CA1123341A

CA1123341A - Windmill

Info

Publication number: CA1123341A
Application number: CA343,066A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Jerome Bechard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-01-04
Filing date: 1980-01-04
Publication date: 1982-05-11

Abstract

WINDMILL
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A vertical column is journalled for rotation on a base and a double set of blades are journalled one set upon each end of a cross shaft at the top of a spindle in the column and gear connected thereto. Each set of blades is angled so that the shafts mounting same is situated at right angles to the direction of the wind and in order to prevent the wind acting on the lower blades cancelling out the wind acting on the upper blades, a casing shields the lower blades thus shielding them from the wind and allowing the wind to act directly on the upper blades. A conduit through the casing routes the wind through the casing and reverses its direction so that it impinges on the rear sides of the lower blades thus giving additional turning power to the sets of blades.

Description

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WINDMILL
BAC~GROUND OF T~IE INVENTION
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This invention relates to new and useful improve-ments in windmill constructions and although it is directed to windmills, nevertheless it will be appreciated that, under certain circumstances, the invention can be utilized with air turbine construction of a similar type.
Conventionally, windmills comprise a plurality of radially extending blades mounted upon a spindle with the blades being situated so that the longitudinal axis of the spindle faces into the wind and the wind strikes the blades which are situated slightly obliquely to the plane of rotation so that wind spills past the blades and causes same to rotate.
In such constructions, it will be appreciated that a given wind speed will only generate a certain speed of rotation unless the diameter of the blades is increased which leads to the relatively unwieldy structure.
Attempts have been made to reduce the diameter of the blade assemblies by placing one behind the other either with both rotating in the same direction or with the blades of the rear set being reversed so that they rotate in opposite - directions but unfortunately, the supporting structure together with turbulence created by the first set of blades r often causes a reduction of the effective wind passing through the second set of blades.

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It will b~ appreciated that .if the blades could be mounted upon a sha:Et which is maintained at ric~ht angles to the direc-tion of wind so tha-t -the blades act as scoops, an improvement in efficiency may well be obtained but un-fortunately with such a construction, the wind pressure acts upon the upper run of blades as well as the lower run of blades and even if the rear surfaces thereof are streamlined, they present a considerable cross sectlonal area against which the wind pressure may act thus reducing the efficiency considerably.
The present invention overcomes these disadvantages whetner incorporated as a single set o-f blades or as mul-tiple sets of blades by providing a wind diverter acting upon the lower run of blades so that when pressure does not effect same and in fact with one embodiment, may even utilize the wind pressure by diverting same to the rear side of the lower run of blades.
In accordance with the invention there is provided a windmill comprisin~ in combination a support structure, a turret head mounted for rotation upon said support structure, a rudder assembly operatively connected to said turret head fox mainta,ining said windmill into the wind, and at least one windmill assembly journalled for rotation within said turret head, said windmill assembly including a substantially hori20ntal shaft journalled for rotation within said turret head and extending therefrom, a plurality of blades secured 3~
~ -3-in equidistant radial assembly to the clistal end of said shaft, said shaft being maintained by said rudder at right angles to the direction Erom which the wind is blowing with sa d blades facing the direction from which said wind is blowing,-and a wind diverter assembly shielding substantial-ly the lower run of said blades from the wind, for conveying moving air to the rear side of the lower run of blades, said diverter including an open ended horn component having a front wall, an intake opening in said front wall for the in-gress of wind, said front wall having a width at least aswide as the width of the windmill blades and a height ex-tending from adjacent the base of the outer path swept by said blades to a point just below the axis of said shaft, said horn extending downwardly and rearwardly under said base of the outer path and then extending upwardly and over towards the rear of the blades of the lower run, and a dis-charge opening at the rear end of said horn facing substan-tially into the direction from which the wind is blowing but being shielded therefrom by said front wall, the cross sec-tional. area of said discharge opening being less than thecross sectional area of said intake opening.
In accordance with a further embodiment of the in-vention, there is provided in a windmill which includes at least one windmill assembly journalled for rotation by air reacting therewith and including a shaft maintained at right angles to the direction of wind and a plurality of scoop type ~. `

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~ -3A-blades securecl in equidistant radial array around said shaft and facing :into the wind; the improvement characterized by a wind diverter assembly shielding substantially the lower run of blades from the effect of said wind, said diverter in-cluding an open ended horn component having a front wall, an intake opening in said front wall for the ingress of wind, said front wall having a width at least as wide as the width of the windmill blades and a height extending from adjacent the base of the outer path swept by said blades to a point just below the axis of said shaft, said horn extending down-wardly and rearwardly under said base of the outer path and then extending upwardly and over towards the rear of the blades of the lower run, and a discharge opening at the rear end of said horn facing substantially into the direction from which the wind is blowing but being shielded therefrom by said front wall, the cross sectional area of said discharge opening being less than the cross sectional area of said in-take opening.
Still another advantage oE the invention is to pro-vide a device of the character herewithin described which issimple in construction, ecnonomical in manuEacture and other-wise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.
With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein described by reference to the accompany-~-:

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ing drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a de-scription of the preferred typical embodiment of the prin-ciples oE the present invention, in which:

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-- '1 --DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a part.ially schematlc side eleva-tion of the device showing schematically one method of harnessing the power generated by the windmill.
Figure 2 is a front view of Figure 1 taken from the left hand side thereof~
Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevation similar to Figure 2 but showing an alternative mounting for the turret.
Figure 4 is an isometric view of one of the blades or scoops per se.
In the drawings like characters o~ reference indi-cate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, although two sets of windmill blades are shown mounted upon a shaft one upon each side of a central turret, never-theless it will be appreciated that only one set may be used or that a plurality of sets may be used.
In detail, reference should first be made to Figure 1 in which reference character 10 illustrates suppor-tin~ structure secured or supported upon the ground surface 11 and having a turret assembly collectively designated 12 mounted for rotation thereon and extending vertically up-wardly therefrom.
A vertically situated drive shaft 13 is journalled ~Z33~

for ro-ta-tion within bcar.ing assemblies 1~ within a cylindrical casiny 14 forming part of the turret assembly 12 and this drive shaft may be connected to an hydraulic pump 15 mounted within the supporting structure 12 which in turn is opera-~ive-ly connected to an oil tank 16 by means of lines 17 and to an hydraulic motor 18 by means of lines 19. The hydraulic motor may be operatively connected to an electric generator 20 which in turn may extend through an instrument panel 21 to be used, for example, with heating elements illustrated schematically by reference character 22. However, it will be appreciated that other forms of converting the energy from drive shaft 13 may be utilized.
The casing 14 forming part of the turret is pro-vided in the present invention with a transverse assembly 23 comprising a horizontal casing 24 within which is supported for rotation, a horizontal shaft 25.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, a single shaft 25 extends clear through the casing from side to side and is gear connected to the drive shaft 13 by means of bevel gears 26.
EIowever, as an alternative, the enlarged casing 27 immediately above casing 14 may contain a differential assem-bly (not illustrated), which is conventional and which will include a pair of shafts 25 one extending upon either side thereof.
A hub assembly ~8 is secured to the outer ends of ~12334~

the shaft 25 and a set of windmill blades collec-tively desig-nated 29 are secured e~lidistan-tly and radially around the hub 25.
Fi~ure 4 shows an example of the individual blades or scoops comprising a pair of base panels 30 secured together by common or adjacent longitudinally edges 31 and diverging outwardly and upwardly from these longitudinal edges as clearly shown. Triangular end walls 32 are secured to the ends of the base panels 30 and it is desirable that the effective width of the scoop as defined by the base panels, increases slightly from the inner or attaching end 33 towards the outer or distal end 34.
Supporting structure in the form of braces 35 are secured to the inner end 33 and to the hub 28 so that the scoops are maintained in the desired radial position during use.
A tail vane or rudder assembly collectively designated 36 comprises a rectangular vane plate 37 supported clear of the blades 29 by horizontal strut 38 and diagonal strut 39 ex-tending from the horizontal casing 23 and the vertical casing 14 respectively as illustrated and this tail vane or rudder assembly maintains the turret and the two sets of blades or scoops facing into the wind at all times.
The turret is journalled for rotation upon the sup-porting structure 10 and two methods of such journalling is illustrated. In Figure 2, and dealing with a relatively light weight embodiment, sets of steel rollers or balls 40 engage ~233fl~

be-tween circular plates ~1 and 42, the Eormer being secured to the base of the vertical casing 1~ and the la-t-ter being secur-ed to the upper end of the suppor-ting structure 10 with a cen-tral floating plate 43 being situated between adjacent sets of rollers or balls.
The preferred embodiment is shown in Figure 3 and is particularl~ suitable for heavy duty construction.
A cage collectively designated 4~ surmounts the upper end of the supporting structure 10 and consists of a lower plate 45 and an upper plate 46 maintained in spaced and parallel horizontal relationship by means of vertical struts 47 extend-ing therebetween with an annular support ring 48 extending around the vertical struts 47. The plate 45 acts as a track for a plurality of vertically situated wheels 49 journalled upon spindles 50 mounted upon the ends of a horizont~l spider (not illustrated) extending from the lower end of the turret casing 14 thus mounting the turret and turret casing for rotation upon the track formed by the lower plate 45. A plurality of hori-zontally situated wheels 51 are journalled upon vertical spindles 52 extending upwardly rom the upper plate ~6 with the perimeters o the wheels being in contact with the outer of the cylindrical casing 14 thus offering side thrust support to the casing and turret assembly. Similar wheels 51A are provided on lower plate 45.
With the scoop-type blades facing into the direction of the wind, it will be appreciated that, under normal circum-~2~4~

stances, the wind pressure would effect both the scoops or blades in the upper run abov~ the horiæontal spindle 25 and the lower run below the horizontal spindle and even wi-th the slightly streamlined construction of the scoops, wind pre~sure would re~uce the torque ef~ect generated by the wind.
Consequently there is provided a wind diverter col-lectively designated 53 and situated to shield the lower run of the scoops or blades from the wind pressure.
The diverter preferably consists of an open ended horn assembly having a front openin~ or air intake 54, the width of which is slightly grea~er than the width of the scoops or blades and the hei~ht of which extends from just below the base or outer path swept by the outer ends of the blades, to a posi-tion above which the wind pressure will not adversely affect the blades. This upper portion is just below the horizontal axis of the horizontal shafts 45.
Reference character 55 iliustrates the base of the outer path above referred to.
An inclined wall 56 is formed in the upper part above ~20 the intake 54 so that some air is diverted upwardly as shown.
The air enterin~ the intake 56 flows into this intake and throu~h the horn. The base 57 of the horn is substantially hor-izontal whereas the upper surface 58 curves downwardly just clearn of the path swept by the lower run of the blades and then extends horizontally rearwardly as indicated by reference character 5~, substantially parallel to- the base 57.

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Z33~1 _9_ Once clear of the path 55, the horn sweeps upwardly and forwardly and terminates in a discharge aperture 60 jus-t clear o.E the path swept by the blade tips and below the upper extremity 61 of the front wall.
Air under pressure flows through this horn ~nd is directed forwardly in the direction of arrow 62 to engage the lower run of blades and to assist them in their rotation, it being understood that wind is blowing from the direction of arrow 63.
This materially increasesthe efficiency of the wind-mill assembly and permits a plurality of sets of blades to be utilized without one set interfering with the other and having a diameter less than that required of a conventional windmill adapted to generate th~ same amount of power.
Since various modifications can be made in my inven-tion as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely dif-ferent embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying speci-fication shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limitin~ sense.

Claims

WHAT I CLAIM AS MY INVENTION IS:
(1) A windmill comprising in combination a sup-port structure, a turret head mounted for rotation upon said support structure, a rudder assembly operatively connected to said turret head for maintaining said windmill into the wind, and at least one windmill assembly journalled for ro-tation within said turret head, said windmill assembly in-cluding a substantially horizontal shaft journalled for rotation within said turret head and extending therefrom, a plurality of blades secured in equidistant radial assembly to said shaft, said shaft being maintained by said rudder substantially perpendicular to the direction from which the wind is blowing with said blades facing the direction from which said wind is blowing, and a wind diverter assembly shielding substantially the lower run of said blades from the wind, for conveying moving air to the rear side of the lower run of blades, said diverter including an open ended horn component having a front wall, an intake opening in said front wall for the ingress of wind, said front wall having a width at least as wide as the width of the windmill blades and a height extending from adjacent the base of the outer path swept by said blades to a point just below the axis of said shaft, said horn extending downwardly and rear-wardly under said base of the outer path and then extend-ing upwardly and over towards the rear of the blades of the lower run, and a discharge opening at the rear end of said horn facing substantially into the direction from which the wind is blowing but being shielded therefrom by said front wall, the cross sectional area of said discharge open-ing being less than the cross sectional area of said intake opening.
(2) The invention according to Claim 1 in which each blade includes a pair of base panels secured to one another by adjacent longitudinal edges thereof and diverting outwardly from said adjacent longitudinal edges, in sub-stantially triangular end panels secured to the ends of said base panels, said blades being secured by one end thereof to said shaft.
(3) The invention according to Claim 2 in which the effective width of said base panels increases from the inner ends thereof towards the outer ends.
(4) The invention according to Claim 1 in which said turret head includes a vertically situated casing, said shaft being mounted for rotation transversely of said casing, a vertical drive shaft journalled for rotation with-in said casing, gear means operatively connecting said trans-verse shaft with said vertical drive shaft, and means to mount said turret head for rotation upon said support struc-ture 3 said means including a spider at the base of said casing, a plurality of vertically situated wheels journalled for rotation around the perimeter of said spider, a horizontal track at the upper end of said support structure upon which said wheels engage, and a plurality of horizontally mounted wheels journalled for rotation on the upper side of said supporting structure engaging the perimeter of said casing and supporting same.
(5) The invention according to Claim 2 in which said turret head includes a vertically situated casing, said shaft being mounted for rotation transversely of said cas-ing, a vertical drive shaft journalled for rotation within said casing, gear means operatively connecting said trans-verse shaft with said vertical drive shaft, and means to mount said turret head for rotation upon said support structure, said means including a spider at the base of said casing, a plurality of vertically situated wheels journalled for ro-tation around the perimeter of said spider, a horizontal track at the upper end of said support structure upon which said wheels engage, and a plurality of horizontally mounted wheels journalled for rotation on the upper side of said supporting structure engaging the perimeter of said casing and supporting same.
(6) The invention according to Claim 3 in which said turret head includes a vertically situated casing, said shaft being mounted for rotation transversely of said cas-ing a vertical drive shaft journalled for rotation within said casing, gear means operatively connecting said trans-verse shaft with said vertical drive shaft, and means to mount said turret head for rotation upon said support struc-ture, said means including a spider at the base of said casing, a plurality of vertically situated wheels journalled for rotation around the perimeter of said spider, a horizon-tal track at the upper end of said support structure upon which said wheels engage, and a plurality of horizontally mounted wheels journalled for rotation on the upper side of said supporting structure engaging the perimeter of said casing and supporting same.
(7) The invention according to Claim 1 which in-cludes a pair of windmill assemblies one upon each side of said turret head and rotating in the same direction.
(8) The invention according to Claim 2 which in-cludes a pair of windmill assemblies one upon each side of said turret head and rotating in the same direction.
(9) The invention according to Claim 3 which in-cludes a pair of windmill assemblies one upon each side of said turret head and rotating in the same direction.
(10) The invention according to Claim 4 which in-cludes a pair of windmill assemblies one upon each side of said turret head and rotating in the same direction.
(11) The invention according to Claim 5 which in-cludes a pair of windmill assemblies one upon each side of said turret head and rotating in the same direction.
(12) The invention according to Claim 6 which in-cludes a pair of windmill assemblies one upon each side of said turret head and rotating in the same direction.

(13) In a windmill which includes at least one windmill assembly journalled for rotation by air reacting therewith and including a shaft maintained at right angeles to the direction of wind and a plurality of scoop-type blades secured in equidistant radial array around said shaft and facing into the wind; the improvement characterized by a wind diverter assembly shielding substantially the lower run of blades from the effect of said wind, said diverter includ-ing an open ended horn component having a front wall, an intake opening in said front wall for the ingress of wind, said front wall having a width at least as wide as the width of the windmill blades and a height extending from adjacent the base of the outer path swept by said blades to a point just below the axis of said shaft, said horn extending down-wardly and rearwardly under said base of the outer path and then extending upwardly and over towards the rear of the blades of the lower run, and a discharge opening at the rear end of said horn facing substantially into the direction from which the wind is blowing but being shielded therefrom by said front wall, the cross sectional area of said dis-charge opening being less than the cross sectional area of said intake opening.
(14) The invention according to Claim 13 in which said diverter conveys air to the rear side of the lower run of blades of said windmill assembly.
(15) The invention according to Claims 1, 2 or 3 in which the upper part of said front wall above said intake opening inclining upwardly and rearwardly to divert air to-wards the underside of the blades passing thereby.
(16) The invention according to Claims 4, 5 or 6 in which the upper part of said front wall above said intake opening inclining upwardly and rearwardly to divert air to-wards the underside of the blades passing thereby.
(17) The invention according to Claims 7, 8 or 9 in which the upper part of said front wall above said intake opening inclining upwardly and rearwardly to divert air to-wards the underside of the blades passing thereby.
(18) The invention according to Claims 10, 11 or 12 in which the upper part of said front wall above said intake opening inclining upwardly and rearwardly to divert air to-wards the underside of the blades passing thereby.
(19) The invention according to Claims 13 or 14 in which the upper part of said front wall above said intake opening inclining upwardly and rearwardly to divert air to-wards the underside of the blades passing thereby.