Water Wheel Energy Device with Roller Chain Buckets

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for harnessing energy from water, such as turbines and bucket mechanisms, face issues like high acquisition costs, low efficiency, and increased chain stress due to uneven bucket positioning, as well as complex manufacturing and maintenance requirements for cog wheels.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising interconnected wheels with endless roller chains and carriers featuring buckets connected to two pins, where the buckets' leading edges are positioned on both sides of the chain axis, and the wheels have teeth with recesses for chain pins, allowing for improved stability, stress distribution, and easier manufacturing, with the option to tilt the device for versatile water supply and connection to an electric generator via a gearing mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If turbines are used for obtaining energy from water, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but acquisition price and demands on water inlet arrangement increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive turbines with a simpler water wheel mechanism using basic components like buckets, chains, and pins that can be manufactured at lower cost while achieving functional energy conversion from water flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex turbines that require specific water inlet conditions, the patent inverts the approach by using a water wheel with buckets that can handle varied water flow conditions more flexibly, converting the constraint into an advantage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If miscellaneous water wheels are used, then device complexity is reduced, but efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic elements such as the endless roller chain with carriers that continuously move buckets through the water flow, allowing the simple water wheel structure to achieve higher efficiency through continuous motion and optimized water interaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The endless roller chain ensures continuous operation by constantly replenishing buckets with water and maintaining uninterrupted rotational motion of the wheel, eliminating idle periods and maximizing energy conversion efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If buckets are positioned on one side only, then device complexity is reduced, but chain stress increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent deliberately positions buckets on both sides of the wheel asymmetrically relative to the chain, with the leading edge on the outer side and trailing edge on the inner side, creating a balanced distribution of forces that reduces stress on the chain while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

4Power

If cog wheels are used, then power transmission is improved, but manufacturing and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive cog wheels with a simpler toothed wheel design made from basic materials, sacrificing some precision for significant reductions in manufacturing and maintenance costs while maintaining adequate power transmission functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The toothed wheel design allows for easy self-maintenance and repair using simple tools, enabling operators to service the mechanism without specialized equipment or expertise, thereby reducing maintenance costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 design enhances efficiency and reduces production and maintenance costs by distributing chain stress evenly, facilitating larger wheel manufacturing, and enabling efficient water filling and energy generation across various water flow scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

water wheels interconnected with a pair of endless roller chains with carriers with buckets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational force: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

An outlet for connecting an electric generator is connected to the axis of at least one wheel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2438291B1Device for obtaining energy from water

Publication Date: 2013.04.03

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AI summary

A device for obtaining energy from water, comprising wheels connected by a pair of endless roller chains with carriers with buckets. A bucket (5) is always connected to two pins (4) of one link of the roller chain (3); the leading edge of the bucket (5) is located on the outer and inner side of the axis of the chain (3) and the wheels (1, 2) are fitted with teeth (6), whose heads incorporate recesses (7) for the pins (4) of the chain (3) and an outlet for connecting an electric generator is connected to the axis of at least one wheel (1, 2). The wheels (1,2) are shaped as polyhedrons and the wheels (6) are placed in the connecting points of the dodecahedron edges, with the plates (31) of the roller chain (3) having flat edges (32).