Hydro-Turbo Drive System for Rotary Machinery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric Motor-Driven Systems (EMDS) consume a significant amount of electricity, with low thermal efficiency and high energy losses, necessitating the development of alternative power and drive systems that can minimize these drawbacks.
Innovation Solution
The Hydro-Turbo Drive System (HTDS) utilizes high-pressure water or vapor generated from waste heat or prime movers to power hydro-turbines, which drive rotary machinery directly or through a gearbox, forming a closed loop system that reduces electricity usage and energy losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If electric motor-driven systems are used to convert electrical power to mechanical power, then rotary machinery can be operated, but energy consumption is high and thermal efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electric motor-driven system with a hydro-turbine drive system. Instead of converting electrical power to mechanical power through an electric motor, the system uses high-pressure water flow to directly drive a hydro-turbine connected to the rotary machinery, eliminating the need for electrical conversion and reducing energy losses associated with electromagnetic conversion and power transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using high-pressure water as the working fluid to drive the hydro-turbine. The system utilizes the kinetic energy and pressure of water flow to generate mechanical power, leveraging fluid dynamics to directly power rotary machinery without intermediate electrical conversion steps.
2Loss of energy
If high-pressure water is used to drive hydro-turbines, then thermal efficiency improves and energy consumption decreases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the hydro-turbine drive system. The high-pressure water pump serves both as a fluid delivery mechanism and as part of the power generation system when water flows back through the hydro-turbine. The system can operate in different modes (pumping only, or pumping with power generation), providing multi-functionality that justifies the added complexity through enhanced energy efficiency.
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
HTDS achieves higher thermal efficiency and lower energy consumption compared to EMDS, with the potential to replace EMDS in various industrial applications, offering improved energy efficiency and reduced operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
the water is preheated to its boiling temperature and is partially evaporated to about 5-20% of vapor, forming a high pressure water/vapor (water/steam) mixture
Implementation Method 2
The produced HP water/vapor (water/steam) mixture is supplied to a hydro-turbine to produce mechanical shaft power
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates generally to hydro-turbine drive methods and systems and, more particularly, to hydro-turbine drive methods and systems such as for application for various rotary machineries including producing a high pressure fluid with at least one fluid pump by utilizing a fluid heater to create a fluid and vapor mixture for producing mechanical shaft power.