Track-Based Airfoil Wind Energy Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional turbine-based systems for extracting power from fluid flow are limited by the 'square-cube' law, leading to restricted scale due to increased destructive forces, and airborne wind energy systems face issues like tether drag, cosine losses, and regulatory hurdles.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a track with elongate sections and an airfoil that moves crosswind, utilizing a bridle for reduced structural support and distributing forces, allowing the airfoil to travel at speeds greater than the wind speed and avoiding tether-related losses, with the ability to change direction and roll angles to optimize power extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If turbine blades increase in size to extract more power, then power extraction capability is improved, but destructive forces increase cubically according to the square-cube law
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional vertical-axis turbines to a horizontal track-based system where airfoils move perpendicular to wind direction. This dimensional change allows the system to extract power without the cubic force increase limitation, as the airfoils travel along a horizontal track rather than rotating vertically, fundamentally changing the force dynamics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs movable airfoils that can dynamically adjust their position and orientation on the track. The airfoils are not fixed but can be repositioned along the elongate sections, allowing dynamic optimization of power extraction while distributing mechanical stresses across multiple support points rather than concentrating them at a central hub.
2Power
If airborne wind energy systems use tethers to extract power, then power extraction is enabled, but tether drag and cosine losses reduce efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the tether component entirely from the system. Instead of using tethers to extract power from airborne objects, the invention employs a ground-based track system where airfoils move along fixed elongate sections. This extraction of the problematic tether element eliminates both tether drag and cosine losses while maintaining power extraction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the tether-based mechanical extraction system with a track-based system. The old mechanical approach using tethers and airborne objects is substituted with a ground-based track where airfoils move horizontally through the wind, fundamentally changing the mechanical architecture to eliminate inefficiencies.
3Power
If airborne devices are used for wind energy extraction, then power extraction capability is improved, but regulatory restrictions and geographic limitations are imposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional airborne approach by placing the extraction mechanism on the ground rather than in the air. Instead of launching devices into restricted airspace, the system uses ground-based tracks that move airfoils through the wind, reversing the spatial arrangement to avoid aviation regulations and geographic limitations.
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 approach enables larger-scale power extraction without the limitations of the 'square-cube' law, eliminates tether drag and cosine losses, and avoids regulatory issues associated with airborne devices, allowing for efficient and scalable wind energy harvesting.
Implementation Method 1
The airfoil includes a pressure surface positioned between a suction surface and the track, and the airfoil is moveable in opposite directions when alternately coupled to the first elongate section and second elongate section
Implementation Method 2
apparatuses and methods for extracting power from fluid flow
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for extracting power includes a track and an airfoil coupled to the track. The track includes first and second elongate sections, where the first elongate section is positioned above the second elongate section. The airfoil is moveable in opposite directions when alternately coupled to the first elongate section and second elongate section.