Multi-floor Eductor Vertical Wind Turbine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vertical-axis wind turbines lack acceptable efficiency and practicality for commercial power production, and horizontal-axis wind turbines face limitations such as low capacity credit, high maintenance costs, and environmental issues due to their size and location requirements.
Innovation Solution
A multi-blade, vertical-axis wind turbine system utilizing a multi-floor eductor to accelerate low-speed winds to higher speeds, with rotor-blade assemblies mounted on a shared vertical-axis rotor shaft, generating electricity through a gear-less high-speed generator, and utilizing advanced materials and mechanisms to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional vertical-axis wind turbines (Savonius or Darrieus designs) are used, then the structure is simpler and can operate at lower heights, but the energy capture efficiency is insufficient and cannot meet commercial power production requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine is divided into multiple blade assemblies arranged vertically along the shaft, with each blade assembly operating independently in different vertical zones. This segmentation allows each blade to be optimized for its specific operating conditions while collectively achieving high energy capture efficiency across the entire turbine structure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional two-dimensional blade profiles to three-dimensional helical blade assemblies that wrap around the vertical shaft. This dimensional change enables the blades to capture wind energy from multiple directions and angles simultaneously, dramatically improving energy capture efficiency while maintaining vertical-axis simplicity
2Productivity
If horizontal-axis wind turbines are used to increase power output, then energy capture improves, but the systems require supersized towers and blades increasing transportation and installation costs to 20% of equipment costs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing horizontal blade span to capture more wind energy, the invention inverts the approach by stacking multiple blade assemblies vertically. This allows the turbine to achieve high power output through vertical accumulation of energy capture surfaces rather than horizontal expansion, avoiding the need for supersized towers and blades
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assemblies are designed with adjustable pitch angles and can be independently controlled to optimize performance under varying wind conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the turbine to maintain high efficiency across a wide range of operating conditions without requiring oversized components
3Power
If horizontal-axis wind turbines are deployed to meet energy demands, then power generation capacity increases, but capacity credit remains very low at 10-16% and annual output is only 15-30% of capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors wind speed, direction, and turbine performance, automatically adjusting blade pitch angles and rotational speed to optimize energy capture. This real-time feedback control ensures the turbine operates at peak efficiency across varying conditions, maximizing both power generation and capacity credit
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs variable pitch control and adjustable rotational speed to adapt to changing wind conditions. By dynamically changing operational parameters rather than relying on fixed-design-point turbines, the system maintains high capacity utilization and improves reliability metrics
4Productivity
If taller towers and larger blades are used to increase wind speed capture, then energy production improves, but transportation and installation costs increase to 20% of equipment costs
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine structure is segmented into modular blade assemblies that can be manufactured separately and assembled on-site. This modular approach allows each component to be transported in manageable sizes while achieving the performance of a larger turbine when assembled, significantly reducing transportation and installation costs
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 achieves a significant increase in wind energy capture, reduces operational and maintenance costs, allows for wider site location options, and improves aesthetics, making it more viable for commercial power production compared to existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
each floor of the eductor is configured with a constricted portion designed to increase the air speed through the eductor
Implementation Method 2
Savonius wind turbines utilize of a number of aerofoils vertically mounted on a rotating shaft or framework. However, it can only use drag and, therefore, cannot harvest sufficient wind energy
Implementation Method 3
Rotation of the shaft generates electricity, via a generator
Data Source
AI summary
An eduction industrial power system is provided. The system includes one or more vertical-axis wind turbine power plants. Wind is accelerated through a multi-floor eductor of the power plant. Each floor of the eductor is configured with a constricted portion designed to increase the air speed through the eductor, such that low speed winds enter the eductor and much higher speed winds exit it. A plurality of rotor-blade assemblies disposed in the constricted portion of each floor of the multi-floor eductor are mounted to, and rotate, a shared vertical-axis rotor shaft to generate electricity, via a generator. The electricity generated can be stored, used or channeled to an electrical grid, as desired.