Wind Turbine Rotor with Adjustable Wind Funnels for Low Speed Capture

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wind turbines are inefficient at low and high wind speeds and are dependent on specific wind directions, requiring frequent shutdowns and large-scale infrastructure, which limits their effectiveness and environmental impact.

Innovation Solution

An energy conversion system featuring a rotor with a tubular mantle and adjustable wind funnels that increase wind speed by up to 60% and allow orientation to prevailing wind directions, enabling efficient energy capture across a range of wind conditions without the need for large foundations or deforestation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional wind turbines operate according to the lift principle, then power generation efficiency is improved at high wind speeds, but the rotor must be switched off at low and high wind speeds, reducing overall energy capture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidoperational downtime at low and high wind speeds

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wind turbine system is segmented into multiple rotor blades, each capable of independent operation. This allows the turbine to continue generating power at low wind speeds by utilizing the drag principle on individual blades, while maintaining lift-based efficiency at higher speeds, thereby reducing operational downtime

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotor blades are designed with variable geometric parameters, including adjustable pitch angles and flexible structures that can adapt to different wind speed conditions. This enables the blades to transition between drag-based and lift-based operation modes, maintaining productivity across the full wind speed spectrum

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If conventional wind turbines are designed for optimal performance, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but the system becomes dependent on specific wind directions and requires frequent shutdowns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy conversion efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to changing wind directions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wind turbine incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow the rotor and blades to actively adapt to changing wind directions in real-time. This dynamic adaptability maintains optimal energy conversion efficiency regardless of wind direction changes, eliminating the need for frequent shutdowns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotor blade design incorporates multi-functionality, capable of operating effectively in both lift-based and drag-based modes, and adapting to various wind directions. This universal design approach ensures consistent performance across diverse operating conditions without requiring system shutdowns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If conventional wind turbines are installed in optimal locations, then wind energy capture is improved, but large-scale infrastructure and deforestation are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind energy captureVSAvoidenvironmental impact from large-scale infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wind turbine system employs simplified, modular components that can be manufactured with minimal environmental impact. The design uses readily available materials and construction methods that avoid large-scale infrastructure requirements, reducing harmful environmental effects while maintaining effective wind energy capture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotor blades utilize flexible, thin-film structures that can be manufactured with minimal material consumption and environmental impact. This approach replaces heavy, infrastructure-intensive components with lightweight, easily deployable elements that achieve effective wind capture without large-scale construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Productivity

If conventional wind turbines use the drag principle, then operation at low wind speeds is improved, but overall efficiency is considered too poor for practical use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation at low wind speedsVSAvoidenergy conversion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor blades employ periodic adjustment of their operational mode, switching between drag-based and lift-based mechanisms in response to varying wind conditions. This periodic adaptation allows effective operation at low wind speeds while maintaining high energy conversion efficiency during more favorable conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The rotor blades are constructed from composite materials that combine the properties needed for both drag-based and lift-based operation. This composite structure enables the blades to effectively utilize the drag principle at low speeds while transitioning to lift-based efficiency at higher speeds, minimizing energy loss across all operating conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 achieves significantly higher energy yields than conventional turbines, with improved efficiency and reduced material usage, allowing for flexible installation in various locations, including urban areas and water surfaces, and a shorter payback period due to lower investment costs.

Implementation Method 1

By way of the rotor mantle and the collecting device oriented towards the wind direction, a forced flow over the rotor surface can be achieved

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

Wind turbines usually operate according to the lift principle since it is commonly assumed that the drag principle has too poor an efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLift principle: Aerofoil

Implementation Method 3

the drag principle has too poor an efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDrag principle: Drag

Implementation Method 4

the axis of rotation can be oriented substantially parallel to the wind direction so that the wind acts on every point of the rotor in the direction of rotation thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWind direction alignment:

Data Source

PatentUS11976624B2Energy conversion system for converting wind energy into electrical energy

Publication Date: 2024.05.07 IMMIG MARIO

AI summary

An energy conversion system for converting wind energy into electrical energy includes at least one rotor having a substantially horizontal rotational axis and a plurality of rotor blades extending radially with respect to the rotational axis; a rotor mantle which fully surrounds the rotor; a plurality of wind funnels, including a first wind funnel arranged upstream of the rotor mantle and tapering towards the rotor mantle, and a second wind funnel arranged downstream of the rotor mantle and widening in a direction leading away from the rotor mantle; and a fixed frame which supports the rotor mantle and/or the plurality of wind funnels, wherein at least one adjustment device is provided, which is arranged and configured to orient the energy conversion system in a position corresponding to a prevailing wind direction.