Vertical Axis Prime Mover with Curved Fairings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional windmills face limitations in converting wind energy due to directional dependence and inefficiency in high-velocity winds, while vertical axis turbines suffer from inefficiencies and large height requirements.
Innovation Solution
A prime mover system featuring fairings with curved peripheral edges and a blade assembly mounted on a shaft, allowing fluid flow to rotate the assembly about a vertical axis, enhancing energy conversion efficiency and operability in various wind directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If horizontal axis windmills use propeller surfaces facing one direction, then they can convert wind energy efficiently when wind blows in the correct direction, but they stop working when wind direction changes and cannot operate in high-velocity winds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the blade assembly rotatable about a vertical axis, allowing the blades to dynamically adjust their orientation to face the wind direction. The blade assembly can rotate 360 degrees to always present the optimal surface area to the wind, eliminating the directional limitation of fixed horizontal axis windmills while maintaining efficient energy conversion across varying wind conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional horizontal axis configuration by using a vertical axis rotation system. Instead of having blades rotate horizontally like conventional windmills, the blade assembly rotates vertically, allowing it to capture wind energy from any horizontal direction. This inversion enables omnidirectional operation while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency
2Ease of operation
If vertical axis turbines use hollow center fluid deflectors, then they can rotate blades, but they require large gaps between deflectors for favorable vortex formation and have large undesirable height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fluid deflector function from the traditional hollow center configuration and relocates it to curved fairings positioned around the periphery. Instead of requiring a large central gap for vortex formation, the fairings guide fluid flow along their curved surfaces to create beneficial vortices at the periphery, eliminating the need for excessive device height while maintaining blade rotation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional gap requirement (large central opening) to a three-dimensional fairing structure with curved surfaces. The fairings extend radially outward and create vortex formation through their curved geometry, achieving effective fluid guidance and blade rotation without requiring the large height that would be needed for alternative vortex generation methods
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 enables efficient energy generation from fluid flow, capable of operating omnidirectionally and increasing fluid velocity, thus overcoming limitations of conventional windmills and vertical axis turbines, allowing for higher power output and versatility in installation.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second fairings each have a curved peripheral edge for guiding a fluid into the gap
Implementation Method 2
The fairings are spaced apart from one another to define a gap therebetween. A height of at least one of the fairings is at least 15% of the height of the gap that is defined between the fairings
Implementation Method 3
When the fluid flows into the gap it contacts the blade assembly to thereby rotate the blade assembly about a vertical axis that is defined by the shaft
Implementation Method 4
blade assembly that rotates about a vertical axis when the blade assembly is contacted by a fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A prime mover that is powered by the energy of a fluid is provided. Such a prime mover may include a first fairing, a second fairing spaced apart from the first fairing to define a gap therebetween and a blade assembly mounted on a shaft that extends between the first and second fairings. The first and second fairings each have a curved peripheral edge for directing a fluid into the gap. When the fluid flows into the gap it contacts the blade assembly to thereby rotate the blade assembly about an axis that is defined by the shaft. The prime mover may be mounted on a cell phone tower and used to generate electricity for powering components of the tower and/or for providing electricity to the power grid.