Rebound-Effector Oscillating Weight for Seismic Energy Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seismic and vibrational technologies face limitations such as high energy consumption, heat production, complex control systems, short duty times, inability to produce asymmetric or rectangular forces, and lack of energy recovery, making them inefficient for various applications including geophysical prospecting and industrial uses.
Innovation Solution
The Rebound-Effector system utilizes a weight that oscillates back and forth to generate alternating, asymmetric, and rectangular-shaped forces by converting energy efficiently, allowing for controlled stop and start operations, energy recovery, and operation with various energy sources, while maintaining low acoustic noise and high force production with minimal weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional seismic oscillators are used to generate back and forth oscillating forces, then seismic waves can be produced, but energy consumption is high and heat production is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements energy recovery mechanisms where the oscillating mass recovers kinetic energy during its motion cycle. The system captures energy that would otherwise be dissipated and feeds it back into the system, significantly reducing external energy input requirements while maintaining the necessary seismic wave generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs periodic oscillation of the mass at controlled frequencies to generate seismic waves. By utilizing periodic motion rather than continuous forcing, the system achieves efficient energy transfer to the ground with reduced power consumption compared to conventional continuous operation systems
2Force
If conventional seismic oscillators operate continuously, then seismic waves can be generated, but duty time is short and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback control mechanisms where the oscillating mass itself provides information about its state, enabling the control system to automatically adjust operation parameters. This self-monitoring capability reduces the need for complex external control systems while extending operational duty time through adaptive management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback loops that monitor the oscillation state and provide real-time adjustment signals. This feedback mechanism enables simplified control by allowing the system to self-regulate based on its own operational state, reducing complexity while maintaining effective seismic wave generation
3Force
If conventional oscillators produce symmetric sinusoidal forces, then seismic waves are generated, but asymmetric or rectangular force shapes cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent explicitly enables asymmetric force generation by controlling the oscillation parameters independently in different directions or phases. The system can produce asymmetric sinusoidal waveforms where the positive and negative excursions differ, providing versatility for applications requiring non-symmetric force patterns while maintaining the fundamental oscillating mechanism
4Force
If conventional oscillators are designed for high force output, then seismic waves can be generated, but the system produces high acoustic noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful acoustic noise generated by high-force oscillation into beneficial ground-coupled energy. By optimizing the coupling between the oscillating mass and the ground structure, the system directs energy into productive seismic waves rather than allowing it to manifest as unwanted acoustic noise in the air
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 Rebound-Effector achieves efficient energy use, low noise, and high force production with controlled force direction, enabling extended operation and versatility across different applications by converting kinetic energy back into the system and using various energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
The weight is accelerated back and forth in a periodic oscillating way. The oscillating weight creates alternating forces by converting energy efficiently, allowing for controlled stop and start operations, energy recovery
Data Source
AI summary
A Rebound-Effector is a mechanism which runs a weight forth and back, by high acceleration. As the weight accelerates, a rebound force is built up. This force is proportional to the product of the weight and the acceleration, and is in opposite direction to the acceleration vector. The Rebound-Effector has four operational phases. The energy inserts into the system, during the first phase, accelerates the weight to the same direction as the movement, being converted into kinetic energy. This kinetic energy is taken back during the second phase, while slowing down the weight, and stored. During the third phase, the stored energy accelerates the weight to the same moving direction, being converted into kinetic energy. This kinetic energy is taken back during the fourth phase, while slowing down the weight, and stored. Neglecting the friction and the non-ideal behavior of the energy conversion, the Rebound-Effector needs an external energy source just for compensating for the real, effective, physical work it performs.