Helical Blade Hydroelectric Generator with Vortex Constriction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hydro-electric generator systems are inefficient in harnessing the power of water currents due to design limitations, such as paddle wheel and propeller blade designs that lose efficiency when submerged and impede water flow, and lack of closed system configurations that allow water force to escape without amplification.

Innovation Solution

A hydro-electric generator system featuring an upstream funnel with a constricting conduit and throat-valve that enhances vortical movement of water, directing it to turbine blades rotating around a horizontal axis, maximizing the force of water currents through Bernoulli's Principle and vortex creation, with scalable design to optimize energy generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If paddle wheel or propeller blade designs are used, then the turbine can rotate and generate electricity, but the blades move upstream against the current almost half the time, losing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy generation efficiencyVSAvoidenergy loss when blades move upstream

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional turbine blade orientation by positioning the flat face of the blades perpendicular to the current flow rather than parallel. This causes the blades to be pushed downstream by water pressure on their flat faces, eliminating the upstream movement problem and allowing continuous energy extraction without the efficiency loss that occurs when traditional blades fight against the current during part of their rotation cycle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If open turbine designs are used, then the structure is simpler, but the water mass creating the force escapes without amplifying its force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidwater force amplification

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nested configuration where the turbine rotor is positioned within a streamlined housing that directs water flow through the blade assembly. The housing acts as a confining structure that channels the water mass to interact with multiple blades in sequence, amplifying the force extraction before the water exits the system, thereby preventing the water mass from escaping without contributing its full potential energy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional turbine blade orientations are used, then the design is conventional and easier to manufacture, but the blades interact sparingly with the water force and do not take full advantage of water properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing conventionalnessVSAvoidwater force utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes curved blade surfaces that are optimized to match the flow characteristics of water, creating efficient hydrodynamic interaction. The blades feature curved leading edges and optimized surface geometries that guide water flow smoothly across the blade faces, maximizing the transfer of kinetic energy from the water to the rotor while maintaining manufacturability through standard hydrodynamic design principles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 effectively captures and converts the kinetic energy of water currents into usable electricity with reduced impedance, utilizing the density and flow properties of water to enhance turbine blade interaction and energy production.

Implementation Method 1

maximizing the force of water currents through Bernoulli's Principle and vortex creation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBernoulli's Principle: Bernoulli Effect

Implementation Method 2

enhances vortical movement of water through a second constricting lumen within the housing, directing water vortex to a plurality of blades of a turbine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVortex: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 3

a plurality of blades of a turbine for rotational force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrodynamic force:

Implementation Method 4

the rotational force of the blades turns gearing interfacing with the circumference of the turbine assembly, to rotate a drive shaft connected to a generator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9759179B2Hydroelectric generator system including helical longitudinal blades forming an open bore and aligned with a current direction

Publication Date: 2017.09.12 CULPEPPER CHARLES B

AI summary

The invention disclosed herein comprises a system focusing water current into a relatively smaller diameter lumen, imparting vortical movement to the current, and directing the water vortex through an even smaller diameter lumen en route to turbine blades having long curved blades rotatable along an axis parallel with the lumen. Rotation of the turbine blades turns gearing interfacing with the circumference of the turbine assembly, to rotate a drive shaft connected to a generator.