Vertical-Axis Tidal Turbine Assembly for Easier Offshore Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing offshore tidal turbines with horizontal axis designs are expensive to develop, install, and maintain, making them economically unviable due to their complexity and underwater components.
Innovation Solution
A tidal turbine assembly featuring upright vertical axis turbines with components installed above the waterline, utilizing a support beam and gravity base to reduce complexity and costs, and allowing for easy maintenance and replacement of parts without requiring retrieval from the water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If horizontal axis turbines with underwater components are used, then energy conversion capability is achieved, but development, installation and maintenance costs become extremely expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal axis turbines to vertical axis turbines, changing the operational dimension from horizontal to vertical. This allows the turbine to sweep a much larger area of water from just below the lowest tide level to just above the sea bed, improving energy capture while positioning all working parts above water for easier maintenance and reduced costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts all working parts (mechanics, generators, and electrical equipment) from the underwater environment and installs them above the highest tide level in storm proof housings. This separation eliminates the need for expensive underwater maintenance operations while maintaining full energy conversion capability
2Power
If horizontal axis turbines with underwater components are used, then energy conversion is achieved, but maintenance complexity and costs increase dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
All working parts including mechanics, generators, and electrical equipment are extracted from the underwater environment and installed above the highest tide level in storm proof housings, making them easily accessible for maintenance without requiring expensive underwater retrieval operations
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows maintenance personnel to access and service all critical components from above water level, enabling self-service maintenance capabilities without requiring specialized underwater maintenance equipment or operations
3Device complexity
If single turbine designs are used, then installation is simplified, but net torque and securing force requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple turbine units into a single integrated assembly where turbines are coupled by a support beam that is configured to be above the sea level. This merging approach distributes the net torque across multiple units, reducing the force required to secure each individual turbine to the seabed while maintaining installation simplicity
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 design provides predictable renewable energy generation with reduced installation and maintenance costs, utilizing standard components and enabling efficient conversion of tidal energy into electricity.
Implementation Method 1
a first turbine, comprising a first plurality of foils, that is configured, in use, to rotate around an upright axis that is upright relative to the sea bed
Implementation Method 2
tidal turbine assembly for converting kinetic energy of water into electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a tidal turbine for converting kinetic energy of water into electrical energy. An aspect of the disclosure provides a tidal turbine assembly (100) comprising: a first turbine (110), comprising a first plurality of foils (111-113), that is configured, in use, to rotate around an upright axis that is upright relative to the sea bed; and a second turbine (120), comprising a second plurality of foils (211-213), that is configured, in use, to rotate around an upright axis that is upright relative to the sea bed; wherein the first turbine (110) and the second turbine (120) are coupled by a support beam (130) that is configured to be, in use, above the sea level; and wherein the support beam (130) is coupled to a support column (140) to support the support beam, in use, above the sea level.