Vertical Axis Wind Turbine with Segmented Flapping Blades

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wind turbines have not improved their performance effectively, limiting the efficiency of renewable energy conversion from wind into electricity.

Innovation Solution

A vertical axis wind turbine design featuring curved blades with hinged flapping members and a braking mechanism, where the blades are divided into compartments by rigid partitions, and braking plates that adjust with springs to manage airflow and optimize aerodynamic force, enhancing energy capture and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional wind turbine designs are used, then the structure is simple, but the energy capture efficiency is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy capture efficiencyVSAvoidblade structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blade is divided into multiple compartments by rigid partitions, with each compartment containing a flapping member. This segmentation allows independent airflow management in each compartment, improving energy capture efficiency while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flapping members are hinged to allow dynamic movement in response to varying airflow conditions. This dynamic adaptation enables the blade to optimize its aerodynamic performance across different wind speeds and directions, significantly improving energy capture efficiency without requiring an overly complex fixed structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If braking plates are added to control turbine speed, then the turbine speed can be maintained within safe ranges, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveturbine speed controlVSAvoidbraking mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The braking plates are equipped with springs that automatically adjust the braking force based on turbine rotation speed. When the turbine exceeds safe operating speed, the springs engage the braking plates to provide retarding force, and when speed normalizes, the braking force is automatically reduced. This self-regulating mechanism ensures reliable speed control without requiring complex external control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The braking mechanism changes the physical state of the braking plates from stationary to moving, and adjusts the contact pressure dynamically through spring force variations. This parameter change allows the system to provide variable braking force appropriate to different operating conditions, achieving reliable speed control with a relatively simple mechanical design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If flapping members are hinged to partitions, then additional driving force is created, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving forceVSAvoidblade assembly manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The blade is divided into multiple compartments by rigid partitions, with each compartment containing a flapping member. This segmentation allows independent airflow management in each compartment, improving energy capture efficiency while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flapping members are hinged to allow dynamic movement in response to varying airflow conditions. This dynamic adaptation enables the blade to optimize its aerodynamic performance across different wind speeds and directions, significantly improving energy capture efficiency without requiring an overly complex fixed structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 improves energy capture by redirecting airflow, creating additional driving force and maintaining turbine speed within safe operational ranges, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and performance of wind energy conversion.

Implementation Method 1

The design improves energy capture by redirecting airflow, creating additional driving force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow redirection:

Implementation Method 2

braking plates that adjust with springs to manage airflow and optimize aerodynamic force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic force:

Data Source

PatentUS10502182B2Wind turbine

Publication Date: 2019.12.10 ELAYYAN MOAZ MAHMOUD YUSUF

AI summary

A wind turbine including a plurality of substantially similar vertically extending blades with a semi-circular profile, wherein each of such blades is divided into two adjacent compartments; an upper plate; a lower plate; and an electric generator with a gear box. The wind turbine may also include a braking mechanism to control the rotational speed of the blades such that the produced electrical parameters are below the rated characteristics of the electric generator.