Movable Stator Wind Generator for Voltage Control Without Braking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Small wind turbines face challenges in regulating voltage output due to mechanical complexity, noise, vibration, and high costs, particularly in varying wind conditions, which limits their wider adoption and acceptance.

Innovation Solution

A self-regulating generator system that adjusts output voltage by moving a stator relative to a rotor using an actuator, allowing the propeller to spin freely without mechanical braking, and controlling voltage through the variable positioning of the stator within the rotor's magnetic field.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical control mechanisms (tail yawing, blade furling, blade pitch) are used to regulate voltage output, then voltage regulation is achieved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to mechanical malfunction and damage risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage regulation reliabilityVSAvoidmechanical control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical control mechanisms (tail yawing, blade furling, blade pitch adjustment) with an electromagnetic control system. The stator is positioned at different distances from the rotor using electromagnetic actuators, eliminating the need for complex mechanical moving parts while achieving voltage regulation. This substitution directly resolves the contradiction by removing mechanical complexity while maintaining regulation reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary electromagnetic field control mechanism between the wind energy input and electrical output. By controlling the stator's position relative to the rotor through electromagnetic means, the system mediates the energy conversion process without requiring direct mechanical intervention, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while ensuring reliable voltage control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If mechanical control mechanisms are used to adjust blade angle or propeller rotation, then voltage output is regulated, but noise and vibration increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise and vibrationVSAvoidvoltage regulation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates mechanical blade adjustment mechanisms (tail yawing, blade furling) that cause noise and vibration by replacing them with electromagnetic positioning of the stator. The electromagnetic actuators move the stator smoothly without the sudden mechanical movements that generate noise and vibration, while maintaining full voltage regulation capability through field control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of energy

If resistor banks are used to discharge load from the turbine generator, then voltage regulation is achieved, but energy loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy discharge lossVSAvoidvoltage control stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces resistor bank load discharge with electromagnetic field control. By adjusting the stator's position relative to the rotor, the system controls voltage output directly at the source rather than dissipating excess energy through resistors. This eliminates energy loss while maintaining stable voltage control through precise magnetic field positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If the propeller rotation is restricted or turned off to control generator output, then voltage output is limited, but wind energy capture efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind energy capture efficiencyVSAvoidvoltage output control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent allows the propeller to rotate freely at full speed to maximize wind energy capture, while using electromagnetic positioning of the stator to control the voltage output. This decouples the mechanical rotation control from electrical output control, enabling full productivity while maintaining reliable voltage control through field adjustment rather than mechanical restriction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system effectively stabilizes voltage output without mechanical complexity, reducing noise and vibration, and lowers costs, making it more suitable for residential and remote applications.

Implementation Method 1

A rotor that spins responsive to the propeller and a stator that is movable with respect to the rotor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250369422A1Self-regulating small wind turbine generator system and method

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 MARSH DANIEL F

AI summary

A small turbine generator is connected to a wind turbine. The wind turbine spins freely due to a variable wind force on the wind turbine. The generator includes a spinning rotor that is responsive and spins proportional to spin of the wind turbine. A stator is connected to an actuator. The stator is selectively moved by the actuator nearer to or further from the rotor to vary the electrical power generated. Movement of the stator is controlled such that an electrical measure, such as voltage of the electrical power generated, does not exceed a threshold level.