Dual-Rotor Shrouded Wind Generator for Low-Airflow Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in making wind-powered generators more efficient and accessible for residential and portable applications, particularly in locations where wind power was previously insufficient or not feasible due to constraints like neighbor complaints, housing regulations, and insufficient wind airflow, which discouraged consumers from adopting green energy solutions.
Innovation Solution
A wind-powered generator design featuring a housing with a coaxial inlet, outlet, and throat, along with a nacelle containing two rotors, is developed. This design enhances laminar flow and energy extraction by optimizing the ratios of diameters and lengths within the housing and nacelle, and includes a voltage converter to match output voltage with installation sites, making it suitable for both residential and portable use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional wind turbines are used, then power generation is possible in high wind areas, but they cannot operate efficiently in locations with insufficient wind airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine is divided into modular components including a shroud housing, nacelle, and multiple rotors (first and second rotors). This segmentation allows the system to be optimized for low-wind conditions while maintaining adaptability to various installation locations including residential areas and portable applications
Solution Approach 2:
The shroud housing extends the effective rotor diameter without increasing the physical footprint at the installation site. By adding this dimensional element, the system captures more wind energy from surrounding areas, enabling efficient power generation in locations with otherwise insufficient local wind airflow
2Productivity
If wind-powered generators are installed in residential areas, then green energy production is enabled, but neighbor complaints and housing regulations prevent installation
Solution Approach 1:
The nacelle is nested within the shroud housing, with the first rotor positioned inside the inlet and the second rotor inside the outlet. This nested configuration consolidates all moving parts into a compact unit that reduces visual impact and noise propagation, making the system acceptable for residential installations
Solution Approach 2:
The shroud housing acts as an acoustic and visual barrier, enclosing the rotating components. This shell structure minimizes noise emission to neighbors and reduces the visual profile of the turbine, addressing the harmful factors that typically prevent residential installation
3Ease of manufacture
If exposed rotors are used, then simple construction is achieved, but protection from and to rotating parts is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The nacelle provides a protective enclosure for the first and second rotors, generators, and other sensitive components. This nested structure protects rotating parts from environmental damage while maintaining a relatively simple construction approach
Solution Approach 2:
The shroud housing and nacelle together form a protective shell that shields the rotating parts from debris, weather, and accidental contact. This shell protection significantly improves reliability without adding complex mechanical protection systems
4Device complexity
If single rotor design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but energy extraction efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The energy extraction system is segmented into two separate rotors: a first rotor at the inlet and a second rotor at the outlet. This segmentation allows each rotor to operate in optimized flow conditions, with the first rotor capturing initial wind energy and the second rotor extracting additional energy from the accelerated flow, thereby improving overall efficiency without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-rotor configuration adds a temporal dimension to energy extraction, capturing energy at two different stages of the airflow process rather than a single point. This increases total energy extraction efficiency while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design
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 improved design enables power generation in previously unsuitable locations, enhances energy extraction efficiency, and provides a portable solution for motorhomes and RVs, allowing them to operate off the grid for extended periods while protecting rotating parts and optimizing airflow.
Implementation Method 1
By providing a wind-powered generator according to the above, it becomes possible to generate power from wind in many locations that were previously unable to efficiently do so. Further, by shrouding and protecting the rotating portions of the wind-powered generator with an external housing, protection from and to the rotating parts can be provided while further enhancing laminar flow through the housing.
Data Source
AI summary
A wind-powered generator includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a throat that are coaxial about an axis of symmetry of the housing. A nacelle includes a first rotor mounted on a first end of the nacelle and positioned at least partially within the inlet, the first rotor outputting a first power output, and a second rotor mounted on a second end of the nacelle, the second rotor being positioned at least partially within the outlet and having a diameter less than the first rotor. The second rotor outputting a second power output. The first and second power outputs are combined to provide a combined power output, and a nacelle ratio between outer diameters of the nacelle at the inlet and at the outlet is between about 1.60-1.70, and a housing ratio between inner diameters of the housing at the inlet and at the outlet is about 1.85-1.97.