Vertical-Axis Windmill with Oscillating Planar Sails for Low-Wind Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windmill designs are costly, noisy, and inefficient, particularly at low wind speeds, failing to provide a self-starting and effective energy conversion solution.
Innovation Solution
A vertical-axis windmill design featuring a rotating vertical shaft with oscillating planar sails that move between vertical and horizontal orientations, utilizing resilient restraining arms and lines to maximize torque and minimize noise, allowing for self-starting and operation at low wind speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional horizontal-axis windmill designs are used, then power generation capability is achieved, but cost increases and noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional horizontal-axis windmill design by using a vertical-axis configuration with sails that oscillate between vertical and horizontal orientations. This fundamental geometric inversion allows the windmill to capture wind energy effectively while operating quietly at low speeds, directly addressing the noise issue associated with conventional designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic sails that oscillate between vertical and horizontal orientations rather than maintaining a fixed position. This dynamic movement allows the sails to optimize their angle relative to the wind flow continuously, maintaining power generation capability while reducing noise through controlled motion rather than rigid rotation.
2Power
If conventional windmill designs are used, then energy conversion is achieved, but efficiency at low wind speeds deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillating sails dynamically adjust their orientation between vertical and horizontal positions, allowing them to maintain effective wind capture across a wider range of wind speeds. This dynamic adaptation enables efficient energy conversion even when wind speeds are low, unlike static conventional designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by allowing the sails to vary their orientation angle continuously during oscillation. This parameter change enables the windmill to maintain optimal aerodynamic conditions across different wind speeds, improving efficiency at low speeds while preserving power generation capability.
3Power
If conventional windmill designs are used, then power generation is achieved, but self-starting capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical-axis configuration with oscillating sails inverts the conventional starting mechanism. The design allows wind pressure to naturally initiate the oscillation cycle without requiring external assistance, providing self-starting capability while maintaining power generation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The windmill design enables itself to start operation automatically through the natural action of wind pressure on the oscillating sails. The system serves itself by converting wind energy into the oscillatory motion needed to begin power generation, eliminating the need for external starting mechanisms.
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 enhances energy capture by maximizing torque and reducing noise, enabling efficient energy conversion even at low wind speeds and providing a cost-effective, self-starting solution.
Implementation Method 1
Wind power is a sustainable and low-carbon source of energy. Windmills have been used for many years to capture and convert wind power into useable forms of energy.
Implementation Method 2
The design enhances energy capture by maximizing torque
Implementation Method 3
a resilient restraining arm extending radially from the rotating vertical shaft
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides a vertical-axis windmill including a rotating vertical shaft and at least one vane assembly mounted to the rotating vertical shaft. The vertical-axis windmill rotates around a vertical axis when wind impinges upon the vane assembly. During rotation, a planar sail of the vane assembly moves along an oscillatory arc of about 90°, with the planar sail assuming each of a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation once during each 360° rotation of the vertical shaft. As described below, this configuration advantageously allows the windmill to be self-starting and suited for operation at low wind-speed.