained. Only simple floating elements and transmission rods need to interact with water, dramatically simplifying installation procedures and improving commercial viability while maintaining power generation capability.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If solar and wind technologies are used, then carbon emissions are reduced, but land resource requirements are immense and intermittency in energy generation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention copies the successful carbon reduction benefit of renewable energy while replacing the land-based platform with a water-based floating platform. This allows energy generation to occur over water surfaces, effectively utilizing unused water areas and eliminating the need for extensive land occupation while maintaining the renewable, low-carbon energy generation capability.
4Power
If existing hydrokinetic devices are used, then wave energy is harnessed, but the yield is low and scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the energy generation system into modular units, each consisting of a float, rod, and magnetic coil assembly. These modular units can be independently deployed and scaled by adding more units to the array. The segmentation enables both improved energy yield per unit through optimized design and enhanced scalability by simply increasing the number of modular components in the water body.
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 efficiently converts hydrokinetic energy into stable electrical energy with minimal losses, suitable for utility-scale applications, reducing land requirements and environmental impact while minimizing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
two fixed magnets and a movable magnet, wherein the movable magnet oscillates in between the fixed magnets due to the induced vibrations as well as repulsive force caused by the fixed magnets
Implementation Method 2
an electric coil positioned on the cylindrical tube. Wherein the coil works on electromagnetic phenomenon in conjunction with the movable magnet in producing electromotive force based on the principles of electromagnetic induction
Implementation Method 3
containing ferromagnetic fluid which forms toroidal 'O-rings' on the edges of the magnets within the tube
Implementation Method 4
at least two springs affixed at top and bottom portions of the 'module' in such a manner that the hydrokinetic energy of water induces vibrations/jerks in the springs
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrokinetic energy based power generation system is described, including several modules filled with fluid or vacuum and anchored to a stream bed of water body, multiple basic units associated with each module for converting hydrokinetic energy into electrical energy, wherein each basic unit includes two springs affixed with a top and bottom portion of the modules in such a way that the hydrokinetic energy induces vibrations within the springs, a cylindrical tube positioned between the springs, and contained with a ferromagnetic fluid, two fixed magnets and a movable magnet, wherein the movable magnet oscillates in between the fixed magnets due to the induced disturbances caused by waves/ocean and repulsive forces caused by the fixed magnets, an electric coil associated with the tube, for generating electric current by harnessing the relative motion of the movable magnet and electric coil due to electromagnetism phenomenon and in accordance with laws of electromagnetic induction.