Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine with Diffuser Grid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing low-power wind turbines are inefficient at low wind speeds and require specialized installation sites, limiting their energy efficiency and adaptability for household use, especially in areas with low wind speeds.

Innovation Solution

A wind turbine with a horizontal rotation axis and a diffuser body having a circular inlet and square outlet, featuring evenly distributed longitudinal protrusions forming a regular grid system on its inner surface, which increases wind speed and efficiency, allowing installation directly on buildings and reducing noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional wind turbines are used, then installation on special masts or towers is required, but this limits adaptability for household use and increases installation complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation adaptabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser body employs an asymmetric cross-sectional design, transitioning from circular at the inlet to square at the outlet. This asymmetric geometry enables the turbine to be mounted directly on building corners or edges while maintaining optimal aerodynamic performance, eliminating the need for specialized mast or tower installations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Productivity

If classic wind turbine designs are used, then energy efficiency is limited, but changing the design increases complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inner surface of the diffuser body features localized longitudinal protrusions arranged in a regular grid pattern. These protrusions create controlled turbulence and enhance mixing in specific regions of the flow, improving energy extraction efficiency without requiring a complete redesign of the entire turbine structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The diffuser body implements parameter changes through its varying cross-sectional area from inlet to outlet, and through the dimensional characteristics of the longitudinal protrusions. These geometric parameter variations optimize the pressure gradient and flow acceleration, significantly improving energy efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If wind turbines operate at low wind speeds, then adaptability to prevailing areas improves, but energy efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelow wind speed adaptabilityVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser body utilizes parameter changes in its geometric configuration, particularly the longitudinal protrusions that create optimal flow conditions at low wind speeds. The protrusion height and spacing are specifically designed to generate beneficial turbulence and pressure gradients that enhance energy extraction efficiency even when wind speeds are low, resolving the trade-off between low-speed adaptability and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 a 100% increase in output power compared to conventional turbines and improves wind energy utilization and noise reduction, making it suitable for low wind speeds and urban installations.

Implementation Method 1

a body 1 in the form of a diffuser... the inner surface of which is provided with longitudinal protrusions 8... ensuring a smooth flow of accelerated air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

a hub 4 of the rotor 5... wherein the rotor 5 drives a generator 7

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWind power conversion: Wind Power

Data Source

PatentEP4283114A1Wind turbine with horizontal rotation axis of a rotor
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 ACAD GORNICZO HUTNICZA IM STANISLAWA STASZICA
  • EP4283114A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4283114A1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP4283114A1 patent drawingFigure 8~9

AI summary

The invention relates to the design of a wind turbine with a horizontal rotation axis of a rotor, which has a high energy efficiency at low wind speeds and simplifies its installation directly on a roof of a building. The wind turbine with a horizontal rotation axis of the rotor has a body (1) in the form of a diffuser, the inlet opening (2) of which has a circular cross-section and the outlet opening (3) has a square cross-section. The hub (4) of the rotor (5) is fixed via radial ribs (6) in the inlet opening (2) of the diffuser (1). The length of the side (7) of the outlet opening (3) of the diffuser (1) and the distance between the inlet opening (2) and the outlet opening (3) of the diffuser (1) are equal to the diameter (D) of the inlet opening (2).