Self-powered device for extracting or blowing air

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current self-powered air extraction or blowing devices face limitations in operating below the autonomy threshold, leading to unreliable energy supply and reduced functionality due to insufficient turbine speed, resulting in increased noise, wear, and inefficient energy use.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates an electronic control circuit that measures and estimates the charge level and turbine speed, allowing for servo-control of the air flow modulation to maintain operation below the autonomy threshold by increasing air flow during energy storage management, using a wind turbine and conversion generator for energy recovery and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the turbine rotational speed is increased to maintain energy autonomy below the autonomy threshold, then the energy supply reliability is improved, but the noise increases and wear accelerates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy supply reliabilityVSAvoidnoise and wear
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary energy storage during periods of high airflow (when turbine speed is sufficient) to accumulate energy in the storage device. This preliminary action allows the system to operate below the autonomy threshold without immediately increasing turbine speed, thereby avoiding noise and wear while maintaining energy supply reliability through the stored energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes operational parameters by switching between different operating modes: normal operation mode (above autonomy threshold) and energy storage management mode (below autonomy threshold). This parameter change allows the device to adapt to varying airflow conditions, maintaining reliability without continuously operating at high speeds that cause noise and wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the air passage section is reduced to increase turbine rotational speed, then the voltage and power of the conversion generator are improved, but the pressure drop increases and acoustic performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion generator powerVSAvoidpressure drop
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The system accumulates energy in the storage device during periods of sufficient airflow, performing preliminary energy storage before needing high power. This allows the air passage section to remain open (maintaining low pressure drop) while still achieving the necessary power output through the combination of turbine generation and stored energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The storage device acts as an intermediary between the turbine and the load, decoupling the relationship between air passage section and power output. The storage device buffers energy, allowing the air passage to remain open for low pressure drop while the system can still deliver high power when needed by discharging stored energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the device operates below the autonomy threshold, then the adaptability to low airflow conditions is improved, but the energy autonomy cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating rangeVSAvoidenergy autonomy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary energy accumulation during high airflow periods, storing energy in advance. This preliminary action enables the device to operate adaptively below the autonomy threshold when airflow is low, while energy autonomy is maintained through the pre-stored energy in the storage device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic control circuit continuously monitors airflow conditions and charge level, providing feedback to switch between operating modes. When airflow drops below the autonomy threshold, the feedback triggers energy storage management mode, allowing the system to adapt to low airflow conditions while maintaining energy autonomy through coordinated use of stored energy and reduced consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 solution ensures the device can operate effectively across a wider range of air flow rates, including those below the autonomy threshold, enhancing regulation quality and energy efficiency while reducing noise and wear, and maintaining functionality even when the turbine stops rotating.

Implementation Method 1

an autonomous electrical energy source comprising an energy recovery device comprising a turbine disposed at least partially in the air flow passing through the damper

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWind power: Wind Power

Implementation Method 2

a conversion generator connected to the turbine to convert the mechanical rotational energy of the turbine into an electrical signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a device for storing the energy recovered from said electrical signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy storage: Electrical Accumulator

Data Source

PatentEP3343123B2Self-powered device for extracting or blowing air
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 ATLANTIC CLIMATISATION ET VENTILATION
  • EP3343123B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3343123B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3343123B2 patent drawingFigure 5a~5b

AI summary

The invention relates to a self-powered device (1) for extracting or insufflating air comprising: an autonomous electrical energy source comprising a turbine (8) arranged at least partially in the air flow and a generator (9 ) for converting the mechanical rotational energy of the turbine into an electrical signal, and a device (10) for storing the energy recovered from the electrical signal; an arrangement (3) for modulating the air flow with at least one element (4) whose position can be adjusted by an actuator (5), and an electronic control circuit (6) configured to drive, via the actuator (5) , the position of the element (4) of the modulation arrangement (3). According to the invention, the electronic control circuit (6) is configured for an energy storage management mode in which it controls, on the occurrence of at least one triggering event, the position of the element (4 ) of the modulating arrangement (3) so as to increase the flow of air passing through the self-powered device (1) and consequently increase the charge level of the storage device (10).