Ocean Current Power Generator Foil Floating Member Depth Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ocean current power generating devices have limited depth control and require significant energy to adjust depth due to reliance on buoyancy, which is inefficient and environmentally costly.

Innovation Solution

The ocean current power generating device employs a foil floating member with a control unit that adjusts the center of gravity by managing seawater volume and pressure, allowing for tilting and depth changes using hydrodynamic forces, reducing energy consumption and enhancing depth control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If conventional buoyancy-based depth control is used, then the device can maintain simple structure, but the depth control range is limited and energy consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs hydraulic principles by using seawater ballast tanks to control the device's buoyancy and depth. The control system regulates seawater intake and discharge in the ballast tanks, enabling the device to adjust its center of gravity and achieve depth control without complex mechanical systems, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes its effective mass and buoyancy parameters by controlling seawater volume in the ballast tanks. By adjusting the amount of seawater taken in or discharged, the device can dynamically modify its weight and center of gravity position, enabling flexible depth control across a wider range while consuming less energy compared to conventional buoyancy-only systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If conventional buoyancy-based depth control is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the depth control range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoiddepth control range

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs hydraulic principles by using seawater ballast tanks to control the device's buoyancy and depth. The control system regulates seawater intake and discharge in the ballast tanks, enabling the device to adjust its center of gravity and achieve depth control without complex mechanical systems, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes its effective mass and buoyancy parameters by controlling seawater volume in the ballast tanks. By adjusting the amount of seawater taken in or discharged, the device can dynamically modify its weight and center of gravity position, enabling flexible depth control across a wider range while consuming less energy compared to conventional buoyancy-only systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If seawater is discharged to raise the device, then the device can return to surface, but significant energy is required making it environmentally costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth adjustment capabilityVSAvoidenergy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs hydraulic principles by using seawater ballast tanks to control the device's buoyancy and depth. The control system regulates seawater intake and discharge in the ballast tanks, enabling the device to adjust its center of gravity and achieve depth control without complex mechanical systems, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses the ocean environment itself (seawater) as the working medium for depth control. By utilizing the surrounding seawater for ballast adjustment rather than carrying heavy ballast weights or complex propulsion systems, the device leverages environmental resources to reduce its own energy consumption and minimize environmental impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution enables the device to submerge to deeper positions with reduced energy expenditure, improving stability and efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

The control unit is configured to control the volume of seawater in the front body or in the rear body, so as to adjust the center of gravity of the foil floating member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrostatic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

allowing for tilting and depth changes using hydrodynamic forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrodynamic force: Drag

Implementation Method 3

the ocean current drives the impeller to rotate to generate electricity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKinetic energy conversion: Turbine

Data Source

PatentUS10355557B2Ocean current power generating device

Publication Date: 2019.07.16 NAT TAIWAN UNIV

AI summary

The invention discloses an ocean current power generator disposed in the ocean. The ocean current power generator includes two power generators, a foil floating member and a control unit. Each of the power generators includes an impeller, and the ocean current drives the impellers to rotate to generate electricity. The foil floating member is connected to the two power generators, and the foil floating member includes a front body and a rear body. The control unit is configured to control the amount of sea water in the front body or the rear body, so as to adjust the center of gravity of the foil floating member.