Modular Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine with Adjustable Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vertical-axis windpower generating systems face challenges in balancing rotation and reducing noise and manufacturing costs, particularly in the design and assembly of fan units with conventional blade and axle configurations.
Innovation Solution
A modulized vertical-axis windpower fan unit design featuring a central axle with adjustable weight supports and connecting units that allow for easy assembly and disassembly, along with a connecting mechanism between blades and supports to enhance stability and reduce noise, while also lowering manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional connection interface between blades and blade supports is used, then the manufacturing cost is higher, but the connection strength and rotational balance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting unit integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support for the blade, serves as a balancing weight adjustment mechanism, and enables modular assembly with blade supports. This merging reduces the number of separate parts needed, lowering manufacturing complexity and cost while improving connection strength through a unified robust interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting unit is designed as a multi-functional element that simultaneously acts as a structural connector, a balancing weight carrier, and a modular assembly interface. This universal design allows the same component to fulfill multiple roles in the wind power system, reducing overall part count and manufacturing cost while ensuring strong, balanced connections between blades and blade supports.
2Productivity
If the fan unit design lacks modularity, then the manufacturing cost is lower, but the assembly and disassembly time is longer
Solution Approach 1:
The fan unit is divided into modular segments including the blade, connecting unit, and blade support as distinct but interoperable components. The connecting unit serves as a standardized interface that enables quick assembly and disassembly of these segments. This segmentation increases initial design complexity but dramatically reduces assembly time and facilitates maintenance by allowing individual components to be replaced independently.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the blade supports have fixed weight, then the manufacturing cost is lower, but the rotational balance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The blade support incorporates an adjustable weight mechanism through the connecting unit, allowing the balance characteristics of the fan unit to be dynamically adjusted during assembly or maintenance. This dynamic capability enables optimization of rotational balance for different operating conditions while maintaining a relatively simple base structure, achieving better balance without proportionally increasing manufacturing cost.
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 provides a balanced and stable power generation system with reduced noise and lower manufacturing costs, enabling efficient electricity production and flexible module configuration according to demand.
Implementation Method 1
The windpower generator is one of the most important energy technologies because windpower is clean, low greenhouse gas emission, and renewable
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a vertical-axis windpower fan unit using a central axle having modulized design for assembling or disassembling quickly and includes supporting arms with capability of weight adjustment so as to balance the rotation of the fan unit. In one embodiment, the present invention further provides a coaxial fan module comprising a plurality of fan units coupled sequentially wherein a blade of each fan unit is disposed in the middle position with respect to the two blades of the adjacent fan unit for reducing unbalance and eliminating vibrational noise while the fan module is rotating. In addition, in another embodiment, the present invention further provides a power generating system comprising the coaxial fan module and a power generator unit coupled to the coaxial fan module so as to generate electricity.