Self-Generating Device with Integrated Cooling for Mechanical Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

The transportation sector's reliance on fossil fuels leads to significant air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, necessitating the development of sustainable energy alternatives.

Innovation Solution

A self-generating device integrated into mechanical systems, such as automobiles and ships, which utilizes a rotor and stator assembly with wire windings to induce electricity from rotational energy, coupled with a bearing and cooling system to enhance efficiency and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a self-generating device with rotor and stator assembly is integrated into the mechanical system, then electricity generation capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectricity generation capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The self-generating device merges the rotor assembly and stator assembly into a single integrated unit that converts mechanical energy from the main shaft directly into electrical energy. This combination allows the mechanical system to simultaneously perform its primary mechanical function while generating electricity, resolving the contradiction by integrating energy generation within the existing mechanical structure rather than adding separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The main shaft serves dual functions: transmitting mechanical power to the operating part and simultaneously driving the rotor assembly to generate electricity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated generators, thereby improving electricity generation capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If bearing with double race structure is used to support high-speed rotation, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing is segmented into two distinct races (first race and second race) with different functional requirements. The first race supports radial loads from the inner balls, while the second race supports both radial and axial loads from the outer balls. This segmentation allows each race to be optimized for its specific load type, improving overall bearing reliability while reducing the cumulative manufacturing precision requirements compared to a single complex race structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing design extracts and separates the load-bearing functions into distinct components: the first race handles primary radial loads, while the second race handles secondary radial and axial loads. By taking out and addressing each load type separately with specialized race structures, the design achieves high reliability without requiring excessive manufacturing precision across a single monolithic structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Temperature

If cooling system with duct and spiral helix is added to the housing, then heat dissipation capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system incorporates a spiral helix structure within the duct that creates rotational airflow patterns. This curved, spiral geometry naturally induces vortex flow that enhances convective heat transfer from the rotor and stator assemblies to the cooling air, improving heat dissipation capability through geometric design rather than requiring additional active cooling components, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Temperature

If vortex generating portion with helical wing is added to main shaft, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The helical wing on the main shaft generates vortex flow and mechanical turbulence in the cooling air as the shaft rotates. This mechanical disturbance creates enhanced mixing and convective heat transfer between the air and the rotor-stator assembly, improving cooling efficiency through passive mechanical means that leverage the existing rotation of the main shaft without requiring separate powered cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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 generates electricity from mechanical motion, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering emissions, while the bearing and cooling components ensure high-speed operation and longevity.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one of the rotor assembly and the stator assembly generates a magnetic field, and the other one or both have wire windings in which change of the magnetic field induces electricity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11285975B1Self-generating device and mechanical system using the same
Publication Date: 2022.03.29 WOO YOUNG SUK
  • US11285975B1 patent drawing
  • US11285975B1 patent drawing
  • US11285975B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A self-generating device equipped in a mechanical system including a power generating part, an operating part, and a main shaft, the self-generating device comprising: the main shaft rotating according to a rotational force powered by the power generating part and transferring the rotational force to the operating part, wherein the operating part performs mechanical motion using the transferred rotational force; a rotor assembly combined with the main shaft and rotating along with the main shaft according to the rotational force, and a stator assembly surrounding the rotor assembly and staying stationary relative to the rotation of the rotor assembly, wherein magnetic field around the rotor assembly and the stator assembly changes according to the rotation of the main shaft, and the self-generating device generates induced electricity.