Ocean Current Power Generation via Land-Based Turbine Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ocean current power generation systems face high costs and maintenance challenges due to the need for underwater turbine generators that withstand high water pressure and corrosion, and they interfere with fishing activities and marine creatures with magnetic fields.
Innovation Solution
An ocean current power generation system that redirects ocean currents into a water pool using inlet and outlet pipes, transforming kinetic energy into potential energy, which is then converted into electric power using a hydro turbine generator, eliminating the need for underwater turbines and reducing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If undersea turbine generators are used to generate electric power from ocean currents, then electric power can be generated directly underwater, but the system cost increases and maintenance becomes difficult due to high water pressure and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the turbine generator from the underwater environment and places it on land. The system uses underwater pipes to convey ocean current to a water pool on land, where the turbine generator is located. This separation removes the expensive and difficult-to-maintain components from the harsh underwater environment while preserving the power generation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces underwater pipes and a water pool as intermediary components to transfer the ocean current's kinetic energy from the underwater environment to the land-based turbine generator. The pipes convey the water flow, and the pool serves as a transition chamber, allowing the turbine to operate on land while still harnessing underwater current energy.
2Power
If undersea turbine generators with rotating blades are deployed, then ocean current kinetic energy can be converted to electric power, but fishing activities are interfered with and marine creatures are affected by magnetic fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the turbine generator and its rotating blades from the underwater environment where they would interfere with fishing nets and marine creatures. By placing the turbine on land and only submerging the intake pipes, the harmful magnetic fields and mechanical obstacles are eliminated from the marine ecosystem while power generation continues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into an underwater portion (intake pipes that simply convey water) and an above-water portion (turbine generator). This segmentation isolates the harmful components from the marine environment, allowing fishing activities and marine life to flourish undisturbed while the turbine operates safely on land.
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 lowers system costs and maintenance, reduces interference with fishing and marine life, and provides a more efficient and environmentally friendly method for harnessing ocean energy.
Implementation Method 1
the kinetic energy of the flowing-in ocean current from the entrance is transformed into a potential energy when the flowing-in sea water is kept from flowing back to the sea by pool walls and stored in the water pool
Implementation Method 2
The hydro turbine generator is disposed at the drainage path of the outlet pipe or path, and uses the draining water flow from the water pool to the outlet pipe or path to generate electric power
Data Source
AI summary
An ocean current power generation system which uses an inlet pipe to redirect the ocean current to a pool at the sea surface for power generation, the ocean current's kinetic energy is transformed into potential energy when the water flows into the pool and stored therein, an outlet pipe or path drains the stored water back to the sea and a generator or turbine is installed at the drainage path to generate electric power.