Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Blade Extensions and Counterweights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) face challenges with high start-up torque requirements and reduced efficiency, as well as strain on bearings due to vertical orientation, limiting their operational range and duty cycle.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a support structure, generator assembly, rotor assembly, and electronics system, featuring adjustable blade extensions, airfoil-shaped blades, and blade ailerons to enhance torque generation and reduce drag, along with a magnet assembly to alleviate bearing load, allowing operation over a wider range of wind speeds and extending the duty cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If VAWTs use vertical orientation, then they can handle turbulent winds and gusts more efficiently, but the bearings supporting the central shaft experience strain that shortens the duty cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs support cables extending from the top of the central shaft to anchor points on the support structure, creating an upward counterbalancing force that offsets the weight of the rotor assembly. This counterweight mechanism reduces the strain on bearings supporting the central shaft, thereby extending the duty cycle while maintaining the vertical orientation necessary for handling turbulent winds
2Productivity
If VAWTs operate with fixed blade chord length, then the structure is simpler, but the turbine cannot start up in lower-speed winds and has limited operational range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable blade extension elements that can dynamically change the chord length of the blades during operation. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the turbine to optimize its performance across a wider range of wind speeds, enabling startup in lower-speed winds while managing the added structural complexity through controlled adaptability
3Ease of manufacture
If VAWTs use standard blade configuration, then manufacturing is simpler, but torque generation is insufficient for self-starting in low wind speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs blade extension elements that can be positioned in advance to increase the blade chord length during startup conditions. This preliminary action of extending the blades before rotation begins increases the surface area and lift generation, providing sufficient start-up torque in low wind speeds without requiring complex manufacturing changes to the basic blade configuration
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 configuration enables VAWTs to start up in lower-speed winds and operate efficiently over a broader range of wind speeds, extending their duty cycle and reducing wear on bearings, while improving torque generation and reducing drag.
Implementation Method 1
The rotor assembly includes a central shaft, struts, and airfoil-shaped blades, and generates torque from the rotation of the blades under aerodynamic force
Implementation Method 2
The blade ailerons extend from the trailing edge of the blade to change the overall camber of the blade and, consequently, changing the apparent angle of attack to improve the torque generated from each blade
Data Source
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AI summary
A vertical axis wind turbine includes an upstanding support structure, a plurality of generators disposed on the support structure, a central shaft in rotatable communication with the generators and positioned along a central axis of the vertical-axis wind turbine, a plurality of struts extending from the central shaft, and a plurality of blades, each blade positioned at an end of a corresponding strut and oriented substantially vertically. The vertical axis wind turbine optionally includes strut ailerons, blade extension elements, or blade ailerons to increase the efficiency and duty cycle of the wind turbine.