THE PATH FROM FUNCTIONAL TO DETAILED DESIGN OF A CONING ROTOR WIND TURBINE CONCEPT

Abstract

This paper provides a brief overview of functional design theory, which is then used to examine choices in wind turbine design. Definition of function is used to examine fundamental design choices in engineering a machine to capture energy from the wind. Specifically, rationalization is presented for a coning rotor wind turbine concept, potentially able to greatly reduce the cost of wind energy. The work presented here has provided a theoretical basis in design theory to motivate the development of specialized analysis tools and more detailed analysis of the concept.