Mast-Mounted Wind Generator with Foldable Blades for Sailboats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind generators installed on sailboats are inefficient due to their low placement, which results in noise disturbance and reduced energy production, as they operate in less windy and more turbulent areas, and occupy valuable space, hindering sail maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A wind generator positioned higher on the mast, with movable blades that can be folded into a minimal obstruction position, allowing it to capture more intense and less turbulent winds while reducing noise and interference with sail operations, and utilizing the boat's ability to orient itself with the wind.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the wind generator is installed in a lower part of the boat near the cockpit, then it avoids hindering sail maneuvers, but it produces disturbing noise and operates in less efficient wind conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the wind generator from the traditional low-position installation near the cockpit to a higher dimension on the mast. This vertical displacement resolves the contradiction by placing the generator in a location that does not interfere with sail maneuvers while simultaneously improving wind capture efficiency and reducing noise impact on crew areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind generator is extracted from the lower boat structure and repositioned to the mast. This separation removes the noise source from proximity to crew living spaces and operational areas, thereby eliminating the harmful noise effect while maintaining operational functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If the wind generator is installed in a lower part of the boat, then it is easier to install and access, but it results in less energy efficiency due to weaker and more turbulent wind
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating the generator to the mast (vertical dimension), the system accesses stronger and less turbulent wind resources. The mast position provides superior wind conditions for energy generation while the modular design maintains installation feasibility through standardized mounting interfaces.
3Productivity
If the wind generator is positioned higher on the mast, then it captures more intense and less turbulent winds, but it may interfere with sail maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates movable blades that can be adjusted or folded. This dynamic capability allows the generator to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements, enabling it to capture wind efficiently during normal operation while being reconfigurable to minimize interference with sail maneuvers when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind generator is designed as a modular system with separable components, particularly the blades that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for energy capture in certain configurations while reducing profile or adjusting blade positions to accommodate sail operations in others.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If longer blades are used to reduce rotation speed and noise, then noise is reduced, but the generator occupies more space and may hinder sail maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The blades are designed to be movable and adjustable in length or configuration. This dynamic feature allows the system to use longer blades for noise reduction during periods when sail maneuvers are not required, while enabling blade retraction or folding to minimize space occupation when sail operations need to occur.
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 solution enhances energy efficiency, reduces noise disturbance, and allows for longer blade usage with lower rotation speeds, enabling the generator to operate effectively without hindering sail maneuvers and preserving living space on the boat.
Implementation Method 1
a wind generator (1) fixed to the crosstree and provided with a distribution of blades (2) arranged to rotate in response to receiving a wind flow (F) incident thereon
Implementation Method 2
an electric generator (3) operatively connected to the wind generator (1) to convert the rotation of the blades (2) into electricity
Data Source
AI summary
A wind generator for sailboats including a mast (A) provided with crosstrees (C), including: at least one wind generator (1) provided with a distribution of blades (2) arranged to rotate integrally with a shaft (6) of axis (a) in response to receiving a wind flow in an active direction (v) incident to the blades distribution; an electric generator (3) operatively connected to the generator (1) for converting the rotation of the blades (2) into electricity, comprising structure (22, 41) for fixing the generator (1) to a crosstree (C), and with the blades (2) being movable from an open operating position (P1) of maximum incidence of wind flow (F) to a closed non-operating position (P2) of minimum obstruction.