Triangular-Base Hydropower Equipment With Graded Multi-Runner Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrokinetic power generation devices face issues with structural stability under flowing water and scouring of the downstream seabed or riverbed due to the rotation of runners, particularly vertical-axis runners.
Innovation Solution
A hydropower equipment with a triangular base and three drag-type runners, where each runner is supported by a shaft and generator shaft, and water flows through horizontal channels and an inclined surface to generate torque, reducing scouring and improving stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If vertical-axis runners are used to generate power, then power generation capacity increases, but scouring of the downstream seabed or riverbed occurs due to runner rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The water flow is segmented into multiple streams that sequentially pass through multiple runners arranged along an inclined plane. The first stream passes through the first runner, the second stream passes through the second runner, and the third stream passes through the third runner. This segmentation allows each runner to process a portion of the water flow, reducing the rotational speed and scouring impact of each individual runner while maintaining overall power generation capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single vertical-axis runner to multiple runners arranged along an inclined plane (three-dimensional spatial arrangement). The runners are positioned at different heights and angles, converting the water flow into multiple directional streams that sequentially drive the runners. This dimensional change distributes the water flow's kinetic energy across multiple runners, reducing the rotational speed and scouring effect of each runner.
2Power
If multi-runner arrangement is adopted to increase power generation capacity, then energy utilization improves, but tilting moment impact on operating stability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The runners are arranged asymmetrically along an inclined plane rather than being symmetrically distributed. The inclined plane creates a natural gradient where water flow sequentially impacts each runner in a specific order. This asymmetric arrangement allows the system to harness the water's kinetic energy more effectively while the inclined structure helps distribute the tilting moments more evenly, improving operating stability.
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
Enhances energy utilization ratio and structural stability by utilizing kinetic energy stepwise, minimizing scouring of the downstream seabed or riverbed, and facilitating easy installation and use in clusters.
Implementation Method 1
the drag-type runner generates a force that drives the rotation of the blades through the pressure difference between the working surface and the back surface of the blades
Implementation Method 2
utilizes the kinetic energy of water for generating power
Implementation Method 3
generating a force that drives the rotation of the blades
Implementation Method 4
the electromagnetic induction is generated between the rotor and the stator of the generator, leading to the generation of current
Implementation Method 5
water flows through horizontal channels and an inclined surface to generate torque
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a hydropower equipment with graded utilization of kinetic energy of flowing water, including three steps on the inclined surface of the triangular base from top to bottom, wherein support rods are provided on the vertical surface of each step, runner one, runner two and runner three arranged in sequence from high to low are respectively and rotatably supported on the corresponding support rods through the shaft, all the three shafts are horizontally arranged and connected to the corresponding shaft of the generator; horizontal flow channels are set inside the lower part of the triangular base for guiding water to flow toward downstream direction, and the outlets of the horizontal flow channels directly face runner three.