Innovative Design and Comprehensive Computational Performance Investigations of Hybrid Vortex Bladeless Turbine for Unmanned Surface Vehicles

This work addresses an innovative method for improving energy harvesting in Bladeless wind turbines (BWT) by implementing profile modifications to the wind turbine for fixing it in Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV). The streamlined flow undergoes a transformation and generates a vortex in the vicinity of the structure when the wind impacts the BWT. As the velocity increases, the wind strikes the structure with greater force, resulting in an imbalance that causes the structure to vibrate. To convert this vibrational energy of the wind turbine into electrical energy, the research investigates the use of a variety of profile modifications to capitalize on the aerodynamic effect generated by the structure. The entire cylindrical shape is altered to tapered shape, airfoil shapes with coordinates such as NACA 0012, 0015, 0018, 4412 and 4420. In addition to these shapes, hybrid models were also constructed by merging models made from two airfoil coordinates, including NACA 0018 & 4412, NACA 4412 & 4420 and NACA 4412 & 4412. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are employed to design and investigate aerodynamic forces, torque, pressure and induced velocity of the diverse design profiles using ANSYS Workbench software. The analysis is performed under specific boundary conditions to determine the most effective design for enhancing energy extraction. The USV employs this efficient method of operating BWT to generate additional power from renewable sources by utilizing the high-velocity air generated in the environment. The results of the analysis indicate that the Hybrid 4412 - 4420 airfoils structured design performs better and is more efficient than the other models.