Analysis of the Operating Mechanism of the Hybrid Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine Using a Linkage Mechanism

Abstract

Vertical-axis wind turbines are classified into lift and drag-based types. Currently, the issues facing the spread of vertical-axis wind turbines are that lift-based types have poor starting characteristics, while drag-based types produce low output at low speeds. To address these issues, we have proposed a linkage wind turbine that combines both types using a linkage mechanism. In the linkage wind turbine, the leading edges of the blades are attached evenly to the upper and lower disks, while the trailing edges are connected to the rods. These rods are connected at a location offset from the centre of rotation (rod centre), and the rod centre and rotational axis are linked by a small rod, forming a significant linkage mechanism. This mechanism enables the turbine to obtain rotational force in the same direction from both the left and right sides, as the left blade approaches a perpendicular angle to the wind direction and the right blade approaches a parallel angle.