Vertically Long Blade with Inward Curvature for Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vertical shaft wind turbines with upper-and-lower-ends fixed type vertically long blades have a small wind receiving area and poor rotational startability and torque, especially at low wind speeds, due to uniform wing length and thickness.
Innovation Solution
The design features a vertically long blade with inwardly curved inclined parts, where the string length and thickness gradually reduce from the central vertical main part to the tips, with a cross-sectional shape resembling a lift type and a string length within 45% to 55% of the radius of rotation, paired or arranged in layers around the vertical main shaft, and equipped with mounting members for improved rigidity and airflow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the blade has uniform wing length and thickness throughout, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but the wind receiving area is small and rotational torque is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is designed with non-uniform properties: the wing length and thickness vary along the span, with the root section having greater dimensions than the tip section. This local variation optimizes the blade to receive more wind energy at the root where it can generate effective torque, while maintaining structural integrity throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade geometry parameters (wing length, thickness) are changed continuously along the span rather than remaining uniform. The string length and thickness are gradually reduced from the substantially vertical main part to the tips of the inwardly curved inclined parts, creating an optimized distribution of aerodynamic properties.
2Device complexity
If the blade is short with uniform dimensions, then the structure is simple and compact, but the wind receiving area is small leading to poor rotational startability
Solution Approach 1:
The blade incorporates a substantially vertical main part with greatest string length, paired with inwardly curved inclined parts that extend linearly from the top and bottom. This creates localized regions of optimized geometry: the vertical main part maximizes wind receiving area for starting, while the inclined parts provide structural connection to the shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade features inwardly curved inclined parts that extend linearly from the substantially vertical main part. This curvature design optimizes the aerodynamic profile throughout the blade span, improving both the wind receiving area and the rotational startability by creating favorable pressure distributions.
3Productivity
If the blade has long string length at the centrifugal part, then the wind receiving area increases and rotational efficiency improves, but the blade becomes more complex to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is segmented into distinct functional parts: a substantially vertical main part with maximum string length for optimal wind reception, and inwardly curved inclined parts that taper toward the tips. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturability through standardized construction 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
This configuration enhances wind receiving area and rotational efficiency, allowing for superior startability at low wind speeds and continuous rotation, with increased torque and reduced air resistance, while maintaining assembly workability and structural rigidity.
Implementation Method 1
a cross section of the string direction in the substantially vertical main part is a lift type
Implementation Method 2
a string length and a thickness of the vertically long blade are gradually reduced from the substantially vertical main part to tips of the upper and lower inwardly curved inclined parts
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention provides a vertical shaft wind turbine that is superior in a rotational startability even at a low wind speed, and is suited to a wind power generator that has high rotational torque; and an upper-and-lower-ends fixed type vertically long blade using in the wind turbine and the water turbine. The string length and thickness of an upper-and-lower-ends fixed type vertically long blade 8 that is fixed upper and lower ends to a vertical main shaft 7 gradually decrease from a main part 8 thereof to tips of the upper and lower inwardly curved inclined parts 8B, 8B, and a cross section of the main part 8A is a lift type, and a thickness of the cross-sectional shape is continuously and gradually thinned from the main part 8 to the tips of the inwardly curved inclined parts 8B, 8B.