Omnidirectional Turbine Inverted Wing Diffuser Low Wind Speed
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind turbines face inefficiencies due to their directional dependency, high visual and noise pollution, and inability to operate effectively in low wind speeds and turbulent conditions, particularly in urban environments.
Innovation Solution
An omnidirectional flow turbine system featuring a vertical axis rotor within an inverted radial wing diffuser with a brim-shaped aerodynamic deflector, allowing for wind acceleration and energy maximization through two combined flows, and utilizing materials like composite materials and vortex generators for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional wind turbines are used, then they can generate electricity, but they have high visual and noise pollution and cannot operate effectively in low wind speeds and turbulent conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional turbine design by placing the rotor inside a diffuser structure rather than having the diffuser surround the rotor externally. This inversion allows the turbine to operate silently without visible moving parts, while the inverted wing geometry of the diffuser accelerates wind flow to enable operation in low wind speed conditions typical of urban environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical turbine structure with an aerodynamic diffuser system that uses fluid dynamics principles. The inverted wing geometry creates accelerated wind flow through the rotor area, substituting complex mechanical orientation systems with passive aerodynamic flow control, thereby reducing mechanical noise and visual impact.
2Productivity
If conventional wind turbines are designed for high wind speeds, then they produce more energy, but they cannot operate effectively in low wind speeds and turbulent conditions typical of urban environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the aerodynamic parameters of the diffuser by employing inverted wing geometry with specific camber and thickness ratios. This geometric transformation modifies the flow characteristics, creating accelerated wind speeds in the rotor area even when ambient wind speeds are low, thereby enabling effective operation in urban environments with typical low and turbulent wind conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes curved aerodynamic surfaces in the diffuser structure, specifically the inverted wing geometry with radial curvature. This curvature optimizes flow attachment and acceleration around the rotor, enhancing performance in variable and turbulent wind conditions while maintaining omnidirectional operation capability.
3Productivity
If the turbine size is increased to capture more energy, then energy production increases, but the cost and complexity of the structure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the diffuser as an intermediary aerodynamic structure that mediates between the ambient wind flow and the rotor. This diffuser acts as a flow conditioner and accelerator, concentrating and speeding up wind flow in the rotor area without requiring a proportionally larger turbine structure, thereby increasing energy capture efficiency while controlling structural complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by employing a vertical-axis rotor configuration within the diffuser structure. This dimensional arrangement allows the turbine to capture wind from all horizontal directions simultaneously, increasing energy production potential without proportionally increasing the horizontal footprint and associated structural 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 higher energy production, reduced noise, and operational efficiency in low wind speeds, with a smaller turbine size and lower production costs, enabling silent operation and integration with HVAC systems, scalable for various applications including offshore and underwater use.
Implementation Method 1
The design of the diffuser, and in particular the structural configuration of its sidewalls promotes wind acceleration due to its inverted wing geometry
Implementation Method 2
The fluid tends to be attached to the surface of the diffuser by an effect known as Coanda effect
Implementation Method 3
solutions like vortex generators, slats and slotted brims may be adopted in the surface of the aerodynamic profile in order prevent the detachment known as stall
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
This invention describes a device effective in maximizing the power output of a rotor in a fluid. This turbine uses a rotor (2) similar to HAWT but placed in a vertical position enclosed in a static diffuser with the shape of an inverted wing. The motionless structure (1) is influenced by two combined flows, enhancing the energy produced by the rotor (2). The rotor (2) is connected to an element of transformation of mechanical energy integrated in the structure (1) with an aerodynamic shape of an inverted wing. The system does not have an orientation mechanism with the direction of the wind since it is completely omnidirectional and presents only one movable component, the rotor (2) with blades (3). The turbine may still comprise an aerodynamic deflector in a brim (6) in the upper part of the structure (1) and is divided in multi-elements (9) with at least two aerodynamic elements. This invention is applicable in the energy producing energy with the micro-generation, as well as large power systems.