Vertical Multi-Phased Wind Turbine Air Scoop and Drag Curtain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine designs face issues such as visual dominance, high maintenance costs due to poor accessibility, bird collisions, and infrastructure challenges, particularly in areas with high wind velocity and turbulence, and lack efficiency in re-entraining exhaust air for additional power generation.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable air scoop inlet section, a unique air turbine design, and an adjustable outlet section with a drag curtain or exit barrier that re-entrains exhaust air into the prevailing wind, utilizing both phases of wind flow for enhanced power production, with a focus on variable geometry and self-correction mechanisms to optimize energy capture and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wind turbines are positioned high off the ground to capture better wind resources, then power generation efficiency is improved, but maintenance costs increase due to poor accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine system is divided into modular segments including the collector, turbine blades, and generator components that can be independently accessed and maintained. The collector can be adjusted or replaced without requiring complete disassembly of the entire structure, enabling maintenance at lower heights while preserving high-position operation for optimal power generation.
2Productivity
If multiple wind turbines are installed to increase power output, then energy production is improved, but visual impact on the landscape increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple turbine components (collector, blades, generator) are integrated into a single unified structure that functions as one visual element rather than separate components. This consolidation reduces the visual footprint compared to multiple distributed turbines while maintaining cumulative power generation capacity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If turbine operating speeds are reduced to prevent bird collisions, then bird safety is improved, but power generation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The collector acts as an intermediary component that captures and directs wind flow to the turbine blades at controlled velocities. By pre-conditioning the wind flow through the collector, the system can operate at lower blade speeds that are safer for birds while still extracting sufficient energy from the concentrated wind stream.
4Device complexity
If exhaust air is discharged directly without re-entrainment, then system simplicity is maintained, but energy efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust air flow is continuously redirected and re-entrained into the downstream prevailing wind rather than being discharged separately. This continuous process recovers kinetic energy from the exhaust stream and integrates it back into the power generation cycle, maintaining useful action without requiring complex intermittent systems.
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 system effectively generates electricity at cost-effective rates, with improved aesthetics, reduced maintenance needs, and increased efficiency by utilizing the full potential of wind energy, including lower wind speeds, while minimizing visual impact and infrastructure challenges.
Implementation Method 1
The air turbine also utilizes a second phase of prevailing wind flowing through or around the outlet section to provide additional drive directly or indirectly to the turbine blades in a second stage of power production
Implementation Method 2
The air turbine exhaust enters the outlet section, which re-entrains the exhaust air into the downstream prevailing wind
Implementation Method 3
use the prevailing wind to produce power from the air turbine
Data Source
AI summary
A rotational axis multi-phased wind turbine power generating system is disclosed. A differential pressure is created by utilizing the prevailing wind, and air from the prevailing wind is directed into air blades for the creation of power. Optimally, the air blades directly utilize the prevailing wind in combination with the created differential pressure to create power. An adjustable air scoop, adjustable exit drag curtain or barrier, orienting systems, and air flow directing dampers are disclosed.