Turbine Assembly Venturi Flow Leakage Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing turbine arrangements for low-head hydropower generation face challenges in sealing gaps between the rim and tube sections, leading to power dissipation due to bypass leakage or excessive friction from tight seals, especially in high-volume, low-pressure head water flow scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A turbine assembly with a convergent section, mixing tube, and diffuser section, where the turbine tube is rotatably supported in a convergent section with blades attached to its inner surface, forming an annulus for primary flow and a secondary flow passage, eliminating the need for a drive shaft and reducing friction by using a support boss with bearings outside the flow passages, and incorporating a thrust flange and pinion gear system for energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a small gap is used between the rim and tube section, then bypass leakage is reduced, but friction from seals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the gap between the rim and tube section by introducing a separate circumferential seal at the leading edge of the turbine blade. This allows the gap to be optimized for minimal leakage without being constrained by sealing requirements, effectively decoupling the two functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a circumferential seal as an intermediary element between the turbine blade and tube section. This seal acts as a mediator that prevents bypass leakage through the gap while allowing the gap dimensions to be optimized for minimal friction and maximal energy efficiency.
2Force
If a large gap is used between the rim and tube section, then friction from seals is reduced, but bypass leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the sealing function from the gap structure by placing the circumferential seal at the blade leading edge. This allows the gap to be designed primarily for minimizing friction and maximizing energy efficiency, while the seal handles the leakage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The circumferential seal serves as an intermediary that prevents energy loss through bypass leakage while allowing the gap dimensions to be optimized for minimal friction, effectively mediating between the conflicting requirements of leakage prevention and friction reduction.
3Power
If a drive shaft is used to transmit rotational energy, then power transmission is achieved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical drive shaft and power cable system with direct electromagnetic coupling. The turbine blade incorporates magnets that interact with a stator winding, directly generating electricity without mechanical power transmission components, thereby eliminating drive shafts and reducing installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine blade serves multiple functions: it generates mechanical power through water flow, contains embedded magnets for electromagnetic coupling, and acts as part of the generator system itself. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate drive shafts and power transmission mechanisms.
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 design enhances energy conversion efficiency by minimizing leakage and friction, allowing for effective power generation from high-volume, low-head water flows, with the ability to drive both mechanical and electrical generators, and reduces installation costs by eliminating the need for internal drive shafts and power cables.
Implementation Method 1
a convergent section connected to a first end of a mixing tube such that a venturi is defined between the end of the convergent section and the mixing tube
Implementation Method 2
the diffuser section configured such that in use the pressure at the exit of the diffuser section is greater than the pressure at the venturi
Implementation Method 3
the blades are attached to the inner surface of the turbine tube such that in use water flow past the blades drives the rotation of the turbine tube
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for generating electricity from water flow held behind a barrier includes a convergent section connected to a first end of a mixing tube such that a venturi is defined between the end of the convergent section and the mixing tube; a diffuser section connected to a second end of the mixing tube, the diffuser section configured such that the pressure at the exit of the diffuser section is greater than the pressure at the venturi; and a turbine tube comprising a blade assembly having a plurality of blades. The turbine tube is supported in the convergent section and is rotatably mounted, the blades being attached to the inner surface of turbine tube such that water flow past the blades drives the rotation of the turbine tube.