Laser Steam Turbine System for Green Energy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing green energy technologies, such as hybrid electric vehicles, face challenges with heavy and expensive electric motors that are slow to respond and inefficient due to the weight and heat loss in closed boiler systems, which hinder the production of highly-responsive mechanical energy.

Innovation Solution

A laser-based system that immediately vaporizes liquid water within a turbine nozzle to generate superheated steam, powering the turbine blades directly, eliminating the need for external boilers and condensers, and ensuring complete vaporization to prevent blade damage and energy loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If electric motors are used to generate mechanical power in green energy systems, then environmental friendliness is improved, but system weight increases and response speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 emissionsVSAvoidmotor weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional electric motor (mechanical/electromagnetic system) with a laser-driven steam turbine system. The laser beam directly heats water to generate steam that drives the turbine, eliminating the need for heavy electromagnetic components while maintaining the green energy objective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operating parameters by using a laser beam with specific power density to rapidly heat water, creating superheated steam that expands through the turbine. This parameter change enables faster response and reduced weight compared to conventional motor systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If electric motors are used to generate mechanical power, then green energy requirements are met, but response time to provide torque increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegreenhouse gas emissionsVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-heats water using the laser beam before the steam needs to drive the turbine. The water is continuously prepared in a heated state, so when mechanical power is needed, the pre-heated water can immediately convert to steam and drive the turbine without delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The laser beam operates in periodic pulses that synchronize with the turbine rotation, delivering energy in cycles that match the operational requirements. This periodic heating maintains optimal water temperature while enabling rapid response when full power is needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If closed boiler systems are used to generate steam, then steam production is reliable, but heat loss increases and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteam production reliabilityVSAvoidheat loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential steam-generating function from the complex closed boiler system and implements it directly within the turbine housing. By removing the external boiler, condenser, and associated piping, the system eliminates heat loss in pipes while maintaining reliable steam production through direct laser heating of water in the turbine chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Stability of the object's composition

If water is vaporized outside the turbine in external boilers, then steam generation is stable, but system weight and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteam generation stabilityVSAvoidsystem weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the steam generation function with the turbine itself by integrating the water vaporization process directly into the turbine housing. The laser-heated water converts to steam within the turbine chamber, combining what were previously separate functions (boiler + turbine) into a single integrated unit, thereby reducing overall system weight and size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9810423B2Laser for steam turbine system
Publication Date: 2017.11.07 BASTIAN FAMILY HLDG
  • US9810423B2 patent drawing
  • US9810423B2 patent drawing
  • US9810423B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A steam turbine system uses a laser to instantaneously vaporize water in a nozzle within a turbine. This steam is then used to rotate the turbine. Thus, the turbine system does not require an external boiler. The steam turbine system may be used in either an open system, where the steam passing through the turbine is not condensed and reused, or a closed system, where the steam passing through the turbine is condensed and reused.