River Power System Using Cam Wheel Arm Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to develop a power generation system that can effectively utilize natural energy sources like hydraulic and wind power in limited geographical areas, such as rivers, channels, and coastal regions, where large-scale infrastructure is difficult to construct.
Innovation Solution
A power generation system comprising a turbine, cam wheel device, power generator, and arm mechanism, where the cam wheel's rotational torque is transmitted to the arm mechanism, which in turn rotates a drive wheel, generating electricity. This system includes a moving means to adjust the arm mechanism's position and a control device to manage the rotation rate, ensuring efficient energy conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If large-scale hydroelectric power generation facilities or wind power generation facilities are constructed, then power generation capacity is improved, but land area requirements increase which is not feasible in Japan
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from horizontal land-based power generation to vertical river-based power generation. The power generation facility is installed within the river cross-section, utilizing the river's width and depth dimensions rather than requiring additional land area. This allows power generation capacity to be increased without expanding the horizontal footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The power generation facility is nested within the existing river structure. The turbine, cam wheel device, and power generator are arranged in a compact vertical configuration that fits within the river's natural boundaries, effectively nesting the power generation system within the existing geographical feature without requiring additional land.
2Power
If a cam wheel device with projecting cams is used to convert rotational torque, then torque conversion efficiency is improved, but the mechanical complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam wheel device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the turbine and power generator. The cams on the cam wheel interact with follower arms to provide controlled mechanical advantage during specific phases of rotation, enabling efficient torque conversion while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through the use of this single specialized intermediate component.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam wheel device operates on periodic action, where the projecting cams engage with the follower arms at specific intervals during rotation. This periodic engagement provides torque multiplication only when needed, allowing the system to maintain simplicity while achieving high torque conversion efficiency during the critical power generation phases.
3Productivity
If the arm mechanism is made adjustable to optimize power generation, then power generation efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The arm mechanism incorporates adjustable components that can be dynamically positioned to optimize the transmission angle and mechanical advantage. The follower arms and drive arms can be adjusted relative to each other, allowing the system to adapt to varying flow conditions and maintain high power generation efficiency without requiring complex control systems through simple mechanical adjustability.
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 enables efficient power generation using natural energy sources by transmitting rotational energy from the cam wheel to the drive wheel, allowing for stable and adjustable power output, suitable for installation in constrained environments.
Implementation Method 1
a turbine (2) having a first rotating shaft (11) that rotates by application of hydraulic power or wind power
Implementation Method 2
a turbine (2) having a first rotating shaft (11) that rotates by application of hydraulic power or wind power
Implementation Method 3
a power generator (7) comprising a second rotating shaft (28) and a drive wheel (29) connected to the second rotating shaft (28), the power generator (7) being capable of generating electric power by converting rotational energy of the second rotating shaft (28), which is generated as the second rotating shaft (28) rotates along with the rotation of the drive wheel (29), to electric energy
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides a power generation system installed in a river, a channel, a coast, a windy place, or the like to thereby enable power generation using a natural energy such as hydraulic power, wind power, or the like. The power generation system 1 of the present invention comprises a turbine 2, a cam wheel device 6, a power generator 7, and an arm mechanism 8. The turbine 2 comprises a rotating shaft 11 that rotates by the application of hydraulic power or wind power. In the cam wheel device 6, the torque of the rotating shaft 11 is transmitted to the cam wheel 18, thereby rotating the cam wheel 18. The power generator 7 can generate power by converting the rotational energy of the rotating shaft 28, which is generated as the rotating shaft 28 rotates with the rotation of the drive wheel 29, to electric energy. When the cams 21 come in contact with the arm mechanism 8 with the rotation of the cam wheel 18, a rotary motion is generated in the arm mechanism 8. This rotary motion brings the arm mechanism 8 in contact with the drive wheel 29, thereby rotating the drive wheel 29.