Rotatable Casing Turbine for Multidirectional Fluid Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid turbines struggle to maintain consistently high power production regardless of fluid flow direction, as they are often designed for unidirectional flow and lack the ability to adapt to changing flow conditions in open environments.
Innovation Solution
A turbine design featuring a rotatable two-part casing with concave and convex arcs, a shaft, and a casing rotation control system that ensures the inlet consistently faces the incoming fluid flow, allowing the turbine to capture kinetic energy from fluid flow in various directions by rotating the casing to align with changing flow directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed casing is used for the turbine, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but the turbine cannot adapt to changing fluid flow directions and power production becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the turbine casing rotatable rather than fixed. The casing can rotate about a central point to orient the inlet toward the incoming fluid flow from any direction. This dynamic adjustment allows the turbine to adapt to changing flow directions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
2Productivity
If a rotatable two-part casing is used to face the inlet consistently toward incoming fluid flow, then power production consistency improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the casing into two separate parts (first and second parts) that can rotate independently or together. This segmentation allows the casing to be manufactured as separate components that can be assembled and adjusted, making the manufacturing process more manageable despite the rotatable functionality requirement. The two-part design enables consistent power production while reducing manufacturing complexity compared to a single complex rotatable casing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the turbine is designed for unidirectional flow, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot effectively capture kinetic energy from fluid flow in various directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the rotatable casing system to handle fluid flow from any direction. The casing can be oriented to face the inlet toward incoming flow regardless of its direction, making the turbine effective for both unidirectional and multidirectional flows. This multi-functional capability is achieved through the rotation mechanism that allows the same basic turbine structure to adapt to various flow conditions without requiring multiple specialized designs.
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
This design enables the turbine to efficiently capture and convert kinetic energy into mechanical energy, maintaining consistent power production across different fluid flow directions, thereby addressing the limitations of existing turbines.
Implementation Method 1
A turbine meant to be placed in open air and waters to power machinery requiring mechanical energy... the turbine spins and produces power... efficiently capture and convert kinetic energy into mechanical energy
Implementation Method 2
the concave portions of the Turbine blade face an area of flow of relatively higher pressure along with the concave portions of the Turbine blade face an area of flow of relatively lower pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A turbine has a rotatable outer casing with an inlet and an outlet therein. A casing rotation control causes the casing to rotate about a central point thereof such that the inlet consistently faces an incoming flow of ambient fluid. The casing has two spaced-apart portions in shapes of oppositely-disposed concave arcs (also referred to as “deflector plates” of a same circle. In some embodiments, each concave arc of the casing forms a unitary structure with a respective convex arc, the two spaced-apart convex arcs lying on either side of the outlet. In some embodiments, each concave arc is connected to a respective second concave arc at an endpoint thereof, the second concave arcs being rotatable about the point of connection.