2 New concept: opposing pairs of wings with linear lifting movement … … and active wing rotation modelled on the bionic SmartBird Self-optimising system for ultimate plant efficiency and process reliability With the DualWingGenerator, as part of the Bionic Learning Network, Festo has developed an extraordinary technology platform that uses two pairs of horizontally arranged wings instead of rotor blades to generate power. Thanks to its intelligent control technology, the self-optimising system can adapt itself to different wind conditions and, in terms of its efficiency, is by no means inferior to conventional small wind power stations. The concept features amazing benefits even at low wind speeds. Reverse principle of the natural beating of wings The system’s principle consists of reversing the natural wing-beating principle: whilst birds generate the necessary power to move forwards in the air by flapping their wings, a stationary system like the DualWingGenerator can take the kinetic energy from the flow of air. The wind power creates a linear lifting movement here, which is converted into a rotary movement. With the aid of an electric generator, the system turns the energy produced into electricity. Opposing pairs of wings for optimal power generation The four wings are arranged on both sides of the central column. The two top and the two bottom wings are each positioned on the same motor-driven rotary axle, which is fitted on a slide. When the wind blows, the two slides move synchronously on the vertical guide in opposing directions: whilst the top two wings travel upwards, the bottom wings move downwards. The pair of wings on one side forms a functional unit, whose fluid-mechanical properties enable power to be generated in an optimal manner. At the apex, a servomotor turns the wings and they automatically move back towards each other. Their active rotation means the wings are always set so that air flows onto them at the optimal angle. This enables the adaptive system to achieve an optimal energy yield with a very high, scientifically proven effectiveness level. Festo already technically implemented this so-called active torsion in 2011 with the SmartBird. When developing the artificial silver seagull, the engineers studied how birds actively rotate their wings and thus make the most energy-efficient use of the wind conditions.
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