Rotatable Energy Tower Ledges for Wind Load and Power Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in efficiently harnessing renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy while addressing the environmental impact of non-renewable energy consumption, which includes the risk of resource depletion and pollution.
Innovation Solution
An energy harvesting system comprising wind turbines and photovoltaic solar panels integrated with a gravitational energy storage module, utilizing ledges for wind deflection and solar absorption, and a rotatable construction for optimal orientation, along with water management and energy storage features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wind turbines are installed on towering constructions to harvest wind energy, then wind energy conversion efficiency is improved, but wind load and structural stress on the tower increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is designed with rotatable ledges that can dynamically adjust their orientation in response to wind conditions. When high wind loads are detected, the ledges rotate to present a smaller profile to the wind, reducing the overall wind load on the structure while still allowing wind turbines to operate at lower levels where wind flow is sufficient for energy conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The tower structure is segmented into multiple levels with individually rotatable ledges rather than a monolithic structure. This segmentation allows different portions of the tower to independently respond to wind loads, with upper ledges rotating to reduce drag while lower ledges maintain positions optimized for wind turbine operation, thereby managing stress distribution throughout the structure.
2Productivity
If ledges are added to deflect wind and support solar panels, then energy capture efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ledges are designed as multi-functional components that simultaneously serve as wind deflection surfaces, structural supports for solar panels, and mounting platforms for wind turbines. This consolidation of multiple functions into a single structural element increases energy capture efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same physical structure performs multiple roles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the wind deflection function and solar panel support function into a single integrated ledge structure. Rather than adding separate components for each function, the ledges combine both purposes, reducing the overall number of parts and simplifying the structural design while maintaining both wind energy and solar energy capture capabilities.
3Productivity
If the tower is made rotatable to optimize orientation, then energy harvesting efficiency is improved, but mechanical complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tower incorporates a rotational mechanism that allows the entire structure or individual ledges to rotate and optimize their orientation relative to wind direction and solar position. This dynamic adjustment capability improves energy harvesting efficiency by ensuring maximum exposure to renewable energy sources, while the rotational design is simplified through the use of gravity-assisted positioning and minimal mechanical intervention requirements.
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
Enhances energy capture and storage efficiency by optimizing wind and solar energy conversion, reducing environmental impact through renewable energy utilization.
Implementation Method 1
an array of wind turbines dispersed along the towering construction and configured to rotate when exposed to a wind load for converting wind kinetic energy into a different form of energy
Implementation Method 2
A photovoltaic (PV) solar panel layout is disposed at least on the upper ledge surface, and includes at least one PV solar panel for absorbing and converting solar energy into electricity
Implementation Method 3
Each of the ledges includes an upper ledge surface, which is slanted at a slope for deflecting ingoing wind upwardly toward an immediately adjacent-above wind turbine, and/or for diffusing outgoing wind downwardly away from an immediately adjacent-above wind turbine
Implementation Method 4
a gravitational energy storage module, configured to conserve the energy of the electricity produced by the wind turbines and the PV solar panels, by elevating a weighted load, configured to be lifted along the towering construction, to an elevated position
Implementation Method 5
The water tubes may extend adjacently to the PV panels such that the water flowing within the water tubes is operational for at least one of: conveying a cooling effect to the PV panels
Implementation Method 6
conveying a cleansing effect to the PV panels, for increasing effectivity of the PV panels
Implementation Method 7
The energy harvesting system may include a sun-heated boiler disposed on the towering construction, wherein the water tubes are in fluid communication with the sun-heated boiler, allowing the water to be heated
Data Source
AI summary
Wind-resistant energy harvesting tower including a main column extending vertically from a base, and a plurality of ledges extending laterally outward from main column, each ledge including solar panel for absorbing and converting solar energy into electricity. Tower includes wind turbine positioned between ledges, for converting wind energy into alternate energy. At least one of main column and ledges is rotatable to orient tower to minimize drag when subject to wind loads. A rotor may rotate ledges to a ledge orientation for increasing wind resistance of tower. Main column may include wind resistance geometry to enable rotation of main column about its longitudinal axis when subject to wind loads. Ledges may include first ledge portion having lower wind resistance and second ledge portion having higher wind resistance and longer than first ledge portion, for compelling a rotation of ledge along wind direction when subject to a wind load.