GB2474333A

GB2474333A - Roof covering including wind turbines

Info

Publication number: GB2474333A
Application number: GB1016111A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David James French
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-12
Filing date: 2010-09-27
Publication date: 2011-04-13
Also published as: GB201016111D0; GB0917796D0

Abstract

A roof covering assembly (10) comprises a body (12) defining an interior space (14), and a turbine part (16), a pathway for air flow is defined through the interior space (14) communicating with a region external of the body (12) so that air can move from said external region to rotate the turbine part (16). The assembly (10) is connectable to a generator (40) for generating electricity on rotation of the turbine part (16). The assembly may be fitted to a roof ridge by a strap passing over the assembly. The assembly may be connectable end to end with other like assemblies and a generator. Solar panels may be provided as part of the installation.

Description

Roof Coverinci Assembly The present invention relates to roof covering assemblies, particularly but not exclusively to roof covering assemblies comprising or forming part of power generation assemblies. The present invention also relates to power generation assemblies. Embodiments of the invention relate to power generating devices.

It is known to provide wind turbines which are mountable to buildings such as domestic dwellings to generate energy. However, such wind turbines are relatively conspicuous and can detract from the appearance of a building.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a roof covering assembly comprising a body defining an interior space, and a turbine part rotatably mounted within the interior space, wherein a pathway is defined through is the interior space, the pathway communicating with a region external of the body so that air can move from said external region along the pathway to rotate the turbine part, and wherein the assembly is connectable to a generator for generating electricity on rotation of the turbine part.

In the preferred embodiment, the roof covering assembly comprises a power generating device.

Mounting means may be provided to mount the body on a roof of a building.

The mounting means may be connectable to a part of the roof.

The body may define a plurality of apertures to provide communication between the external region and the pathway. The plurality of apertures may be arranged to permit air movement through the body to rotatably drive the turbine part.

The covering assembly may include a connector for connecting the turbine part to the generator.

The turbine part may comprise a plurality of vanes. The turbine part may further include a spindle upon which the vanes are mounted. The vanes may be orientated radially relative to the spindle. In one embodiment, each vane may extend longitudinally relative to the spindle.

The assembly may include a plurality of shroud parts, which may, in use, extend outwardly and downwardly from the body. In use, the shroud parts may be arranged to overlap adjacent roof covering members.

The assembly may include a cap part, which may include an overlapping portion. The overlapping portion may extend outwardly from the body.

The body may have a length, and the cap part may extend along substantially the whole length of the body. Alternatively, the cap part may extend along only part is of the body, leaving an uncovered portion of the body, which, in use, is covered by an overlapping portion of a cap part of an adjacent similar assembly.

The body may define a channel for drainage. The channel for drainage may communicate with a reservoir or tank for storing drainage water.

The assembly may include one or more filters which may be arranged to filter the air circulating through the apertures. The, or each, filter may comprise a mesh or grid.

The roof covering assembly may include the generator. The generator may include a power communicator for communicating generated power to a power storage device.

The assembly may include one or more securing members, which may extend from the body, to secure the assembly in an in use position. The, or each, securing member may comprise a strap, which may extend over the body, and may be secured to the roof, for example to battens in the roof.

The assembly may include a solar power generator, which may include a solar panel, and may include a power communicator for communicating generated power to a power storage device.

The assembly may be locatable, in use, on a ridge or apex of a roof, and may form a roof ridge tile.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a roof mountable power generation assembly, the assembly including one or more roof covering assemblies, as described above, the power generation assembly further including a generator, wherein the, or each, roof covering assembly is connectable to a generator for generating electricity on rotation of the turbine part.

The, or each, roof covering assembly may include a connector for connecting is the turbine part to the turbine part of another roof covering assembly, or to the generator. The other roof covering assembly may be an adjacent roof covering assembly.

The, or each, roof covering assembly may include a pair of connectors, one of the connectors at one end being connectable to the connector of an in use adjacent roof covering assembly, and the other connector at the other end being connectable to the connector of an in use further adjacent roof covering assembly, or to the generator.

The securing members may extend between adjacent roof covering assemblies, and may span the joint between said adjacent roof covering assemblies.

The, or each, roof covering assembly may include any of the features described in the paragraphs above.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of generating power, the method comprising the step of providing a roof covering assembly, the assembly including a body defining an interior space, and a turbine part, rotatably mounting the turbine arrangement within the interior space, wherein a pathway is defined through the interior space, the pathway communicating with a region external of the body so that air can move from said external region along the pathway to rotate the turbine part, connecting the turbine part to a generator, and mounting the roof covering assembly to a roof of a building, wherein the generator can generate electricity on rotation of the turbine part.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view from one end of a roof covering assembly in an installed condition; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view from one end of another roof covering is assembly in an installed condition; Figure 3 is a front cross-sectional view of a power generation assembly in a partially exploded condition; Figure 4 is a front cross-sectional view of part of yet another power generation assembly; Figure 5 is a front cross-sectional view of still another power generation assembly; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view from one end of part of the power generation assembly of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a front cross-sectional view of a power generation assembly in another installed condition; and Figure 8 is a side view of a power generation assembly showing securing members.

Referring to Figures 1 and 3, a roof covering assembly 10 includes a body 12 defining an interior space 14, a turbine part 16, and mountings 18 for rotatably mounting the turbine part 16 in the interior space 14.

The body 12 defines a plurality of apertures 20 so that a pathway for a flow of air is defined from a region external of the body 12, via the apertures 20, and through the interior space 14. The flow of air through the pathway can rotate the turbine part 16.

The body 12 is in the form of a cylinder or tube having a length, and includes a pair of opposed end walls 74. The mountings 18 are provided on or by the end walls 74.

is In the example shown in Figure 3, the apertures 20 are in the form of slits, which extend longitudinally along a major portion of the length of the body 12.

The turbine part 16 includes a plurality of vanes 24, which in the example shown in Figures 1 and 3 are radially mounted to a spindle 22.

The assembly 10 includes a pair of shroud parts 28 which extend outwardly and downwardly from the body 12. The assembly 10 also includes a cap part 30, which extends over an upper surface of the body 12.

The assembly 10 includes a pair of filters 38, which are located against the external surfaces of the body 12, one filter 38 being located on each side of the body 12 covering the apertures 20 defined therein. In one example, each filter 38 is in the form of a grid or mesh defining a plurality of holes. The holes are sized, for example, to prevent the ingress of insects, in which case, the holes could have a maximum dimension of approximately 1-6 mm.

As shown in Figure 3, the roof covering assembly 10 includes a pair of connectors, a first connector 23 comprising an end part of the spindle 22, a second connector 26 being located at an opposite end of the spindle 22 to the first connector 23. In one example, the second connector 26 could define a socket.

The spindle 22 is supported between the adjacent turbine parts 16 by supports 25, which extend between upper and lower regions of the body 12. The spindle 22 is journalled onto the supports 25 to allow rotation of the spindle 22 relative to the supports 25.

As shown in Figure 3, a power generation assembly 100 includes the roof covering assembly 10 described above and shown in Figure 1 and a generator assembly 84, the generator assembly 84 including a generator 40 mounted within a housing 76. The housing 76 could correspond in end cross-sectional shape with the profile of the roof covering assembly 10.

is The generator 40 includes a generator connector 78 which is co-operable with the second connector 26 of the roof covering assembly 10.

The generator assembly 84 includes a power communicator in the form of cabling 42, which communicates power from the generator 42 to a power storage device 44, which could comprise a battery. Alternatively, the cabling 42 could connect the generator assembly 84 to the mains circuitry of a building and/or to the national grid.

Referring back to Figure 1, the power generation assembly 100 is installed on the ridge of a roof 60. The roof 60 includes a ridge member 62 located between a plurality of rafters 64.

A sheet material 66 in the form of roofing felt is laid to form a continuous barrier over the upper part of the rafters 64 and the ridge member 62, and batten members 68 fixed to the rafters 64 over the sheet material 66. A plurality of roof covering members 72 in the form of tiles or slates is then fixed to the batten members 68.

Conventionally, a ridge tile or ridge cap would be located over the ridge member 62, overlapping the first course of roof covering members 72 on each side of the ridge member 62. This is now replaced by the power generation assembly 100.

A plurality of securing members 70, which are in the form of screws, pins, nails or similar, are located through a lower part of the body 12 into the ridge member 62 to hold the roof covering assembly 10 in position.

The housing 76 of the generator assembly 84 is secured in position in a similar fashion alongside the roof covering assembly 10. Each of the generator assembly 84 and the roof covering assembly 10 is mounted separately to the roof 60 to form the power generation assembly 100 in an assembled condition in situ.

is Alternatively, the generator assembly 84 is assembled with the roof covering assembly 10 to form the power generation assembly 100 in an assembled condition which is then mounted in position as a unit on the roof 60.

In the installed condition as shown in Figure 1, the shroud members 28 extend downwardly and outwardly from the body 12 on opposite sides of the ridge member 62 towards the first course of the roof covering members 72, and could contact the first course of the roof covering members 72. The shroud members 28 reduce the risk of penetration of rain and/or snow into the roof 60.

The cap part 30 provides additional protection for the body 12, and also reduces the risk of penetration of rain and/or snow into the interior space 14. The filters 38 also reduce the risk of penetration of rain and/or snow into the interior space 14.

In the assembled condition, the spindle connector 26 cooperates with the generator connector 78. For example, the socket of the spindle connector 26 could receive the generator connector 78.

In the installed condition, the power generation assembly 100 operates as follows. Air moves, as indicated by arrow A in Figure 1, through the apertures 20 on one side of the body 12, through the interior space 14 and out of the apertures 20 on the other side of the body 12 as indicated by arrow C. As the air moves through the interior space 14 through the pathway defined by the interior space 14, it causes the turbine part 16 to rotate as indicated by arrows B. The rotation of the turbine part 16 drives the generator 40 which consequently generates power which is communicated by the cabling 42 to the battery 44. The battery 44 is located remotely from the power generation assembly 100.

Each roof covering assembly 10 is any suitable length. In one example, each is roof covering assembly 10 is approximately 225mm in length. In one example, the body 12 is approximately 250mm in diameter.

The body 12, the cap part 30 and the shroud parts 28 are formed of plastics material, for example by moulding, and are formed either separately or integrally.

The plastics material can be coloured to match the adjacent roof covering members.

The body 12 is formed in two parts, each having a C shaped end profile. The two parts may be releasably connected together to permit cleaning and maintenance.

The cap part 30 is formed separately from the body 12, and is longer than the body 12. In one example, one cap part 30 is twice the length of the body 12.

The end walls 74 are solid, or could define apertures therein for further ventilation.

The invention thus provides a power generation assembly which is easily installed but is relatively unobtrusive and has a minimal visual impact on the appearance of a building.

The preferred embodiment of the assembly is self contained, so that only an electrical connection is required with the power storage device, which can be located within the building interior space, minimising the requirement to disturb the fabric of the building. The power generation assembly of the invention can be easily retrofitted to existing conventional buildings.

Various other modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Referring to Figure 3, the power generation assembly 100 could comprise a plurality of roof covering assemblies 10 which, in an installed condition, are connected end to end, so that the plurality of roof covering assemblies 10 drives one generator assembly 84.

In this arrangement, the first connector 23 of one roof covering assembly 10 is connected to the second connector 26 of an adjacent, similar roof covering assembly 10, and the second connector 26 of an end assembly is connected to the generator connector 78 of the generator assembly 84. This arrangement permits the number of turbine parts 16 related to a generator 40 to be varied to suit site conditions.

Referring to Figure 4, an alternative generator assembly 184 is shown which includes a power transmitter 80 between the generator connector 78 and the generator 40. The power transmitter 80 could comprise gearing to change the speed of rotation of the generator 40 relative to the speed of rotation of the spindle 22. For example, the gearing could comprise a belt and pulley arrangement.

Figure 2, 5 and 6 show other embodiments of the invention, many features of which are similar to those described above. Where features are the same or are similar, the same reference numerals have been used, and only those features which are different will be described for the sake of clarity.

In Figure 2, a roof covering assembly 110 includes a body 12 which defines a channel 36 which is located within the interior space 14, at a lower most region of the interior space 14. The channel 36 communicates with a reservoir or tank for storing drainage water, and is arranged to connect with one or more channels 36 of adjacent, similar roof covering assemblies.

The roof covering assembly 110 includes a solar power generator in the form of a solar panel 52 which is located on an upper surface of the cap part 30. The solar power generator could include a power communicator, which could include, for example, cabling (not shown) to communicate generated power to a power storage device, for example, a battery, which can be the same battery as that which stores is the power generated by the generator 40.

The assembly 110 could include deflecting projections 54 which project outwardly and downwardly from the body 12 in the vicinity of the apertures 20 to reduce the risk of rain and/or snow penetration through the apertures 20 into the interior space 14.

The assembly 110 includes securing members in the form of straps 170 extending downwardly from the body 12. In the installed condition, the straps 170 locate over the sheet material 66, and over or under the batten members 68.

The straps 170 are fixed to the rafters 64 or to the batten members 68 by retaining members, which are, for example, nails or pins. In Figure 2, the portions of the straps 170 extending under the batten members 68 are shown in solid lines, and the alternative of the portions of the straps 170 extending over the batten members 68 are shown in broken lines.

In another example, the straps 170 are formed separately from the body 12, and could extend around the body 12. In this example, the straps 170 are positioned over the joints between adjacent roof covering assemblies 10 to reduce the risk of rain and/or snow penetration.

The straps 170 may be approximately 50mm in width, and extend downwardly on both sides of the body along the rafters 64 by approximately 900mm.

The assembly 110 includes a pair of shroud parts 128, which are somewhat longer and more flexible than the shroud parts 28 shown in Figure 1, so that in the installed condition as shown in Figure 2, each of the shroud parts 128 extends downwardly to contact and overlie the first course of roof covering members 72.

In one example, the shroud parts are formed of a flexible plastics material, and are formed of material in the form of a brush.

is The power generation assembly is arranged so that rotation of the turbine part 16 in either direction generates power. In Figure 2, the direction of air movement as indicated by arrows D is the reverse of that shown in Figure 1, although in the example shown this reversed air movement direction is arranged to result in a direction of rotation of the turbine part 16 as indicated by arrow B which is the same as that in Figure 1.

Figure 5 shows another power generation assembly 200, in which the generator assembly and roof covering assembly are integrated into one unit. In this example, the spindle 22 is directly connected to the generator 40. In this example, the turbine part 16 comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending vanes 24 which are mounted to a rotor 82.

The assembly 200 includes a cap part 230, which includes an overlapping portion 232 which extends outwardly from the body 12 along the longitudinal axis from the body 12, but only extends along part of the body 12, leaving an uncovered portion 234 of the body 12.

In this example, the generator assembly includes a power communicator which includes power connectors in the form of a plug 246A located at one end of the assembly and a socket 246B located at the other end of the assembly.

In use, in an installed condition, a plurality of power generation assemblies can be aligned with each other, the plug 246A of one assembly being received within the socket 246B of an adjacent assembly, the overlapping portion 32 of one assembly overlapping the uncovered portion 34 of an adjacent assembly. Thus, generated power can be transmitted along the line of assemblies 200 to a convenient point, while the overlapping portions 32 improve the weather tightness of the installed assemblies.

Figure 7 shows a front cross-sectional view of the roof covering assembly 10.

The features shown in Figure 7, which are the same as those shown in earlier is Figures are designated with the same reference numerals as in the earlier Figures.

Figure 7 is similar to Figure 1, with the exception that the body 12 sits lower in the ridge of the roof 60. Thus, when the roof covering assembly 10 shown in Figure 7 is installed, the appearance is similar to that of a typical prior art roof, having ridge tiles.

Figure 7 shows an arrangement of the straps 170 which extend across the first three battens 68 adjacent the roof covering assembly 10. Only two of the battens 68 are shown on the left side of the roof covering assembly 10, but it will be appreciated that the straps 170 extend to the next batten 68 on both sides.

In one embodiment, the straps 170 extend on each side of the roof covering assembly by a distance of about three feet (substantially 1 metre).

Figure 8 shows an example of a power generation assembly 110 comprising a plurality of roof covering assemblies 10 arranged end to end, with the spindle 22 of each roof covering assembly being connected to the spindle 22 of the adjacent roof covering assemblies 10, in the manner described above. In Figure 8, the roof 60 has been omitted for clarity.

In Figure 8, it is seen that each cap part 30 extends across two adjacent roof covering assemblies 10, to join them together. In the embodiment shown, each roof covering assembly 10 is substantially 9 inches (approximately 23cm) in length.

The cap parts 30 are each substantially 18 inches (approximately 46 cm) in length. Thus, when two roof covering assemblies 10 are joined together by a cap part 30, the resulting arrangement is the same length as a typical prior art roof tile.

Figure 8 also shows the position at which the straps 170 are arranged on the power generation assembly 100. The straps are disposed at the junctions J of adjacent roof covering assemblies 10. is

Each strap 170 has a width that is large enough to extend partly across the body of each of an adjacent pair of roof covering assemblies 10, thereby securing two adjacent roof covering assemblies 10 to the roof 60.

It will be seen in Figure 8 that the power generation assembly 100 slopes relative to the horizontal, represented by the broken line H. The purpose of this is to allow any water that has collected in the channel 36 to drain out of the roof covering assemblies 10.

Thus, the power generation assemblies of the invention can be provided for assembly in situ or as modular assemblies.

The turbine parts are of any suitable design. The roof covering assemblies are of any suitable size and shape, and are formed of any suitable material. The generators are of any suitable design.

Within the scope of the invention, it is envisaged that any feature of any of the embodiments shown or described could be combined with any other feature or features in any suitable way.

s There is thus described embodiments of a roof covering assembly, a power generation assembly which can be easily fitted to a roof of a building, such as a house and which will provide electricity for the house, but which are not unsightly or large structures.

Claims

Claims 1. A roof covering assembly comprising a body defining an interior space, and a turbine part rotatably mounted within the interior space, wherein a pathway is defined through the interior space, the pathway communicating with a region external of the body so that air can move from said external region along the pathway to rotate the turbine part, and wherein the assembly is connectable to a generator for generating electricity on rotation of the turbine part.
2. A roof covering assembly according to Claim 1 including mounting means to mount the body on a roof of a building, the mounting means being connectable to a part of the roof.
3. A roof covering assembly according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the body defines a plurality of apertures to provide communication between the external region and the pathway, the plurality of apertures being arranged to permit air movement through the body to rotatably drive the turbine part.
4. A roof covering assembly according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein The covering assembly may include a connector for connecting the turbine part to the generator.
5. A roof covering assembly according to any preceding Claim, wherein the turbine part comprises a plurality of vanes, the turbine part further including a spindle upon which the vanes are mounted.
6. A roof covering assembly according to Claim 5, wherein the vanes ar orientated radially relative to the spindle.
7. A roof covering assembly according to Claim 6, wherein the vanes extend longitudinally relative to the spindle.
8. A roof covering assembly according to any preceding Claim, wherein the assembly includes a plurality of shroud parts, which, in use, extend outwardly and downwardly from the body, and are arranged to overlap adjacent roof covering members.
9. A roof covering assembly according to any preceding Claim, including a cap part, which has an overlapping portion, the overlapping portion extending outwardly from the body.
10. A roof covering assembly according to Claim 9, wherein the cap part extends along substantially the whole length of the body.
11. A roof covering assembly according to Claim 9, wherein the cap part extends along only part of the body, leaving an uncovered portion of the body, which, in use, is covered by an overlapping portion of a cap part of an adjacent similar assembly.
12. A roof covering assembly according to any preceding Claim, wherein the body defines a channel for drainage
13. A roof covering assembly according to any preceding Claim, including one or more filters, arranged to filter the air circulating through the apertures.
14. A roof covering assembly according to any preceding Claim including the generator, wherein the generator includes a power communicator for communicating generated power to a power storage device.
15. A roof covering assembly according to any preceding Claim, including one or more securing members, extending from the body, to secure the assembly in an in use position.
16. A roof covering assembly according to Claim 15, wherein the, or each, securing member comprises a strap, to extend over the body, and to be secured to the roof.
17. A roof covering assembly according to any preceding Claim including a solar power generator, which includes a solar panel, and a power communicator for communicating generated power to a power storage device.
18. A roof mountable power generation assembly, the assembly including one or more roof covering assemblies, as described above, the power generation assembly further including a generator, wherein the, or each, roof covering assembly is connectable to a generator for generating electricity on rotation of the turbine part.
19. A roof mountable power generation assembly according to Claim 18, wherein the, or each, roof covering assembly includes a connector for connecting the turbine part to the turbine part of another roof covering assembly, or to the generator.
20. A roof mountable power generation assembly according to Claim 19, wherein the, or each, roof covering assembly includes a pair of connectors, one of the connectors at one end being connectable to the connector of an in use adjacent roof covering assembly, and the other connector at the other end being connectable to the connector of an in use adjacent roof covering assembly, or to the generator.
21. A roof mountable power generation assembly according to Claim 18, 19 or 20 including one or more securing members, extending from the body, to secure the assembly to a roof, the securing members extending between adjacent roof covering assemblies, to span the joint between said adjacent roof covering assemblies.
22. A method of generating power, the method comprising the step of providing a roof covering assembly, the assembly including a body defining an interior space, and a turbine part, rotatably mounting the turbine arrangement within the interior space, wherein a pathway is defined through the interior space, the pathway communicating with a region external of the body so that air can move from said external region along the pathway to rotate the turbine part, connecting the turbine part to a generator, and mounting the roof covering assembly to a roof of a building, wherein the generator can generate electricity on rotation of the turbine part.
23. A roof covering assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
24. A roof mountable power generation assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
25. A method of generating power substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.