Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Tower with Radar-Absorbent Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) have a significant radar cross section, which interferes with aircraft detection near airports, leading to safety concerns and restrictions on their installation near radar-dependent facilities.

Innovation Solution

A VAWT apparatus with a fixed turbine axis, carousal shafts, turbine blades, and a radar-absorbent material coating, featuring a polygonal outer perimeter and rudder blades that adjust with wind direction to channel wind flow and reduce radar reflections, including the use of carbonyl iron or ferrite particles for radar absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a conventional VAWT is installed to generate wind energy, then power generation efficiency is improved, but radar cross section increases causing interference with aircraft detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidradar cross section

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies radar-absorbent materials (RAM) coated on the turbine blades and tower structure to convert the harmful radar reflection into beneficial radar wave absorption. The RAM materials contain carbon black, ferrite particles, or other conductive materials that dissipate radar energy as heat, thereby reducing the radar cross section while maintaining the turbine's power generation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the turbine surface by applying radar-absorbent coatings with specific material compositions and thicknesses. These parameter changes alter the electromagnetic properties of the surface to minimize radar reflection while preserving aerodynamic performance for power generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If VAWT size is increased to capture more wind energy, then energy capture capability is improved, but radar reflections become stronger interfering with aircraft monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy capture capabilityVSAvoidradar reflections

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite radar-absorbent materials combining multiple components such as carbon black, ferrite particles, resin matrices, and other conductive fillers. These composite materials provide both radar absorption functionality and structural integrity, allowing large turbine structures to reduce radar reflections while maintaining mechanical strength and aerodynamic performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 design effectively reduces the radar cross section by channeling wind flow and using radar-absorbent materials to minimize radar reflections, allowing VAWTs to be installed closer to airports without interfering with aircraft detection systems.

Implementation Method 1

The VAWT ACT is coated with a radar-absorbent material to reduce the radar cross section. The radar-absorbent material comprises at least one of carbonyl iron or ferrite, interspersed ferric compound particles, neoprene material, a urethane foam having conductive carbon black

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadar absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a rudder blade mechanically linked to the pivot to oscillate based on an incoming wind direction wherein the rudder blade is inwardly-positioned having a first wind-neutral position, and is pivotable through a plurality of angles that adjust based on the incoming wind direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWind flow channeling: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11530682B2Vertical axis wind turbine air concentration tower with reduced radar cross section

Publication Date: 2022.12.20 RODRIGUES DILSON DOS SANTOS

AI summary

Disclosed is a vertical axis wind turbine air concentration tower with reduced radar cross section. The air concentration tower has a polygonal outer perimeter, a pivot located at each vertex of the polygonal outer perimeter, and an inwardly-positioned rudder blade operatively connected at each pivot. Each inwardly positioned rudder blade has a first wind-neutral position, and is pivotable through a plurality of angles that adjust based on an incoming wind direction, such that the incoming wind is channeled to the vertical axis wind turbine, which is located approximately at a center area of the polygonal outer perimeter. A radar absorbent material is applied to the vertical axis wind turbine air concentration tower to reduce the radar cross section. The air concentration tower is designed to provide higher wind speed to the vertical axis wind turbine than the surrounding ambient air.