Wind Deflecting Structure Accelerates Flow for Turbine Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind energy collection systems do not effectively harness increased wind speeds at higher altitudes, leading to suboptimal energy conversion efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A wind energy generating system that includes a wind deflecting structure creating accelerated flow paths, positioning vertical or horizontal axis turbines within these paths to capture higher wind velocities, coupled with energy converters to generate electricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If turbines are positioned at higher altitudes to capture increased wind speeds, then wind power output increases, but system complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
A wind deflecting structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the natural wind flow and the turbine. This structure accelerates and directs wind toward the turbine, enabling the turbine to operate at lower altitudes while capturing wind speeds that would normally only be available at higher elevations, thus avoiding the complexity of high-altitude installation
Solution Approach 2:
The wind deflecting structure modifies the wind flow parameters (velocity and direction) before it reaches the turbine. By accelerating the wind through aerodynamic design of the deflecting structure, the system achieves higher wind speeds at turbine location without requiring the turbine to be positioned at higher altitudes
2Productivity
If wind deflecting structures are used to accelerate wind flow, then energy conversion efficiency increases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wind deflecting structure is divided into multiple modular sections that can be manufactured separately and assembled on-site. This segmentation reduces manufacturing complexity for each individual component while achieving the overall wind acceleration effect through the combined structure
Solution Approach 2:
The wind deflecting structure employs curved and aerodynamic surfaces to optimize wind flow acceleration. These curved geometries are designed to guide wind smoothly and create the necessary velocity increase, with the curvature profiles being standardized for manufacturing efficiency
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 achieves an eight-fold increase in power output due to the increased wind velocity, leveraging the cubical proportionality of wind power conversion with speed, thereby enhancing energy harvesting efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a wind deflecting structure that divides wind impinging on the structure into two separate accelerated flow paths
Implementation Method 2
one or more vertical or horizontal axis turbines are positioned in proximity to the wind deflecting structure such that the turbine is placed within one of the accelerated flow paths
Implementation Method 3
An energy converter is coupled to the turbine that converts rotary motion of the turbine into electricity
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical energy generating system converts wind power to electrical power with a wind deflecting structure that divides wind impinging on the structure into two separate accelerated flow paths. One or more turbines are positioned in proximity to the wind deflecting structure such that a portion of the vanes of the turbine is placed within one of the accelerated flow paths. An energy converter is coupled to the turbine that converts rotary motion of the turbine into electricity.