Wind Duct Turbine System Eliminating Backflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind energy conversion systems, particularly vertical turbines, face inefficiencies due to space constraints in urban environments, aesthetic concerns, and reduced efficiency caused by backflow and pressure increases from expanding ducts or funnels behind the turbine.
Innovation Solution
A wind energy conversion system with a duct design that eliminates pressure and turbulence increasing elements behind the turbine, featuring a pressure-decreasing diffuser and optimized angles for the duct walls and louvers to enhance airflow and reduce turbulence, allowing for a smoother, more efficient energy conversion process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an expanding duct or funnel is placed behind the turbine, then the duct captures and concentrates wind towards the turbine, but it creates increased pressure areas and turbulent flow behind the turbine causing backflow that decreases efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful expanding duct or funnel structure from behind the turbine, extracting the source of pressure increase and turbulence. This eliminates the backflow problem while maintaining the beneficial wind concentration effect through alternative means such as the duct configuration upstream of the turbine.
2Productivity
If a duct with decreasing area towards the turbine is used, then wind is concentrated and efficiency increases, but space requirements increase which is problematic in urban environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the area-decreasing duct configuration only in the upstream direction towards the turbine, where wind concentration is beneficial, while maintaining a different configuration downstream to avoid backflow. This localized application of the converging duct design achieves efficiency improvement without the detrimental effects of an expanding downstream section.
3Adaptability or versatility
If vertically oriented turbines are used, then they are easier to integrate in urban environments and less sensitive to wind direction, but they are less efficient than horizontal axis turbines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a vertical axis turbine design that incorporates a multi-functional duct system serving both to concentrate wind towards the turbine (improving efficiency) and to manage downstream flow (preventing backflow). This allows the vertical turbine to achieve efficiency comparable to horizontal axis turbines while maintaining its advantages of urban adaptability and omnidirectional wind capture.
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 design enhances wind energy conversion efficiency by minimizing backflow and pressure increases, leading to increased turbine speed and power generation, while being aesthetically appealing and adaptable to various wind directions.
Implementation Method 1
a duct for air, the duct comprising a floor, a first and a second wall, a roof, and the duct further defining an air inflow direction towards a turbine
Implementation Method 2
a wind-driven turbine, arranged on a mast, and comprising one or more blades, rotatable around a horizontal axis of rotation
Implementation Method 3
Electric power system for converting wind energy into electric energy
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electric power system for converting wind energy into electric energy, comprising a duct for air, the duct comprising a floor, a first and a second wall, a roof, defining an air inflow direction towards, a turbine having a diameter, and being located adjacent to or at least partially in the duct; and defining together with the duct an air outflow direction wherein an area free of pressure and/or turbulence increasing obstructing elements, extending in the resultant air outflow direction of the turbine over a length of at least one, and preferably more than two times the turbine diameter, measured from the centre of rotation of the turbine. The invention further relates to a building comprising such system.