Variable Displacement Axial Piston Pump for Tidal Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tidal power generation systems lack the infrastructure and efficiency to store and release energy effectively during slack tides, leading to intermittent energy production, and conventional pumps struggle to provide sufficient output pressure during weak energy supply while maximizing energy use during peak tides.
Innovation Solution
A hydroelectric power system utilizing a variable displacement axial piston pump driven by a waterwheel, with adjustable swash plates to maintain constant output pressure across varying water flow rates, allowing for efficient energy storage and release, and incorporating a closed circuit system with upper and lower reservoirs to balance tidal energy into continuous firm power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed displacement pumps are used, then the system structure is simple, but the pump cannot provide sufficient output pressure during weak energy supply and cannot maximize energy use during peak tides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a variable displacement pump mechanism where the swash plate angle can be dynamically adjusted during operation. This allows the pump to adapt its displacement volume according to the available tidal energy, providing sufficient output pressure during weak energy supply while maximizing energy utilization during peak tides, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by varying the swash plate angle parameter to control pump displacement. By changing this geometric parameter, the pump can optimize its performance across different tidal conditions, achieving both sufficient pressure output and maximum energy capture without requiring multiple fixed displacement pumps, thus balancing adaptability with manageable system complexity.
2Reliability
If fixed swash plate angle is used, then the pump design is simpler, but the system cannot maintain constant output pressure across varying water flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring the actual output pressure and water flow rate, then using this information to adjust the swash plate angle accordingly. This closed-loop control system ensures constant output pressure is maintained across varying tidal flow conditions, resolving the contradiction between pressure stability and system complexity through intelligent regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the swash plate angle adjustable rather than fixed. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the pump to respond to changing operational conditions and maintain stable output pressure, demonstrating how introducing controlled complexity through movable components can achieve greater operational reliability.
3Productivity
If variable displacement pump is used, then the energy storage and release efficiency is improved, but the pump structure and control system become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single variable displacement pump that can perform multiple functions: pumping water to the upper reservoir during high tide, maintaining pressure during slack tide, and releasing stored energy efficiently. This multi-functional design achieves improved energy storage and release efficiency while avoiding the need for separate systems for each function, thereby managing overall system complexity.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional pumps are used during slack tide, then the infrastructure requirement is lower, but the ability to store and release practical amount of energy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using the variable displacement pump to accumulate water in the upper reservoir during periods of high tidal energy availability, before the slack tide period begins. This advance preparation ensures that sufficient energy is stored and can be released during slack tide when energy demand exists but tidal flow is weak, thereby increasing stored energy quantity without requiring proportionally larger infrastructure.
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 effectively harnesses intermittent tidal energy, providing continuous firm power by adjusting pump displacement and swash plate angles to maintain constant output pressure, enhancing energy storage and release efficiency, and reducing friction losses for improved performance across a wide range of tidal velocities.
Implementation Method 1
The pump is driven by a waterwheel, with the shaft of the pump serving as the axle of the waterwheel
Implementation Method 2
The pump comprises a piston rod mounting assembly capable of pivoting with respect to the shaft, a rotating swash plate pivot assembly comprising a pivoting swash plate subassembly
Implementation Method 3
each piston assembly comprises at least one piston, a piston rod connected to the piston, and a piston rod mounting assembly capable of pivoting with respect to the shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A hydroelectric power system and pump suitable for the system are disclosed which can make efficient use of the energy available in water flows with considerably variable flow rates. A simple, compact variable displacement axial piston pump can be operated so as to provide an essentially constant output pumping pressure and variable output volume that varies efficiently in accordance with water flow rate. The system is particularly suitable for shoreline tidal power generation and provides firm power output throughout the tidal slacks occurring during the tidal reversals.