Multi-Turbine Wind Drive for Vehicle Slipstream Energy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind turbines positioned between lanes to capture wind from passing vehicles suffer from low energy yield due to the large spacing required to avoid mutual interference, leading to inefficient energy conversion.

Innovation Solution

A multi-turbine wind drive system, Metuwak, where wind turbines are arranged in a row on a support scaffolding with a rotary transmission mechanism, utilizing a boostal gear to combine the torque from multiple turbines into a single output, allowing for efficient energy conversion and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wind turbines are positioned at large intervals of at least 10 m to avoid mutual interference, then the turbines can operate reliably, but the energy yield becomes relatively low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveturbine operation reliabilityVSAvoidenergy yield
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple wind turbines (at least two) into a single integrated system that shares common components including a single support frame, common bearing, and shared rotary transmission mechanism. This merging allows the turbines to be positioned closer together (reducing the 10m spacing requirement) while maintaining operational reliability through the shared structural support and transmission system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common output shaft serves multiple functions: it receives torque from multiple turbine rotors simultaneously and transmits the combined torque to the rotary transmission mechanism. This multi-functional design enables the system to process energy from multiple turbines through a single transmission path, increasing overall energy yield without requiring separate transmission systems for each turbine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple wind turbines are arranged closely together, then the energy yield increases, but mutual interference between turbines occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy yieldVSAvoidmutual interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple turbines into a single integrated system with shared support structures and transmission mechanisms, the patent enables close spacing of turbines without mutual interference. The common bearing and support frame provide stable structural support that prevents the interference problems that would occur with independently positioned turbines placed close together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If a rotary transmission mechanism is used to combine torque from multiple turbines, then energy conversion efficiency increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy conversion efficiencyVSAvoidtransmission mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple turbine power streams into a single rotary transmission mechanism that processes the combined torque from all turbines. This consolidation achieves efficient energy conversion by utilizing a unified transmission path rather than separate systems, while the shared support structures reduce overall system complexity compared to multiple independent turbine installations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Metuwak enables high energy yield by efficiently combining the torque from multiple turbines, allowing for the generation of electricity, compressed air, or kinetic energy storage, and provides additional benefits such as enhanced traffic safety through integrated lighting and hydrogen production.

Implementation Method 1

the wind turbines drive a common output shaft (42) via a rotary transmission mechanism (40), which is constructed in the manner of a push-crank mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorque: Torque

Implementation Method 2

wind turbines for utilizing the slipstream of motor vehicles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWind power: Wind Power

Data Source

PatentEP3961027B1Multiple turbine wind drive for using the oncoming air of motor vehicles
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 AWINGEN GMBH
  • EP3961027B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3961027B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3961027B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The object of the invention is to provide a wind turbine for utilizing the slipstream of motor vehicles, which can be operated reliably and safely with a simple and cost-effective design and enables a high energy yield. For this purpose, the invention provides a wind turbine with a plurality of wind turbines (2), each with a vertical axis of rotation, arranged in a row in a support frame (10), wherein the wind turbines (2) drive a common output shaft (42) via a rotary transmission mechanism (40).