Helical Vane Vertical Axis Turbine for Low Wind Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical axis turbines face issues such as pulsing power cycles, variable angle of attack, high centrifugal stresses, and decreased torque at low fluid flow speeds, particularly when increasing the tip speed ratio.
Innovation Solution
A vertical axis turbine assembly with elongated wings featuring an airfoil-enhanced helical vane profile, a 60° rotational twist, and a continuously curved inner surface, mounted about a central axis, which maintains a constant angle of attack and utilizes concentrically symmetric arms to enhance stability and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tip speed ratio is increased to improve efficiency, then power generation efficiency improves, but torque decreases especially at low fluid flow speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine wing employs a variable pitch mechanism that dynamically adjusts the angle of attack based on operating conditions. At low fluid flow speeds, the pitch angle is optimized to maximize torque production, while at higher speeds it adjusts to maintain efficient power generation. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between torque and efficiency across varying operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the geometric parameters of the turbine wing, specifically implementing a helical vane profile with 60° rotational twist from bottom to top. This parameter modification allows the wing to maintain optimal angle of attack across different rotational positions and fluid flow speeds, enabling both high torque at low speeds and high efficiency at elevated speeds.
2Adaptability or versatility
If vertical axis turbine design is used for omni-directional flow, then adaptability to flow direction improves, but pulsing power cycle and variable angle of attack occur
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine wing features an asymmetric helical vane profile with 60° rotational twist that is specifically designed to compensate for the variable angle of attack inherent in vertical axis turbines. This asymmetric geometry ensures that the effective angle of attack remains relatively constant throughout the rotation cycle, stabilizing power output while maintaining omni-directional adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous curvature of the helical vane profile creates a smooth, progressive change in blade orientation throughout the rotation. This curvature ensures that fluid flow interacts with the wing at a relatively constant angle regardless of rotational position or flow direction, eliminating pulsing power cycles while preserving the ability to capture omni-directional flow.
3Stability of the object's composition
If airfoil profile with helical vane is used, then torque stability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex helical vane profile is segmented into standardized sections that can be manufactured separately using conventional techniques and then assembled. This segmentation maintains the torque-stabilizing helical geometry while making the manufacturing process more manageable and less complex than creating the entire profile as a single custom component.
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 design achieves unidirectional rotation under omni-directional fluid flows, increasing efficiency at low wind speeds, reducing noise, vibration, and turbine damage, while maintaining a stable torque and adaptive lift-to-drag ratio.
Implementation Method 1
each turbine wing having an airfoil enhanced helical vane profile
Implementation Method 2
each turbine wing having an airfoil enhanced helical vane profile with a continuously curved inner foil surface and a cut-away portion on an outer foil surface
Implementation Method 3
each turbine wing having an airfoil enhanced helical vane profile, which is formed as a result of 60° left (against counterclockwise) rotational twist from bottom to top around axis (Z) at the distance equal to turbine's radius (D/2)
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid, vertical axis helical turbine assembly capable of providing unidirectional rotation under an omni-directional low speed obverse fluid flow (gas or liquid), respectively gas flow is disclosed. The assembly comprises a minimum (but not limited to) of three hybrid (airfoil enhanced helical vane profile) wings, which are substantially spaced from the vertical axis (Z) and circumferentially spaced from one another. Each hybrid wing is fixed to the center hub in a rigid position by two or more arms, which are symmetrically located from each other in conjunction with the hub's horizontal axis (X). The hybrid, vertical axis helical turbine assembly provides high torque at very low wind speed because of the absolute symmetric airfoil enhanced helical vane profile wing, which design maintain adaptive lift to drag ratio over the one rotational revolution time line in coincidence of the upwind direction. These characteristics make the hybrid, vertical axis helical turbine assembly suitable for urban off grid and grid tie applications in low wind speed areas and areas of reputable wind turbulence.