Wind Turbine Super-Rated Power Capture With Mechanical Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind turbines are limited by rated generator power, leading to a loss of available wind energy in Region 3, and existing solutions either increase costs or require additional structural reinforcement to capture more power.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows super-rated power generation in Region 3+, where the turbine generates power above the rated limit and stores it mechanically before converting it into electric power, using an integrated energy storage system such as hydraulic or mechanical energy storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the generator size is increased to capture more wind energy in Region 3, then power production increases, but cost and mass of the generator increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power capture function between the rotor (which captures mechanical energy from wind) and the generator (which converts mechanical energy to electrical energy). The rotor is designed to capture super-rated power in Region 3, while the generator operates at its rated capacity, with excess mechanical energy stored in a mechanical energy storage system. This segmentation allows the generator size to remain unchanged while increasing overall power production capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by storing excess mechanical energy from the rotor in a mechanical energy storage system (such as a flywheel or spring-based system) before the generator converts it to electrical energy. This allows the system to capture and preserve energy that would otherwise be lost, and then transfer it to the generator when needed, effectively increasing power production without requiring a larger generator.
2Reliability
If blade pitch control is used to limit power to rated generator power in Region 3, then generator protection is ensured, but available wind energy is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mechanical energy storage system as an intermediary between the rotor and the generator. This intermediary captures and stores excess mechanical energy from the rotor that would otherwise be lost due to pitch control limitations, and then transfers this stored energy to the generator when operational conditions are favorable. This resolves the contradiction by preserving both generator protection (through controlled energy transfer) and wind energy capture (through the storage intermediary).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the rotor by allowing it to operate at super-rated power levels in Region 3, exceeding the traditional rated power limit. By adjusting the rotor's power output parameter to be higher than the generator's rated capacity and using the mechanical energy storage system to manage the excess, the system captures previously lost wind energy while maintaining generator protection through controlled energy transfer timing and rate.
3Reliability
If rated power is held constant in Region 3, then generator limits are respected, but power production variability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by using the mechanical energy storage system to continuously transfer energy from the rotor to the generator. The storage system maintains a continuous energy transfer process, smoothing out fluctuations and variability in power output. This ensures the generator receives steady, controlled energy input that respects its power limits while maintaining stable and reliable power production, eliminating the variability that would result from simple pitch control methods.
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 approach significantly increases power production without increasing generator size or cost, allowing for more efficient energy capture and storage, and reduces the variability of wind energy output.
Implementation Method 1
the mechanical power extracted by a wind turbine rotor (P) and the downwind thrust force (T) can be defined and related
Implementation Method 2
generated super-rated power may be stored in the energy storage system before the generator converts generated super-rated power into electric power
Data Source
AI summary
A system for increasing power capture comprising a turbine having a rotor, a generator having a rated power limit, and an energy storage system, wherein the rotor generates a super-rated power above the rated power limit of the generator and the super-rated power is stored in the energy storage system before the generator converts the super-rated power into electric power.