Fluid Accelerator Turbine Wheel for Passive Stream Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid systems, such as wind turbines and jet engines, are limited in efficiency and effectiveness due to the need for additional power to accelerate fluid streams, which reduces energy extraction or generation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A passive fluid accelerator system utilizing an airfoil-shaped annular ring and bi-directional turbine wheel to enhance fluid stream acceleration without requiring additional power, incorporating a converging nozzle and turbine blades with specific airfoil cross-sectional shapes to redirect and increase fluid speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fluid accelerating device is added to increase fluid stream speed, then the efficiency and effectiveness of energy-producing systems is improved, but additional power is required which reduces overall energy extraction efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine wheel serves dual functions: it extracts energy from the fluid stream while simultaneously acting as a fluid accelerating device. The turbine blades redirect the fluid stream to increase its velocity, and the kinetic energy of the fluid stream itself powers this acceleration process, eliminating the need for external power input.
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine wheel performs multiple functions within a single component: energy extraction, fluid acceleration, and flow redirection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate fluid accelerating devices that would consume additional power, thereby resolving the contradiction between improving productivity and reducing energy consumption.
2Productivity
If a separate fluid accelerating device is added to increase inlet fluid speed, then system effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine wheel is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: extracting energy from the fluid stream, accelerating the fluid, and redirecting flow. This eliminates the need for separate fluid accelerating devices, thereby maintaining system simplicity while improving effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the fluid acceleration function with the existing turbine wheel structure. By integrating these functions into a single component rather than adding a separate device, the system complexity is avoided while still achieving the desired fluid acceleration for improved effectiveness.
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 significantly increases the efficiency and effectiveness of energy-producing systems like ram air turbines and jet engines by enhancing fluid acceleration, thereby improving output and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an annular ring disposed proximate the inlet end of the outer housing within the converging nozzle, wherein the annular ring has an airfoil cross-sectional shape
Implementation Method 2
the outer housing defining a converging nozzle proximate the inlet end
Implementation Method 3
a bi-directional turbine wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A turbine wheel may include an inner hub having a central axis, an outer ring concentric with the inner hub, and an intermediate ring concentrically disposed between the inner hub and the outer ring, and a plurality of turbine blades extending between the intermediate ring and the outer ring. The turbine blades may be oriented to be driven by a fluid stream flowing through the turbine wheel to rotate the turbine wheel in a first direction about the central axis. In addition, the turbine wheel may further include a plurality of compressor blades extending between the inner hub and the intermediate ring. Also, the compressor blades may be oriented to propel a fluid in a downstream direction when the turbine wheel is rotated in the first direction.