Hybrid Power System with Mechanical Energy Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in matching intermittent and unreliable alternative energy sources with constant electricity demand, particularly in small-scale microgeneration systems where a few generators, such as wind turbines, struggle to provide consistent power.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a generator, a motor driven by a primary power supply, and a mechanical energy provider using intermittent local energy sources, connected via one-way clutch mechanisms and transmission systems to optimize torque distribution and maintain generator speed, allowing the motor and mechanical energy provider to work simultaneously and rapidly switch between power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If intermittent local power sources are used to generate electrical power, then environmental concerns are addressed and local energy production increases, but the intermittent and unreliable nature of these sources creates inconsistency in power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power sources (intermittent local power sources and primary power supply) into a single hybrid system. The generator is configured to receive mechanical energy from both wind turbines and solar panels simultaneously, merging their outputs to provide consistent electrical power to the facility while maintaining reliability through diversification of energy sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mechanical energy provider as an intermediary component between intermittent power sources and the generator. This intermediary captures and stores mechanical energy from wind and solar sources, then transfers it to the generator when needed, smoothing out the intermittency and ensuring consistent power supply without directly connecting variable sources to the load.
2Reliability
If a hybrid power system with multiple sources is implemented, then power consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple components and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The generator is designed as a universal component that can accept mechanical energy input from multiple different sources (wind turbines, solar panels, and primary power supply motor). This multi-functional design allows a single device to handle various energy inputs without requiring separate generation systems for each power source, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-capturing and storing mechanical energy from intermittent sources in the mechanical energy provider before power is needed. This advance energy capture allows the system to smooth out intermittency without requiring complex real-time control mechanisms, as the energy buffering happens proactively rather than reactively.
3Use of energy by moving object
If mechanical energy from intermittent sources is used to rotate the generator drive-shaft, then less power is needed from the primary power supply, but the intermittent nature of these sources makes it difficult to maintain constant generator speed
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical energy provider maintains continuous useful action on the generator drive-shaft by continuously capturing and storing mechanical energy from intermittent sources, then steadily releasing this stored energy to rotate the drive-shaft. This continuous mechanical energy transfer smooths out the intermittency and maintains constant generator speed while reducing primary power supply consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of energy input stability by transforming intermittent mechanical energy from wind and solar sources into continuous mechanical energy through the mechanical energy provider. This parameter transformation allows the generator to operate at constant speed despite variable input sources, as the mechanical energy provider buffers and smooths the energy flow.
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
This system reduces the power needed from the primary supply when intermittent sources are active, maintains generator inertia, and efficiently uses both power sources to provide consistent electrical power, maximizing energy harvesting from intermittent sources.
Implementation Method 1
a generator configured to generate electrical power for the facility when a drive-shaft of the generator is rotated
Implementation Method 2
a motor configured to provide torque to rotate the generator drive-shaft, the motor configured to be driven by a first power supply
Data Source
AI summary
A system for providing electrical power to a facility includes a generator configured to generate electrical power for the facility when a drive-shaft of the generator is rotated. A motor is configured to provide torque to rotate the generator drive-shaft and to be driven by a first power supply. A mechanical energy provider is configured to provide torque to the drive-shaft using mechanical energy generated from an intermittent local power source. The system is configured to defer to the mechanical energy provider to rotate the drive-shaft such that, when the intermittent local power source is active, less power is needed from the first power supply to power the motor than when the intermittent local power source is inactive.