Paddle Wheel Propulsion and Rotary Sealing for Human-Powered Watercraft

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Solution Overview

Problem

Internal combustion engines suffer from poor efficiency and pollution due to incomplete combustion, while external combustion engines are more complex and costly for high-speed applications, and there is a need for a rotary engine that can operate in water environments.

Innovation Solution

A human-powered rotary engine system that includes a paddle board apparatus with a manual crank, rotatable housing, and paddle wheels, utilizing a vane actuation system, lip seals, cap seals, and a dynamic vane system to enhance efficiency and power output, and can operate in water environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If internal combustion engines are used, then power output is achieved, but efficiency is poor and pollution is high due to incomplete combustion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidpollution

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the internal combustion system with a purely mechanical paddle wheel propulsion system. Human power applied through a crank mechanism directly drives the paddle wheels, eliminating combustion processes entirely. This substitution resolves the contradiction by removing the source of incomplete combustion and associated pollution while maintaining propulsion capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of energy

If external combustion engines are used, then combustion efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase for high-speed applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidengine complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the combustion chamber and fuel system from the propulsion system, retaining only the essential mechanical transmission components (crank, shafts, paddle wheels). This extraction eliminates the complexity associated with external combustion engines while preserving the mechanical power transmission function needed for water propulsion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using combustion to generate power as in traditional engines, the patent inverts the approach by using direct human mechanical input to drive the propulsion system. This inversion eliminates the need for complex combustion systems while achieving the desired propulsion function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Power

If traditional rotary engine components are used, then power conversion is achieved, but reliability is reduced due to leakage paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower conversionVSAvoidsealing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the problematic sealing interfaces between moving components by eliminating the rotary engine's internal combustion chambers and piston-cylinder arrangements. The simplified design uses open mechanical linkages where sealing is not required, thereby eliminating leakage paths while maintaining power transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 rotary engine system achieves improved efficiency and power output through its dynamic sealing and vane actuation mechanisms, allowing for effective propulsion in water and reducing the complexity and cost associated with traditional engines.

Implementation Method 1

paddle wheels connected to an outer surface of the rotatable housing... simultaneously propels the paddle board forward in water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrodynamic force: Drag

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a vane actuation system, lip seals, cap seals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 3

a manual crank connected to a drive shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 4

paddle board apparatus... propels the paddle board forward in water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS11001358B2Paddle wheel apparatus and method of use thereof

Publication Date: 2021.05.11 PEKRUL MERTON W

AI summary

The invention comprises a paddle board apparatus and method of use thereof, comprising: a manual crank connected to a drive shaft, a rotatable housing, and a set of paddle wheels connected to an outer surface of the rotatable housing, where a child manually turning the crank simultaneously propels the paddle board forward in water through use of the paddle wheels and drives an air pump in the rotatable housing to blow bubbles about the paddle board for enjoyment of the child riding the paddle board.