15 patents in this list
Updated: June 30, 2024
In order to generate more electricity and increase energy efficiency, wind turbine power output must be maximized. Wind farms can greatly contribute to a greener energy mix by maximizing wind capture and conversion and lowering dependency on fossil fuels.
To reach maximum power production, there are a few obstacles that need to be addressed. A range of innovations are examined on this page in order to solve the associated difficulties and maximize the power production of wind turbines.
VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S, 2020
Determining a control schedule for wind turbines to optimize power output while maximizing lifetime usage. The control schedule indicates how the turbine's maximum power level varies over time. The schedule is generated using algorithms that analyze turbine properties, site conditions, and component fatigue to balance power output and turbine lifespan.
VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S, 2020
A control method for maximizing energy capture while ensuring long wind turbine life by generating a dynamic control schedule that adjusts the maximum power output over time to balance energy production and component fatigue. The schedule is determined based on factors like target turbine lifetime, maximum component replacements, and remaining fatigue life. It allows operators to optimize energy production within constraints and avoid over-stressing components. The schedule is implemented by the wind turbine controller.
Shun-Tsung Lu, 2020
Driving fan device for wind power generation that increases output torque and electrical power conversion efficiency compared to conventional designs. The driving fan has a center transmission device with multiple blade assemblies mounted radially. Each blade assembly has fixed and tilting portions connected by a pivot. The tilting portion can rotate independently of the fixed portion due to the pivot joint. This allows the blades to tilt and provide a net torque in the same direction instead of offsetting each other like fixed blades. The tilting blades increase the total torque output and electrical power conversion efficiency.
Yik Hei Sia, 2020
Drones can generate renewable energy from high-altitude winds and deep sea currents. The method involves deploying specialized drones that morph their shape to maximize lift and tethering them to ground-based generators. As the drones ascend at an angle into the wind or water flow, the tension in the tether powers the generator to produce electricity. The drones can be remotely controlled and equipped with systems like radar to avoid collisions.
Hailong Liu, Wei Zhan, 2019
A massive wind turbine with large blades and a high solidity ratio to efficiently capture wind energy. The turbine uses a compound blade design with Y-shaped blades that provide lift force to reduce stress on the mast. The blades are mounted on a circular rail rotor that can be scaled to large diameters. The wind turbine has multiple units with hydraulic or pneumatic systems to adjust resistance and synchronize rotation for power generation. A control system manages the orientation and operation of the massive windmill to optimize power output.
General Electric Company, 2019
Optimizing wind farm performance by rapidly assessing mechanical loads of wind turbines to determine eligible turbines for upgrades. It involves defining baseline load thresholds based on existing turbine data. Upgrades are initially provided to turbines with sensors operating below thresholds. If the upgraded turbine loads stay below thresholds, additional turbines with sensors below thresholds get upgrades.
Norman Ian Mathers, 2018
Wind turbine system with power split transmission coupling that enables efficient power generation and regeneration. The power split transmission coupling is a variable torque coupling that can divert hydraulic fluid to limit power to the generator when the rotor speed exceeds the generator's rating. The diverted fluid is stored under pressure. When the rotor speed drops below the generator rating, the stored fluid is used to boost generator power via a hydraulic motor. This allows generating the maximum potential power without exceeding the generator rating. The system can use stored energy during lulls to capture more power from varying wind speeds.
Eronini Iheanyi UMEZ-ERONINI, 2018
A distributed compressed air energy storage system for wind farms improves the capacity factor of intermittent wind power. The system uses multiple small air storage tanks and compressor-expander trains at each wind turbine rather than large consolidated underground storage. The tanks are connected by a thermal interchange network to share heating and cooling to improve efficiency. The distributed storage and thermal exchange overcome the limitations of centralized compressed air storage systems.
Hangxian Liu, Yu Gong, 2018
A wind power generation system using vertical-axis wind turbines that drive generators through wheel hubs. This allows the turbines to spin at higher velocities compared to conventional vertical-axis turbines, which have poor power generation efficiencies compared to horizontal-axis turbines. The system uses vertical-axis blades mounted on a moving body that rotates wheel hubs when the wind forces cause the body to move. The rotating hubs drive generators to produce electricity.
VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S, 2018
Heating assembly for wind turbine blades to remove ice build-up during freezing conditions and improve performance. A heat reservoir inside the blade cavity is connected to a heat source and has vents to release hot air onto the blade surface. The hot air heats the blade to melt ice and prevent re-freezing. Hot air is directed at the leading edge where ice accumulates and also at the trailing edge to prevent migrating ice from re-forming.
STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA, STATE GRID GANSU ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION, GANSU ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION WIND POWER TECHNOLOGY CENTER, 2018
Optimizing the maintenance schedule for wind turbines in a large-scale wind power system to maximize generation efficiency and minimize wind curtailment. The optimization models the power system with wind power and sets constraints on maintenance time, site, reliability, and continuity. The objective function balances minimizing wind curtailment due to maintenance with maintaining the turbines to maximize overall power generation.
Yik Hei SIA, 2018
Using drones and drone technologies to harness high altitude wind energy to generate renewable energy by converting the kinetic energy of wind into useful mechanical energy through tethered hybrid aerial vehicles. The drones are remotely navigated vehicles that morph their shape to maximize lift from winds at high altitudes. The lifting force powers onboard generators to produce electricity as the drones move vertically upwards along tethers.
Doron .E Ezoory, 2018
A turbine energy device with increased efficiency and power density compared to conventional turbines. The device uses multiple generator stages to multiply the relative rotation speed between rotor and stator for higher energy conversion. The generators are connected to the turbine rotor through external axles and transmission components like gears to achieve gear ratios that accelerate the stator rotation. This enables faster relative rotation and improved energy extraction compared to direct rotor connections. The multiple generator stages can be arranged in various configurations on the turbine rotor.
Hover Energy LLC, 2018
A system to increase the efficiency of wind turbines by channeling wind to the turbine to increase power output. The system involves using wind compressors placed around the turbine to redirect wind flow towards the turbine. The compressors create a Venturi effect where the redirected wind flows converge towards the turbine at an increased velocity and force.
Antonio Pedro DE CAMPOS RUAO DA CUNHA, 2018
An omnidirectional flow turbine system that captures fluid energy from any direction. The system has a vertical axis rotor surrounded by a motionless aerodynamic diffuser shaped like an inverted wing. The diffuser directs the fluid flow towards the rotor regardless of direction, maximizing capture. The diffuser uses Coanda effect and aerodynamic features to prevent stall. The turbine can be combined with photovoltaics, LEDs, Peltier devices, etc. to extract more energy. It's applicable to wind, ocean currents, and other fluid flows.
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Innovative methods of maximizing wind turbine power output are demonstrated by the technologies on display. Among these are large wind turbines with high-efficiency blades, tilting blade designs for increased torque, and control schedules that strike a compromise between energy production and turbine longevity.