Wind Turbine Hub Fluidic Structure for Rotor-Root Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Horizontal-axis wind turbines suffer from inefficiencies due to Rotor-Root Leakage, which decreases kinetic energy extraction below the Betz Limit, and existing nosecones do not contribute to energy production or efficiency improvements.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic structure is designed to be attached to the hub of a wind turbine, featuring curved fluidic elements that rotate with the rotor blades, redirecting incident wind to the suction side of the blades and creating a high-pressure area to increase torque and efficiency, while also reducing noise and turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a fluidic turbine is used to drive the rotor, then continuous rotation can be achieved, but the turbine blades experience high stress and may fail due to cavitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the turbine component from the fluidic pump system. Instead of using a turbine to drive continuous rotation, the invention uses a rotor with fluid communication ports that allow fluid to directly actuate the rotor, eliminating the turbine and its associated cavitation and blade failure problems while maintaining continuous rotation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fluid communication ports as an intermediary mechanism between the fluid source and the rotor. This intermediary allows the fluid to directly transmit rotational force to the rotor without requiring a turbine, thereby eliminating the harmful cavitation effects and blade stress while achieving continuous rotation.
2Device complexity
If traditional fluidic pump designs are used, then the structure is simple, but the output fluid pressure and flow are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rotor into multiple segments with fluid communication ports positioned at different locations and orientations. This segmentation allows multiple fluid jets to act on different portions of the rotor simultaneously, increasing the total force and torque generated, thereby improving output fluid pressure and flow while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning fluid communication ports at specific locations and orientations on the rotor surface. This localized optimization allows fluid to be directed precisely where needed to maximize rotational force, improving overall productivity without requiring a completely complex system architecture.
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 fluidic structure enhances energy capture efficiency by increasing the induction factor and mass flow through the rotor, exceeding the Betz Limit and reducing noise emissions.
Implementation Method 1
a fluidic turbine, the rotor comprising a plurality of turbine blades, each turbine blade comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge, a pressure side, and a suction side
Implementation Method 2
the turbine blades may fail due to cavitation
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A fluidic structure configured to be mounted onto the hub of a fluidic turbine comprising a hub that rotates about a center axis, aligned to a main shaft that contributes torque to the main shaft of the turbine via the principle of lift and/or drag. The fluidic structure can be rigid or have some flexibility. The structure has two or more curved fluidic elements that extend from an upstream tip that aligns to the center axis of rotation, to a downstream end at some further radial position away from the center axis, and rotates about the center axis, wherein the two or more curved fluidic elements contain chord sections that are generally more wide at the upstream position and general more narrow at the downstream position.