CA1095425A - Wind-turbines - Google Patents
Wind-turbinesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1095425A CA1095425A CA321,540A CA321540A CA1095425A CA 1095425 A CA1095425 A CA 1095425A CA 321540 A CA321540 A CA 321540A CA 1095425 A CA1095425 A CA 1095425A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- wind
- tower structure
- tower
- turbine
- rotors
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/70—Wind energy
- Y02E10/74—Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction
Landscapes
- Wind Motors (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT :
Disclosed is a wind-energy conversion system for making use of at least part of the kinetic energy of the wind.
In a typical embodiment a tower structure (1) supports tangential flow turbine rotors (2,3) for rotation about the vertical axis.Each is in the form of a prism with specially in wind-direction curved vertical surfaces.
A wind-deflecting shield ( 7)directs the airflow to one side of each rotor whilst shielding the other side from the airflow.The turbine rotors (2,3) and the windshield (7) are carried on an intermediate support frame (5) which is rotatable about the ?ower structure (1).
The wind-deflecting shield (7) may have adjustable guide vanes whereby the direction of the air-flow relative to the turbine rotor surfaces may be varied.
Disclosed is a wind-energy conversion system for making use of at least part of the kinetic energy of the wind.
In a typical embodiment a tower structure (1) supports tangential flow turbine rotors (2,3) for rotation about the vertical axis.Each is in the form of a prism with specially in wind-direction curved vertical surfaces.
A wind-deflecting shield ( 7)directs the airflow to one side of each rotor whilst shielding the other side from the airflow.The turbine rotors (2,3) and the windshield (7) are carried on an intermediate support frame (5) which is rotatable about the ?ower structure (1).
The wind-deflecting shield (7) may have adjustable guide vanes whereby the direction of the air-flow relative to the turbine rotor surfaces may be varied.
Description
~0~?~4~5 SP~Cl~ICAT10_ This invention relates to an energy conversion system for converting kinetic energy possessed by the wind into mechanical energy,using a particular compact de-sign for vertical axis rotors in combination with a specially adapted tower structure .
A survey of existing configurations for vertical axis windmills and windturbines shows,that these configurations can be devided in two groups.In the first group appear the configurations using sails,cups and flat curved surfaces, as for instance the Savonius rotor,where more or less drag-differences between the parts,wrich rotate in wind-direction and the parts rotating against the wind,are the driving forces.The other group consists of windturbines with verti-cal arranged straight and bent blades,having aerofoil cross-sections and rotate coaxially around a shaft and mountingstructure ,for instance Darrieus rotors,where mainly lift-forces effectuate a rotation.The first group has found only limited application in the instrumentation and ventilation field because of low efficiency .The other group of vertical axis windturbines encounters difficulties especially if the feasibility of large windpower units is investigated,which are comparable in siee to powerplants using fossil fuel.
Then the building cost are progressing excessively and se-vere construction and stress-problems appear,which in con-sequence of the use of relatively thin-wal~ blades with consi~erable dimensions can not be solved easely.Similar prob~ems exist for the ~esign of windturbines,havin~ a hori-30ntal axis,also described as axial-flow turbines.Here the larc~e rotating mass of ro~or blades ,which are flexed con-3~ si~lously mainly by insteady aerodynamic and inertial loads, 10~425 is a drawb~ck for the development of large windpowerplants.
A primary object of the invention is to provide a wind-turbine system using such configurations of vertical axis turbine rotors with very compact and robust forms ,that these main stress-problems are eliminated and the building of large windpower plants becomes feasible and practical dependent on a material and weight saving design for low manufacturing cost.
It is an other object of t~le invention ,by combination of such vertical axis turbine rotors with a tower structure , having aerodynamic features and mechanical means,to increase the efficiency of the turbine rotors and to form an adequate control system for the speed of the rotors.
With the above objects in mind the invention basically ~re-sents a wind energy conversion system ,where at least a portion of the kinetic energy possessed by the wind is con-verted into mechanical energy,com~rising tangential flow turbine rotors for rotation around the vertical axis,each rotor having the form of a hollow prism with at least three vertical in wind-direction curved surfaces ,having a ver-tical shaft mounted in end-bearings fitted into lower and upper intermediate support frames and a tower structure to support a double row of turbine rotors,arranged vertically and symmetrically behind the tower structure in a down-wind position,having main-bearing a~semblies for the interme-diate support f`rames,being allowed to swivel around the tower struc~ure at least through the effect of wind forces ,and a w.nd-deflecting snield arranged in front of the tower struc-3~ ~ure,attach~d rigiàly to the intermediate su~port frames.
- 4 ~ 10 ~ 54 2 S
This wind-deflecting shield is curved convexly against ~he wind-direction on front of the tower structure and further ex~ends symmetrically along both sides of the tower structure to the rotation circles of the turbine rotors.thus guide-surfaces for the airflow are formed ,W~-iCti are moderately inclined against the wind-direction and oirect a tan~ential airflow over the curved surfaces of the turbine rotors but shield the turbine rotor segments rotating against the wind-direction,said tangential airflow having a direction to achieve optimum efficiency lor the turbLne rotors.
Usually the tower structure is a design in structural steel, having a rectangular cross-section ,but also concrete towers having a round cross-section can be used for this windturbine system,to lower the building cost.Then the smooth outer sur-face of the round tower structure in front of the turbinerotors deflectcthe wind, while separate guide vanes,in wind-direction on both sides of t~ie tower structure~rot~atable around the vertical axis,the leading edges arranged close to the smooth outer surface of the tower structure ,can direct the airflow against the curved surfaces of the turbine rotors with d;f~rent angles of attack,thus influencing the rotational speed of the turbine rotors.
Practical embodiments of the invention are described in detail together with presentation of following drawings:
5 Figure 1 shows a cross-section of a shielded tower structure with a turbine unit behind,consisting of two vertical axis turbine rotors,each having the form of a prism.
Figure 2 is a partial view of a windturbine power-plant ~re-senting the arrangement of several turbine rotor units 3~ with su~port frames and servicing platform.
~O91S425 Figure 3 shows a cross-section of a shielded tower ctrucsure with a turbine rotor unit behind,the shield beinK
provided with guide vanes .
Figu.e 4 presents a cross-section of a round concrete tower with a turbine rotor unit behind,provided with se-parate guide vanes.
ln figure 1 the tower structure 1 consists of a convential steel truss tower with rectangular cross-section .the turbine rotors 2 and 3 are arranged behind the tower structure in lU down-wind position and have each the form of a prism with the cross-section of a three-corner polygon.rhe three vertical surfaces of such a turbine rotor are curved in wind-direction moderately,first convexly then concavely along the straight line between the corners of the polygon.rhe bearings 4 for the shafts of the turbine rotors are indicated and the inter-mediate support frame 5 can be seen,which is mounted along with.the main bearing assembly 6 to the tower structure 1.
The wind-deflecting shield 7 is rigidly joined to the inter-mediate support frame 5,which can rotate freely around the tower structure 1.
The lay-out of such windturbine system is ruled by several characteristic parameters,which influence therefore the per-formance of the system. They are related to the airflow through the input area in M ~ ,which corresponds to the overall width of the turbine system and to the considerable smaller airflow through the area in BB',decreased in size by the vertical plane area protected by the shield.Further influencial is the Diameter Dr of the tower structure,depending on the structural system used,wllich determines the minimum size of the shield and the diameter ~ of the turbine rotors having the distance d from each other.
10'~5425 The airflow through the area in AA' towards the turbine rotors is àeflec~ed to a large extend beyond the area in B~',but part of the wind-energy loss is recovered again by the increased velocity of the airflow along the shield towards the turbine rotors.This effect can be compared with the s~ill-over effect and flow energy gain of a shroud around an axial flow turbine.
The final inclination of the shield surface close to the ro-tation circle of the turbine rotor,with the deflection angle towards the wind-direction ~ ,must be therefore only moderate, to a~hieve an optimum of the airflow acceleration.If the de-flection angle is too large ,the loss by the spill-over effect becomes excessive.It can be seen,that the diameters of the turbine rotors DX and the distance d determine the position of the turbine rotors and the available input area in M '.
But too large a rotor diameter effects a low ro~ational speed because the tip speed of the rotor will not exceed the peri-pheral wind velocity and the sensitivity for a low wind velo-city is decreased.lf the rotor diameter is determined,then also the distance d and the position of the turbine rotors fo~ows,if one vertical rotor surface can be aligned in one rotational position of the rotor with the inclination of the shield surface.In this rotational position then a smooth tan-gential flow over the turbine rotor surface is attained,having a fa~ourable angle of attack in relation to the convexly curved surface part and a maximum lift force is produced with a resulting main driving force.
In figure 2,correspoding to figure l,can be seen the vertical row of turbine rotors 3 arranged in down-wind posi-tion behind the tower structure l.The shafts 10 of the turbine rotors3 are moun~ed in end-bearings ~,which are fitted into - 7 - 1~95~25 the intermediate support frames,having the main bearing assemblies ~,mounted to the tower structure l.The wind-deflecting shield 7 extends over the whole length of the ver-tical row of turbine ~ tors 3.A r.eavy main support frame ~
at ttle ~ower base,rotatable around the tower structure 1,is combined with a servicing platform 9 containing an energy transl`Orming installation ,auxiliary servo equipment and con-trol instrumentation .rhe torque transmission shaft 10 of one vertical row of turbine rotors 3 is connected with the main flexible coupling 11 to the gearbox 12.rhe electric output from the generator 13 is taken off by a slide ring assembly 1~.
In figure 3 the wind-deflecting shield 7 in fron~ of the tower structure l,joined rigidly to the intermediate sup~ort frame 5,is not extending towards the rotation circles of the turbine rotors,but is replaced there on both sides of the tower structure with the guide vanes 15 and 16.rhese vanes are connected smoothly to ~he snield 7,but are rotatable to a smaller degree from the position (a) to the position ~b).
If ttle guide vane has the position (a),then a tangential air-flow will be directed over the convexly curved surface of theturbine rotor,if the rotational position as shown in figure 1 is reached and the turbine rotor will rotate with maximum speed.If the guide vane has moved to the position (b),as indi-cated by the guide vane 16,then the airflow has the general direction t~wards the center line of the turbine rotor.Now only irregular vortices and drag-forces are produced such,that in one peculiar rotational position the tur~ine rotor ceases to rotate.rrreg~lar movements or oscillations caused by wind-gusts can be damped by a braKing arrangement.rhe guide vanes are actuateà by a s~itable speed control system.
8 - ~.o~4Z~
In figure ~ the to~ler structure is a pre-stressed concrete to~er 17 having a round cross-section and a smooth outer sur-face and serves also as a wind-deflecting o~ject in front of the turbine rotors .rhe rotatable guide vanes 1~,19 are posi-tioned on both sides of the concrete to~-er,seen in wind-direc-tion,having shafts 20,21 mounted to the intermediate sup~rt-frame 24.rhe leading edges 22,23,covering the shafts 20,21 against the wind-direction ,are attached close to the smooth outer surface of the concrete tower,if the guide vanes 1~,19 are in a postion (a) for maximum rotor speed and the deflected airflow from the front of the concrete tower passes without turbulence over the guide vanes.As leading edges can be used stripes of elastic material able to glide with minimum friction around the tower surface when the intermediate support frame is swivelling .Because the diameter of the pre-stressed con-crete tower 17 can be kept relatively small,the overall width d of.the windturbine system is reduced.Then without loss of useful wind-energy in 1ront , the turbine rotors are Posi-tioned moreclosely to each other,both rotation circles over-lapping,w~lile the rotation is synchronized in the gearbox 12.
Consequently tne omission of the large shield in front of the turbine rotors ,the lower wind-pressure upon the tower struc-ture and the smaller dimensions of the supporting structures contribute to lower building cost.
The general lay-out of the wind-power plant i5 determined by the requirements for simplicity,low weight and cost and suitability for mass-production,without lowering the efiicien-cy of the power sys~em to an impractical value,but sustaining a high degr~e of durability also under severe weather condi-3~ tions.~tructural parts and turbine ro~ors form building modules - 9 - 10'~42S
of stan~arized size,w~ich can be combined in various numbers for difierent power output.A turb ne rotor has a weight-saving design,which is similar to an aircraft wing structure,but has a simplifieà aluminum ~rame work to secure the cross-section form only under far less aerodynamic loadir.g.The vertical prism -surfaces of the turbine rotor are covered with weather resistant light material as fcr instance aluminum and re-inforced plastic sheets ,while as construction material honey-comb structures and urethan-foam can be preferably used.The horizontal bottom and top faces of the turbine rotor are left uncoveredlthus saving material and avoiding under winter con-ditions a piling up of snow,which could hamper the operation of the power plant.A small degree of form flexibility of the turbine rotors and temporarely deflexed surfaces,caused by 1~ excessive wind-pressure and teperature influence,will not change the performance significantly and can be tolerated.
The shafts of the turbine rotors are mounted in self-aligning bearings and flexible couplings ,while the shaft diameters and bearing dimensions closer to the tower base are increased,
A survey of existing configurations for vertical axis windmills and windturbines shows,that these configurations can be devided in two groups.In the first group appear the configurations using sails,cups and flat curved surfaces, as for instance the Savonius rotor,where more or less drag-differences between the parts,wrich rotate in wind-direction and the parts rotating against the wind,are the driving forces.The other group consists of windturbines with verti-cal arranged straight and bent blades,having aerofoil cross-sections and rotate coaxially around a shaft and mountingstructure ,for instance Darrieus rotors,where mainly lift-forces effectuate a rotation.The first group has found only limited application in the instrumentation and ventilation field because of low efficiency .The other group of vertical axis windturbines encounters difficulties especially if the feasibility of large windpower units is investigated,which are comparable in siee to powerplants using fossil fuel.
Then the building cost are progressing excessively and se-vere construction and stress-problems appear,which in con-sequence of the use of relatively thin-wal~ blades with consi~erable dimensions can not be solved easely.Similar prob~ems exist for the ~esign of windturbines,havin~ a hori-30ntal axis,also described as axial-flow turbines.Here the larc~e rotating mass of ro~or blades ,which are flexed con-3~ si~lously mainly by insteady aerodynamic and inertial loads, 10~425 is a drawb~ck for the development of large windpowerplants.
A primary object of the invention is to provide a wind-turbine system using such configurations of vertical axis turbine rotors with very compact and robust forms ,that these main stress-problems are eliminated and the building of large windpower plants becomes feasible and practical dependent on a material and weight saving design for low manufacturing cost.
It is an other object of t~le invention ,by combination of such vertical axis turbine rotors with a tower structure , having aerodynamic features and mechanical means,to increase the efficiency of the turbine rotors and to form an adequate control system for the speed of the rotors.
With the above objects in mind the invention basically ~re-sents a wind energy conversion system ,where at least a portion of the kinetic energy possessed by the wind is con-verted into mechanical energy,com~rising tangential flow turbine rotors for rotation around the vertical axis,each rotor having the form of a hollow prism with at least three vertical in wind-direction curved surfaces ,having a ver-tical shaft mounted in end-bearings fitted into lower and upper intermediate support frames and a tower structure to support a double row of turbine rotors,arranged vertically and symmetrically behind the tower structure in a down-wind position,having main-bearing a~semblies for the interme-diate support f`rames,being allowed to swivel around the tower struc~ure at least through the effect of wind forces ,and a w.nd-deflecting snield arranged in front of the tower struc-3~ ~ure,attach~d rigiàly to the intermediate su~port frames.
- 4 ~ 10 ~ 54 2 S
This wind-deflecting shield is curved convexly against ~he wind-direction on front of the tower structure and further ex~ends symmetrically along both sides of the tower structure to the rotation circles of the turbine rotors.thus guide-surfaces for the airflow are formed ,W~-iCti are moderately inclined against the wind-direction and oirect a tan~ential airflow over the curved surfaces of the turbine rotors but shield the turbine rotor segments rotating against the wind-direction,said tangential airflow having a direction to achieve optimum efficiency lor the turbLne rotors.
Usually the tower structure is a design in structural steel, having a rectangular cross-section ,but also concrete towers having a round cross-section can be used for this windturbine system,to lower the building cost.Then the smooth outer sur-face of the round tower structure in front of the turbinerotors deflectcthe wind, while separate guide vanes,in wind-direction on both sides of t~ie tower structure~rot~atable around the vertical axis,the leading edges arranged close to the smooth outer surface of the tower structure ,can direct the airflow against the curved surfaces of the turbine rotors with d;f~rent angles of attack,thus influencing the rotational speed of the turbine rotors.
Practical embodiments of the invention are described in detail together with presentation of following drawings:
5 Figure 1 shows a cross-section of a shielded tower structure with a turbine unit behind,consisting of two vertical axis turbine rotors,each having the form of a prism.
Figure 2 is a partial view of a windturbine power-plant ~re-senting the arrangement of several turbine rotor units 3~ with su~port frames and servicing platform.
~O91S425 Figure 3 shows a cross-section of a shielded tower ctrucsure with a turbine rotor unit behind,the shield beinK
provided with guide vanes .
Figu.e 4 presents a cross-section of a round concrete tower with a turbine rotor unit behind,provided with se-parate guide vanes.
ln figure 1 the tower structure 1 consists of a convential steel truss tower with rectangular cross-section .the turbine rotors 2 and 3 are arranged behind the tower structure in lU down-wind position and have each the form of a prism with the cross-section of a three-corner polygon.rhe three vertical surfaces of such a turbine rotor are curved in wind-direction moderately,first convexly then concavely along the straight line between the corners of the polygon.rhe bearings 4 for the shafts of the turbine rotors are indicated and the inter-mediate support frame 5 can be seen,which is mounted along with.the main bearing assembly 6 to the tower structure 1.
The wind-deflecting shield 7 is rigidly joined to the inter-mediate support frame 5,which can rotate freely around the tower structure 1.
The lay-out of such windturbine system is ruled by several characteristic parameters,which influence therefore the per-formance of the system. They are related to the airflow through the input area in M ~ ,which corresponds to the overall width of the turbine system and to the considerable smaller airflow through the area in BB',decreased in size by the vertical plane area protected by the shield.Further influencial is the Diameter Dr of the tower structure,depending on the structural system used,wllich determines the minimum size of the shield and the diameter ~ of the turbine rotors having the distance d from each other.
10'~5425 The airflow through the area in AA' towards the turbine rotors is àeflec~ed to a large extend beyond the area in B~',but part of the wind-energy loss is recovered again by the increased velocity of the airflow along the shield towards the turbine rotors.This effect can be compared with the s~ill-over effect and flow energy gain of a shroud around an axial flow turbine.
The final inclination of the shield surface close to the ro-tation circle of the turbine rotor,with the deflection angle towards the wind-direction ~ ,must be therefore only moderate, to a~hieve an optimum of the airflow acceleration.If the de-flection angle is too large ,the loss by the spill-over effect becomes excessive.It can be seen,that the diameters of the turbine rotors DX and the distance d determine the position of the turbine rotors and the available input area in M '.
But too large a rotor diameter effects a low ro~ational speed because the tip speed of the rotor will not exceed the peri-pheral wind velocity and the sensitivity for a low wind velo-city is decreased.lf the rotor diameter is determined,then also the distance d and the position of the turbine rotors fo~ows,if one vertical rotor surface can be aligned in one rotational position of the rotor with the inclination of the shield surface.In this rotational position then a smooth tan-gential flow over the turbine rotor surface is attained,having a fa~ourable angle of attack in relation to the convexly curved surface part and a maximum lift force is produced with a resulting main driving force.
In figure 2,correspoding to figure l,can be seen the vertical row of turbine rotors 3 arranged in down-wind posi-tion behind the tower structure l.The shafts 10 of the turbine rotors3 are moun~ed in end-bearings ~,which are fitted into - 7 - 1~95~25 the intermediate support frames,having the main bearing assemblies ~,mounted to the tower structure l.The wind-deflecting shield 7 extends over the whole length of the ver-tical row of turbine ~ tors 3.A r.eavy main support frame ~
at ttle ~ower base,rotatable around the tower structure 1,is combined with a servicing platform 9 containing an energy transl`Orming installation ,auxiliary servo equipment and con-trol instrumentation .rhe torque transmission shaft 10 of one vertical row of turbine rotors 3 is connected with the main flexible coupling 11 to the gearbox 12.rhe electric output from the generator 13 is taken off by a slide ring assembly 1~.
In figure 3 the wind-deflecting shield 7 in fron~ of the tower structure l,joined rigidly to the intermediate sup~ort frame 5,is not extending towards the rotation circles of the turbine rotors,but is replaced there on both sides of the tower structure with the guide vanes 15 and 16.rhese vanes are connected smoothly to ~he snield 7,but are rotatable to a smaller degree from the position (a) to the position ~b).
If ttle guide vane has the position (a),then a tangential air-flow will be directed over the convexly curved surface of theturbine rotor,if the rotational position as shown in figure 1 is reached and the turbine rotor will rotate with maximum speed.If the guide vane has moved to the position (b),as indi-cated by the guide vane 16,then the airflow has the general direction t~wards the center line of the turbine rotor.Now only irregular vortices and drag-forces are produced such,that in one peculiar rotational position the tur~ine rotor ceases to rotate.rrreg~lar movements or oscillations caused by wind-gusts can be damped by a braKing arrangement.rhe guide vanes are actuateà by a s~itable speed control system.
8 - ~.o~4Z~
In figure ~ the to~ler structure is a pre-stressed concrete to~er 17 having a round cross-section and a smooth outer sur-face and serves also as a wind-deflecting o~ject in front of the turbine rotors .rhe rotatable guide vanes 1~,19 are posi-tioned on both sides of the concrete to~-er,seen in wind-direc-tion,having shafts 20,21 mounted to the intermediate sup~rt-frame 24.rhe leading edges 22,23,covering the shafts 20,21 against the wind-direction ,are attached close to the smooth outer surface of the concrete tower,if the guide vanes 1~,19 are in a postion (a) for maximum rotor speed and the deflected airflow from the front of the concrete tower passes without turbulence over the guide vanes.As leading edges can be used stripes of elastic material able to glide with minimum friction around the tower surface when the intermediate support frame is swivelling .Because the diameter of the pre-stressed con-crete tower 17 can be kept relatively small,the overall width d of.the windturbine system is reduced.Then without loss of useful wind-energy in 1ront , the turbine rotors are Posi-tioned moreclosely to each other,both rotation circles over-lapping,w~lile the rotation is synchronized in the gearbox 12.
Consequently tne omission of the large shield in front of the turbine rotors ,the lower wind-pressure upon the tower struc-ture and the smaller dimensions of the supporting structures contribute to lower building cost.
The general lay-out of the wind-power plant i5 determined by the requirements for simplicity,low weight and cost and suitability for mass-production,without lowering the efiicien-cy of the power sys~em to an impractical value,but sustaining a high degr~e of durability also under severe weather condi-3~ tions.~tructural parts and turbine ro~ors form building modules - 9 - 10'~42S
of stan~arized size,w~ich can be combined in various numbers for difierent power output.A turb ne rotor has a weight-saving design,which is similar to an aircraft wing structure,but has a simplifieà aluminum ~rame work to secure the cross-section form only under far less aerodynamic loadir.g.The vertical prism -surfaces of the turbine rotor are covered with weather resistant light material as fcr instance aluminum and re-inforced plastic sheets ,while as construction material honey-comb structures and urethan-foam can be preferably used.The horizontal bottom and top faces of the turbine rotor are left uncoveredlthus saving material and avoiding under winter con-ditions a piling up of snow,which could hamper the operation of the power plant.A small degree of form flexibility of the turbine rotors and temporarely deflexed surfaces,caused by 1~ excessive wind-pressure and teperature influence,will not change the performance significantly and can be tolerated.
The shafts of the turbine rotors are mounted in self-aligning bearings and flexible couplings ,while the shaft diameters and bearing dimensions closer to the tower base are increased,
2~ to be able to transfer the torque increasing with the number of turbine rotor units and therefore length of shaft assembly.
rhe built-in mechanical flexibility of the tower structure and turbine rotors requires a suitable oscillation dampening system,preferably electronically controlled,but lowers the otherwise high building cost,if an absolutely rigid system of high strength is persued ,llhe addition of at least one smaller turbine rotor unit for high rotor speed on top of the tower structure improves the starting capability of the Dower Dlant at moderate wind velocities and ~rovides Dower for auxiliary equipment also .~hen the power plant is not in o~eration.
10 - 10~!5~25 rhe use of a single pre-stressed concr~te tower for a power plant of medium size can be cost saving especially because the lar~e àeflecting shielas are then omitted .B~t if a very large power output is required the steel struss struc-ture should be preferred.Several such guyed towers of con -siderable height can be combined in a power plant grou~ , where the to~ers are positioned in a circle for instance and spaced only so far,as not to interfere aerodynamically with each other.rhe towers of such power plant group can be 1~ guyed toget~er to form a tower group of high stability and durability,also suitable for sites close to sea and ocean shores with extrem high wind velocities .
rhe built-in mechanical flexibility of the tower structure and turbine rotors requires a suitable oscillation dampening system,preferably electronically controlled,but lowers the otherwise high building cost,if an absolutely rigid system of high strength is persued ,llhe addition of at least one smaller turbine rotor unit for high rotor speed on top of the tower structure improves the starting capability of the Dower Dlant at moderate wind velocities and ~rovides Dower for auxiliary equipment also .~hen the power plant is not in o~eration.
10 - 10~!5~25 rhe use of a single pre-stressed concr~te tower for a power plant of medium size can be cost saving especially because the lar~e àeflecting shielas are then omitted .B~t if a very large power output is required the steel struss struc-ture should be preferred.Several such guyed towers of con -siderable height can be combined in a power plant grou~ , where the to~ers are positioned in a circle for instance and spaced only so far,as not to interfere aerodynamically with each other.rhe towers of such power plant group can be 1~ guyed toget~er to form a tower group of high stability and durability,also suitable for sites close to sea and ocean shores with extrem high wind velocities .
Claims (2)
1. A wind-driven turbine system for converting at least a portion of the kinetic energy possessed by the wind into mechanical energy, com-prising tangential flow turbine rotors for rotation around the vertical axis, each rotor having the form of a hollow prism with at least three vertical in wind-direction curved surfaces, having a vertical shaft mounted in end-bearings fitted into lower and upper intermediate support frames and a tower structure to support a double row of tur-bine rotors, arranged vertically and symmetrically behind the tower structure in a down-wind position, having main bearing assemblies for the intermediate support frames being allowed to swivel around the tower-structure at least through the effect of wind-forces and a wind-deflecting shield arranged in front of the tower structure, attached rigidly to the intermediate support frames, said shield being curved convexly against the wind-direction on front of the tower structure, and said shield having extentions for controlling the airflow toward the turbine rotors.
2. A wind-driven turbine system for converting at least a portion of the kinetic energy possessed by the wind into mechanical energy, comprising tangential flow turbine rotors for rotation around the vertical axis, each rotor having the form of a hollow prism with at least three vertical in wind-direction curved surfaces having a ver-tical shaft mounted in end-bearings fitted into lower and upper intermediate support frames and a tower structure to support a double row of turbine-rotors, arranged vertically and symmetrically behind the tower structure in a down-wind position, having main bearing assemblies for the intermediate support frames being allowed to swivel around the tower structure at least through the effect of wind-forces, said tower structure having a circular cross-section and a compact and smooth outer surface, thus being a wind-deflecting object in front of the turbine rotors, while separate guide-vanes in wind-direction on both sides of the tower structure, rotatable around the vertical axis, but mounted on the intermediate support frames, extend symmetrically in wind-direction along both sides of the tower structure to the rotation circles of the turbine rotors, the leading edges of the guide vanes arranged close to the smooth outer surface of the tower structure, thus by rotation of the guide-vanes to a small degree effecting a change of the angle of attack for the airflow against the curved surfaces of the turbine-rotors.
CANADA PATENT APPLICATION NO.321 540 LOTHAR LUOIS POHL
WIND-TURBINES
New claim 3 :
A wind-driven turbine system for converting at least a portion of the kinetic energy possessed by the wind into mechanical energy,comprising tangential flow turbine rotors for rotation around the vertical axis , each rotor having the form of a hollow prism with at least three vertical in wind-direction curved surfaces, having a vertical shaft mounted in end-bearings fitted into lower and upper intermediate support frames and a tower structure to support a double row of turbine rotors,arranged vertically and symmetrically behind the tower structure in a down wind position ,having main bearing assemblies for the intermediate support frames being allowed to swivel around the tower structure at least through the effect of wind-forces,and having a wind-deflection shield arranged in front of the tower-structure,attached rigidly to the intermediate support frames,said shield being curved convexly against the wind-direction on front of the tower-structure,further extending symmetrically along both sides of the tower structure to a limited degree and having along both sides of the tower-structure vertically arranged guide vanes,rotatable around the vertical axis and extending further to the rotation-circles of the turbine rotors.
CANADA PATENT APPLICATION NO.321 540 LOTHAR LUOIS POHL
WIND-TURBINES
New claim 3 :
A wind-driven turbine system for converting at least a portion of the kinetic energy possessed by the wind into mechanical energy,comprising tangential flow turbine rotors for rotation around the vertical axis , each rotor having the form of a hollow prism with at least three vertical in wind-direction curved surfaces, having a vertical shaft mounted in end-bearings fitted into lower and upper intermediate support frames and a tower structure to support a double row of turbine rotors,arranged vertically and symmetrically behind the tower structure in a down wind position ,having main bearing assemblies for the intermediate support frames being allowed to swivel around the tower structure at least through the effect of wind-forces,and having a wind-deflection shield arranged in front of the tower-structure,attached rigidly to the intermediate support frames,said shield being curved convexly against the wind-direction on front of the tower-structure,further extending symmetrically along both sides of the tower structure to a limited degree and having along both sides of the tower-structure vertically arranged guide vanes,rotatable around the vertical axis and extending further to the rotation-circles of the turbine rotors.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA321,540A CA1095425A (en) | 1979-02-15 | 1979-02-15 | Wind-turbines |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA321,540A CA1095425A (en) | 1979-02-15 | 1979-02-15 | Wind-turbines |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1095425A true CA1095425A (en) | 1981-02-10 |
Family
ID=4113545
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA321,540A Expired CA1095425A (en) | 1979-02-15 | 1979-02-15 | Wind-turbines |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1095425A (en) |
-
1979
- 1979-02-15 CA CA321,540A patent/CA1095425A/en not_active Expired
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4156580A (en) | Wind-turbines | |
| US4838757A (en) | Wind turbine system using a savonius type rotor | |
| CA1266005A (en) | Wind turbine "runner" impulse type | |
| EP0022635B1 (en) | Fluid powered tracked vehicle for generating electricity | |
| US4423333A (en) | Horizontal axis wind energy conversion system with aerodynamic blade pitch control | |
| US4408958A (en) | Wind turbine blade | |
| US4350899A (en) | Lighter than air wind energy conversion system utilizing a rearwardly mounted internal radial disk diffuser | |
| US5850108A (en) | Fluid flow power generation system with foil | |
| US4781523A (en) | Fluid energy turbine | |
| CA1163927A (en) | Wind turbine and method for power generation | |
| CA1042347A (en) | Wind turbine | |
| US20120003077A1 (en) | Annular multi-rotor double-walled turbine | |
| US20050169742A1 (en) | Wind turbine | |
| US20100032954A1 (en) | Wind turbine | |
| CA2473428C (en) | Wind turbine assembly | |
| GB2199377A (en) | Wind energy convertor | |
| CA1284621C (en) | Wind turbine system using a vertical axis savonius-type rotor | |
| US8137052B1 (en) | Wind turbine generator | |
| EP1828597B1 (en) | Vertical axis turbine apparatus | |
| GB2275970A (en) | Vertical axis wind turbines | |
| US4616973A (en) | Wind driven turbine | |
| CA1095425A (en) | Wind-turbines | |
| EP1010891A1 (en) | Wind turbine with wind channeling means | |
| CA2532597A1 (en) | Vertical axis fluid actuated turbine | |
| US4878807A (en) | Relating to energy conversion apparatus |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |