Molecular Mill Wind Energy Generator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wind energy generators, such as Electro-Gas-Dynamic Wind Energy Devices, face inefficiencies due to high recombination rates and mobility issues with charged particles in intense electric fields, and humidity often hinders performance by increasing mobility coefficients and making charge transportation less efficient.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize air or gas with humidity to transport charges by passing it through an electric field below the dielectric rupture threshold, where free electrons attach to water molecules, forming clusters that move with the gas, reducing mobility and increasing electric potential, allowing for efficient charge transport without the need for complex structures or moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If intense electric fields are used to generate power, then power generation efficiency improves, but charged particle recombination rate increases and mobility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electric field parameter from intense to moderate intensity, operating below the dielectric rupture threshold. This parameter change reduces charged particle recombination rates while maintaining sufficient power generation through the molecular mill effect, where humidity facilitates charge transport without the harmful effects of intense fields
2Productivity
If humidity is increased to facilitate charge transport, then charge transportation efficiency improves, but mobility coefficient increases making charge transport less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the humidity parameter to a specific range that facilitates charge transport through molecular cluster formation without excessively increasing mobility coefficients. This balanced parameter setting allows efficient charge transportation while maintaining adequate charge carrier speed
3Power
If complex structures with moving parts are used, then power generation capability improves, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates moving parts from the system, using only stationary electrodes and natural wind flow. Power generation is achieved through the interaction of wind-driven humid air with the electric field between stationary electrodes, removing mechanical complexity while maintaining power generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses natural wind flow as the driving force, eliminating the need for mechanical pumps or moving components. The wind itself serves the function of transporting charged particles through the electric field, making the system self-powered and mechanically simple
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 approach significantly increases electric power generation efficiency, achieving higher yields at lower wind speeds and ambient humidity, making it suitable for arid regions and reducing the need for external water sources, while maintaining simplicity in construction and operation.
Implementation Method 1
free electrons attach to water molecules, forming clusters that move with the gas
Implementation Method 2
The free electrons contained in the gas—of considerable greater mobility than the ions—, are attached to the much more massive water molecules
Implementation Method 3
The invention refers to an apparatus and a method for the generation of electric energy from wind energy... the passage of air or other gas that contains humidity... through an electric field
Implementation Method 4
assuming a wind velocity of 10 m/s (36 km/h) the wind power converted to electric power is 0.45 kW/m2
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to electric energy generation from wind energy in a much more efficient way than current ones. This is done by means of passing the air or other humidity holding gas through an electric field which must be below the dielectric rupture limit of the gas. There must be no great divergence of electric field lines. The free electrons contained in the gas, of greater mobility than the ions, are attached to the greater mass water molecules, which will diminish their mobility and their detachment from negative ions which are at the center of clusters. Thus, the wind will tend to move the charges in the same sense and direction as the mass of the gas, resulting in an increase of electric potential across the field. The method allows collecting the charges and allows the increase in the electric potential to be available for its utilization.