Vertical Axis Wind Turbine with Counter-Rotating Rotors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Horizontal-axis wind turbines are unsuitable for urban areas due to their large size, space requirements, noise generation, hazards to air navigation, and impact on migrating birds, necessitating a new wind turbine system for areas not connected to the electrical power grid.
Innovation Solution
A vertical axis wind turbine system with a frame, rotatable shaft, ring and idler gear assembly, upper and lower rotor assemblies, and a nacelle that utilizes counter-rotating rotors and a unique gear mechanism to generate electricity efficiently, minimizing space and noise while reducing bird hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If horizontal-axis wind turbines are used to generate electricity, then power generation capability is improved, but space requirements and installation area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal-axis wind turbines to vertical-axis wind turbines, changing the operational dimension from horizontal to vertical. This allows the turbine to generate power in a vertical plane, significantly reducing the horizontal footprint and making it suitable for urban environments with limited space.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind turbine is divided into multiple rotor assemblies arranged vertically along the shaft. This segmentation allows the power generation function to be distributed across multiple smaller units, maintaining high power output while reducing the overall space requirement compared to a single large horizontal-axis turbine.
2Power
If horizontal-axis wind turbines are deployed, then electricity generation is enhanced, but noise generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
By switching to vertical-axis rotation, the aerodynamic noise characteristics change fundamentally. The vertical-axis design operates in a different dimensional regime, reducing the aerodynamic noise typically associated with horizontal-axis turbines while maintaining electricity generation capability.
3Power
If horizontal-axis wind turbines are installed, then power output is improved, but hazards to air navigation and birds increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical-axis configuration changes the spatial orientation of the rotating blades from horizontal to vertical planes. This dimensional change eliminates the hazard to air navigation by removing horizontal blade sweeps, and reduces bird hazards by orienting the rotation vertically rather than horizontally.
4Area of stationary object
If vertical-axis wind turbines with counter-rotating rotors are used, then space efficiency and environmental friendliness are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple rotor assemblies on a single vertical shaft, with upper and lower rotors counter-rotating in opposite directions. This merging of multiple functional units into a single integrated structure achieves space efficiency while the counter-rotation mechanism simplifies the overall drive train by eliminating the need for complex gear systems.
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 provides a compact, efficient, and environmentally friendly means to generate electricity in urban areas, reducing noise and hazards to birds by utilizing counter-rotating rotors and a gear mechanism that enhances power output and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The upper rotor assembly is configured to rotate in a first direction and thereby to rotate the rotatable shaft in the first direction
Implementation Method 2
The lower rotor assembly is configured to rotate in a second direction and thereby to rotate the rotatable shaft in the first direction via the ring and idler gear assembly
Implementation Method 3
A ring and idler gear assembly is coupled to the rotatable shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A wind turbine system to provide electrical power in areas not connected to the electrical power grid. The wind turbine system includes a frame and a rotatable shaft supported by the frame. A ring and idler gear assembly is coupled to the rotatable shaft. An upper rotor assembly is coupled to the rotatable shaft. The upper rotor assembly is configured to rotate in a first direction and thereby to rotate the rotatable shaft in a first direction. A lower rotor assembly is coupled to the ring and idler gear assembly. The lower rotor assembly is configured to rotate in a second direction which is opposite of the first direction and thereby to rotate the rotatable shaft in the first direction via the ring and idler gear assembly.