Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Flow Channel Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind turbines with vertical axis rotation experience high dynamic pressure inside the turbine, which impairs efficiency and output due to air flow being dammed up, leading to inefficiencies in energy conversion.
Innovation Solution
The rotor surrounds a flow channel with a conical or hyperbolic flow deflection surface that deflects air flow to an outlet opening, preventing buildup of dynamic pressure by ensuring a continuous, laminar flow, and optionally includes a Venturi nozzle for generating negative pressure to enhance airflow and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional wind turbines with vertical axis rotation are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but high dynamic pressure builds up inside the turbine impairing efficiency and output
Solution Approach 1:
The interior space of the rotor is segmented into multiple flow channels by inserting partition walls, which divide the air flow into separate paths. This segmentation prevents the buildup of high dynamic pressure by distributing the flow more evenly, while maintaining the overall simple vertical-axis rotor structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Partition walls are introduced as intermediary elements between the air guiding elements and the rotor blades. These partition walls act as mediators that modify the flow characteristics, preventing pressure buildup while allowing the air flow to continue through the rotor structure.
2Area of stationary object
If air guiding elements surrounding the rotor are used to increase wind catchment area, then the wind catchment area is increased, but high dynamic pressure occurs inside the turbine
Solution Approach 1:
The flow paths created by the air guiding elements are further segmented by partition walls inside the rotor. This segmentation prevents the concentration of air flow in single paths, thereby preventing high dynamic pressure buildup while maintaining the increased wind catchment area provided by the air guiding elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition walls extend the flow management into the radial dimension by creating multiple flow channels at different radial positions. This dimensional approach allows the air flow to be distributed across multiple paths, reducing pressure while maintaining the expanded wind catchment area.
3Ease of operation
If the rotor is designed with vertical propulsion blades forming flow channels, then the air flow can be directed through the rotor, but high dynamic pressure builds up impairing output
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channels formed by the vertical propulsion blades are segmented by partition walls into multiple separate flow paths. This segmentation allows the air flow to be directed through the rotor while preventing pressure buildup, as the flow is distributed across multiple channels rather than being concentrated in single paths.
Solution Approach 2:
Partition walls serve as intermediary structures that modify the flow characteristics within the rotor. These intermediaries prevent the buildup of high dynamic pressure while allowing the vertical propulsion blades to continue directing air flow through the rotor structure.
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 design prevents excessive dynamic pressure, maintains laminar flow, and increases efficiency by promoting airflow without high resistances, ensuring effective energy conversion and output, suitable for installations in turbulent or changing wind conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the flow channel has a flow deflection surface for deflecting the air flow to an outlet opening, the flow deflection surface being at least approximately conical or hyperbolic
Implementation Method 2
a Venturi nozzle for generating negative pressure in the area of the outlet opening
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The turbine (1) has a rotor (2) rotatable around a vertical axis under effect of air stream, and air guiding elements (5) surrounding the rotor in an external side. A rotor shaft is coupled with a generator, and the rotor surrounds a flow channel (4), which comprises a flow deflecting surface (7) for deflecting the airflow to an outlet opening (13). The deflecting surface exhibits a conical shape, and the flow channel exhibits a cross section that is reduced in an airflow direction. The air guiding elements are designed as profiled air guiding vanes.