Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine Diffuser for Upward Vortex Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbines with vertical axis rotation face efficiency reductions due to interference from conical parts shielding low-pressure zones and inadequate protection from atmospheric precipitation, as well as turbulence from mixed horizontal and upward air flows.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine design featuring a hollow truncated cone rotor with hyperbolic blades, a diffuser composed of biconvex discs, and adjustable guide vanes, which creates upward vortex flows inside and outside the rotor to redirect horizontal winds, enhancing torque and airflow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conical parts are added to direct airflow, then airflow direction control is improved, but the conical parts shield the low-pressure zone and reduce turbine power
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful conical part is removed from the design. Instead of using a conical structure to direct airflow, the patent employs a diffuser with vertically oriented guide vanes that achieve airflow direction control without shielding the low-pressure zone, thus eliminating the negative effect while preserving the beneficial function
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser is designed with guide vanes that have different orientations at different locations - vertically oriented vanes in the diffuser section to direct airflow without shielding, and curved vanes in the rotor section to generate torque. This localized variation in vane orientation optimizes both airflow direction control and power generation
2Use of energy by moving object
If horizontal and upward air flows are mixed to increase energy utilization, then energy utilization is improved, but turbulence increases and reduces system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow paths are segmented into distinct zones - the diffuser handles horizontal airflow and directs it vertically, while the rotor operates in a separate zone where the directed vertical flow interacts with the blades. This segmentation prevents chaotic mixing and turbulence while still utilizing both horizontal and vertical flow components for energy generation
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser performs a preliminary action by pre-directing the horizontal airflow into a vertical flow pattern before it reaches the rotor. This preliminary direction control ensures that the airflow enters the rotor in an organized manner, preventing turbulence and maximizing energy transfer efficiency
3Speed
If the upper base has a conical part to direct flow, then flow direction is improved, but the low-pressure zone is shielded and power is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The conical part from the upper base is removed. The patent replaces it with a diffuser structure that uses vertically oriented guide vanes to achieve flow direction control without the shielding effect that reduces power generation
4Weight of moving object
If the rotor body is made as a hollow cone to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but structural strength and airflow protection are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor body is constructed as a composite structure combining a hollow truncated cone form with integrated blade structures. This composite design maintains the weight advantage of the hollow form while the integrated blades and structural reinforcements provide the necessary strength and airflow protection
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 increases wind turbine power by redirecting horizontal winds into vertical flows with swirling effects, improving torque and airflow efficiency while protecting against atmospheric precipitation and reducing sound emission.
Implementation Method 1
creates upward vortex flows inside and outside the rotor to redirect horizontal winds
Implementation Method 2
redirecting horizontal winds into vertical flows with swirling effects, improving torque
Implementation Method 3
convert the energy of the air flow into a rotary motion, transmitted to an electric generator
Implementation Method 4
a lower confuser with the blades attached thereto is installed on the lower base
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to wind energy and can be used to convert the energy of the air flow into a rotary motion, transmitted to an electric generator, a pump, or a different rotating mechanism. The technical result consists in increasing the power of the wind turbine by creating an enhanced air flow inside thereof. The wind turbine comprises a rotor 6 and a stator 1 mounted coaxially therewith and provided with lower 2 and upper 3 bases interconnected by vertical guide vanes 4 of the stator, oriented outward. A confuser 22 with blades 23 is mounted on the lower base 2, and a diffuser 9 is mounted above the stator 1. A lower disc 10 of the diffuser is rigidly attached to an upper part 11 of the diffuser as serves as the upper base 3 of the stator. Lower 19 and upper 16 half-axles of rotation of the rotor are installed in upper 21 and lower 17 supports, respectively. A rotor body 7 is made in the form of a hollow truncated cone tapering upward having a curvilinear surface. Rotor blades 8 have a curvilinear surface, preferably of hyperbolic shape, and are installed on an outer surface of the rotor body 7. Upper 13 and lower 14 impellers with curvilinear blades 15 and 20 are mounted inside the rotor body. A rotor fan 25 is additionally installed inside a cavity 24 of the lower disc 10 of the diffuser 9. The blades of said fan are wrapped around the upper part of the outer surface of the rotor body 7, while a blades spacing of the upper impeller 13 is chosen to be greater than a blade spacing of the fan 25. The entire structure causes the movement of an enhanced flow of air into the wind turbine, including in the wind shadow area, by accelerating the flow of air by the confuser 22, internal impellers 13 and 14 of the rotor, and rotor blades 8, as well as by creating the area of low air pressure by the fan 25 and diffuser 9.