Ground-Mounted Wind Cyclo-Turbine for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind power technologies, particularly tower-mounted fan turbines, face inefficiencies and high costs due to noise pollution, limited adaptability, and infrastructure constraints, which hinder the efficient and economical exploitation of wind energy.
Innovation Solution
The Wind Cyclo-Turbine system features near-vertical blades pivotally mounted on a rotatable platform flush with the ground, with a coordination mechanism to control blade angle-of-attack and cyclic rotation, minimizing noise and maximizing power output by matching rotor speed with wind speed, and using linear generator technology to eliminate gearbox units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If tower-mounted fan turbines are used, then power generation capability is achieved, but noise pollution increases and adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional tower-mounted configuration by placing the rotor platform flush with the ground and using near-vertical blades rotating about a vertical axis. This inversion eliminates the tall tower structure that generates noise and allows the generator to be positioned at or below ground level, thereby reducing noise pollution while maintaining power generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal blade rotation (conventional fan turbines) to vertical blade rotation about a vertical axis. This dimensional change in the rotation plane allows the rotor to be ground-mounted rather than tower-mounted, fundamentally altering the noise generation characteristics and enabling better adaptability to various sites.
2Power
If tower-mounted fan turbines are used, then power generation is achieved, but infrastructure costs increase and site versatility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the conventional configuration and eliminating the tall tower structure, the patent significantly reduces infrastructure material requirements and construction costs. The rotor platform is positioned at ground level, removing the need for expensive tower fabrication, transportation, and assembly while maintaining power generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the tower structure from the conventional wind turbine system, retaining only the essential power generation components (blades, rotor, generator) positioned at ground level. This extraction removes the source of high infrastructure costs while preserving the core function of power generation.
3Power
If conventional fan turbines are used, then power generation is achieved, but adaptability to different sites is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The inverted configuration with ground-level rotor placement and vertical axis rotation enables the system to adapt to sites where tower mounting is impractical or prohibited. The compact ground-footprint design allows installation in urban environments, restricted zones, and varied topographies, significantly enhancing site versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal platform that can be deployed across diverse site conditions through the ground-mounted configuration. The system's adaptability to different wind regimes, site constraints, and environmental conditions makes it applicable to a broader range of locations compared to conventional tower-mounted turbines.
4Power
If gearbox units are used in conventional turbines, then power transmission is achieved, but system complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gearbox transmission system with a direct-drive configuration where the rotor connects directly to the generator. This eliminates the gearbox, reducing mechanical complexity, maintenance requirements, and potential failure points while maintaining efficient power transmission from the rotor to the generator.
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 Wind Cyclo-Turbine achieves 4 to 5 times more power per unit wind capture area and speed, reduces noise, and lowers infrastructure costs with adaptable configurations, enhancing site versatility and power distribution efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Wind forces are generated on the blades causing the platform rotor to turn thereby generating shaft power
Implementation Method 2
An electrical generator coupled to the platform rotor converts the shaft power to electrical power
Data Source
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AI summary
A mechanical device system that draws power from the wind by means of near-vertical blades pivotally mounted on a platform rotor that is flush with the ground and rotatable about a vertical axis, Wind forces are generated on the blades causing the platform rotor to turn thereby generating shaft power. An electrical generator coupled to the platform rotor converts the shaft power to electrical power, which is then distributed through conventional transmission means. The power output is maximized for a given wind speed by cyclically controlling each blade rotation to intercept the relative wind vector so as to create maximum blade forces over the periodic cycle. The blade axes are canted to match the rotational speed to the normal speed gradient of the prevailing wind to maintain constant (pi∗h∗D)/Vw at all levels. The turbine is mounted atop an earth mound tailored to accelerate the flow near the ground to produce an optimum wind speed profile.