Flexible Rotor Blades Coiling for Wind Turbine Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine designs are inefficient due to heavy, non-flexible blade structures and complex maintenance requirements, making them difficult to erect and maintain, and they struggle with varying wind conditions.
Innovation Solution
A rotor system with flexible blades that coil around a common axis, utilizing two rotating members connected to a collapsible mast, allowing for adjustable pitch and reduced complexity through actuating means that control blade shape and rotation speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If heavy, non-flexible blade structures are used, then structural strength is improved, but ease of manufacture and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible blades made from lightweight materials that can bend and coil during operation. These flexible blades replace traditional heavy rigid structures, reducing manufacturing complexity and maintenance requirements while maintaining sufficient structural strength through their elastic properties and ability to adapt to wind loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The blades are designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing them to change shape and coil around the rotor axis during operation. This dynamic behavior enables the blades to adapt to varying wind conditions, reducing the need for heavy reinforcement and complex maintenance systems while maintaining operational strength.
2Stability of the object's composition
If complex support tethers or frames are used, then stability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes complex support tethers and frames from the turbine design, achieving stability through the flexible blades themselves. The blades' ability to coil and adapt to wind conditions provides inherent stability without requiring additional support structures, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible blades serve dual functions: they generate power from wind and simultaneously provide structural stability through their coiling mechanism. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate complex support systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining turbine stability.
3Manufacturing precision
If rigid blade designs are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to varying wind conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible blade materials that can be manufactured with precision in their relaxed state but naturally adapt their shape during operation. The flexibility allows the blades to coil and adjust to varying wind conditions, maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving superior adaptability compared to rigid designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The blades undergo parameter changes in their physical state during operation, transitioning from a rigid manufactured state to a coiled adaptive state. This allows them to maintain manufacturing precision during production while adapting to different wind conditions during operation, resolving the contradiction between precision and adaptability.
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 enhances efficiency by adapting to varying wind conditions, reduces maintenance complexity, and allows for easier installation and operation by utilizing lightweight, flexible blades that can adjust their pitch and shape to optimize energy extraction.
Implementation Method 1
The relative rotation causes the flexible blades to coil around the common axis and subsequently the ends of each blade to move closer together by movement of at least one of the rotating members along the common axis. It may, therefore, be the coiling of the blades in response to the relative rotation that exerts a force to move the ends of the blades closer together.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention relate to a rotor system, particularly for use in a wind turbine generator system. A support (11) is provided having first and second rotating members (12, 13) coupled thereto, the rotating members being able to rotate about a common axis. One or more flexible blades (14, 15) having at least two ends are provided, one end being mounted on the first rotating member and another end being mounted on the second rotating member, so that they may rotate about the common axis. Actuating means are provided, being arranged to cause the ends of each blade to move closer together by movement of at least one of the rotating members along the common axis. The first and second rotating members are arranged to rotate relative to each other, said rotation allowing the flexible blades to coil around an axis.