Fluid Machine Differential Mechanism for Passive-Yaw Wind Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind power generation units face challenges in applying a differential apparatus between front and rear blades, making it difficult to implement passive-yaw type systems where blades swing passively with wind direction, and require complex setups that increase costs and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A fluid machine with a rotating shaft and differential mechanism between rotors, allowing efficient transmission of rotational force to a power generation shaft, enabling passive-yaw operation and simplifying the structure by allowing rotors to rotate in the same direction, reducing the need for counter-rotation mechanisms and minimizing blade interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the differential apparatus is provided directly above the tower between front and rear blades, then the rotational force can be combined, but the power generator must be offset horizontally from the tower center, making it difficult to apply to passive-yaw type systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the differential mechanism from a vertical arrangement (directly above the tower) to a horizontal arrangement (between rotors along the rotational axis). This dimensional change allows the power generator to be positioned at the center of the tower while maintaining differential functionality, enabling passive-yaw type system compatibility.
2Power
If multiple rotors are used to increase power generation capacity, then more rotational force can be generated, but the load (rotation resistance) from the power generation shaft increases on each rotor
Solution Approach 1:
The differential mechanism acts as an intermediary between multiple rotors and the power generation shaft. It combines rotational force from multiple rotors while distributing the load, allowing each rotor to operate with reduced rotation resistance while collectively generating increased power capacity.
3Volume of moving object
If rotors are positioned closer together to reduce space, then the structure is more compact, but blade interference between rotors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions rotors asymmetrically along the rotational axis with optimized spacing, and designs blades with asymmetric pitch angles. This asymmetric configuration allows rotors to be positioned closer together while minimizing blade interference through differential blade orientation and timing.
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 fluid machine achieves efficient power generation with reduced load on rotors, improved startup properties, and cost-effective maintenance by allowing passive-yaw operation and simplifying the structure, while maintaining high efficiency and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a differential mechanism that is provided between a pair of rotors lying adjacent to each other in the rotational axis direction, and that combines the rotational force from each of the pair of rotors and transmits the rotational force to the rotating shaft
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of rotors that are provided on the rotating shaft so as to be able to rotate in a circumferential direction of the rotating shaft, and that are arranged so as to be spaced in a rotational axis direction parallel to the axis of the rotating shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid machine including a rotating shaft that extends parallel to a power generation shaft of a power generation unit, and that has an end coupled to the power generation shaft; a multiple rotors that are provided on the rotating shaft so as to be able to rotate in a circumferential direction of the rotating shaft, and that are arranged so as to be spaced in a rotational axis direction parallel to the axis of the rotating shaft; and a differential mechanism that is provided between a pair of rotors lying adjacent to each other in the rotational axis direction, and that combines the rotational force from each of the pair of rotors and transmits the rotational force to the rotating shaft.