Stabilized Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine with Off-Center Rotatable Base

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional horizontal-axis wind turbines, especially those on floating platforms, face stability issues due to rotational movements like yaw and pitch, which reduce efficiency and require heavy, complex structures with multiple motors, making them costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A simplified system that fixes the nacelle and blades to a vertical structure with a rotatable base, using an adjustable strut for pitch control and eliminating traditional yaw motors, allowing the turbine to automatically align with the wind and distribute weight for enhanced stability and reduced complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional yaw motors and complex control mechanisms are used to maintain alignment with wind direction, then the turbine can maintain optimal power production, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower production efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The turbine employs passive aerodynamic alignment where the nacelle and rotor assembly automatically orient themselves with the wind direction through aerodynamic forces acting on the blades and nacelle structure, eliminating the need for active yaw motors and complex control systems while maintaining optimal power production alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention removes traditional yaw motors, position sensors, and active control mechanisms from the system, retaining only the essential blade pitch control for power regulation, thereby significantly reducing device complexity and cost while preserving productivity through passive alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Stability of the object's composition

If heavy concrete and steel foundations are used to stabilize floating platforms, then the platform stability improves, but the weight and cost of the structure increase dramatically

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatform stabilityVSAvoidplatform weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the stabilization approach from heavy passive ballast (concrete and steel) to active dynamic control using sensor feedback and adjustable blade pitch mechanisms, allowing the floating platform to maintain stability through controlled aerodynamic and gravitational forces rather than sheer mass

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical ballast stabilization method with a sensor-based control system that uses electronic feedback and active blade pitch adjustment to maintain platform stability, substituting heavy physical materials with intelligent control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If blade pitch motors are installed in the hub to control angle of attack, then the turbine can maintain constant rotational speed at varying wind speeds, but the blade-hub structure develops areas of weakness and design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstant power outputVSAvoidblade-hub structure strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the blade pitch motors from the blade hub assembly entirely, eliminating the structural weaknesses and complexity associated with integrating motor assemblies into the rotating blade-hub structure, while maintaining constant power output through alternative control methods at the nacelle level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This design improves the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of wind turbines by reducing weight, complexity, and top-heaviness, enabling more compact and economical mounting of multiple turbines, while maintaining alignment with wind direction for optimal power production.

Implementation Method 1

an adjustable strut for pitch control

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 2

allowing the turbine to automatically align with the wind

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic Alignment:

Implementation Method 3

horizontal-axis wind-driven turbines

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic Force:

Implementation Method 4

The horizontal shaft is connected to a gearbox or other drive train, a brake assembly, and a generator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWind Power: Wind Power

Data Source

PatentUS11560876B2Stabilized horizontal-axis wind turbine

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 SYROVY GEORGE J

AI summary

The nacelle of a horizontal axis wind turbine is fixedly mounted on a tower, and the tower is mounted off-center with respect to a ring around which it is rotatable. The tower is a tripod. Two legs of the tripod are of fixed length and lie in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the turbine blades. The third leg of the tripod is of adjustable length and is aligned with the axis of rotation of the turbine blades. The third leg thus may be controlled to adjust for pitching of the base and other purposes. Multiple turbines, spaced apart laterally, may be mounted on a platform in a fixed orientation, with the platform rotatably mounted off-center relative to a base.