Mastless Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Tensioned Sail Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical axis wind turbines are mechanically inefficient, cumbersome, and expensive due to the use of a central mast, which induces mechanical inefficiencies and breakdowns, and are also unsightly, dangerous to wildlife, and difficult to transport.
Innovation Solution
A mastless vertical axis wind turbine design that uses a plurality of sails rotating about a vertical axis under wind influence, with a bottom platform and a connector system that places the sails under tension at both the bottom and top edges, eliminating the need for a central mast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a central mast is used to anchor rotating vanes in vertical axis wind turbines, then the structural stability is improved, but the mechanical efficiency deteriorates due to torsional forces and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the central mast from the vertical axis wind turbine design, extracting the problematic component that caused torsional forces and mechanical inefficiency. The rotating vanes are reconfigured to be anchored at their trailing edges to a stationary support structure, eliminating the need for a rotating mast while maintaining structural stability through the bottom platform and tension connector system.
2Strength
If a central mast is used to support rotating vanes, then the structural support is improved, but the weight and cost of materials increase
Solution Approach 1:
The central mast is completely removed from the design, eliminating its weight and material cost. The structural support function is redistributed to a bottom platform that anchors the leading edges of the vanes and tension connectors that secure the trailing edges, creating a lighter overall structure while maintaining necessary structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is segmented into discrete functional components: a bottom platform for anchoring leading edges and tension connectors for securing trailing edges. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and eliminates the need for a single heavy central mast, reducing overall material weight and cost.
3Strength
If heavy blades and wheels are used in vertical axis wind turbines, then the structural integrity is improved, but the safety hazards to wildlife and surrounding objects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy rigid blades and wheels with flexible sail-like vanes that are tensioned between the bottom platform and top support. These flexible surfaces maintain structural integrity through tension rather than mass, significantly reducing the weight and potential harm to wildlife and surrounding objects while the turbine is operating.
4Strength
If a central mast is used in vertical axis wind turbines, then the anchoring of rotating vanes is improved, but the ease of transport and deployment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine structure is divided into separable components: a bottom platform, tension connectors, and sail vanes. This segmentation allows the components to be transported separately and assembled at the deployment location, greatly improving ease of transport and deployment compared to a monolithic central mast structure, while the tensioned connector system provides adequate anchoring capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A mastless vertical axis wind turbine that comprises a plurality of sails that rotate about a vertical axis under the influence of wind. A platform is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the bottom of the plurality of the sails. Also, an external frame is connected to and in tension with the plurality of sails at one or more points about the top of the plurality of the sails. The external frame itself comprises a plurality of legs that converge above the plurality of sails at a central point about the vertical axis of rotation and extend beyond the path swept by the plurality of sails. A coupling mechanism connects one or more of the plurality of legs to the plurality of sails and allows the sails to rotate about the vertical axis of rotation while the legs remain stationary.