Vertical Wind Turbine Frame Vanes for Efficiency

Solution Overview

Problem

Vertical wind turbines are less efficient than horizontal ones, but horizontal turbines are large, visually unappealing, noisy, and pose risks to wildlife and aircraft. Improving the efficiency of vertical turbines could provide a more acceptable alternative.

Innovation Solution

A wind turbine design featuring a frame assembly with angled airfoil-shaped vanes that utilize the Coandă effect, Bernoulli's principle, and viscous shear to direct wind towards angled turbine blades, creating a low-pressure area for enhanced lift and torque, with a load shaft connected to the blade retainers for rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If vertical wind turbines are used, then they are smaller and visually acceptable, but they have lower efficiency compared to horizontal wind turbines

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveturbine size and form factorVSAvoidenergy conversion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The turbine is divided into multiple blades (at least two) mounted on a blade retainer, with each blade contributing to energy capture. The frame assembly is segmented into multiple vanes that work together to direct wind flow, allowing the system to capture wind from different directions simultaneously, thereby improving efficiency while maintaining a compact vertical configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame assembly with multiple vanes acts as an intermediary component between the incoming wind and the turbine blades. The vanes direct and condition the wind flow before it reaches the blades, creating optimized flow patterns that enhance the blades' ability to convert wind energy, thus improving overall turbine efficiency without changing the vertical configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If horizontal wind turbines are used, then they have higher efficiency, but they are large and visually unappealing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy conversion efficiencyVSAvoidturbine size and visual appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a horizontal-axis configuration, the patent inverts the approach by using a vertical-axis turbine with blades that rotate around a vertical load shaft. This inversion allows the turbine to capture wind from any direction while maintaining a compact footprint, achieving acceptable efficiency without the large horizontal footprint that causes visual concerns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Power

If horizontal wind turbines are used, then they produce more power, but they generate noise and pose risks to wildlife and aircraft

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower outputVSAvoidnoise and safety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses the harmful effects by designing a turbine that operates more quietly through its vertical-axis configuration and controlled blade geometry. The frame assembly with vanes directs wind flow in a manner that reduces turbulent wake and noise generation. The compact size inherently reduces the risk to wildlife and aircraft compared to large horizontal turbines, while still capturing sufficient power through optimized blade and vane interaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 the rotational energy conversion efficiency of vertical wind turbines, capturing more wind and reducing drag, making them suitable for individual use while avoiding the drawbacks of horizontal turbines.

Implementation Method 1

A wind turbine design featuring a frame assembly with angled airfoil-shaped vanes that utilize the Coandă effect, Bernoulli's principle, and viscous shear to direct wind towards angled turbine blades, creating a low-pressure area for enhanced lift and torque

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoandă effect: Coanda Effect

Implementation Method 2

A wind turbine design featuring a frame assembly with angled airfoil-shaped vanes that utilize the Coandă effect, Bernoulli's principle, and viscous shear to direct wind towards angled turbine blades, creating a low-pressure area for enhanced lift and torque

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBernoulli's principle: Bernoulli Effect

Implementation Method 3

A wind turbine design featuring a frame assembly with angled airfoil-shaped vanes that utilize the Coandă effect, Bernoulli's principle, and viscous shear to direct wind towards angled turbine blades, creating a low-pressure area for enhanced lift and torque

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscous shear: Shear Stress

Data Source

PatentUS10634116B1Wind turbine

Publication Date: 2020.04.28 SHOFFLER DAVID A

AI summary

A wind turbine having at least two blades mounted to a blade retainer and a load shaft connected to the blade retainer, such that movement of the blades due to wind causes rotation of the load shaft. The wind turbine includes a frame assembly surrounding the turbine assembly. The frame assembly includes a plurality of vanes to direct wind inside the frame assembly and towards the blades of the turbine assembly. The vanes have a half circle shaped leading edge pointing to an outside perimeter of the frame assembly. The half circle leading edge has two ends and the vanes have a side extending from each of the ends of the half circle that come together to form a trailing edge.