Traction Air Device Double Wing Contours High-Altitude Wind

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind power generation technologies face challenges such as high costs, intermittent operation due to high minimum wind speed requirements, need for tall towers, complex control systems, and inefficiencies in exploiting high-altitude winds, leading to limited scalability and increased risks.

Innovation Solution

A traction air device with a unique aerodynamic structure featuring double superimposed wings and multiple wing contours, connected by stiffening elements, which allows for efficient high-altitude wind exploitation, reduced maintenance, and simplified control, enabling efficient power generation and ship traction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If traditional wind turbines mounted on towers are used, then power generation is achieved, but the system requires tall towers and complex control systems, increasing costs and reducing scalability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower generationVSAvoidtower structure and control system
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the power generation function into two separate components: an airborne wind energy device that captures wind energy at high altitude, and a ground-based generator that converts the mechanical energy. This segmentation eliminates the need for tall towers and complex control systems at the power generation site, while allowing the airborne component to be relatively simple and lightweight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a cable as an intermediary element that transmits mechanical energy from the airborne wind energy device to the ground-based generator. This intermediary allows the separation of the wind capture function (at altitude) from the power generation function (at ground level), resolving the contradiction between power generation capability and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If airborne wind energy devices are used to exploit high-altitude winds, then power generation efficiency is improved, but the system requires complex control systems and has intermittent operation due to high minimum wind speed requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The airborne wind energy device is designed to automatically respond to wind conditions without complex active control. The device self-regulates its operation based on ambient wind speeds, allowing it to operate intermittently only when wind conditions are favorable, thereby eliminating the need for complex control systems while maintaining high power generation efficiency during operational periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Power

If the air device operates in high winds, then power generation increases, but loading on the system increases requiring complex control to moderate loading

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower generationVSAvoidloading on system
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the operational parameters of the airborne wind energy device based on wind conditions. During high wind events, the device automatically reduces its effective loading through passive aerodynamic mechanisms, allowing it to harness high wind energy while protecting the system from excessive forces that would require complex active control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 achieves efficient exploitation of high-altitude winds, reduces maintenance needs, and allows for nearly double the flight operating times compared to prior systems, while using wind from all directions without orientable structures, thus enhancing both power generation and ship traction efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

one or more air devices exploit the energy of wind to provide a traction energy for the advancement of a ship

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWind energy: Wind Power

Implementation Method 2

The system may use multi-element airfoils, which are actuated to reduce the coefficient of lift of the airfoils

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerodynamic force: Aerofoil

Data Source

PatentEP3271575B1Traction air device, air device for a wind plant and wind plant for electric power production, ship provided with a traction air device
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 SKYPULL SA
  • EP3271575B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3271575B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3271575B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Traction air device with multiple wing contours for a wind power generation plant and wind power generation plant comprising said air device.