Wind Generator with Mechanical Bellows Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small wind generator systems face challenges such as high maintenance costs, damage from high wind speeds, acoustic noise, aesthetic issues, and expensive energy storage solutions, which hinder their efficiency and acceptance in residential applications.
Innovation Solution
A modular wind generator system with aerodynamic adjustment elements, wind directional apparatus, and energy storage systems like mechanical bellows that utilize shaped memory materials to optimize energy harvesting and storage, reducing complexity and costs while enhancing reliability and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blade pitching, airfoil spoilers, blade tip breaks, or braking means are used to prevent system damage from high wind speeds, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes complex protective mechanisms (blade pitching systems, airfoil spoilers, braking means) from the wind generator design. By eliminating these components, the system achieves high reliability through simplicity, avoiding the maintenance and complexity issues associated with traditional protective devices while still protecting against high wind speeds through fundamental design choices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple furling mechanism using flexible blades that can bend and deform during high wind events. Rather than using expensive, complex protective systems that require maintenance, the design allows the blades to naturally respond to wind forces, accepting some temporary deformation as a low-cost protective measure that eliminates the need for elaborate braking or pitching systems.
2Reliability
If complex protective means are installed to prevent damage from high wind speeds, then system reliability is improved, but maintenance costs and downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates complex protective systems that require maintenance by using a passive furling design. The flexible blades naturally respond to high wind speeds through aerodynamic forces alone, without requiring active control systems, brakes, or other maintenance-intensive components. This extraction of complex protective means directly reduces maintenance costs and downtime.
3Productivity
If large blades are used to harvest lower-energy winds, then energy generation capability is improved, but susceptibility to damage from high wind speeds increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamically flexible blades that can change their shape and orientation in response to wind conditions. During high wind events, the blades naturally furl or bend, reducing their effective area and aerodynamic loading. This dynamic response allows the system to maintain large blade surface area for energy generation during normal conditions while automatically protecting itself during high wind speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the blades by allowing them to deform from their normal operating configuration during high wind events. The blades transition from a rigid, high-capture-area state during normal operation to a flexible, reduced-area state during high winds, effectively changing their aerodynamic parameters to balance energy generation with damage prevention.
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 effectively harnesses low-velocity wind, reduces maintenance needs, minimizes noise and aesthetic concerns, and provides efficient energy storage, making it suitable for residential use with lower cyclic costs and improved performance.
Implementation Method 1
energy storage systems like mechanical bellows that utilize shaped memory materials to optimize energy harvesting and storage
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a wind generator system particularly suitable for small wind applications that harnesses low velocity wind effectively. The wind generator system comprises a drive shaft; one or more retreating blades and one or more advancing blades attached to the drive shaft and extending radially outwardly therefrom; a generator assembly coupled to the drive shaft and effective for generating electrical power; and a energy storage system comprising a mechanical bellows.