Oscillating Wing Pumping Mechanism for Flow Energy Conversion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional water pumping devices face challenges in minimizing power source supply and maintaining efficiency, especially in inaccessible locations like islands and marine structures, due to difficulties in consistently providing power and maintaining high water tightness, and are affected by interference from rain and wind.

Innovation Solution

A multiple oscillating water pumping device is designed to minimize power source supply by using flow energy to generate lifting force through wing members and rotation means, with interlocking units to transmit rotating forces and minimize head loss, while only the minimum number of elements are disposed in fluid, preventing efficiency deterioration from rain and wind interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a conventional water pumping device with a lifting pump is used, then water can be pumped from low level to high level, but the power source supply becomes difficult and unreliable in inaccessible locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater pumping capabilityVSAvoidpower source supply

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The water pumping device utilizes the kinetic energy of flowing water itself to drive the oscillating wings, which in turn operate the pumping mechanism. The system serves itself by converting the energy of the water flow directly into pumping action, eliminating the need for external power sources such as generators or motors that would require fuel supply to inaccessible locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If the water pumping device is installed completely submerged in water to utilize flow energy, then it can drive the propeller type rotation means, but high water tightness is required and maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow energy utilizationVSAvoidwater tightness requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The critical mechanical components including the oscillating wings, arms, and pumping mechanism are extracted from the submerged environment and positioned in the air above the water surface. Only the essential wing members that interact with water flow remain partially submerged, while the complex mechanical parts operate in air, eliminating the need for high water tightness and facilitating easy maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If multiple elements are disposed in fluid to generate lifting force, then water pumping capability is improved, but efficiency is deteriorated by interference from rain or wind

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater pumping capabilityVSAvoidrain and wind interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pumping mechanism including cylinders, pistons, and connecting rods is extracted from the fluid environment and operated in air, exposing only the streamlined wing members to water flow. This extraction protects the sensitive mechanical components from harmful effects of rain and wind while maintaining water pumping capability through the oscillating wing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Use of energy by moving object

If a propeller type rotation means is used to drive the water pumping device, then flow energy can be utilized, but the rotation means has to be completely submerged in water making installation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow energy utilizationVSAvoidinstallation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into distinct functional components: oscillating wing members that interact with water flow to generate motion, and separate pumping mechanisms that operate in air. This segmentation allows the energy-capturing wings to be submerged while the installation-critical pumping components remain accessible above water, simplifying installation and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The device effectively pumps water with reduced power source requirements and minimized head loss, maintaining efficiency even in challenging environments by utilizing flow energy and interlocking mechanisms to optimize water flow and reduce interference impacts.

Implementation Method 1

a first wing member (110) disposed in fluid to generate a lifting force using the flow energy of the fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLifting force generation: Aerofoil

Data Source

PatentUS10605237B2Multiple oscillating water pumping device

Publication Date: 2020.03.31 KOREA INST OF OCEAN SCI & TECH KIOST

AI summary

A multiple oscillating water pumping device includes: a wing member disposed in fluid to generate a lifting force using the flow energy of the fluid; a rotation device to reciprocally rotate the wing member to periodically change the direction of the lifting force acting on the wing member; an arm is rotatably coupled to the wing member, the arm being reciprocally rotated about a pivot shaft by the lifting force acting on the wing member; and a cylinder where fluid enters and exits according to the internal pressure that is periodically increased and decreased by the reciprocating motion of a piston that is connected with the arm through a connecting rod. The multiple oscillating water pumping device is configured to minimize the supply of a power source required for operation and to minimize the loss of head when pumped water flows toward a reservoir along a conduit.