Wind Turbine Flow Accelerator for Airflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbines face inefficiencies due to dependence on sufficient wind speeds for energy generation and are prone to overloading at high speeds, with complex and costly designs attempting to enhance airflow for energy production.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine design featuring a tube with a flow accelerator having an airfoil shape, increasing dynamic pressure at the upper edge and static pressure at the lower edge, enhancing the chimney and suction effect within the tube, and incorporating a rotatable suction device with wind vanes to optimize airflow and prevent overloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a streamlined housing is used to accelerate air flow through suction effect, then air flow velocity is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple sections (first housing section, second housing section, third housing section) with progressively changing cross-sectional areas. This segmentation allows the complex streamlined shape to be constructed from simpler geometric components, reducing manufacturing difficulty while maintaining the air acceleration function.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing incorporates adjustable components including variable pitch rotor blades and adjustable air inlet openings that can be modified based on operating conditions. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize air flow velocity without requiring a completely redesigned housing geometry for each condition.
2Productivity
If the tube length is increased to enhance chimney effect, then air flow rate is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing tube length, the invention applies local quality changes by varying the cross-sectional area at different sections of the housing. The first, second, and third housing sections have progressively reduced cross-sectional areas, creating localized acceleration zones that enhance the chimney effect without requiring excessive tube length.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes geometric parameters (cross-sectional area) along the tube length to optimize air flow. By progressively reducing the cross-sectional area from the first to the third housing section, the system enhances air velocity and chimney effect while keeping the overall structure compact and manageable.
3Power
If rotor blade speed is increased to generate more electrical power, then power output is improved, but risk of overloading increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor blades feature variable pitch capability, allowing the blade angle to be dynamically adjusted based on wind conditions. This enables the system to optimize power generation at different wind speeds while preventing overloading by reducing blade pitch when wind speeds become excessively high, thus protecting the generator.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control through adjustable pitch mechanisms that respond to wind speed conditions. When wind speeds increase to levels that could cause overloading, the pitch adjustment reduces the aerodynamic force on the blades, automatically regulating power output and protecting the generator from damage.
4Productivity
If air inlet openings are increased to enhance air flow into tube, then air flow rate is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air inlet system is segmented into multiple adjustable openings distributed across the housing sections rather than a single complex structure. This segmentation allows each opening to be simpler in design while collectively providing enhanced air flow rate into the tube.
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 increases airflow velocity and rotational speed of rotor blades, enhancing electrical power generation while being technically simple, inexpensive, and low-maintenance, with adjustable components to manage varying wind conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the dynamic pressure is increased at the upper body edge and the static pressure is reduced equivalently, and at the same time the dynamic pressure is reduced at the lower body edge and the static pressure is equivalently increased
Implementation Method 2
air flows over the top opening of a tube, creating a chimney or suction effect in the tube. This results in an air flow within the tube from a lower air inlet opening to the upper air outlet opening
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The aim of the invention is to provide a wind turbine by which an increased flow rate can be attained in a tube and which is technically simple, cost-effective and low-maintenance. Said aim is achieved in that the suction device is a flow accelerator (4) with an airfoil-shaped cross section, the edge (10) of the upper body of said flow accelerator being longer than an edge (11) of the lower body in the direction of flow and having a passage opening (12) above the air outlet opening (3). Wind turbines of this type are used for power generation.