Multistage Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Aerodynamic Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind turbines face inefficiencies, mechanical complexities, and noise issues due to their design, particularly horizontal axis turbines, while vertical axis turbines struggle with aerodynamic efficiency, self-starting, structural stability, and safe braking, limiting their commercialization.
Innovation Solution
A multistage wind turbine design with a first stage static stator and dynamic rotor, followed by a second stage axial rotor, utilizing airflow to generate torque and direct wind through a conical portion for enhanced energy conversion, incorporating a venturi top section for increased efficiency and self-limiting high wind speeds, and a network of turbines for collective energy management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If horizontal axis wind turbines are used to improve aerodynamic efficiency, then energy capture efficiency is improved, but mechanical complexity increases due to yaw axis requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional horizontal axis configuration by using a vertical axis turbine design. This inversion eliminates the need for a yaw axis and nacelle rotation mechanism, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency through the vertical blade arrangement that captures wind from all directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the complex yaw axis mechanism and nacelle rotation system from the turbine design. By eliminating these components, the design achieves simpler mechanics while the vertical axis configuration inherently provides omnidirectional wind capture capability without requiring active orientation adjustments.
2Device complexity
If vertical axis wind turbines are used to reduce mechanical complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but aerodynamic efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic blade design elements to the vertical axis turbine, where blade geometry and positioning are optimized to maintain high aerodynamic efficiency. The blades are configured to effectively capture wind energy across different rotational positions, compensating for the inherent aerodynamic challenges of vertical axis design while keeping the mechanical structure simple.
3Power
If high blade tip speed is used to increase power output, then power generation is improved, but noise and turbulence increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes blade tip speed parameters to an optimal range that balances power generation with noise and turbulence reduction. By carefully selecting and adjusting the blade tip speed parameter, the design achieves effective power output while minimizing the generation of excessive vortex noise and low-frequency sonic pulses that disturb animals and humans.
4Device complexity
If conventional single stage design is used to simplify structure, then device complexity is reduced, but energy conversion efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy conversion process into multiple stages, with a first stage vertical axis rotor capturing initial wind energy and a second stage axial rotor extracting additional energy from the remaining airflow. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized for its specific function, thereby increasing overall energy conversion efficiency while maintaining relatively simple structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the second stage axial rotor is positioned within or alongside the first stage vertical axis rotor structure. This nesting arrangement allows both rotors to operate simultaneously on the same wind resource, maximizing energy extraction while sharing common structural support elements, thus improving efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 multistage design enhances energy capture and conversion efficiency, reduces mechanical complexity, minimizes noise, and ensures safe operation by providing self-starting, structural stability, and effective braking, while allowing for decentralized and efficient power generation.
Implementation Method 1
The term 'wind focus' in the present disclosure involves the acceleration of a volume of wind traveling through a restricted space which causes the wind velocity to increase by a factor that is determined by the ratio of the cross-sectional area through which the volume of wind must pass. This determination is a result of an application of the General Energy Equation, and the factor by which the wind velocity increases is according to calculations that employ the Bernoulli equation.
Implementation Method 2
Conventional wind turbine technology includes primarily single stage turbines with rotors and stators that are mostly standard designs that utilize various types of blades.
Data Source
AI summary
A multistage wind turbine or network of wind turbines with improved and optimized wind-directing, wind-shaping, and wind-power conversion features is disclosed. The shapes of these features directly affect the ability of the multistage wind turbine to use the power of moving air, to spin a rotor and create torque on a rotor shaft to generate electrical, thermal and/or other forms of energy. The wind-power-conversion mechanical efficiency described significantly improves upon previous designs by conversion of wind energy into electrical power at a superior price-to-performance ratio compared with existing alternative energy technologies.