Wind Turbine Rotor Layout Without a Gear Multiplier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wind generators with multipliers face inefficiencies due to wear, energy dissipation, high costs, and maintenance requirements, and solutions like increasing stator coils or using permanent magnets have limitations such as high starting torque and lack of adaptability to changing rotational speeds.

Innovation Solution

A wind turbine design where the rotor is secured to the propeller blades and the stator is fixed to a structure, using conductive materials and coils to generate a magnetic field, allowing for increased rotor speed without the need for a multiplier, thus improving efficiency and adaptability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a multiplier is used to increase rotor speed, then electrical energy production is improved, but wear, energy dissipation, maintenance requirements, and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical energy productionVSAvoidenergy dissipation through friction
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the multiplier component from the system entirely. By directly coupling the rotor to the propeller shaft, the invention extracts the problematic intermediary component that causes energy loss through friction and wear, while still achieving adequate electrical energy production through the generator design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical multiplication system (multiplier/gearbox) with an electromagnetic field-based solution. The variable magnetic field generated by the stator coils creates electromagnetic torque that directly drives the rotor, substituting a mechanical transmission system with an electromagnetic coupling system that eliminates friction-based energy losses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Power

If permanent magnets are arranged on the rotor periphery to increase rotor speed, then electrical energy production is improved, but starting torque increases and adaptability to changing rotational speeds is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical energy productionVSAvoidadaptability to changing rotational speed
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic magnetic field system where the stator coils can be independently controlled to generate variable magnetic fields. This allows the magnetic field strength and configuration to adapt dynamically to changing rotational speeds of the propeller, optimizing performance across different operating conditions rather than being fixed like permanent magnets

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the magnetic field parameters (strength, distribution, timing) by controlling the current in the stator coils. This allows the magnetic field to be adjusted according to the rotational speed of the propeller, enabling the system to adapt to varying wind conditions and rotational speeds, unlike fixed permanent magnet arrangements

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

This design enhances energy efficiency, reduces costs, and eliminates the need for maintenance-intensive multipliers, while allowing for variable magnetic fields to adapt to changing wind conditions, resulting in a robust and efficient wind energy conversion system.

Implementation Method 1

the stator includes coils (or 'self' according to English terminology) near which the rotor bars pass successively when the rotor turns, so as to disrupt by induction the electromagnetic field generated by each coil when it is traversed by an electric current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

each element can pass close to each coil at each rotation of a complete turn of the wind turbine around its axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3701144B1Aerogenerator
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 EUVE GUY
  • EP3701144B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3701144B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3701144B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The invention concerns an aerogenerator (1) comprising: -a stationary structure (2), -a wind turbine (3) comprising a propeller (31) provided with at least two blades (311) and a shaft (32) extending rigidly connected from a hub (312) of the propeller and mounted so as to be able to rotate freely on the stationary structure, in order to convert wind energy into mechanical energy, and -an electricity generator (4) comprising a rotor (41) secured to the wind turbine and a stator (42) secured to the stationary structure in order to convert the mechanical energy generated by the wind turbine into electrical energy. The rotor is attached to the propeller in such a way as to be set apart from the shaft of the wind turbine. The rotor is thus arranged such that the speed of same increases as the distance at which the rotor is attached to the blades increases, at the same rotational speed of the wind turbine. This results in a technical effect comparable to that of a multiplier, but without the disadvantages of same.