Wind Turbine Virtual Aerodynamic Component for Energy Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines experience low torque extraction and inefficient energy capture due to poor aerodynamic design at the inner rotor section, with the inner 20% of the rotor blades not contributing significantly to energy production.
Innovation Solution
A virtual aerodynamic component is introduced, comprising air-blowing units that redirect incoming wind towards the profiled outer portion of the rotor blades during operational conditions, and allow wind to pass through during high winds, enhancing airflow acceleration and energy capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the inner portion of rotor blades is designed for structural support, then blade strength is improved, but aerodynamic efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A virtual aerodynamic component is introduced as an intermediary element between the incoming wind and the rotor blade. This virtual component, created by air-blowing units, redirects the wind flow to bypass the non-aerodynamic inner portion and directs it toward the aerodynamically efficient outer portion of the blade, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural support needs and aerodynamic performance
Solution Approach 2:
The air-blowing units change the flow parameters (direction and velocity) of the incoming wind. By actively modifying the wind flow characteristics through blown air, the system transforms the flow path to exploit the aerodynamic potential of the outer blade portion while maintaining the structural function of the inner portion
2Ease of manufacture
If a fixed aerodynamic design is used for rotor blades, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different wind conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static, fixed aerodynamic design to a dynamic configuration. The air-blowing units are activated or deactivated based on wind conditions, creating a variable aerodynamic environment that adapts to different operating scenarios while keeping the physical blade structure simple and easy to manufacture
3Productivity
If air-blowing units are activated to form a virtual aerodynamic component, then energy capture is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air-blowing units utilize the existing wind flow and kinetic energy in the environment to generate the blown air stream. By leveraging the natural wind resource rather than requiring external power sources, the system achieves energy capture enhancement with minimal additional energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of air-blowing units based on wind speed and direction parameters. By activating these units only under specific wind conditions where they provide net benefit, the system optimizes the balance between energy capture improvement and energy consumption
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 solution increases the coefficient of power (Cp) of the blade by accelerating airflow into more aerodynamically efficient regions, thereby enhancing energy production and reducing energy loss at the inner rotor section.
Implementation Method 1
one or more air-blowing units, configured to provide a flow of air substantially opposed to an incoming wind, the flow of air defining the virtual aerodynamic component
Implementation Method 2
Accelerating the inboard section velocities and pushing the sped-up flow to outer span locations of the rotor blades will help increase the coefficient of power (Cp) of the blade
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual aerodynamic component for a wind turbine including at least one rotor blade connected to a hub. The at least one rotor blade defines an inner portion and a profiled outer portion. The virtual aerodynamic component includes one or more air-blowing units configured to provide a flow of air substantially opposed to an incoming wind. The flow of air defines the virtual aerodynamic component in front of the inner portion of the at least one rotor blade and provides for redirection of the incoming wind toward the profiled outer portion of the at least one rotor blade in an operational state and allows the incoming wind to flow toward the inner portion of the at least one rotor blade in a non-operational state. Further described is a wind turbine including the above-described virtual aerodynamic component and method for aerodynamic performance enhancement of an existing wind turbine.