Wind Energy Apparatus with Rotatable Wind-Guiding Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wind energy power generation systems face challenges in space requirements and instability due to varying wind directions, necessitating remote locations and inconsistent energy production.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a rotatable blade unit with upright blades and a wind-collecting unit featuring non-flat plates and adjustable auxiliary plates, which guide wind from different directions onto the blades, ensuring stable energy generation through a control unit and driving units that adjust the wind-collecting channels based on wind direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a conventional windmill with tall prop and long blades is used, then wind energy conversion capability is improved, but space requirement increases and installation location is restricted to remote areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind energy conversion capabilityVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a rotatable wind-collecting unit that can dynamically adjust its orientation to face wind from different directions. This dynamic adaptation allows the same compact structure to capture wind energy effectively without requiring the large fixed space of conventional windmills, resolving the contradiction between power conversion capability and space requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a vertical rotation dimension to the wind-collecting unit, allowing it to tilt and rotate to capture wind from various directions. This dimensional addition enables effective wind capture in a compact horizontal footprint, eliminating the need for remote locations with large unobstructed spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If a fixed blade arrangement is used, then structure simplicity is maintained, but stable electric generation from various wind directions cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidstable electric generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wind-collecting unit is designed to rotate and tilt dynamically in response to wind direction changes, maintaining optimal alignment with the wind flow. This dynamic adjustment ensures consistent and stable electric generation from various wind directions while adding only minimal structural complexity through the rotation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates wind direction detection and uses this feedback to automatically adjust the orientation of the wind-collecting unit. This feedback mechanism ensures the blades remain optimally positioned relative to the wind direction, maintaining stable power generation without requiring complex manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 configuration enhances the efficiency and stability of electric power generation from wind energy by optimizing wind capture and conversion, regardless of wind direction changes, allowing for more effective use of wind resources in populated areas.

Implementation Method 1

The plates 241 are non-flat so that wind is guided by the plates 241 to blow onto the first side surfaces 2311 of the blades 231 via the wind-guiding channels 240

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWind flow guidance:

Implementation Method 2

the blade unit 23 having upright blades 231 connected directly and fixedly to an upright rod 232 that has a lower end disposed pivotally in a base 21 such that the blade unit 23 is rotatable relative to the base 21 to convert wind energy into a mechanical rotary power output

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWind energy conversion: Wind Power

Implementation Method 3

a generator 13 coupled to the windmill 12 to convert the mechanical rotary power into electric power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2330295B1Apparatus for generating electric power using wind energy
Publication Date: 2016.05.04 LIN PI HSIA
  • EP2330295B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2330295B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2330295B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus for generating electric power from wind energy includes a blade device (6) rotatable relative to a base (3) to convert wind energy into a mechanical rotary power output, and having an upright rod (61) connected with upright blades (62) and coupled to a generator (4) in the base (3) to convert the mechanical rotary power output into electric power. Each blade (62) has spaced wind-collecting ribs (623) extending vertically from a first side surface (621) thereof, thereby defining a wind-collecting space (620) between any two adjacent wind-collecting ribs (623). A wind-collecting unit (5) includes upright plates (51) mounted on the base (3), angularly equidistant and disposed around the blade device (6). Any two adjacent plates (51) define an inwardly converging wind-guiding channel (50) therebetween. Theplates (51) are non-flat so that wind is guided by the plates (51) to blow onto the first side surfaces (621) of the blades (62) via the wind-guiding channels (50).