Wheel-Hub Driven Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vertical-axis wind turbines suffer from poor power-generation performance due to lower rotational velocity at the center compared to linear velocity at the circumference, leading to increased costs and technical difficulties, and are limited by inertial and gravitational forces, making it challenging to increase power capacity.
Innovation Solution
A wheel-hub driven wind turbine apparatus where vertical-axis wind turbine blades translate wind forces into movement, driving a wheel-hub to rotate and generate electrical power, with a generator coupled to the wheel-hub to harness this energy, potentially using a central shaft integrated with the rotor for efficient power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional vertical-axis wind turbines use a central shaft to drive generators, then the structure is simple and installation is easy, but the rotational velocity at the center is much lower than the linear velocity at the circumference, resulting in poor power-generation performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from utilizing rotational velocity at the center (one-dimensional rotation) to utilizing linear velocity at the circumference (one-dimensional translation). The wheel-hub assembly converts the rotational motion of the vertical-axis turbine into linear motion of the entire wheel assembly, which then drives the generator through linear velocity at the wheel circumference, thereby resolving the velocity mismatch problem.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directly connecting the central shaft to the generator (conventional approach), the patent inverts the driving mechanism by using the wheel-hub assembly where the circumference drives the generator. This inversion allows the high linear velocity at the wheel circumference to be utilized for power generation, rather than being wasted in the slow rotational motion at the center.
2Power
If horizontal-axis wind turbines increase blade diameter to achieve higher power capacity, then power generation capacity increases, but inertial forces, gravitational forces, and mechanical fatigue increase, making further increases difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple vertical-axis turbine blades arranged in a circular pattern, utilizing the circumferential space rather than increasing the length of single blades. This dimensional change allows power capacity to be increased by adding more blades in the horizontal plane, avoiding the mechanical limitations of longer blades while still capturing more wind energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the power-generating structure into multiple separate vertical-axis blades arranged around a central point, each blade operating independently. This segmentation allows the system to achieve higher total power capacity through multiple smaller units rather than one large blade, reducing the mechanical stress on each individual blade while maintaining overall system power output.
3Power
If horizontal-axis wind turbines increase blade diameter and tower height to achieve higher power capacity, then power generation capacity increases, but installation and maintenance become more complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges multiple vertical-axis blades in a horizontal circular configuration, allowing the structure to achieve greater power capacity without increasing tower height. The wheel-hub assembly with generators positioned at the wheel circumference utilizes the radial dimension rather than the vertical dimension, enabling ground-level or low-height installation while maintaining high power output.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing tower height to accommodate larger blades (conventional vertical scaling), the patent inverts the scaling approach by increasing the number of blades in a horizontal plane (radial scaling). This inversion allows power capacity to be increased without proportionally increasing installation height and associated complexity.
4Ease of operation
If vertical-axis wind turbines rotate at slower speed with higher torque, then they can operate without tall towers and omnidirectionally, but power-generation performance deteriorates due to lower rotational velocity at the center
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the slow rotational motion at the center into fast linear motion at the wheel circumference. The wheel-hub assembly translates the rotational input into linear velocity of the wheel assembly, which then drives the generator. This dimensional transformation allows the system to maintain operational flexibility of slow rotation while achieving the high velocity needed for efficient power generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel-hub assembly acts as an intermediary between the vertical-axis turbine blades and the generator. It receives the slow rotational input from the blades and transforms it into high linear velocity motion that efficiently drives the generator, thereby mediating between the conflicting requirements of slow operation and fast power generation.
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 configuration enhances power-generation efficiency by leveraging the linear velocity at the circumference, reducing costs and technical complexities, and allows for more flexible installation and maintenance compared to traditional horizontal-axis turbines.
Implementation Method 1
at least one vertical-axis wind turbine blade mounted on the body and configured to translate wind forces exerting on the at least one vertical-axis wind turbine blade to the body, causing the body to move
Implementation Method 2
at least one generator coupled to the at least one wheel-hub and configured to generate electrical power when driven by the rotation of the at least one wheel-hub
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A wheel-hub driven wind turbine apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may include a body (101) and at least one vertical-axis wind turbine blade (102) mounted on the body (101) to translate wind forces exerting on the at least one vertical-axis wind turbine blade (102) to the body (101), causing the body (101) to move. The apparatus may also include at least one wheel-hub (105a, 105b, 105c, 105d) attached to the body (101) and configured to rotate when driven by the movement of the body (101). The apparatus may also include at least one generator (106) coupled to the at least one wheel-hub (105a, 105b, 105c, 105d) to generate electrical power when driven by the rotation of the at least one wheel-hub (105a, 105b, 105c, 105d).