Fluid Flow-Powered Generator With Adjustable Wing Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large wind turbines face challenges in maximizing aerodynamic efficiency while maintaining structural integrity, particularly due to the limitations of blade size and the difficulty in cleaning and maintaining long, slender blades, which affects their efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow-powered generator with a rotatable frame and adjustable wings that can change their angle of attack to optimize aerodynamic performance, allowing for both oscillating and rotary motion to generate electricity, using a controller to coordinate adjustments and enhance energy capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the size of wind turbine increases to maximize aerodynamic surface area, then power generation capacity improves, but centrifugal force and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic pitch control of the blades, where the angle of attack is actively adjusted during rotation to optimize aerodynamic performance at different positions and speeds. This dynamic adjustment allows the turbine to maintain high efficiency across varying wind conditions without requiring overly complex structural designs
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes operational parameters by varying the pitch angle of blades throughout the rotation cycle. The control system modifies blade orientation in real-time, allowing the same physical structure to adapt to different aerodynamic requirements, thereby maximizing power extraction without increasing structural complexity
2Strength
If long slender blades are used to reduce centrifugal force, then structural integrity improves, but effective aerodynamic area near blade tips is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic pitch adjustment to maximize the effective aerodynamic area. By actively changing the blade angle during rotation, the design optimizes lift generation at all positions along the blade span, including the tip regions, thereby increasing effective area without requiring longer blades that would compromise structural integrity
3Productivity
If mechanical-electrical device for active pitching is installed in slender blade, then aerodynamic efficiency improves, but weight penalty and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible, lightweight pitch control mechanisms that integrate into the blade structure. These mechanisms use thin-film actuators and flexible linkages to achieve pitch adjustment with minimal added weight, maintaining aerodynamic efficiency while avoiding excessive weight penalties
4Power
If long slender blades are used in large-size turbines, then power generation capacity increases, but installation and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the turbine with modular blade sections that can be assembled in stages. The pitch control system is also modular, allowing individual components to be accessed and maintained without requiring complete disassembly of the entire blade structure, thereby facilitating easier installation and maintenance while maintaining high power generation capacity
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 solution improves the efficiency and ease of maintenance of wind turbines by allowing for larger effective wing areas, reducing structural complexity, and enabling better energy capture across a range of wind speeds, comparable to traditional turbines.
Implementation Method 1
The efficiency of turbine blades has improved considerably over the years by the advent of advanced aerodynamic designs
Implementation Method 2
aerodynamic force is proportional to the wing area of a blade
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid flow-powered generator and a method for using the same are described herein. The generator has a rotatable frame, with a first wing and a second wing. The first wing and second wing are pivotally mounted to the frame to allow the angle of attack to be adjusted. A controller is also provided to direct adjustment of the angle of attack of the first wing and the second wing in a coordinated manner while the fluid flow-powered generator is in use. In certain embodiments, the fluid flow-powered generator is operable as an oscillating generator and in other embodiments, the fluid flow-powered generator is operable as a rotating generator. The rotating generator can be arranged along a horizontal axis or a vertical axis. Additionally, certain horizontally oriented generators may be operated as either oscillating generators or rotating generators.