Tensioned Cable Energy Harvester for Blade-Free Fluid Power
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbines cause environmental disruption, noise pollution, and have limited lifetimes due to high stress and wear, while alternative energy harvesting methods face inefficiencies in capturing low-velocity geophysical flows.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus utilizing an elongated body with a tensioned cable and energy harvesters, where kinetic energy is converted to electrical energy through oscillations of the cable, using magnets and coils, with damping means to prevent fatigue, and conversion mechanisms to stabilize energy capture regardless of wind direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rotating blades are used to capture wind energy, then kinetic energy capture efficiency is improved, but environmental harm increases and device lifetime decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rotating blades from the wind energy capture system, extracting the harmful function while preserving the energy capture capability through an alternative mechanism (vortex-induced vibrations of a tensioned cable).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical rotating blade system with a vortex-induced vibration system where a tensioned cable oscillates in response to von Karman vortices, converting mechanical wind energy into electrical energy through electromagnetic induction without rotating blades.
2Productivity
If rotating blades are used to capture wind energy, then kinetic energy capture efficiency is improved, but device lifetime decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rotating blades which are subject to high stress and wear, extracting the source of limited lifetime while maintaining energy capture through the vortex-induced vibration mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vortex-induced vibrations of a tensioned cable as the primary mechanism for energy capture, where the cable oscillates in response to alternating vortex shedding, converting wind kinetic energy into electrical energy through electromagnetic induction without mechanical contact or rotation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If tensioned cable oscillations are used to harvest energy, then environmental impact is reduced, but energy capture efficiency from low-velocity flows decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs damping means attached to the elongated body to counteract excessive oscillations and stabilize the system, preventing energy loss through uncontrolled vibrations while maintaining efficient energy capture from the tensioned cable oscillations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the tension, length, and material properties of the cable to tune its natural frequency and vibration characteristics, maximizing energy capture efficiency from low-velocity geophysical flows by matching the cable's resonant frequency with the vortex shedding frequency.
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
Efficient energy conversion from wind and water flows is achieved, reducing environmental impact and extending apparatus lifespan by stabilizing energy capture across varying wind directions and flow conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The elongated body is arranged to vibrate or oscillate when exposed to wind... The elongated body may have a substantially tapered shape... it may induce vortex forces when the fluid passes the elongated body. The vortex forces may set the elongated body in motion.
Implementation Method 2
The oscillations of the at least one tensioned cable may be converted to electric energy by using the at least one magnet and at least one coil... The at least one magnet may be set in motion by the at least one tensioned cable and move relative to the at least one coil.
Implementation Method 3
The apparatus further comprises damping means, which can be attached to a lower end of the elongated body in use. The damping means may prevent fatigue of the elongated body.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Apparatus for producing electricity from a moving fluid comprising: - an elongated body having a longitudinal axis, the elongated body being arranged to be attached to the ground or seabed and exposed to the moving fluid; - at least one tensioned cable, which is supported in tension from the elongated body, and which is arranged at least in part inside the elongated body and further arranged to oscillate or vibrate upon oscillation of the elongated body; and - at least one energy harvester for converting kinetic energy of the at least one oscillating or vibrating tensioned cable to electric energy.