Counter-Rotating Wind Turbine Blades with Ground-Level Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind energy systems face issues such as large tower and structure requirements, high maintenance costs, fluctuating energy production, mechanical drag, vibration, asymmetrical torque, lack of energy storage, and limited placement options due to their design, which affects reliability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A wind energy system featuring a cowling with counter-rotating inner and outer rotor blades, a dynamic telescopic tower, and a hybrid power generation system using hydraulic or pneumatic energy storage to stabilize energy output, along with a bat deterrence system, enabling efficient energy capture and storage while reducing maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a conventional wind turbine uses a horizontal axis turbine with a gearbox and generator in the nacelle, then electrical power can be generated, but the tower and associated structure become larger and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gearbox and generator from the nacelle and relocates them to ground level. The rotor shaft is coupled directly to the generator without a gearbox, eliminating the need for complex mechanical transmission components in the elevated nacelle structure. This extraction principle resolves the contradiction by maintaining power generation capability while significantly reducing tower and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flexible coupling mechanism and ground-level transmission system as intermediaries between the rotor and generator. Instead of direct rigid coupling in the nacelle, the system uses flexible couplings and ground-based gear trains to transmit power, allowing the nacelle to be simpler while maintaining efficient power transmission to the generator at ground level.
2Power
If the gearbox and generator are located on top of a fixed tower, then power generation is achieved, but maintenance cost and complexity become significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the generator and gearbox from the elevated nacelle position and relocates them to ground level where they are easily accessible for maintenance. This extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining power generation function while dramatically improving ease of repair and reducing maintenance complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automated monitoring and diagnostic capabilities that allow the turbine to detect and report maintenance needs remotely. The ground-level positioning of critical components enables easier self-maintenance and reduces the need for complex elevated maintenance operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If a conventional wind turbine operates with fixed tower height, then installation is simplified, but the turbine cannot adapt to varying wind conditions or load stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically adjustable tower height mechanism that allows the turbine to raise or lower the rotor assembly based on wind conditions, load requirements, and maintenance needs. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of installation through modular design while providing adaptability to varying operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of tower height to optimize performance under different conditions. The tower can be adjusted to different heights or configurations based on wind speed, direction, and electrical load requirements, resolving the contradiction between simple installation and operational adaptability.
4Power
If the electrical machine and gearbox are fully processed in the nacelle, then power generation is achieved, but the system requires larger tower structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the generator and gearbox from the nacelle and relocates them to ground level, eliminating the need for a large elevated structure to house these components. This extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining full power generation capability while significantly reducing the size and length of the tower structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses flexible power transmission mechanisms and ground-level coupling systems as intermediaries to connect the rotor to the ground-based generator. This intermediary approach allows power generation to occur without requiring the generator to be positioned high in the tower, thus reducing tower length and structure size.
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
The system provides a stable and efficient energy output, reduces maintenance costs, and allows for flexible placement, overcoming the limitations of conventional wind turbines by using counter-rotating blades and energy storage to smooth out wind fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
A wind energy system featuring a cowling with counter-rotating inner and outer rotor blades
Implementation Method 2
counter-rotating inner and outer rotor blades
Implementation Method 3
hybrid power generation system using hydraulic or pneumatic energy storage to stabilize energy output
Implementation Method 4
hybrid power generation system using hydraulic or pneumatic energy storage
Implementation Method 5
dynamic telescopic tower
Implementation Method 6
cowling surrounded by a diffuser
Implementation Method 7
cowling surrounded by a diffuser
Data Source
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AI summary
A wind energy system comprising a wind turbine comprising a cowling surrounded by a diffuser and a plurality of inner rotor blades located inside of the cowling that rotate about an inner hub, a plurality of outer rotor blades positioned between the diffuser and the cowling that are counter-rotating relative to the plurality of inner rotor blades, a drive mechanism located within the inner rotor hub, a dynamic telescopic tower, and a tower support that connects the wind turbine to the dynamic telescopic tower.