Funnel-Shaped Underwater Energy Harvester Vortex Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater energy harvesting technologies face challenges in achieving high energy conversion efficiency and are limited by the small amount of power generated and dependence on excitation frequency, particularly in underwater sensor network applications.
Innovation Solution
A funnel-shaped underwater energy harvesting equipment is designed with a piezoelectric element and a fluid collector, where the fluid collector includes a wing-shaped inlet portion that increases fluid velocity, accelerating vortex flow and enhancing vibration of the piezoelectric element, thereby improving energy conversion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional underwater cable vibration type energy harvesters are used, then the device structure is relatively simple, but the energy conversion efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a funnel-shaped (curved) structure to the energy harvesting device. The funnel shape concentrates the fluid flow and vortex-induced vibrations toward the piezoelectric element, converting the scattered vibrational energy into focused mechanical stress on the piezoelectric material. This curved geometry enhances energy conversion efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and energy conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the device by introducing a funnel-shaped structure with specific angle and dimension ratios. This parameter modification optimizes the fluid flow characteristics and vortex formation, thereby improving energy conversion efficiency without significantly complicating the manufacturing process. The parameter optimization allows the device to capture more vibrational energy from the fluid flow
2Power
If piezoelectric energy harvesting is used, then mechanical energy can be converted to electrical energy, but the generated power is small and dependent on excitation frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes vortex-induced mechanical vibrations in the funnel-shaped structure to enhance the mechanical energy input to the piezoelectric element. The curved geometry naturally generates stronger vortex shedding and higher amplitude vibrations, which directly increase the mechanical stress on the piezoelectric material and thereby improve electrical energy generation. This principle addresses the limitation of small power generation by enhancing the vibrational excitation mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The funnel-shaped curved structure enhances vortex formation and fluid-structure interaction, generating stronger and more consistent mechanical vibrations across a broader frequency range. This reduces the device's dependence on specific excitation frequencies while increasing overall power generation capability, directly addressing the productivity limitation
3Reliability
If vibration energy harvesting is used, then power can be supplied to sensor nodes, but the generated power is insufficient for reliable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel-shaped structure concentrates fluid flow energy and vortex-induced vibrations onto the piezoelectric element, significantly enhancing the mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion efficiency. This increased energy generation capability provides sufficient and stable power supply to sensor nodes, ensuring reliable operation in underwater environments. The curved geometry acts as an energy concentration mechanism that directly addresses the insufficient power generation problem
Solution Approach 2:
By optimizing the geometric parameters of the funnel-shaped structure, the patent maximizes the energy harvesting capability to provide sufficient power for sensor nodes. The parameter optimization ensures that the device generates enough electrical energy to meet the power requirements of sensor nodes, thereby improving operational reliability
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 funnel-shaped design achieves higher energy conversion efficiency compared to conventional underwater cable vibration type energy harvesters, simplifies manufacturing, and reduces costs while allowing for improved piezoelectric efficiency through the use of materials like PVDF or MFC.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element installed at a seabed, the piezoelectric element being configured to be moved by a fluid in order to convert vibration energy into electricity
Implementation Method 2
a fluid collector coupled to the piezoelectric element, the fluid collector being configured to increase velocity of the fluid flowing toward the piezoelectric element
Data Source
AI summary
A funnel-shaped underwater energy harvesting equipment includes a piezoelectric element configured to be installed at a seabed and to be moved by a fluid in order to convert vibration energy into electricity. The funnel-shaped underwater energy harvesting equipment further includes a fluid collector coupled to the piezoelectric element and configured to increase velocity of the fluid flowing toward the piezoelectric element. The harvesting equipment exhibits improved energy conversion efficiency, while simplifying the shape of the harvesting equipment.