Modular Wind Turbine with Toroidal Support and Baffles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wind turbines face issues with noise, lack of versatility, and durability, and perform below optimal levels, with existing multi-turbine units being difficult to implement in practical applications.

Innovation Solution

A modular multi-turbine unit incorporating optionally inflatable ribbed toroidal support structures, swivelably reversible turbines, air flow directing shrouds, and a computer control system to optimize turbine positioning and operation for maximum power generation, including features like radar for object detection and predictive wind modeling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If conventional wind turbines use large blades to capture more wind energy, then power generation capability is improved, but noise levels increase to unacceptable amounts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation capabilityVSAvoidnoise levels

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides a single large turbine into multiple smaller turbines arranged in a multi-turbine unit. Each turbine has smaller blades that generate less noise individually, while the collective arrangement maintains high power generation capability. The unit includes multiple turbines with rotors mounted on a common platform, allowing distributed energy capture without the noise problems of a single large turbine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If conventional wind turbines use fixed single-turbine design, then structural simplicity is maintained, but versatility and adaptability to different wind conditions are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to wind conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamically adjustable multi-turbine unit where turbines can be repositioned, reconfigured, and oriented to optimize performance under varying wind conditions. The platform allows turbines to be moved between operational and storage positions, and the entire unit can be rotated to face different wind directions. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to respond to changing environmental conditions while maintaining a relatively simple modular structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If conventional wind turbines operate continuously in high winds, then power generation is maximized, but risk of damage from high winds or obstacles increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generationVSAvoidrisk of damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates radar detection systems that identify obstacles and high-wind conditions before they become dangerous. The control system uses this advance information to proactively move turbines to protective positions or shut them down before damage can occur. This preliminary action allows the system to maintain power generation during safe conditions while preventing damage during hazardous conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors wind conditions, turbine performance, and obstacle detection data. The control system processes this information and automatically adjusts turbine positions, orientations, and operational status to optimize power generation while preventing damage. The feedback loop enables real-time adjustments based on changing conditions, balancing productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Power

If existing multi-turbine units are implemented as proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,505, then power generation capacity is increased, but implementation difficulty and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation capacityVSAvoidimplementation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the multi-turbine system into modular, independently manufacturable components including a platform, multiple turbines, support structures, and control systems. Each module can be manufactured separately using standard fabrication processes, then assembled on-site. This segmentation reduces implementation difficulty compared to building a single complex multi-turbine structure, while still achieving high power generation capacity through the combined output of multiple turbines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 modular design enhances efficiency and durability, reduces noise, and allows for continuous power generation even if one turbine fails, with the control system optimizing turbine positioning and operation to maximize energy production while preventing damage from high winds and objects.

Implementation Method 1

the baffle includes at least one component selectively variably adjustable so as to vary the force, direction, or disruption of flow of fluid thereby, relative to the wind turbine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow control:

Implementation Method 2

a wind turbine located proximal to the concave portion of the toroidal support structure, wherein the wind turbine travels about at least a portion of the concave portion of the toroidal support structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWind power generation: Wind Power

Implementation Method 3

a control system configurable for: monitoring and controlling operations of the wind turbine system, the controlling of the operations including at least causing the wind turbine or baffle to be positioned to maximize generation of power from wind

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPower measurement and control:

Implementation Method 4

determining when the wind turbine is rotating at a speed greater than or equal to a threshold speed, the threshold speed being set to indicate that a rotation of the wind turbine at a speed exceeding the threshold speed is associated with a risk of damage to the wind turbine; and reducing the rotation speed of the wind turbine to a speed below the threshold speed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpeed control:

Implementation Method 5

the control system further comprises a radar, wherein the radar is configurable to detect an object in a vicinity of the wind turbine, and wherein the detection of the object is performed prior to the object being in a physical contact with the wind turbine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadar detection: Radar

Data Source

PatentUS11649805B2Modular wind turbine including wind directing features, systems, and methods of use thereof

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 KKR IP LLC

AI summary

A modular wind turbine system and a method of use thereof are provided. The system comprises: a mounting frame; a fixed toroidal support structure attached to the mounting frame, the toroidal support structure having a concave portion and a convex portion; a wind turbine located proximal to the concave portion of the toroidal support structure, wherein the wind turbine travels about at least a portion of the concave portion of the toroidal support structure; and a first baffle, wherein the first baffle extends about the portion of the concave portion of the toroidal support structure about which the first turbine travels, wherein the baffle surrounds a portion of the wind turbine opposite the fixed toroidal support structure, and wherein the baffle includes at least one component selectively variably adjustable so as to vary the force, direction, or disruption of flow of fluid thereby, relative to the wind turbine.