Tidal Turbine Cylindrical Assembly with Expandable Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tidal energy generating arrangements face inefficiencies due to complex bearing arrangements, high construction costs, and frequent maintenance needs, as well as power dissipation through multiple stages, leading to reduced overall efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a cylindrical assembly with a turbine unit that can be locked in different positions, utilizing expandable seals for locking and vibration damping, allowing for maintenance access and reducing water flow loss, while using a horizontally rotating turbine within a fixed structure to optimize efficiency and simplify the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complicated bearing arrangement is used to support the turbine, then the turbine can be supported structurally, but the construction cost increases and the bearing arrangement requires frequent maintenance due to sediment wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the turbine from the water environment by placing it in an air-filled cylindrical assembly that can be rotated and locked in different positions. This extraction of the turbine from direct water contact eliminates sediment wear on bearings and allows for simpler, more reliable bearing arrangements that are either protected from water or replaced with alternative support mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical assembly is designed to be rotatable and lockable in different positions, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to tidal flow directions. This dynamic positioning capability enables the turbine to face the incoming water flow optimally while keeping the bearing arrangement protected from direct water exposure, thereby improving reliability without increasing complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple power dissipating stages are used in the system, then the turbine can be protected and supported, but the overall power efficiency is reduced due to energy loss at each stage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into distinct functional components: the cylindrical assembly containing the turbine, the rotation mechanism, and the locking mechanism. This segmentation allows the turbine to be protected within the sealed cylindrical environment without requiring multiple intermediate power dissipating stages, thereby maintaining higher overall power efficiency while still providing adequate protection.
3Device complexity
If the turbine is positioned in a fixed location, then the structure is simplified, but the turbine cannot optimize its performance for different flow directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic positioning system where the cylindrical assembly can be rotated to different orientations and locked in place. This allows the turbine to be repositioned to face the incoming water flow from different directions depending on tidal conditions, thereby optimizing energy generation efficiency while maintaining relatively simple structural components for rotation and locking.
4Productivity
If the turbine is always submerged in water, then it can continuously generate power, but maintenance and service access becomes difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a rotatable and lockable cylindrical assembly that can be positioned to expose the turbine to air or water as needed. During normal operation, the assembly can be oriented to allow continuous power generation with water flow. During maintenance, the assembly can be rotated and locked in a position that provides easy access to the turbine and other components, eliminating the need for complex underwater maintenance operations.
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 configuration enhances efficiency by minimizing water flow loss and vibration, facilitates easier maintenance, and reduces construction costs, creating a cost-effective solution that maintains system performance and allows for dry service conditions.
Implementation Method 1
An energy generating arrangement powered by tidal water
Implementation Method 2
a turbine unit (120) arranged in a fixed structure (110) which separates a first water mass (130) and a second water mass (140)
Implementation Method 3
Expandable seals provided by the invention will provide or contribute with a locking effect. In particular, the locking effect provided by the sealings may be varied and controlled by different levels of expanding/inflating the sealings.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An energy generating arrangement (100) powered by tidal water har been disclosed. The arrangement comprises a turbine unit (120) mounted in a fixed structure (110) which separates a first (130) and a second (140) water masses. The turbine unit (120) is arranged to be turned within the fixed structure (110) about a substantially horizontal axis (180). The turbine unit (120) is mounted in a substantially cylindrical assembly (150) with a substantially horizontal axis (180), and includes a rotor with turbine blades and a rotor shaft which will rotate when surrounding, flowing water acts on the rotor's turbine blades, and an electric generator which is driven by the rotor shaft. The fixed structure (110) has curved surfaces which are shaped to match corresponding surfaces of the cylindrical assembly (150). A sealing is provided to seal a space between the curved surface of the fixed structure (110) and a corresponding surface of the cylindrical assembly (150). The sealing is expandable to alter between a sealing state, wherein the sealing fills the space between the curved surface of the fixed structure (110) and the corresponding surface of the cylindrical assembly (150), and a non-sealing state, wherein water passage is allowed between the fixed structure (110) and the cylindrical assembly (150).