Rotatable-Track Wind Generator With Independent Aerofoil Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind turbines face challenges in transportation, installation, and cost due to their large size and material requirements, limiting onshore and offshore deployment and scalability, and requiring specialized maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A wind power generating apparatus with a rotatable track and independently controllable aerofoil modules that can adjust angular position, extend in height and width, and are supported by a low-cost material like mild steel, allowing for scalable power generation and reduced maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional wind turbines are designed with large size to generate high power output, then power generation capability is improved, but transportation and installation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine is divided into modular components including segmented blades and a modular tower structure that can be assembled on-site. The blades are designed as separate segments that can be transported and assembled, eliminating the need to transport entire large-blade components over long distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The tower structure incorporates adjustable and extendable elements that can adapt to different installation locations and power requirements. The tower can be extended or configured differently based on local conditions, providing flexibility in deployment without requiring custom-built structures for each site.
2Power
If wind turbine size is increased to generate more power, then power output is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine components are manufactured as standardized modular units that can be produced using conventional manufacturing processes. The segmented blade design allows each segment to be manufactured independently using standard tools, avoiding the need for expensive specialized facilities required by monolithic blade construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for adjustable parameters including blade segment dimensions, tower height, and generator capacity that can be optimized for specific power output requirements without requiring complete redesign. This modularity enables cost-effective scaling of power output by simply adding or adjusting modular components rather than rebuilding the entire turbine.
3Device complexity
If conventional wind turbines are designed with fixed blade structure, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different wind conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blade segments are designed with adjustable positioning capabilities that allow them to be rotated or reoriented relative to each other. This dynamic adjustment enables the blades to optimize their angle of attack for different wind speeds and directions while maintaining a relatively simple overall blade structure that can be modified as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented blade structure allows each segment to be independently adjusted or positioned, providing flexibility in optimizing performance for different wind conditions. The segmentation enables simple adjustments to be made without requiring complete blade replacement or complex reconfiguration of the entire blade assembly.
4Adaptability or versatility
If offshore wind installations use floating or fixed platforms, then installation flexibility is improved, but platform cost and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine system is designed as modular components that can be independently transported and assembled on various platform types. The segmented design allows the same turbine components to be installed on floating platforms, fixed platforms, or even land-based sites, eliminating the need for custom platform designs for each installation type.
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine design incorporates universal mounting structures and standardized connection interfaces that can accommodate different platform configurations. The tower and blade assemblies are designed to work with various foundation types, allowing the same turbine system to be deployed on floating platforms, fixed platforms, or shore-based locations without requiring platform-specific custom designs.
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
Enables efficient power generation with lower initial costs and maintenance requirements, facilitating onshore and offshore installations without specialized equipment, and allowing for upscaled power output without significant platform modifications.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of elongate aerofoil modules rotatably supported on the rotatable track, each of the aerofoil modules extending at least substantially laterally from the rotatable track
Implementation Method 2
at least one power generator associated with the rotatable track such that power from the power generator(s) is generated by rotation of the rotatable track
Data Source
AI summary
A wind power generating apparatus (1) comprising: a rotatable track (3) rotatably mounted in an at least substantially horizontal plane; at least one power generator (7) associated with the rotatable track such that power from the power generator(s) is generated by rotation of the rotatable track; a plurality of elongate aerofoil modules (9) rotatably supported on the rotatable track, each of the aerofoil modules extending at least substantially laterally from the rotatable track, the rotation of each of the aerofoil modules about an elongate axis of the aerofoil module being independently controllable to thereby maximise. a motive force applied to the aerofoil modules.