Sliding-Ring Variable-Pitch Impeller for Lower-Wind Energy Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbines rely on high wind speeds and large blades for optimal energy production, complicating transportation and installation due to their size and height requirements.
Innovation Solution
An impeller for wind turbines with a movable front ring and adjustable blades, allowing variable pitch adjustment to optimize energy production at reduced wind speeds and enabling smaller blade dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If large blades are used to maximize the actual disc area, then energy production is improved, but transportation and installation become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the blade pitch adjustable through the variable-pitch mechanism. The front ring can move axially to change the pitch angle of blades dynamically, allowing optimization of energy capture at different wind speeds. This dynamic adjustment capability enables smaller blades to achieve the same power output as larger fixed-pitch blades, thereby simplifying transportation and installation while maintaining energy production efficiency.
2Power
If blades are installed at considerable heights to access optimal wind speeds, then energy production is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by enabling variable blade pitch adjustment. By changing the pitch parameter dynamically through the front ring mechanism, the impeller can optimize its performance at lower wind speeds typically found at ground level. This eliminates the need to install blades at considerable heights, thereby reducing installation complexity and device complexity while maintaining energy production capability.
3Device complexity
If fixed-pitch blades are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but energy production is limited at variable wind speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics by implementing a variable-pitch mechanism with a movable front ring that can adjust blade angles in response to varying wind conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the impeller to maximize energy production across a range of wind speeds, overcoming the limitation of fixed-pitch blades while adding only moderate complexity to the overall device structure.
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 impeller maximizes energy production at lower wind speeds and reduces blade size, simplifying transportation and installation by optimizing air flow and blade configuration.
Implementation Method 1
The front portion comprises at least one spiral guide arranged on an inner surface. The rear portion comprises at least one slider associated with the spiral guide and arranged on an outer surface.
Data Source
AI summary
An impeller for wind turbines comprises a rear ring having a central axis. The impeller comprises a front ring having an inner peripheral surface. The front ring is arranged coaxially and is slidably associated with the rear ring. The front ring is movable along the central axis and switches between a close configuration and a spaced apart configuration, with respect to the rear ring. The impeller comprises a plurality of blades connected to the front ring and defining a variable-pitch propeller. The blades being adjustable between a minimum pitch when the front ring is in the close configuration and a maximum pitch when the front ring is in the spaced apart configuration.