Turbine Rotor Assembly with Complementary Blade Profiles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy conversion systems, particularly those using turbines, face challenges with low efficiency and high capital outlay, limiting their effectiveness and return on investment.
Innovation Solution
A turbine rotor assembly with sequentially arranged blades in a circular array, featuring complementary profiles and adjustable pitch, which increases the frontal surface area and allows for efficient rotation independent of fluid flow direction, enhancing energy extraction from oscillating working fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional turbines are used in energy conversion systems, then the system can operate, but the efficiency is low and capital outlay is high
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine is divided into multiple independent blades arranged in a circular array, each blade capable of operating independently to extract energy from the fluid flow. This segmentation allows for optimized blade design and improved overall efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The blades are designed with adjustable pitch capability, allowing them to dynamically change their angle of attack relative to the fluid flow. This dynamic adjustment optimizes energy extraction efficiency across varying flow conditions while maintaining a compact turbine structure
2Productivity
If the turbine blades are designed to extract maximum energy, then efficiency improves, but the system becomes limited by the turbine's operational constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The blades feature asymmetric cross-sectional profiles with a leading edge and trailing edge designed to optimize lift forces. This asymmetric geometry allows the blades to efficiently extract energy from fluid flow regardless of flow direction, enabling the turbine to operate effectively in oscillating flow conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable pitch mechanism allows blades to dynamically adapt their orientation to match varying flow directions and speeds. This dynamic capability enables the turbine to maintain high efficiency across different operational conditions, including reverse flow scenarios
3Productivity
If the gap between blades is reduced to increase frontal surface area, then energy extraction improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blade edges are designed with specific geometric features including rounded leading edges and flattened trailing edges. These localized geometric modifications optimize the flow characteristics at critical locations while accommodating manufacturing tolerances, allowing for reduced blade gaps without excessively stringent precision requirements
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
The solution improves energy extraction efficiency by maximizing thrust from lift forces and maintaining a constant pressure differential across blades, leading to increased energy output and reduced capital costs.
Implementation Method 1
improves the efficiency of the thrust arising from the lift forces generated by the working fluid flowing over the blade and accelerating through the nozzle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A turbine rotor assembly for extracting energy from an oscillating working fluid. The turbine rotor assembly includes a hub rotatable about a central axis. A plurality of blades is mounted to the hub about the central axis. Each blade has a leading edge and a trailing edge which are configured to be complementary in profile to each other such that the blades can be mounted in close fitting edge-to-edge proximity to each other.