Flexible Swing Triggered Generator for Scavenging Pipeline Water Flow Energy with Near Lossless Water Pressure and Flow Velocity

Flexible swing-triggered generator (FSTG) utilizes the interaction between flexible materials, fluids, magnets, and soft iron to achieve ≈95% retention of water pressure and flow velocity, solving the challenge of significant reductions in water pressure and flow velocity due to pipeline hydroelectric generators, and broadening the ways in which pipeline water energy can be harvested and utilized.

Abstract

Pipeline hydroelectric generators are important in order to collect water-flow-related energy from pipelines. However, conventional pipeline hydroelectric generators significantly diminish the pressure and flow velocity of water within a pipeline, thereby limiting their widespread adoption. Here a flexible swing-triggered generator (FSTG) is proposed to provide a new approach for generating electrical power within a pipeline. The fundamental principles of an FSTG based on vortex shedding effects and electromagnetic induction are examined in detail, in addition to assessing the interaction between the fluid, magnets embedded in flexible materials, and soft iron materials. The FSTG is able to convert water-flow energy into electrical energy and drive electronic equipment, while the water pressure and flow velocity are only reduced by ≈5%. The FSTG can provide a peak power of 6.6 mW at a flow velocity of 1.31 m s⁻¹ and maintain a stable output in 48 000 cycles. The FSTG is mounted on a household water pipe and collects sufficient energy to run an LED thermometer and a wireless Bluetooth thermometer. The new FSTG design widens the way for pipeline water energy harvesting and utilization.