Vertical Wind Generator Movable Fore Blade
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vertical wind generators face inefficiencies at low wind speeds due to small blade surface area and at high wind speeds due to excessive rotational speed, leading to potential overheating, and existing starter-flaps can negatively affect aerodynamics.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates rotatable blades with a main blade and a movable fore blade that adjusts its position based on wind speed, increasing resistance at low speeds and reducing it at high speeds to optimize energy harvesting, using a mechanism that can be mechanical, automatic, or electromechanical, and is driven by centrifugal force or an electric motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the blade surface area is kept constant, then the wind generator is simple in structure, but it cannot efficiently operate at both low and high wind speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The blade surface area is made dynamically adjustable through the fore blade mechanism. The fore blade can be positioned in different configurations (extended, retracted, or at intermediate angles) to change the effective blade surface area, allowing the wind generator to adapt to varying wind speeds and maintain optimal efficiency across different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade is segmented into a main blade and a movable fore blade. This segmentation allows the fore blade to be independently positioned relative to the main blade, enabling flexible adjustment of the total blade surface area. The fore blade can be attached at different longitudinal sides of the main blade and positioned at various angles to optimize performance.
2Productivity
If the blade surface area is increased for low wind speeds, then starting capability is improved, but the rotational speed becomes excessively high at high wind speeds causing overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The fore blade mechanism provides dynamic control of blade surface area. At low wind speeds, the fore blade is positioned to maximize blade surface area, improving starting capability. At high wind speeds, the fore blade is retracted or positioned to reduce blade surface area, preventing excessive rotational speed and overheating. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for additional motors for both starting and speed control.
3Productivity
If starter-flaps are added to improve starting at low wind speeds, then starting capability is enhanced, but aerodynamic properties are negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The fore blade is a movable structure that can be positioned according to operating conditions. Unlike fixed starter-flaps that permanently disrupt aerodynamics, the fore blade can be retracted or positioned optimally during normal operation to minimize aerodynamic disruption. The fore blade attaches to the longitudinal side of the main blade and can be angled to reduce negative effects on airflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The starting function is extracted from a separate starter-flap component and integrated into the fore blade mechanism. The fore blade serves dual purposes: it acts as a starting aid when extended at low wind speeds, and it can be retracted or repositioned during normal operation to eliminate its negative aerodynamic effects. This integration allows the same structure to provide starting assistance without permanent aerodynamic penalty.
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 enhances starting capabilities at low wind speeds and prevents overheating at high speeds by dynamically adjusting the blade surface area, maintaining optimal aerodynamics and efficiency across varying wind conditions without the need for additional motors.
Implementation Method 1
The fore blade is movable between a first and a second position each in relation to the main blade
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical wind generator with at least two blades which are rotatably mounted with regard to a central vertical rotation axis, wherein the blades each comprise a main blade with a longitudinal side and a fore blade attached to the longitudinal side of the main blade, wherein the fore blade is movable between a first position and a second position each with regard to the main blade.