Wind Turbine Array Azimuth Adjustment via Bollard
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wind turbine designs limit the swept area of turbine blades, restricting the amount of electrical energy that can be harvested from wind, as they focus on increasing blade length rather than optimizing the surface area and orientation relative to wind direction.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine array comprising multiple turbines mounted on a supporting frame, raised by a bollard, which adjusts the azimuth to optimize wind orientation, increasing the blade surface area and energy harvesting efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If blade length is increased to increase swept area, then electrical energy production is improved, but device complexity and structural stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large wind turbine into multiple smaller turbines arranged in an array configuration. Each turbine has its own rotor and generator, and they are mounted on a common supporting frame. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high total swept area without the complexity and stability issues of a single oversized turbine.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple independent wind turbines into a unified array structure mounted on a single supporting frame. The turbines work together as an integrated system, sharing common support structures while maintaining individual operational independence, thereby achieving high energy production with reduced overall complexity.
2Productivity
If blade surface area is increased to harvest more wind energy, then electrical energy production is improved, but structural stability and load distribution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The total blade surface area is distributed across multiple smaller turbines rather than concentrated in one large turbine. This segmentation reduces the structural load on any single support element while maintaining high total energy harvesting capability through the collective array.
Solution Approach 2:
Each turbine in the array has optimized local blade characteristics suited to its position and wind exposure. The supporting frame provides localized support at each turbine mounting point, distributing loads evenly and maintaining structural stability while allowing high total surface area for energy capture.
3Productivity
If turbine orientation is optimized to maximize wind capture, then electrical energy production is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple turbines on a single rotatable supporting frame, allowing the entire array to be oriented together toward the wind source. This unified orientation mechanism is simpler than individual orientation systems for each turbine, while still achieving optimal wind capture for all blades simultaneously.
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
Enhances electrical energy production by increasing the blade surface area and optimizing wind turbine orientation, leading to improved energy transfer and generation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A wind turbine is a rotating mechanical device that converts the wind into electrical power. The wind turbine uses the wind to rotate a blade that in turn rotates a generator that generates electric power.
Data Source
AI summary
The wind turbine array includes a plurality of wind turbines, a supporting frame, and a bollard. The plurality of wind turbines mount in the supporting frame. The bollard: 1) raises the supporting frame above a supporting surface; 2) transfers the load path of the supporting frame and the plurality of wind turbines to the supporting surface; and, 3) adjusts the azimuth of the supporting frame to optimize the orientation of the plurality of turbines relative to the direction of the wind. The plurality of wind turbines use the wind to generate electricity that is subsequently fed into an electric load.