Towerless Wind Turbine with Nozzle and Diffuser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind turbines face inefficiencies at low wind speeds, require tall towers, are intrusive in appearance, and have challenges with maintenance and operation close to the ground, as well as limitations in electricity generation and storage due to single generator designs and transmission losses.
Innovation Solution
A drum-style rotor with affixed wind-driven blades on its circumference, allowing for multiple generators connected mechanically for efficient energy capture, and the use of nozzles and diffusers to enhance airflow, along with a modular design for easy maintenance and adaptation to various locations, including on buildings and in water environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional wind turbines use tall towers for mounting, then the turbines can capture wind energy more efficiently, but the structures become intrusive and require complex installation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the tower component from the wind turbine system. The rotor assembly is designed to be mounted directly on existing structures or the ground, removing the need for tall support towers while maintaining energy capture capability through alternative mounting configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind turbine rotor assembly is designed with universal mounting capabilities that can be adapted to various existing structures such as buildings, poles, or ground mounts. This multi-functional design allows the same rotor unit to serve different installation contexts without requiring specialized tower structures.
2Ease of manufacture
If wind turbines operate close to the ground, then installation becomes simpler, but efficiency decreases due to lower wind speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates preliminary wind acceleration mechanisms such as nozzles or guide structures that pre-condition the wind flow before it reaches the rotor. This allows the turbine to effectively capture wind energy at lower ambient wind speeds found near ground level, compensating for the reduced wind velocity through flow conditioning.
3Device complexity
If a single generator is used in the wind turbine, then the device complexity is reduced, but maintenance requires shutting down the entire turbine and access is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The generator system is segmented into multiple independent generator units, each capable of operating separately. This modular configuration allows individual generators to be maintained or replaced without shutting down the entire turbine, as other generators can continue to produce energy. The segmented design also improves accessibility by allowing generators to be positioned for easier service access.
4Loss of energy
If electricity is generated at remote locations, then transmission losses are reduced, but the need for tall towers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the tall tower requirement from the system, enabling wind turbines to be deployed at lower elevations close to end-use locations. This allows electricity generation at distributed sites such as buildings or community structures, reducing transmission distances and energy losses while avoiding the need for tall towers.
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 solution enhances wind energy capture at low speeds, reduces maintenance needs, and allows for efficient electricity generation and storage, minimizing transmission losses while being compact and adaptable for diverse installations.
Implementation Method 1
converting the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy by the turning of rotor blades
Implementation Method 2
the mechanical energy can then be converted into electrical energy by means of an electrical generator
Implementation Method 3
a means of achieving higher efficiencies is to collect additional wind flow by the use of nozzles and diffusers before and after the rotor
Data Source
AI summary
This invention discloses an improved wind turbine suitable for mounting without a wind turbine tower. The wind turbine is based on a rotor with appropriately selected blades. A nozzle and diffuser in the wind flow increase the amount of wind energy available to the rotor. The rotor is interruptibly connected with one or more of a plurality of generators which allows generation at a wide range of wind speeds. The rotor is also interruptibly connected with a co-axial flywheel which allows for storage or use of rotational energy as needed by the availability of wind energy. One or more wind turbines can be grouped together in a common housing. Electricity can also be generated by means of stored energy. The lack of a wind turbine tower and the general compact design allows the wind turbine to be used in close proximity to or on buildings.