Bi-Directional Turbine Wheel With Annular Ring Fluid Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid systems, such as wind turbines and jet engines, are limited in efficiency and effectiveness due to the speed of the fluid stream at the inlet side, and adding external devices that require power further reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A passive fluid accelerator comprising an airfoil-shaped annular ring and a bi-directional turbine wheel, which includes an outer housing with a converging nozzle and an annular ring with a specific airfoil cross-sectional shape, along with a turbine wheel having angled turbine and compressor blades, to enhance fluid stream acceleration without requiring additional power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a passive fluid accelerator is used to increase fluid stream speed, then the efficiency and effectiveness of energy-producing systems is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the airfoil-shaped annular ring and turbine wheel components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fluid acceleration function with the existing turbine wheel by integrating airfoil-shaped annular rings around the turbine blades. This merging approach allows the turbine wheel to serve dual purposes: its original energy extraction function and the additional function of accelerating the fluid stream, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a bi-directional turbine wheel capable of rotating in both directions, allowing the system to adapt to varying fluid flow conditions. This dynamic capability enables the turbine to optimize its operation across different operating scenarios, improving overall system efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple structural design
2Speed
If external devices requiring power are added to accelerate fluid streams, then the fluid stream speed increases, but the overall system efficiency decreases due to additional power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the turbine wheel extracts energy from the fluid stream to power its own rotation and, in turn, uses this energy to accelerate the fluid stream further. The airfoil-shaped annular rings are positioned to be driven by the fluid flow, creating a self-sustaining system that accelerates the fluid without requiring external power input, thus increasing speed while maintaining energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The bi-directional turbine wheel creates controlled mechanical vibrations and oscillations in the fluid stream as it rotates, which can enhance fluid mixing and energy transfer. This mechanical action helps distribute energy more effectively throughout the fluid, achieving higher fluid stream speeds without proportionally increasing power consumption
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 fluid accelerator significantly increases the efficiency and effectiveness of energy-producing systems like ram air turbines and jet engines by enhancing the fluid stream acceleration, thereby improving output and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an annular ring disposed proximate the inlet end of the outer housing within the converging nozzle, wherein the annular ring has an airfoil cross-sectional shape
Implementation Method 2
The airfoil cross-sectional shape may include a base portion including a first surface associated with the pressure side and a second surface associated with the suction side
Implementation Method 3
the outer housing defining a converging nozzle proximate the inlet end
Implementation Method 4
a bi-directional turbine wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A turbine wheel may include an inner hub having a central axis, an outer ring concentric with the inner hub, and an intermediate ring concentrically disposed between the inner hub and the outer ring, and a plurality of turbine blades extending between the intermediate ring and the outer ring. The turbine blades may be oriented to be driven by a fluid stream flowing through the turbine wheel to rotate the turbine wheel in a first direction about the central axis. In addition, the turbine wheel may further include a plurality of compressor blades extending between the inner hub and the intermediate ring. Also, the compressor blades may be oriented to propel a fluid in a downstream direction when the turbine wheel is rotated in the first direction.