Adjustable Sail Vane Turbine for Consistent Wind Power
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines face challenges in regulating consistent power output due to changing wind forces and directions, and wind farms are expensive to operate and require large areas of land.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine system with adjustable vanes and jibs that can extend or retract, utilizing actuator mechanisms and a controller to optimize torque and energy production, including a rotatable platform and buoy base for sea installations, to align vanes at optimal angles for smoother rotational driving and consistent energy production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wind turbines are used, then they can generate electrical energy from wind, but they are difficult to regulate for consistent power output due to changing wind forces and directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the vane configuration adjustable through actuator mechanisms that can rotate individual vanes between 0 and 90 degrees. This allows the wind turbine to dynamically adapt its vane angles in response to changing wind conditions, enabling consistent power output regulation while maintaining adaptability to varying wind forces and directions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of vane angle orientation by using actuator mechanisms to rotate vanes between 0 and 90 degrees. This parameter adjustment allows optimization of torque production under different wind conditions, resolving the contradiction between consistent power output and adaptability to changing wind forces
2Power
If traditional wind farms are established, then they can produce electrical energy, but they are expensive to operate and require large areas of land
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wind turbine into modular components including multiple vane frames with individually adjustable vanes, a rotatable platform, and extendable/retractable jibs. This segmentation allows for more efficient space utilization and reduced operational costs while maintaining electrical energy production capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic components including a rotatable platform that can orient the turbine toward optimal wind directions and extendable jibs that can adjust the turbine's effective area. These dynamic features enable the system to maximize power generation in smaller land areas by optimizing wind capture efficiency
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 ensures consistent electrical energy production in varying wind conditions by optimizing vane positions and torque, reducing operational costs and land requirements.
Implementation Method 1
with a wind blowing against the wind turbine along a wind vector, the actuator mechanisms of each vane frame cooperate to rotate the vanes in the first vane frame to the closed position to cause the wind to rotate the mast in a first direction
Implementation Method 2
One or more actuator mechanisms are configured for rotating the vanes between the open position and the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A wind turbine comprises a mast that has a first end connected with a generator, and an opposing second end. A first vane frame includes a top member, a bottom member, and two opposing side members. A plurality of vanes are fixed between each side member of the vane frame, each vane configured for rotating between a closed position and an open position. The first vane frame is fixed along the mast with a similar second vane frame fixed on an opposing side of the mast. Actuator mechanisms are configured for rotating the vanes between the open and closed positions. Additional vane frames defined as first and second jibs are configured to extend outwardly from the vane frames. A controller actuates the vanes to maximize torque imparted to the mast by the wind. In a wind turbine system, three of the turbines are fixed on a rotatable platform.