Solar-Powered Ferris Wheel Structure With Onboard Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ferris wheel rides have high power requirements due to the need to accelerate and decelerate large masses and intense lighting, leading to high electricity costs, and are often operated using fossil fuels, contributing to carbon emissions.
Innovation Solution
A Ferris wheel ride equipped with photovoltaic elements on the spoked wheel, gondolas, support structure, and entry area, along with an electrical energy storage device, allowing for self-sufficient operation using solar power and reducing the need for external power connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If photovoltaic elements are installed on the Ferris wheel structure, then electricity costs are reduced to zero, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the Ferris wheel structure itself: the support structure serves both as structural support and as a mounting platform for photovoltaic elements. The gondolas serve both as passenger carriers and as additional platforms for photovoltaic installation, merging energy generation functionality with existing structural components.
Solution Approach 2:
The Ferris wheel structure is designed to serve multiple purposes: it provides structural support, carries passengers in gondolas, and simultaneously functions as a platform for photovoltaic energy generation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated structures for each function.
2Illumination intensity
If the Ferris wheel is equipped with intensive lighting for visibility, then the ride attracts more attention, but the power requirements and electricity costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The Ferris wheel system generates its own electricity through photovoltaic elements installed on the structure and gondolas, making it energy self-sufficient. The generated power covers both the operational needs of the wheel and the intensive lighting requirements, eliminating the need for external power connections.
3Reliability
If the Ferris wheel is connected to conventional power infrastructure, then reliable power supply is ensured, but the adaptability to locations without power connections is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The Ferris wheel generates its own power through integrated photovoltaic elements, eliminating dependence on external power infrastructure. This self-sufficient energy generation enables the ride to be installed and operated in diverse locations including parks, festivals, and rural areas without access to conventional power grids.
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 solution enables zero electricity costs and reduces carbon emissions by generating all necessary power on-site, making the ride sustainable and adaptable to locations without conventional power infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
Photovoltaic elements are arranged on the spoked wheel (12), the gondolas (14), the support structure (16) and/or the entry area (24)
Implementation Method 2
an electrical energy storage device (28) which is configured to store electrical energy from the photovoltaic elements (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a Ferris wheel ride with a spoked wheel (12) with a plurality of gondolas (14) arranged on it for passengers, a support structure (16) in which the spoked wheel (12) is rotatably mounted, and an entry area (24) for the entry and exit of passengers into the gondolas (14) and the gondolas (14).from the gondolas (14), wherein photovoltaic elements (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 56) are arranged on the spoked wheel (12), the gondolas (14), the support structure (16) and/or the entrance area (24), and the Ferris wheel ride (10) has at least one electric motor (26) and an electrical energy storage device (28) electrically connected to the photovoltaic elements (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 56), which is configured to store electrical energy from the photovoltaic elements (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 56), wherein the electric motor (26) is electrically connected to the energy storage device (28) in such a way that the spoked wheel (12) can be driven in a controlled manner by the electric motor (26).