Floating Wind Turbine Weight-Balance Stabilization for Pitch Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating horizontal-axis wind turbines face instability issues due to pitch and yaw movements, which reduce efficiency and require active control systems, making them top-heavy and costly to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A floating horizontal-axis wind turbine design that maintains a horizontal rotational axis without active pitch control, using a rotatable ring with a weight balance system to stabilize the turbine, allowing for passive yaw control and integrating wave energy generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If active pitch control motors are installed in the hub to maintain constant rotational speed, then power generation efficiency is improved, but device complexity and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pitch control motors from the hub assembly entirely. Instead of actively controlling blade pitch through motors, the system uses passive aerodynamic design where the blades are fixed at an optimal angle, extracting the pitch control function from the mechanical system and relying on aerodynamic principles to maintain efficiency across varying wind conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind turbine system serves itself by using the natural aerodynamic forces of wind flow over the fixed-pitch blades to self-regulate power generation. The blade design inherently optimizes performance without requiring external control mechanisms, allowing the system to adapt to wind conditions through passive aerodynamic characteristics rather than active mechanical adjustment.
2Productivity
If blade-pitch motors are added to control angle of attack, then constant electrical output is achieved, but structural weakness and design complication occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pitch control mechanism from the blade-hub structure, eliminating motors and associated mounting hardware that create structural weak points. The fixed-pitch design removes the need for complex drive shafts, gears, and motor assemblies within the hub, resulting in a simpler, stronger blade-hub connection that is free from the mechanical components that would compromise structural integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If floating platform is used for deep water installation, then offshore wind energy harvesting is enabled, but stability against pitch and yaw movements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The floating wind turbine system uses passive aerodynamic stabilization where the fixed-pitch blades and horizontal-axis design inherently resist pitch and yaw movements through aerodynamic forces. The system self-corrects orientation by relying on the natural tendency of the aerodynamically optimized blades to align with wind flow, eliminating the need for active stabilization systems while maintaining stability in the floating configuration.
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
Enables efficient operation with reduced complexity and cost by eliminating the need for active pitch and yaw controls, while also harnessing wave energy for additional power generation.
Implementation Method 1
A floating horizontal-axis wind turbine design that maintains a horizontal rotational axis without active pitch control, using a rotatable ring with a weight balance system to stabilize the turbine
Data Source
AI summary
The nacelle (27) of a horizontal axis wind turbine (WT) is mounted on a vertical support (VS) by means of a pivot (33). The vertical support is mounted off-center with respect to a floating, rotatable support (7). A weight (43) functionally attached to the nacelle maintains the axis of the turbine horizontal as the floating support pitches (rotates forward and back). The weight is attached to an elongate vertical element (41). Relative motion between the vertical element (41) and the pitching floating support (HS) generates an electric current.