Wind Turbine Blade Coupling for Passive Pitch Relief in Strong Winds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind power generators face issues with blade breakage and instability during strong winds due to mechanical hinges and complex variable pitch mechanisms, leading to frequent maintenance and size and weight challenges.
Innovation Solution
A wind power generator with a design that includes a tower, a main body, a windmill, and a power generator, utilizing a coupling member with elastic mechanism portions that adjust the pitch angle of blades in response to wind force, allowing continuous power generation without breakage, and a simplified structure without a gear box or large yaw control devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical hinges and spring-based elastic mechanisms are used to suppress blade movement, then blade positioning is achieved, but the blades break under strong wind force and the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hinge system with a flexible coupling member that has elastic deformation capability. Instead of using mechanical hinges and springs to suppress blade movement, the coupling member itself deforms elastically under wind load, allowing the blade to change pitch angle naturally without complex mechanical constraints. This substitution eliminates the mechanical hinge structure while achieving the same blade positioning function through material elasticity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the coupling from rigid (mechanical hinge) to flexible (elastic deformation). The coupling member is designed to deform elastically under wind force, changing its shape and angle dynamically. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to varying wind conditions without breaking, as the coupling member can flex rather than fracture under excessive load.
2Reliability
If variable pitch mechanism is added to change blade direction according to wind force, then power generation stability is improved, but the structure becomes complicated and size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the variable pitch mechanism with the elastic deformation capability of the coupling member. Instead of using a mechanical system to actively change blade pitch angle in response to wind force, the coupling member passively deforms elastically under wind load, automatically adjusting the blade pitch angle. This substitution eliminates the need for complex variable pitch mechanisms while maintaining power generation stability under varying wind conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling member serves itself by using its own elastic deformation property to adjust the blade pitch angle in response to wind force. Instead of requiring an external variable pitch mechanism to control the blade angle, the coupling member automatically adapts to wind conditions through its inherent flexibility. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex control systems while achieving stable power generation.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical coupling structure with hinges is used to connect blade and hub, then blade motion is constrained, but the hinges have short life and require frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hinge connection with a flexible coupling member that has elastic deformation capability. Instead of using hinges to constrain and control blade motion, the coupling member uses its flexibility to naturally limit blade movement while eliminating the mechanical hinge components that require maintenance. This substitution maintains blade motion control through material properties rather than mechanical constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates the short-lived mechanical hinges by using a coupling member designed for long-term durability through elastic deformation. The coupling member is designed to withstand repeated flexing without fatigue failure, unlike mechanical hinges that wear out. This approach replaces the disposable mechanical hinge with a durable elastic component that maintains its functionality over the lifetime of the wind generator.
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
Enables continuous and stable power generation even in strong winds, reduces size and weight, and simplifies maintenance, while maintaining efficiency and durability.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic mechanism portion disposed between a part of the coupling member on the base part side of the blade member and the fixing member and suppressing movement of the blade member with respect to the fixing member generated by the wind force
Implementation Method 2
a first bending portion provided on the base part side of the blade member and bending the blade member with respect to the coupling member so as to enlarge a pitch angle of the blade member with respect to a direction of the wind force, upon receipt of the wind force
Implementation Method 3
a second bending portion provided on the center member side and bending the coupling member with respect to the center member, upon receipt of the wind force, which is strong, so as to further enlarge the pitch angle of the blade member
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
[Problem] To provide a wind power generator capable of size reduction of a windmill and which can continuously generate power stably without stopping the power generation without breakage even if a wind force increases. [Solution] A configuration in which a coupling member 70 of a wind power generator 1 has a first bending portion 71 provided on a base part 31B side of a blade 31 and, upon receipt of a force of wind W, bending the blade 31 with respect to the coupling member 70 so as to enlarge a pitch angle α of the blade 31 with respect to a direction of the force of the wind W and a second bending portion 72 provided on a center member 50 side and bending the coupling member 70 with respect to the center member 50, upon receipt of the force of strong wind W, so as to further enlarge the pitch angle α of the blade 31 with respect to the direction of the force of the wind W, and when the force of stronger wind W is received after the coupling member 70 is bent with respect to the center member 50 in the second bending portion 72, the first bending portion 71 is further bent in order to release the force of the wind W, and the pitch angle α of the blade 31 with respect to the direction of the force of the wind W is further enlarged.