Submersible Hydroelectric Generator Water Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing submersible hydroelectric generator apparatuses face challenges in efficiently evacuating water from the turbine, leading to potential flooding and reduced functionality, as described in prior art such as US2009/0230687 and US2011/0260460.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs an auxiliary pressurized fluid supply, a sump for temporary water storage, a flow regulator with a valve to control water flow, and a pressure sensor to ensure adequate pressure for efficient water expulsion, along with a two-part construction for ease of servicing and a pressure vessel to promote fluid flow, preventing turbine flooding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If water is allowed to flow continuously through the apparatus, then the turbine can operate continuously, but water will build up in the apparatus and flood the turbine
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic evacuation cycles where water is removed from the apparatus at regular intervals. The controller opens the discharge aperture to allow water evacuation, then closes it to restore normal flow, creating a rhythmic cycle that prevents flooding while maintaining continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary evacuation system is introduced between the water flow path and the turbine. This system includes a discharge aperture, closure member, and pressurized fluid supply that mediates water removal without directly interfering with the turbine's continuous operation, acting as a buffer to prevent flooding
2Reliability
If water evacuation is implemented, then turbine flooding is prevented, but the apparatus complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the kinetic energy of the incoming water flow itself to drive the evacuation process. The water flow activates the water wheel which rotates the closure member to open the discharge aperture, and the pressurized fluid supply is triggered by the water flow pressure, creating a self-regulating system that reduces the need for external control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are merged into single components. The closure member serves both as a turbine drive element and an aperture control mechanism. The pressurized fluid supply both propels water through the turbine and triggers the evacuation sequence. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system
3Quantity of substance
If the discharge aperture is opened to evacuate water, then water is removed from the apparatus, but the flow of water towards the turbine is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge aperture is opened only during brief periodic intervals sufficient to evacuate accumulated water, then quickly closed to restore continuous flow to the turbine. This minimizes interruption time while achieving effective water removal
Solution Approach 2:
Water evacuation is performed preliminarily before the apparatus becomes flooded. The system proactively removes water at scheduled intervals before it can accumulate to harmful levels, preventing turbine flooding rather than responding after the problem occurs
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 enables efficient and effective water evacuation from the apparatus, maintaining turbine operation and reducing downtime, with the ability to harness energy from the expelled water flow and facilitate maintenance through modular design.
Implementation Method 1
there is provided in the first part a pressurizable fluid supply in the inner pressure chamber which is open at its base and operable to be compressed by water entering the inner pressure chamber from the second part
Implementation Method 2
The fluid supply that has been pressurized by the water entering the apparatus is supplemented by an auxiliary pressurized fluid supply and this will ensure that the water is evacuated from the apparatus efficiently
Implementation Method 3
on the fluid reaching a pre-determined pressure, temporarily opening a discharge aperture in the apparatus to allow evacuation of the water therethrough
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to a submersible hydroelectric generator apparatus (1) and a method of evacuating water from such an apparatus. The method of evacuating water from a submersible hydroelectric generator apparatus (1) comprising the steps of pressurizing a fluid supply in the submersible hydroelectric generator apparatus using the water flowing into the apparatus and thereafter using the thus-pressurized fluid supply to evacuate the water from the apparatus. Additional pressurized fluid can be supplied to provide a pressurized fluid supply with sufficient pressure to expel the water from the apparatus. The apparatus (1) can be used in a grid connected electricity generating system or indeed in a smaller scale implementation such as in a single building or group of buildings to provide electricity to those buildings. The invention overcomes problems with prior art devices by evacuating water from the apparatus in an efficient manner.