Water-to-Electricity Turbine for Elevator Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firefighters face challenges in accessing high-rise building fires due to the need to climb stairs, as elevators are hazardous during power outages, and existing power systems are unreliable in such situations.
Innovation Solution
A power generation system using a pumper truck to pump water, which is then converted into energy through a turbine-based generation station, providing electrical power to operate elevators and other critical systems independently of building power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If firefighters use elevators to access upper floors during a fire, then access speed is improved, but safety deteriorates due to power outages creating hazardous situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary power generation system that converts water flow into electrical energy to provide independent power supply to elevators during fire emergencies, eliminating dependency on building power systems that may fail during fires
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic principles by capturing water flow from fire hoses and converting it into mechanical energy through a turbine, which then generates electrical power to operate elevator systems during emergency situations
2Reliability
If firefighters climb stairs to reach upper floors during a fire, then safety is improved by avoiding hazardous elevator situations, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides an intermediary power source that enables elevator operation during fires without relying on building power systems, allowing firefighters to use elevators safely while reducing the time they would otherwise spend climbing stairs
3Ease of operation
If building power systems are used during fires, then normal operations are maintained, but reliability deteriorates when power is shut off or compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service power generation by converting the kinetic energy of water flow directly into electrical energy, allowing the building to generate its own power during emergencies without external power sources
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of energy source from electrical (unreliable during fires) to hydraulic (reliable during fires), converting water flow into mechanical energy through a turbine and then into electrical energy to maintain operations during power outages
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
Enables continuous power supply to elevators and other systems during fires, allowing firefighters to safely access upper floors without climbing stairs and facilitating the evacuation of occupants.
Implementation Method 1
a turbine housed within the generation station for converting the flow of the water to energy
Implementation Method 2
a generator for producing electrical energy from the rotational energy of the turbine
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides methods and systems for a power generation system, including an inlet for introducing a liquid into the system, an inlet pipe for carrying the liquid introduced to the inlet, a generation station for converting the flow of liquid into energy, and an outlet pipe for removing the liquid from the generation station.