Horizontal Wind Turbine with Pivotable Louvers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind turbines are inefficient due to large propellers requiring tall masts, causing bird fatalities, complex maintenance, and variable blade geometry, which limits accessibility and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine design featuring a rotatable frame with airfoils extending parallel to the axis of rotation, surrounded by pivotable louvers that direct airflow to rotate the frame, allowing for efficient electricity generation with a low center of gravity and simplified airfoil cross-section, suitable for installation on buildings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional large propeller designs are used, then power generation capability is improved, but the turbine requires a tall and sturdy mast, increasing weight and installation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from vertical propeller rotation to horizontal airfoil rotation, changing the dimensional orientation of the power-generating component. This allows the turbine to generate power at lower heights without requiring tall masts, as the horizontal airfoils rotate parallel to the ground rather than vertically above it.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the generator from the top of the mast and positions it at ground level or on the building roof. This separation removes the need for the mast to support both the propeller and generator at height, significantly reducing the structural requirements and weight of the supporting structure.
2Power
If conventional propeller designs are used, then power generation is achieved, but access for repairs and servicing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The generator is extracted from the elevated position at the top of the mast and relocated to ground level or on the building roof. This physical relocation provides easy access for maintenance personnel and equipment, eliminating the difficulty of servicing components at height while maintaining power generation functionality.
3Power
If conventional propeller blade systems are used, then power generation occurs, but bird fatalities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the rotational plane from vertical to horizontal, positioning the rotating airfoils parallel to the ground rather than vertically above it. This dimensional change keeps the rotating components at lower heights where bird migration patterns are less concentrated, thereby reducing bird fatalities while maintaining power generation effectiveness.
4Power
If propeller blades rotate perpendicular to wind direction, then power generation is achieved, but blade geometry becomes complex and variable
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating blades perpendicular to the wind direction, the invention inverts the approach by having airfoils rotate parallel to the wind direction. This inversion simplifies the geometry, as the airfoils maintain a consistent cross-sectional shape throughout rotation, eliminating the need for variable and complex blade section geometries required in conventional perpendicular rotation designs.
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
This design reduces the need for a strong mast, increases power output by heightening airfoils, enhances stability, and facilitates easy maintenance by positioning the generator close to the ground, while capturing wind from various directions with a single airfoil cross-section and optimized torque lever arm.
Implementation Method 1
A third advantage of using airfoils is that the same airfoil cross section can be used across the entire width of the airfoil
Implementation Method 2
by using airfoils, it uses both lift over the airfoil and drag across the airfoil to cause the rotatable frame to rotate
Implementation Method 3
the enclosure comprises a plurality of moveable members configured to direct air flow onto a first portion of the rotatable frame and to block air flow onto a second portion of the rotatable frame
Data Source
AI summary
A wind turbine, including: a rotatable frame; a plurality of airfoils extending in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation of the rotatable frame; and an enclosure surrounding the rotatable frame, wherein the enclosure comprises a plurality of moveable members configured to direct air flow onto a first half of the rotatable frame and to block air flow onto a second half of the rotatable frame to thereby cause the rotatable frame to rotate. The moveable members may be pivotable louvers that can be opened by being oriented in a direction parallel to the direction of the air flow. By changing the orientation of the pivotable louvers, the present wind turbine can generate electricity from winds blowing in any direction.