Underwater Intake Nozzle for Kinetic Hydropower Turbines

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wind energy conversion systems and kinetic hydropower generation systems face inefficiencies, high capital costs, unpredictable failures, excessive noise, and high maintenance due to the need for long turbine blades, which are costly and prone to defects, especially when water or wind currents are weak.

Innovation Solution

A kinetic hydropower generation system with an underwater intake nozzle assembly that includes a collector and a converging nozzle, accelerating the flow velocity to increase energy capture, allowing for shorter turbine blades and reducing material, installation, and maintenance costs while enhancing power output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If long turbine blades are used to increase power generation, then electrical power output is improved, but cost, space occupation, noise, vibration, and maintenance requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power outputVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A nozzle assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the water current and the turbine blades. The nozzle accelerates the water flow, creating a high-velocity jet that impinges on the turbine blades, thereby enabling shorter blades to generate the same power as longer blades would produce in undirected flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle changes the velocity parameter of the water flow by accelerating it to high speeds before it reaches the turbine. This parameter transformation allows the turbine to operate effectively with shorter blades since the increased flow velocity compensates for the reduced blade length

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If long turbine blades are used to increase power generation, then electrical power output is improved, but reliability worsens due to defects and failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power outputVSAvoidpredictable failures

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle assembly serves as a mediator that concentrates water flow into a focused jet, allowing the turbine to achieve sufficient power generation with shorter blades. This reduces the structural stress and material requirements on the blades, thereby improving reliability and reducing predictable failures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Power

If long turbine blades are used to increase power generation, then electrical power output is improved, but noise and vibration worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power outputVSAvoidnoise and vibration

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle acts as an intermediary that directs and concentrates water flow onto the turbine blades in a controlled manner. This focused impingement allows for shorter blade operation, which significantly reduces the noise and vibration generated during turbine rotation while maintaining power output

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Power

If long turbine blades are used to increase power generation, then electrical power output is improved, but maintenance cost worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power outputVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By introducing the nozzle as an intermediary flow-directing component, the system achieves adequate power generation with shorter turbine blades. These shorter blades are less susceptible to wear, damage, and deformation, thereby reducing maintenance frequency and costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

5Power

If turbine blade length is increased to generate enough energy, then power output is improved, but capital cost worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy generationVSAvoidcapital cost

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle assembly is introduced as a capital investment that replaces the need for expensive long turbine blades. By accelerating water flow through the nozzle, the system achieves the same energy generation with much shorter, less expensive turbine blades, thereby reducing overall capital cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system achieves higher power output with shorter turbine blades, reducing energy losses, costs, and maintenance, and is effective in generating electricity from weak water or wind currents, improving efficiency and reducing noise and vibration.

Implementation Method 1

The underwater intake nozzle assembly may include a collector and a converging nozzle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConverging nozzle acceleration: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8651798B2Kinetic hydropower generation system and intake therefore

Publication Date: 2014.02.18 SHEER WIND INC

AI summary

A kinetic hydropower generation system has a turbine and a generator coupled to the turbine. An underwater intake nozzle assembly is fluidly coupled to the turbine. For one embodiment, an underwater tower nozzle may be fluidly coupled between the turbine and the underwater intake nozzle assembly. The underwater intake nozzle assembly may include a collector and a converging nozzle.