VAWT Blade Mounting With Resilient Cyclic-Load Dampening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) face significant challenges due to cyclic loading, which causes wear and fatigue in turbine components, limiting their scalability and effectiveness in utility-scale power generation.
Innovation Solution
A blade mounting system for VAWTs that incorporates resilient elements and dampening mechanisms to dissipate and convert blade load, using a pair of radially displaceable mounting units with mechanical energy storage elements to counteract blade displacement and harness energy from the to-and-fro motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional Darrieus turbine structure with central shaft support is used, then the turbine can be supported and operate, but the turbine size is limited and cyclic loading causes wear and fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine is divided into multiple independent blade modules, each with its own mounting units and resilient elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces the propagation of stress throughout the entire structure, thereby improving reliability while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Resilient elements and dampening mechanisms are pre-installed in the blade mounting units to cushion against cyclic loading before it reaches critical components. This prior cushioning protects the support structure and blade connections from wear and fatigue, enhancing durability without requiring a completely redesign of the support system.
2Power
If the turbine size is increased to generate more power, then power output increases, but cyclic loading becomes more severe and components fail
Solution Approach 1:
The dampening mechanisms are designed to convert the harmful cyclic loading forces into useful rotational motion of the damping elements. This conversion process dissipates the harmful cyclic loads while simultaneously generating additional rotational movement that contributes to power generation, effectively turning the problem of severe cyclic loading into a beneficial contribution to power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient elements and dampening mechanisms change the dynamic parameters of the blade mounting system, transforming the rigid force transmission into a more compliant system that can accommodate larger turbine sizes. By modifying the stiffness and damping characteristics, the system can handle increased cyclic loads proportionally to the increased turbine size and power output.
3Stability of the object's composition
If blade displacement is restrained rigidly, then structural stability is maintained, but cyclic loading increases and causes fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The blade mounting units transition from rigid static connections to dynamic systems with resilient elements and dampening mechanisms. These dynamic components allow the blade position to adjust slightly in response to cyclic loading while maintaining overall stability, thereby reducing stress concentrations and extending component life without sacrificing structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Resilient elements and dampening mechanisms serve as intermediary components between the blade and the rigid support structure. These intermediaries absorb and dissipate cyclic loading forces, protecting the blade and support structure from direct stress transmission while maintaining the blade's operational position and stability.
4Device complexity
If a central shaft support system is used, then the turbine structure is simplified, but turbine size and power generation capacity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple distributed blade mounting units rather than a single central shaft. This segmentation allows each unit to be relatively simple in design while the collective system supports a much larger turbine configuration, thereby maintaining structural simplicity at the component level while enabling increased power generation capacity at the system level.
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 system effectively reduces cyclic loading, enhances the durability of VAWT components, and converts blade displacement into usable power, enabling the development of more powerful and reliable VAWTs suitable for commercial utility-scale power generation.
Implementation Method 1
The restraint system includes at least a pair of mechanical energy storage elements coupled between the carriage and the corresponding framework for applying a force to the carriage in opposition to displacement of the carriage being displaced in either of opposing radial directions from an initial position
Implementation Method 2
The disclosed blade mounting system offers such a remedy. The disclosed systems allow a turbine blade to displace against a system of restraint and so, under the push/pull of the reversing load generated at a blade, the blade displaces to-and-fro. Additionally, work producing elements can be added to be driven by the to-and-fro blade displacement to dampen the movement in each direction of displacement
Data Source
AI summary
A blade mounting system for turbine blades of use in vertical axis wind turbines includes a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced mounting units, each coupled to a framework, and between which a respective one of a plurality of turbine blades is pivotally coupled. Each mounting unit pivotally supports one end of a corresponding turbine blade and is linearly displaceable responsive to load forces on the turbine blade. Each mounting unit includes a restraint system that applies a bias force against the linear displacement of the mounting unit and the blade therewith. Each turbine blade has a cambered airfoil with reversible leading and trailing edges.