Small Wind Turbine Generator With Movable Stator Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small wind turbines face challenges in regulating voltage output due to mechanical complexity, noise, vibration, and high costs, which limits their wider adoption and acceptance, particularly in residential and remote areas.
Innovation Solution
A self-regulating generator system for small wind turbines that adjusts output voltage by varying the position of a stator relative to a rotor using an actuator, allowing the propeller to rotate freely without mechanical braking, thus stabilizing voltage without complex mechanical or electrical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical control mechanisms (tail yawing, blade furling, blade pitch adjustment) are used to regulate voltage output, then voltage regulation is achieved, but mechanical complexity increases and the system becomes subject to malfunction, noise, and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical control mechanisms (tail yawing, blade furling, blade pitch adjustment) with an electrical control system. The controller receives signals from the voltage regulator and actuates the rotor winding to regulate voltage output, eliminating the need for complex mechanical moving parts while achieving the same voltage regulation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electrical control system between the wind turbine rotor and the voltage output. The controller and rotor winding act as intermediaries that electrically adjust the generator's magnetic field to regulate voltage, rather than directly mechanically altering the blade configuration or turbine orientation.
2Reliability
If mechanical control mechanisms are used to regulate voltage, then voltage output is controlled, but noise and vibration increase due to sudden blade angle changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates noise and vibration by replacing mechanical blade angle adjustment mechanisms with an electrical control system. The controller adjusts the rotor winding's magnetic field electrically, producing no mechanical movement, noise, or vibration while achieving precise voltage control.
3Reliability
If resistor banks are used to discharge load from the generator, then excess voltage is managed, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for external resistor banks by implementing voltage regulation directly within the generator's electrical system. The controller and rotor winding adjustment provide internal voltage management, removing the requirement for separate load discharge components like resistor banks.
4Reliability
If mechanical control systems are implemented in small wind turbines, then voltage regulation is possible, but cost and complexity limit wider adoption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive and complex mechanical control systems with a more economical electrical control system. By using a controller and rotor winding adjustment instead of mechanical actuators, linkages, and moving parts, the system achieves voltage regulation at lower manufacturing cost and complexity, making small wind turbines more commercially viable.
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 stabilizes voltage output by minimizing mechanical complexity and noise, reducing costs, and enabling efficient energy generation across varying wind speeds.
Implementation Method 1
Within the magnetic field of the stator, an armature on a rotating shaft of the generator is caused to rotate by the turning of the wind turbine. The armature is, for example, a coiled copper or other metal wire.
Implementation Method 2
The actuator moves the stator on the guide shaft, in respect of the spinning rotor, to vary a voltage of the generated electricity.
Data Source
AI summary
A small turbine generator is connected to a wind turbine. The wind turbine spins freely due to a variable wind force on the wind turbine. The generator includes a spinning rotor that is responsive and spins proportional to spin of the wind turbine. A stator is connected to an actuator. The stator is selectively moved by the actuator nearer to or further from the rotor to vary the electrical power generated. Movement of the stator is controlled such that an electrical measure, such as voltage of the electrical power generated, does not exceed a threshold level.