Reversible Water Pump Hydroturbine Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydroturbines have low efficiency and high costs when operated without a dam, and traditional water pumps are not reversible, limiting their utility in rivers and seas where dam construction is not feasible, and they cannot efficiently convert water flow energy into mechanical energy.
Innovation Solution
A reversible water pump and hydroturbine design featuring a housing with coaxial semicircular boards, a rotor with rotating blades, and water-blocking apparatuses driven by a cam mechanism, allowing for bidirectional operation and efficient energy conversion using water flow energy from any water head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional hydroturbine is operated without a dam, then it can be installed in rivers and seas, but the conversion efficiency of water flow energy to mechanical energy becomes low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the guide vane assembly movable and adjustable. The guide vanes can be rotated to different angles to optimize water flow direction dynamically, and the water-blocking apparatus can be moved between open and closed positions to control water flow timing. This dynamic adjustment allows the hydroturbine to maintain high efficiency across varying water head conditions without requiring a dam.
2Device complexity
If conventional water pump is designed for unidirectional operation, then the structure is simple, but it cannot perform in reversible direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing the water pump to perform multiple functions. The same pump structure can operate in forward direction for normal pumping and in reverse direction for water recovery or backup pumping. The guide vane assembly and water-blocking apparatus enable the pump to switch between pumping modes and turbine modes, making it a multi-functional device that replaces both pump and turbine systems.
3Productivity
If water-blocking apparatus is added to control water flow, then energy conversion efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple functions into integrated components. The guide vane assembly serves both to direct water flow onto the blades and to control the timing of water admission. The water-blocking apparatus is integrated with the guide vane mechanism, allowing both functions to be controlled through a unified structure rather than separate independent systems, thereby reducing overall complexity while maintaining efficiency.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective bidirectional operation as a water pump and hydroturbine, effectively utilizing water energy from rivers and seas by rotating blades through the annular channel, reducing resistance and enhancing energy conversion efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a driving device to drive the first water-blocking apparatus and the second water-blocking apparatus in an open status or a close status alternatively
Implementation Method 2
a rotor with rotating blades, allowing for bidirectional operation and efficient energy conversion using water flow energy from any water head
Data Source
AI summary
A reversible water pump and hydroturbine including a housing and a rotor is provided. The housing includes two end boards, which have the same shape, and a sideboard that connects the two end boards respectively. Each end board includes two coaxial semicircle boards having two different radiuses, that is, a large semicircular board and a small semicircular board which are joined together at their diameter; the side board includes a first round sideboard and a second round sideboard, two inlets/outlets, i.e. a first inlet/outlet and a second inlet/outlet, are formed at the ends of the first round sideboard. The rotor includes a rotary shaft, a rotary wheel and at least two blades, a service channel forms between the rotary wheel and the second round sideboard, and a return channel forms between the rotary wheel and the first round sideboard.