Hybrid Wind Gas Speed Torque Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind energy generation systems face inefficiencies due to variability in wind speed and torque, requiring additional fossil fuel sources for consistent power output and lacking the ability to seamlessly integrate multiple mechanical prime movers for optimal energy production.

Innovation Solution

A Multisection Speed/Torque Compensating Electro-Mechanical Energy-Conversion Device utilizing a single epicyclic gear set with a control system to reconcile disparate speed and torque profiles from multiple mechanical and electrical power sources, allowing for continuous variable gear ratios and four-quadrant operation, enabling efficient power transfer and generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wind energy generation systems operate with variable wind speed and torque, then the system can adapt to natural wind conditions, but the power output becomes inconsistent and requires additional fossil fuel sources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to wind conditionsVSAvoidpower output consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines wind energy and natural gas energy into a single hybrid power generation system. The speed-torque module integrates both power sources mechanically, allowing them to work together to provide consistent power output while adapting to variable wind conditions alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hybrid system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate on wind power alone, natural gas alone, or a combination of both. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain reliable power output regardless of wind conditions by switching between or combining power sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If standby fossil fuel capacity is increased to ensure consistent power output, then power reliability improves, but the size and cost of the fossil fuel plant capacity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower output consistencyVSAvoidstandby fossil fuel capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of building a large standby fossil fuel plant, the system uses a smaller natural gas component that only activates partially when needed to supplement wind power. This partial action approach provides the necessary reliability while minimizing the quantity of fossil fuel capacity required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If multiple mechanical prime movers are integrated to optimize energy production, then energy efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy production efficiencyVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The speed-torque module serves as a mechanical intermediary that directly couples the wind turbine and natural gas engine. This intermediary mechanism reconciles their different speed and torque characteristics, enabling efficient integrated operation while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If a single epicyclic gear set is used instead of multiple gear sets, then the device complexity reduces, but the ability to reconcile disparate speed torque characteristics may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of gear setsVSAvoidspeed torque reconciliation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The single epicyclic gear set utilizes variable torque application to the rotors to dynamically change the effective gear ratio. By controlling the torque distribution to different rotors, the system can reconcile disparate speed-torque characteristics of multiple prime movers while maintaining a simple single-stage gear structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 device ensures consistent wind energy generation by augmenting wind power with natural gas, reducing the need for standby fossil fuel capacity, enhances grid resilience, and optimizes energy transfer across varying conditions, providing a more distributed and reliable power grid.

Implementation Method 1

the algebraic differential speeds of the electromagnetically controlled rotors of the device... throughput gear ratio of the machine... epicyclic gear sets whose transfer function (gear ratio)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGear ratio: Gear

Implementation Method 2

electromechanically controlled rotors... control means for controlling a speed torque profile of the primary rotor and the secondary rotor, by electromechanical means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic control: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11131376B2Multisection speed/torque compensating electro-mechanical energy-conversion device

Publication Date: 2021.09.28 OTT BRIAN K

AI summary

An electromechanical machine that uses electrical power to provide electromechanically-balanced motive torque to one or more mechanical loads, or that uses electromechanically-balanced mechanical power from one or more sources of motive torque to supply electrical power to one or more loads, while seamlessly reconciling the speed and torque differences between such loads-and-sources by use of speed-torque modules and a control means.