Cross-Flow Wind Turbine With Primary and Secondary Blades for Stable Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drag-based wind turbines suffer from inefficiencies due to wind impingement on returning blades, self-starting problems, and uneven torque transmission, leading to mechanical fatigue and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A cross-flow wind turbine design incorporating primary and secondary blades that interact to enhance performance by capturing and redirecting wind energy, reducing return drag, and stabilizing torque transmission through alternating blade configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional drag-based wind turbines are used, then the structure is simple, but wind impingement on returning blades causes inefficiency and mechanical fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor is segmented into multiple blades arranged in a cross-flow configuration where blades are positioned at different orientations relative to the wind direction. This segmentation allows the rotor to capture wind energy more effectively while reducing the harmful impact of wind impingement on returning blades, as each blade segment operates in a optimized position throughout the rotation cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-flow rotor employs an asymmetric blade arrangement where blades are not uniformly distributed but positioned at specific angles to the wind direction. This asymmetric configuration optimizes the aerodynamic interaction between blades and wind, improving energy capture efficiency while minimizing mechanical fatigue from uneven wind loading on returning blades.
2Ease of operation
If conventional drag-based wind turbines are used, then the design is straightforward, but self-starting problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-flow rotor design incorporates preliminary aerodynamic configuration that creates initial rotational motion without external assistance. The blade geometry and arrangement are pre-configured to generate sufficient starting torque from minimal wind input, enabling the turbine to self-start and overcome the inertia threshold required for power generation.
3Productivity
If conventional wind turbines are used, then the structure is simple, but torque transmission is uneven causing mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-flow rotor segments the torque generation process across multiple blades at different rotational positions. This segmentation distributes the torque transmission more evenly throughout the rotation cycle, preventing the uneven mechanical stress that occurs in conventional designs where torque is applied intermittently, thereby improving the strength and durability of the drivetrain components.
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 design increases energy capture and reduces mechanical stress by optimizing wind utilization and torque stability, enhancing efficiency and reducing self-starting issues.
Implementation Method 1
conventional drag-based wind turbines suffer from inefficiencies
Data Source
AI summary
A wind turbine rotor includes an axle, a plurality of primary blades disposed at regular intervals around the axle, and a plurality of secondary blades disposed around the axle between primary blades of the plurality of primary blades. Each secondary blade of the plurality of secondary blades is smaller than each primary blade of the plurality of primary blades.