Radial Flow Guiding Elements for Tidal Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tidal power stations are limited to high-velocity areas, restricting their application and efficiency due to environmental and logistical challenges, and existing designs face limitations in size and power generation capacity.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow operated power generating system with radially arranged guiding elements, such as dams, that increase fluid velocity by concentrating it at the turbine, reducing turbulence through acute angles and optimized length-to-diameter ratios, allowing for larger-scale systems and increased power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tidal power stations are arranged in high-velocity areas, then power generation efficiency is improved, but application flexibility and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the water flow into multiple streams using several guiding elements (dams) arranged radially around the turbine. Each guiding element channels a portion of the tidal flow, allowing the system to effectively process water from a broader area rather than relying on a single high-velocity stream location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from relying on horizontal flow velocity to utilizing vertical flow concentration. By arranging guiding elements radially and concentrating water flow vertically onto the turbine from multiple directions, the system achieves high effective velocity without being constrained to specific high-velocity tidal locations.
2Device complexity
If the angle between flow guides is increased, then structural simplicity is improved, but turbulence increases and efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding elements are designed with curved surfaces that smoothly guide water flow toward the turbine. The curved geometry of the dams and their radial arrangement create smooth flow transitions that reduce turbulence while maintaining structural simplicity, avoiding the need for complex angular adjustments.
3Power
If the assembly size is increased to generate higher power, then power generation capacity is improved, but handling and construction difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent guiding elements that can be constructed and installed separately around the central turbine. This modular approach allows each component to be handled and assembled independently, avoiding the need to maneuver and install a single large monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple separate guiding elements are combined in a radial arrangement around the turbine to create a unified flow concentration system. This merging of simpler components achieves the functionality of a larger system while maintaining the construction advantages of smaller, manageable parts.
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 system effectively increases power generation by enhancing fluid velocity, reducing turbulence, and enabling larger-scale installations independent of tidal flow direction, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional tidal power stations.
Implementation Method 1
the guiding elements extend generally radially with respect to the turbine, the fluid is concentrated in the centre where the turbine may be arranged in order to give the fluid passing the turbine (and thereby driving it) a relatively high velocity
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a fluid flow operated power generating system for generating electrical power, the system comprising: -a turbine support arranged or configured to be arranged at a foundation at the bottom of a volume of water, in particular a sea or river; -a turbine mounted to the turbine support and comprising an essentially vertical rotor having a plurality of vanes; -a plurality of fluid guiding elements arranged or to be arranged at a foundation at the bottom of the volume of water, the guiding elements being configured to increase the generated power through increasing the flow velocity of the fluid passing the turbine and extending generally radially with respect to the turbine.