Power Generating System Using Vortex Flow Around Structural Body
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ocean current power generation technologies face challenges such as low conversion efficiency and high manufacturing costs, with limited geographical suitability and equipment corrosion issues, making them less viable for widespread adoption.
Innovation Solution
A power generating system is designed to harness kinetic energy from fluid flows around a structural body by utilizing a supporting device with defined regions (stream-facing, side-stream, and vortex regions) and power generating units, such as turbine or vibration generators, to convert down flow, lateral flow, and vortex flow into electrical energy, which can be integrated with existing offshore or onshore apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional ocean current power generation devices are used, then power generation capability is achieved, but conversion efficiency is low and manufacturing cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting body serves dual functions: it provides structural support for the power generation device while simultaneously acting as a flow guide to generate down flow and vortex flow. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate flow guide structures, reducing manufacturing cost while improving power generation efficiency by utilizing multiple flow patterns (down flow, lateral flow, vortex flow) around the supporting body
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes three-dimensional flow patterns around the supporting body by defining multiple regions (stream-facing region, side-stream region, vortex region) at different spatial positions. Power generation units are strategically placed in these different spatial regions to capture kinetic energy from down flow, lateral flow, and vortex flow simultaneously, thereby improving overall conversion efficiency
2Power
If power generation units are added to enhance power generation capability, then energy output increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting body is designed to serve multiple purposes: structural support, flow guidance, and power generation platform. By integrating these functions into a single component, the system achieves enhanced power generation capability without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting body is divided into multiple functional regions (stream-facing region, side-stream region, vortex region) with power generation units strategically placed in each region. This segmentation allows the system to capture energy from different flow patterns simultaneously, increasing total energy output while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular regional design
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
This system enhances power generation efficiency and reduces manufacturing costs by leveraging environmental flows, while maintaining the functionality of existing infrastructure, and can be applied in various geographical settings.
Implementation Method 1
convert the kinetic energy of the flowing sea water into electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a power generating system utilizing current around a structural body. The power generating system is disposed in a flow field, wherein the streams of the flow field flow along a main fluid flow direction. The power generating system comprises a supporting device and a power generating device. The supporting device comprises a supporting body, wherein at least one of a stream-facing region, a side-stream region, and a vortex region is defined on the supporting body. The power generating device comprises at least one power generating unit and a power storage unit, wherein the power generating unit is disposed in at least one of the stream-facing region, the side-stream region, and the vortex region.