Energy Tower Wind Capture and Moisture-Driven Downdraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for capturing mechanical energy from environmental forces like wind and hot/dry air are inefficient due to variability in intensity and cyclical nature, leading to unreliable energy production.
Innovation Solution
A novel energy tower design that generates downward winds by adding moisture to hot-dry air, using sensors to control moisture levels and channeling winds through multiple wind tunnels and turbines, with adjustable shunts to optimize energy conversion across varying conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If windmills are used to capture wind energy, then mechanical energy can be converted to electrical energy, but the energy production becomes unreliable due to varying wind speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple wind capture structures (exterior wind-capture structures and interior wind-generation structures) into a single integrated tower system. This merging allows the system to capture wind energy from multiple directions and sources simultaneously, reducing reliance on variable external wind conditions and improving overall energy production reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary moisture-addition system that adds moisture to hot-dry air to generate interior winds. This intermediary mechanism creates a controllable internal wind source that compensates for external wind variability, thereby stabilizing energy production and improving reliability.
2Productivity
If multiple wind tunnels and turbines are used to capture energy from different directions, then energy capture efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tower structure serves multiple functions: it acts as a support for exterior wind-capture structures, houses interior wind-generation structures, contains moisture-addition systems, and directs winds through multiple wind tunnels to various turbines. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high energy capture efficiency while managing complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the wind energy capture system into distinct segments: exterior wind-capture structures for external wind, interior wind-generation structures for internal wind generation, multiple wind tunnels for different wind directions, and separate turbine groups. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together as a unified system.
3Productivity
If shunts are used to direct winds to different turbines based on wind conditions, then energy conversion optimization improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable shunts that can dynamically redirect winds from different wind tunnels to different turbines based on real-time wind conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to optimize energy conversion efficiency by matching wind sources with appropriate turbines, while the mechanical adjustability keeps the control mechanism relatively simple compared to electronic control systems.
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
Enhances energy capture and conversion efficiency by stabilizing wind speeds and directing winds to optimize turbine operation, ensuring consistent electricity generation despite fluctuations in external wind conditions.
Implementation Method 1
generates downward winds by adding moisture to hot-dry air
Implementation Method 2
adding moisture to hot-dry air... generates downward winds
Implementation Method 3
channeling winds through multiple wind tunnels and turbines
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for producing electricity includes a tower capable of adding moisture at the top of the tower to hot-dry air so as to generate a downdraft of wind within the interior of the tower, vanes coupled to the exterior of the tower that at least partially define a plurality of elongated pockets at the exterior of the tower, flaps located within the pockets configured to redirect incident wind downwards, and at least a first wind tunnel configured to receive the redirected incident wind so as to convert such wind to electricity.