Propeller Blade Angle Control via Self-Regulating Control Blades

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing propeller devices face challenges in accurately and automatically setting and maintaining the desired angle of attack for turbine blades irrespective of fluid flow direction, leading to inefficiencies in thrust and energy conversion.

Innovation Solution

A control device comprising control blades and turbine blades, where the control blades pivot to transmit rotational speed differences to the turbine blades, ensuring the angle of attack is maintained invariantly, using a transmission unit that synchronizes the pivoting of control and turbine blades, with the pressure center of turbine blades aligned with their pivot axis and control blades offset, allowing for self-adjustment based on fluid flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hydraulic control mechanisms are used to adjust blade inclination, then thrust control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethrust controlVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control blades automatically adjust the turbine blade inclination angles through aerodynamic forces without requiring external hydraulic control systems. The control blades pivot in response to fluid flow and automatically transmit this motion to the turbine blades, making the system self-regulating and eliminating complex hydraulic mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If forcible pivoting of blades is used for adjustment, then blade angle control is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade angle adjustmentVSAvoidpivot axle alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control blades serve as intermediary elements that mediate between the fluid flow and the turbine blades. Instead of directly forcing the turbine blades to pivot, the control blades respond to fluid forces and transmit their motion to the turbine blades through a transmission mechanism, reducing direct mechanical stress and alignment precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If automatic self-adjusting systems with auxiliary masses are used, then adaptability to operating conditions is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic adaptation to operating conditionsVSAvoidcontrol system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control blades are positioned at specific locations where they can effectively sense fluid flow conditions and transmit appropriate adjustment motions to the turbine blades. By placing control blades strategically in the fluid flow path, the system achieves automatic adaptation to operating conditions through localized aerodynamic interactions rather than complex global control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If control blades pivot at changing inclination angles, then response to load variation is improved, but measurement precision of attack angle decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse to load variationVSAvoidattack angle control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control blades continuously sense the fluid flow conditions and automatically adjust their position to maintain the desired attack angle on the turbine blades. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the turbine blades operate at the optimal angle of attack across varying load conditions, with the control blades serving as both sensors and actuators in the feedback system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 solution enables precise and automatic control of the angle of attack for turbine blades, enhancing efficiency and stability across varying fluid flow directions, optimizing thrust and energy conversion in propeller devices.

Implementation Method 1

control blades, which when rotated capable to transmit forces to and from a fluid medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerodynamic force: Aerofoil

Implementation Method 2

adjustment of angular position of the turbine blades is effected by centrifugal forces applied to auxiliary masses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentripetal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3003856B1Device for controlling angular position of turbine blades of a propeller device
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 UNGAR EMERY
  • EP3003856B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3003856B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3003856B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A device for automatic control of an angular position of turbine blades of a propeller device, in which the turbine blades are rotatable about a rotational axis and are pivotally displaceable about their respective pivot axes. The device comprises a set of control blades kinematically connected with the turbine blades, said control blades are pivotally displaceable about respective pivot axes once the propeller device is exposed to a flow of fluid. The device further comprises a transmission unit configured for transmitting pivotal displacement of the control blades to the turbine blades such that the turbine blades could be pivoted by the control blades. Pivoting of the turbine blades takes place simultaneously with the pivoting of the control blades. The angular disposition of the turbine blades is automatically set and remains invariant irrespective of direction of the flow of fluid.