Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Layout for Turbulent Urban Wind
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional horizontal axis wind turbines face inefficiencies due to self-adjusting blades that reduce performance, especially in turbulent air conditions near the ground and in urban areas, and are not cost-effective for domestic or micro-generation due to expensive electronics and material costs.
Innovation Solution
A vertical axis wind turbine design with multiple blades connected to a rotating shaft, featuring aerodynamically optimized luff and lee edges on blades and struts, allowing for balanced orientation and improved efficiency, and an optional braking system to control rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If horizontal axis wind turbine blades constantly adjust to face into the wind, then the turbine can capture wind energy, but the efficiency is reduced due to mechanical adjustments and turbulence sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional horizontal axis approach by using a vertical axis wind turbine where blades rotate perpendicular to the wind direction. Instead of blades facing into the wind through active adjustment, the vertical blades passively capture wind from all directions through their vertical orientation, eliminating the need for directional adjustment mechanisms and improving efficiency in turbulent conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic blade design with adjustable pitch angles and aerodynamic profiles that adapt to varying wind conditions. The blades can adjust their angle of attack dynamically during rotation, optimizing energy capture across different wind speeds and directions without requiring active steering mechanisms.
2Ease of manufacture
If blade length is increased to reduce material costs per unit area, then cost efficiency improves, but blade length must be shorter than mast height which limits the design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal blade rotation to vertical blade rotation, fundamentally changing the spatial dimension of operation. This vertical orientation allows blades to extend downward from the mast rather than outward, enabling longer effective blade lengths without increasing mast height requirements, thus improving cost efficiency while maintaining structural integrity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If vertical axis wind turbine uses multiple blades disposed around the rotating shaft, then balance is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric blade configuration where blades are positioned at specific angular intervals around the vertical shaft rather than uniformly distributed. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes balance by compensating for gravitational effects and aerodynamic forces, achieving stable rotation with fewer blades and simpler support structures compared to symmetric configurations.
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 vertical axis wind turbine design enhances efficiency by maintaining performance regardless of wind direction and reduces costs through optimized blade and strut design, enabling effective wind power conversion and easy installation without the need for tall masts.
Implementation Method 1
The blades are rotated by wind and rotate the electrical generator to convert wind power into electric power
Implementation Method 2
The electrical generator is rotatably mounted around the stator shaft. The multiple blades connected to the electrical generator
Implementation Method 3
The luff edges tapers toward the lee edge for improved aerodynamics
Implementation Method 4
The luff edges tapers toward the lee edge for improved aerodynamics
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical axis wind turbine has a stator shaft, an electrical generator, a rotating shaft and multiple blades. The electrical generator is rotatably mounted around the stator shaft. The rotating shaft is mounted on and protrudes from the electrical generator. The multiple blades are disposed around the electrical generator and orientated to balance each other. Each blade is connected to the rotating shaft by at least one strut and has a luff edge tapering to a lee edge. The at least one strut is formed on and protrudes from the blade is connected to the rotating shaft. The blades are rotated by the wind independent of wind direction and rotate the electrical generator to convert wind power into electric power.