Portable Hydroelectric Generator with Integrated Propeller-Rotor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote outdoor locations lack reliable and portable power sources for charging electronics, as existing solutions like micro solar cells take too long to charge and are not always available, and external batteries are non-renewable and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A portable hydroelectric generator system that uses a waterproof, toroid-shaped casing with a propeller-rotor assembly and stator coils to convert water flow into electricity, which is stored for immediate or later use, allowing for secure anchoring in moving streams and efficient power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If portable solar cells are used to provide power in remote locations, then power generation capability is provided, but charging time is excessively long and availability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces solar photovoltaic conversion with a hydroelectric generation system that uses flowing water to rotate a propeller-rotor assembly with magnets, which induces current in stator coils. This mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion provides immediate power generation whenever water flows, eliminating the slow charging limitation of solar cells while maintaining portability through a waterproof casing designed for submersion in streams.
2Quantity of substance
If external batteries are used as power supply, then energy storage is provided, but weight increases and renewability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates an internal power storage component that automatically stores electricity generated by the hydroelectric assembly whenever water flow is present. This self-charging mechanism eliminates the need for heavy external batteries, as the device generates and stores its own energy continuously during deployment, reducing overall system weight while maintaining adequate energy reserves for portable electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy source from stored chemical energy in external batteries to kinetic energy conversion from flowing water. By incorporating an internal storage component charged continuously by the hydroelectric system, the device achieves renewable energy supply with reduced weight compared to carrying large external battery packs for equivalent energy capacity.
3Power
If fixed length flexible drive shaft is used to transfer power from propeller, then power transmission is achieved, but system portability and deployment flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the propeller and rotor assemblies into a single integrated unit where the propeller blades are directly coupled to the rotor with magnets. This eliminates the need for a separate flexible drive shaft, reducing mechanical complexity and improving reliability. The integrated design maintains efficient power transmission from water flow to electrical generation while enhancing portability and deployment flexibility in various stream conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the fixed length flexible drive shaft from the system by directly integrating the propeller-rotor assembly within the waterproof casing. This extraction of the intermediate transmission component simplifies the overall system, reduces potential failure points, and improves adaptability to different deployment scenarios while maintaining effective power conversion from water flow to electrical energy.
4Power
If large-scale hydroelectric generators are used, then power generation capability is maximized, but portability and ease of deployment are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hydroelectric system into a compact, self-contained unit with the propeller-rotor assembly, stator coils, and power storage component all housed within a single waterproof casing. This segmentation creates a portable device that can be easily transported and deployed in remote locations while maintaining functional electricity generation capability sufficient for charging portable electronics, bridging the gap between large-scale power output and portable form factor.
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
Provides a reliable, portable, and renewable power source for remote locations, overcoming the limitations of existing solutions by enabling efficient electricity generation and storage, suitable for various outdoor applications.
Implementation Method 1
As water or other fluid passes through the central opening, the propeller of the propeller-rotor assembly turns
Implementation Method 2
the attached magnets pass by the stator coils inside the housing, thereby inducing a current
Data Source
AI summary
A generator device for generating an induced electrical power from the movement of a fluid stream. The generator device can include a circumferential casing that houses a stator, a power storage system and a power management system that receives the induced electrical power, and a propeller-rotor assembly located in the central opening of the casing and rotatably coupled to the casing. The propeller-rotor assembly has two or more propeller blades with distal ends opposite the axis of the propeller-rotor assembly to which magnets are attached. The device can also have a tether assembly for anchoring the generator device in a moving fluid stream and positioning the generator device so that the movement of fluid stream through the generator device causes the propeller-rotor assembly to rotate and, thereby, through interaction with the stator, to generate the induced electrical power. The generator device can be portable and easily deployed by a single user.