Abstract

Abstract: The Omnidirectional Fluid-Inertial Wind Harvester

This disclosure presents an Off-Center Omnidirectional Tipping (OCT) wind energy harvester designed to address the mechanical fragilities and maintenance complexities of traditional horizontal-axis wind turbines, particularly in extreme or remote environments. The system utilizes a vertically oriented, aero-elastic NACA-profile sail as its primary prime mover. Unlike conventional rotary blades, this sail leverages Vortex-Induced Vibrations (VIV) and galloping phenomena to generate a high-torque, low-frequency harmonic oscillation (${\pm30^{\circ}}$).

The core innovation lies in the mechanical rectification of this reciprocating motion into continuous, unidirectional 360° rotation. This is achieved through a robust crank-slider linkage coupled to a perimeter drive wheel. To overcome the inherent "Dead Center" torque lapses associated with crank mechanics, the system integrates a variable-inertia liquid flywheel. This flywheel features sealed perimeter chambers partially filled with a fluid medium (e.g., water or propylene glycol). The resulting fluid surge provides a critical momentum carry-through, ensuring smooth power delivery to a stationary squirrel cage induction generator.

For environmental adaptability, the harvester is mounted on a 360° turntable base, enabling passive omnidirectional alignment without complex yaw motors. Furthermore, the NACA sail incorporates internal Tuned Liquid Column Dampers (TLCD), allowing for real-time frequency tuning and structural stabilization in high-velocity wind regimes. This design prioritizes mechanical longevity, ease of ground-level maintenance, and resilience against icing, offering a scalable "phygital" solution for autonomous power generation in Nordic, offshore, and off-grid tropical regions.

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Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 License.

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Off-Center Omnidirectional Tipping (OCT) wind energy harvester.png (1924 kB)
The system utilizes a vertically oriented, aero-elastic NACA-profile sail as its primary prime mover. Unlike conventional rotary blades, this sail leverages Vortex-Induced Vibrations (VIV) and galloping phenomena to generate a high-torque, low-frequency harmonic oscillation
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