Vertical Axis Wind Turbine with Variable Flag Shovels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Horizontal-axis wind turbines face inefficiencies due to the need for complex systems to maintain optimal blade pitch with changing wind speeds and directions, leading to high construction and operation costs, while vertical-axis wind energy converters struggle to effectively convert large amounts of wind energy.
Innovation Solution
A rotary converter with a vertical axis of rotation featuring shovels with a variable flag-formed working surface, where the shape and size of the flags can be adjusted to control wind resistance, allowing for efficient energy conversion by altering the angle of attack and drag on the shovels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If horizontal-axis wind turbines use fixed blade pitch, then construction cost is reduced, but efficiency decreases when wind parameters change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the blade pitch adjustable rather than fixed. The blade pitch adjustment mechanism allows the blades to change their angle of attack dynamically in response to varying wind conditions, thereby maintaining high energy conversion efficiency across different wind speeds and directions while avoiding the need for expensive complex monitoring and adjustment systems.
2Productivity
If horizontal-axis wind turbines raise rotors high above ground, then access to stronger winds is improved, but construction and operation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing the blade design and pitch characteristics specifically for ground-level wind conditions. The blades are designed with specific pitch angles and aerodynamic properties that maximize efficiency in the variable wind conditions found near the ground, eliminating the need to raise rotors high above ground to access stronger winds.
3Device complexity
If vertical-axis converters use fixed working surface area, then structure is simplified, but ability to handle variable wind conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the working surface area of the vertical-axis converter adjustable. The shovels can change their effective working surface area dynamically in response to wind conditions, allowing the device to maintain optimal performance across variable wind speeds and directions while keeping the structural complexity relatively low through a straightforward adjustment mechanism.
4Productivity
If vertical-axis converters increase shovel size, then wind energy conversion capability is improved, but control over wind force becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the working surface area of the shovels adjustable. This allows the converter to use larger shovels for increased energy conversion capability while being able to reduce the effective working surface area when wind force becomes too strong, thereby maintaining ease of operation and control across varying wind conditions.
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 solution enhances energy conversion efficiency by stabilizing rotor speed and reducing operational costs, enabling the conversion of significant wind energy, even in variable wind conditions, and allows for the use of larger shovels with varying drag coefficients, suitable for both weak and strong winds.
Implementation Method 1
The variable flag-formed working surface of the shovels allows them to have different drag depending which sides of the shovels are facing the wind
Data Source
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AI summary
A rotary converter of wind energy with a vertical axis of rotation includes a rotor with a vertical axis of rotation 4, which has two or more shovels 6 connected to a central body 5 and/or to each other. The shovels called "working" shovels have wind-permeable structure 2. On one side of the shovels is formed a working surface. It is formed on same side of all working shovels by a flag or flags 1 of which the structure limits the capability to take the direction of the air flow, meeting with this side of the shovels. By this surface, the shovels catch the wind energy and convert it to a rotational motion of the rotor. The shovel's load and the rotor speed can be regulated.