CA2507478A1 - Wind turbine - Google Patents
Wind turbine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2507478A1 CA2507478A1 CA002507478A CA2507478A CA2507478A1 CA 2507478 A1 CA2507478 A1 CA 2507478A1 CA 002507478 A CA002507478 A CA 002507478A CA 2507478 A CA2507478 A CA 2507478A CA 2507478 A1 CA2507478 A1 CA 2507478A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- inlet opening
- wind
- primary
- housing
- turbine
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
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- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
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- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008030 elimination Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003379 elimination reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- RLQJEEJISHYWON-UHFFFAOYSA-N flonicamid Chemical compound FC(F)(F)C1=CC=NC=C1C(=O)NCC#N RLQJEEJISHYWON-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
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- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011208 reinforced composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009469 supplementation Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03D—WIND MOTORS
- F03D3/00—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor
- F03D3/005—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor the axis being vertical
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/20—Rotors
- F05B2240/21—Rotors for wind turbines
- F05B2240/211—Rotors for wind turbines with vertical axis
- F05B2240/217—Rotors for wind turbines with vertical axis of the crossflow- or "Banki"- or "double action" type
-
- 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
- Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
- Y02B10/30—Wind power
-
- 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
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Wind Motors (AREA)
Abstract
A wind turbine has an internal rotor carrying a plurality of turbine vanes in a circular path between an inlet opening and an exhaust opening. The inlet opening includes a stationary dividing vane that delivers one portion of the inlet airflow to a primary flowpath traversing the turbine vanes at two locations. The stationary dividing vane also delivers a second portion of the inlet airflow to a second flowpath which drives the turbine vanes as those vanes move in the part of the circular path from the exhaust opening toward the inlet opening. A second portion of the second flowpath is permitted to flow through the housing directly to the exhaust opening for providing balance to the housing. The inlet opening is adjustable responsive to turbine rotation.
Description
WIND TURBINE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to wind driven turbines to drive an electrical generator.
BACKGROUND
Wind driven generators are known in the art. For example, a wind powered generator using a wind driven rotor having a plurality of parallel vanes arranged circumferentially around a vertical axis has been used to drive a generator.
A housing around the rotor has a movable inlet vane to direct wind toward one side of the rotor. The housing itself may be rotatable so as to adjust to the direction of oncoming wind. Further, if desired, the assembly can be mounted on top of an automobile. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,049, issued to Kato on Aug. 6, 1991.
Generators are also known in which air supplied by wind is separated into a plurality of parallel portions which are applied to different parts of the rotor. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,900, issued to Baughman on Sep. 21, 1982. Moreover, various configurations for wind driven vanes used in wind turbines are known, such as symmetric airfoil shaped vanes of the Baughman patent, straight but radially canted vanes (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,007 issued to Howe on Dec. 18, 1979), radially curved vanes without inlet flow direction (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,896, issued to McFarland on Jul. 14, 1981; U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,405, issued to Asperger on Jun. 21, 1977; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,667,589, issued to Levrero on Jan. 26, 1954), radially curved vanes with inlet flow direction (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,047,834, issued to Magoveny et al. on Sep. 13, 1977; and 1,903,307, issued to Gillio on Apr. 4, 1933), Darrieus type rotors (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,162,410, issued to Amick on Jul. 24, 1979). It is also known to provide a variable area throat arrangement for wind driven turbines. See U.S.
Pat.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to wind driven turbines to drive an electrical generator.
BACKGROUND
Wind driven generators are known in the art. For example, a wind powered generator using a wind driven rotor having a plurality of parallel vanes arranged circumferentially around a vertical axis has been used to drive a generator.
A housing around the rotor has a movable inlet vane to direct wind toward one side of the rotor. The housing itself may be rotatable so as to adjust to the direction of oncoming wind. Further, if desired, the assembly can be mounted on top of an automobile. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,049, issued to Kato on Aug. 6, 1991.
Generators are also known in which air supplied by wind is separated into a plurality of parallel portions which are applied to different parts of the rotor. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,900, issued to Baughman on Sep. 21, 1982. Moreover, various configurations for wind driven vanes used in wind turbines are known, such as symmetric airfoil shaped vanes of the Baughman patent, straight but radially canted vanes (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,007 issued to Howe on Dec. 18, 1979), radially curved vanes without inlet flow direction (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,896, issued to McFarland on Jul. 14, 1981; U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,405, issued to Asperger on Jun. 21, 1977; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,667,589, issued to Levrero on Jan. 26, 1954), radially curved vanes with inlet flow direction (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,047,834, issued to Magoveny et al. on Sep. 13, 1977; and 1,903,307, issued to Gillio on Apr. 4, 1933), Darrieus type rotors (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,162,410, issued to Amick on Jul. 24, 1979). It is also known to provide a variable area throat arrangement for wind driven turbines. See U.S.
Pat.
3,944,840, issued to Troll on Mar. 16, 1976.
Other rotor arrangements, such as axial flow configurations, are also known, including for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,973, issued to Payne on Apr.
2, 1985, U.S. Pat. No. 4,398,096, issued to Faurholtz on Aug. 9, 1983, and U.S.
Pat. No.
Other rotor arrangements, such as axial flow configurations, are also known, including for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,973, issued to Payne on Apr.
2, 1985, U.S. Pat. No. 4,398,096, issued to Faurholtz on Aug. 9, 1983, and U.S.
Pat. No.
4,288,704, issued to Bosard on Sep. 8, 1981.
In general, however, the known prior art devices use turbine blades like windmills, that is, wind is used to push the blades. Some prior art devices use the turbine blades such that wind aerodynamically interacts with the blades to drive them.
Furthermore known prior art devices do not provide balance to wind forces acting on the housing or regulate flow responsive to turbine operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a wind driven turbine device comprising:
a housing having sides, a primary inlet opening, a secondary inlet opening, a primary exhaust opening, and a secondary exhaust opening;
turbine means for generating rotary power from atmospheric wind, rotatably mounted in the housing for movement in response to atmospheric wind movements; and baffle means for directing wind through the housing and the turbine means, the baffle means connecting the primary inlet opening, secondary inlet opening, the primary exhaust opening and the secondary exhaust opening of the housing while defining an annular path for the turbine means, directing a first portion of wind from the primary inlet opening through a first portion of the annular path, directing a first portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening through a second portion of the annular path and into confluence with a second portion of the wind from the primary inlet opening, directing the confluent second portion of wind from the primary inlet opening and the first portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening outwardly through the turbine means to the primary exhaust opening, directing a second portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening to the secondary exhaust opening.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a wind driven turbine device comprising:
a housing having sides, a primary inlet opening, a secondary inlet opening and an exhaust opening;
turbine means for generating rotary power from atmospheric wind, rotatably mounted in the housing for movement in response to atmospheric wind movements;
baffle means for directing wind through the housing and the turbine means, the baffle means connecting the primary inlet opening, secondary inlet opening and the exhaust opening of the housing while defining an annular path for the turbine means, directing a first portion of wind from the primary inlet opening through a first portion of the annular path, directing at least a portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening through a second portion of the annular path and into confluence with a second portion of the wind from the primary inlet opening, and directing the confluent second portion of wind from the primary inlet opening and the wind from the secondary inlet opening outwardly through the turbine means to the exhaust opening; and flow adjustment means for adjusting the primary inlet opening responsive to speed of rotation of the turbine means.
The baffle means may define a straight passage from the secondary inlet opening to the secondary exhaust opening so as to direct a majority of wind from the secondary inlet opening to the secondary exhaust opening such that the second portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening is larger than the first portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening.
The first portion and the second portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening are preferably separated by the baffle means adjacent the secondary exhaust opening.
When there is provided mounting means attached to the housing for rotatably supporting the housing while permitting movement of the housing about an axis and guidance means for orienting the primary inlet opening in general alignment with atmospheric wind, preferably the baffle means are oriented for directing the second portion of flow from the secondary inlet to the secondary exhaust opening in a manner to assist the guidance means.
The secondary inlet opening and the primary inlet opening are preferably located within a common mouth of the housing. The inlet opening of the housing may include a stationary vane that divides incoming airflow between a primary air passage and a secondary air passage. Preferably the flow adjustment means adjusts both the primary inlet opening and the secondary inlet opening responsive to speed of rotation of the turbine means.
The flow adjustment means may comprise two opposed mouth panels for directing air therethrough into the primary inlet opening in which the mouth panels are moveable relative to one another towards and away from one another for controlling a cross sectional area therebetween.
Each mouth panel may be pivoted about a hinge axis lying substantially perpendicularly to an axis of rotation of the turbine means and a flow direction of air flow through the housing.
A wind driven turbine which overcomes the problems and disadvantages of the prior art devices includes a plurality of turbine blades arranged circumferentially in a rotor about an axis of rotation, and parallel with that axis. The rotor is mounted in 5 a housing which provides a primary air inlet, a secondary air inlet, a primary air outlet, a secondary air outlet, and a baffle means for directing air flow from the primary and secondary air inlets to the primary and secondary air outlets such that a portion of the ingested air passes through the turbine blades once, a second portion of the ingested air passes through the turbine blades twice, a portion of the secondary air flow passes through the turbine blades twice and a portion of the secondary air flow passes directly through the housing.
By arranging the secondary air inlet near the air outlet, the arrangement permits the primary air flow to act against the turbine blades receding from the primary air inlet while a portion of the secondary air flow acts against turbine blades advancing toward the primary air inlet. Thus, the secondary air flow substantially eliminates what would otherwise be a vacuum drag on the advancing turbine blades as they move toward the primary air inlet. The secondary air flow may also provide some additional motive force to the turbine blades in the secondary passage.
Accordingly, an increased mechanical advantage on the rotating turbine blades is obtained through the substantial elimination of vacuum drag.
In addition, the portion of secondary air flow passing directly through the housing to the secondary air outlet provides some balance to wind forces acting on the housing resulting in a more stable housing design.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective of the external configuration of a wind turbine according to this invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the wind turbine;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the wind turbine;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the wind turbine;
FIG. 5 is a view of the wind turbine with the top portion removed to illustrate the internal features thereof; and FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the air flow path through the wind turbine.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A wind driven turbine assembly 20 (see FIG. 1 ) includes a primary housing 22 which may be fashioned from sheet metal, plastic material, fibre reinforced composite material, or any other suitable conventional engineering material.
Since the entire structure of the turbine assembly 20 is preferably responsive to wind direction, it is important that all materials used in the construction be as light as possible. To this end, sheet material can be used as much as possible to assure that the structure is light.
The housing 22 preferably includes a primary inlet opening 24 (see FIG.
2), at least one secondary inlet opening 26 (see FIG. 2), a primary exhaust opening 28 and a secondary exhaust opening 29. The primary inlet opening 24 is laterally spaced from the secondary inlet opening 26 by a stationary dividing vane 25 (see FIG. 2). The primary exhaust opening 28 and the secondary exhaust opening 29 are laterally spaced by an exhaust baffle 31 at an opposing end of the housing from the inlet openings. These various openings communicate with one another through internal flow passages in the manner to be described.
The primary inlet opening 24 is positioned at one end of the housing 22 and includes a forward edge 30 of the primary inlet opening 24 that curves outwardly and forwardly at the center. In addition, the forward edge 32 of the bottom curves downwardly. The outward curvature of the forward edge 30 above the top and of the forward edge 32 below the bottom is effective to increase the capture area for the turbine assembly 20. The outward curvature of the forward edges 30, 32 forwardly of the turbine assembly 20 provides an arcuate capture area across the front of the turbine assembly 20.
The turbine assembly 20 is mounted on a rotatable shaft 82 (see FIG. 4) having a generally vertical axis 38 so that the turbine assembly 20 can autorotate to face the oncoming wind. The rotatable shaft 82 can be suitably mounted to the desired supporting structure so that the turbine assembly is free to rotate.
The turbine assembly 20 includes a steering arrangement to turn the turbine assembly about the axis 38 so as to orient the inlet openings 24, 26 toward the approaching wind.
The steering arrangement includes a first stabilizer vane 34 and a second stabilizer vane 36. The first stabilizer vane 34 is located at the back of the turbine assembly 20, adjacent to the primary exhaust opening 28, and is positioned on the side of the assembly 20 behind the primary inlet 24. The first stabilizer vane 34 (see FIG. 2) extends generally vertically with respect to the axis of rotation 38 for the wind turbine assembly 20. The second stabilizer vane 36 is located at the back of the turbine assembly 20, adjacent to the secondary exhaust opening 29, and is positioned on the side of the assembly behind the secondary inlet 26. (See FIG. 3). The second stabilizer vane 36 is not vertical and has an acute angle with respect to the first stabilizer vane 34. (See FIG. 2).
The first stabilizer vane 34 extends rearwardly from the turbine assembly 20 so that it extends beyond the plane of the exhaust opening 28.
(See FIG.
3). As a result, the first stabilizer vane 34 has a larger surface area than the secondary stabilizer 36 and is the primary device for orienting the turbine assembly 20 so that the inlet openings 24, 26 face the incoming air.
As best seen in FIG. 4, the external contours of the turbine assembly 20 are such that the vertical height of the assembly 20 decreases from the forward edges 30, 32 toward the exhaust opening 28 at the back of the assembly 20.
While the stabilizers 34, 36 (see FIG. 4) are illustrated as being generally plate like appendages, their shape and location are not important.
The important aspect is the efficacy of the stabilizers 34, 36 as a guidance means 42 to compensate for unbalanced forces associated with the secondary inlet opening and to keep the primary inlet opening 24 aligned with the ambient wind.
Furthermore, if desired, the guidance means 42 can be controllable in a suitable conventional manner so that it generates different force levels as may be necessary at different wind velocities to properly orient the inlet opening 24 with the ambient wind direction.
In addition to the vertical stabilizers 34, 36, the guidance means 42 of the wind turbine assembly 20 also includes a pair of horizontal stabilizers 35, 37--one on each side of the wind turbine assembly 20, positioned outboard of the corresponding vertical stabilizers 34, 36 at the back of the assembly 20, and extending to a position generally coextensive with the rearward projection of the vertical stabilizer 34. The secondary exhaust opening provides assistance to the guidance means to balance the housing about the axis 38.
In general, however, the known prior art devices use turbine blades like windmills, that is, wind is used to push the blades. Some prior art devices use the turbine blades such that wind aerodynamically interacts with the blades to drive them.
Furthermore known prior art devices do not provide balance to wind forces acting on the housing or regulate flow responsive to turbine operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a wind driven turbine device comprising:
a housing having sides, a primary inlet opening, a secondary inlet opening, a primary exhaust opening, and a secondary exhaust opening;
turbine means for generating rotary power from atmospheric wind, rotatably mounted in the housing for movement in response to atmospheric wind movements; and baffle means for directing wind through the housing and the turbine means, the baffle means connecting the primary inlet opening, secondary inlet opening, the primary exhaust opening and the secondary exhaust opening of the housing while defining an annular path for the turbine means, directing a first portion of wind from the primary inlet opening through a first portion of the annular path, directing a first portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening through a second portion of the annular path and into confluence with a second portion of the wind from the primary inlet opening, directing the confluent second portion of wind from the primary inlet opening and the first portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening outwardly through the turbine means to the primary exhaust opening, directing a second portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening to the secondary exhaust opening.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a wind driven turbine device comprising:
a housing having sides, a primary inlet opening, a secondary inlet opening and an exhaust opening;
turbine means for generating rotary power from atmospheric wind, rotatably mounted in the housing for movement in response to atmospheric wind movements;
baffle means for directing wind through the housing and the turbine means, the baffle means connecting the primary inlet opening, secondary inlet opening and the exhaust opening of the housing while defining an annular path for the turbine means, directing a first portion of wind from the primary inlet opening through a first portion of the annular path, directing at least a portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening through a second portion of the annular path and into confluence with a second portion of the wind from the primary inlet opening, and directing the confluent second portion of wind from the primary inlet opening and the wind from the secondary inlet opening outwardly through the turbine means to the exhaust opening; and flow adjustment means for adjusting the primary inlet opening responsive to speed of rotation of the turbine means.
The baffle means may define a straight passage from the secondary inlet opening to the secondary exhaust opening so as to direct a majority of wind from the secondary inlet opening to the secondary exhaust opening such that the second portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening is larger than the first portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening.
The first portion and the second portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening are preferably separated by the baffle means adjacent the secondary exhaust opening.
When there is provided mounting means attached to the housing for rotatably supporting the housing while permitting movement of the housing about an axis and guidance means for orienting the primary inlet opening in general alignment with atmospheric wind, preferably the baffle means are oriented for directing the second portion of flow from the secondary inlet to the secondary exhaust opening in a manner to assist the guidance means.
The secondary inlet opening and the primary inlet opening are preferably located within a common mouth of the housing. The inlet opening of the housing may include a stationary vane that divides incoming airflow between a primary air passage and a secondary air passage. Preferably the flow adjustment means adjusts both the primary inlet opening and the secondary inlet opening responsive to speed of rotation of the turbine means.
The flow adjustment means may comprise two opposed mouth panels for directing air therethrough into the primary inlet opening in which the mouth panels are moveable relative to one another towards and away from one another for controlling a cross sectional area therebetween.
Each mouth panel may be pivoted about a hinge axis lying substantially perpendicularly to an axis of rotation of the turbine means and a flow direction of air flow through the housing.
A wind driven turbine which overcomes the problems and disadvantages of the prior art devices includes a plurality of turbine blades arranged circumferentially in a rotor about an axis of rotation, and parallel with that axis. The rotor is mounted in 5 a housing which provides a primary air inlet, a secondary air inlet, a primary air outlet, a secondary air outlet, and a baffle means for directing air flow from the primary and secondary air inlets to the primary and secondary air outlets such that a portion of the ingested air passes through the turbine blades once, a second portion of the ingested air passes through the turbine blades twice, a portion of the secondary air flow passes through the turbine blades twice and a portion of the secondary air flow passes directly through the housing.
By arranging the secondary air inlet near the air outlet, the arrangement permits the primary air flow to act against the turbine blades receding from the primary air inlet while a portion of the secondary air flow acts against turbine blades advancing toward the primary air inlet. Thus, the secondary air flow substantially eliminates what would otherwise be a vacuum drag on the advancing turbine blades as they move toward the primary air inlet. The secondary air flow may also provide some additional motive force to the turbine blades in the secondary passage.
Accordingly, an increased mechanical advantage on the rotating turbine blades is obtained through the substantial elimination of vacuum drag.
In addition, the portion of secondary air flow passing directly through the housing to the secondary air outlet provides some balance to wind forces acting on the housing resulting in a more stable housing design.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective of the external configuration of a wind turbine according to this invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the wind turbine;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the wind turbine;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the wind turbine;
FIG. 5 is a view of the wind turbine with the top portion removed to illustrate the internal features thereof; and FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the air flow path through the wind turbine.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A wind driven turbine assembly 20 (see FIG. 1 ) includes a primary housing 22 which may be fashioned from sheet metal, plastic material, fibre reinforced composite material, or any other suitable conventional engineering material.
Since the entire structure of the turbine assembly 20 is preferably responsive to wind direction, it is important that all materials used in the construction be as light as possible. To this end, sheet material can be used as much as possible to assure that the structure is light.
The housing 22 preferably includes a primary inlet opening 24 (see FIG.
2), at least one secondary inlet opening 26 (see FIG. 2), a primary exhaust opening 28 and a secondary exhaust opening 29. The primary inlet opening 24 is laterally spaced from the secondary inlet opening 26 by a stationary dividing vane 25 (see FIG. 2). The primary exhaust opening 28 and the secondary exhaust opening 29 are laterally spaced by an exhaust baffle 31 at an opposing end of the housing from the inlet openings. These various openings communicate with one another through internal flow passages in the manner to be described.
The primary inlet opening 24 is positioned at one end of the housing 22 and includes a forward edge 30 of the primary inlet opening 24 that curves outwardly and forwardly at the center. In addition, the forward edge 32 of the bottom curves downwardly. The outward curvature of the forward edge 30 above the top and of the forward edge 32 below the bottom is effective to increase the capture area for the turbine assembly 20. The outward curvature of the forward edges 30, 32 forwardly of the turbine assembly 20 provides an arcuate capture area across the front of the turbine assembly 20.
The turbine assembly 20 is mounted on a rotatable shaft 82 (see FIG. 4) having a generally vertical axis 38 so that the turbine assembly 20 can autorotate to face the oncoming wind. The rotatable shaft 82 can be suitably mounted to the desired supporting structure so that the turbine assembly is free to rotate.
The turbine assembly 20 includes a steering arrangement to turn the turbine assembly about the axis 38 so as to orient the inlet openings 24, 26 toward the approaching wind.
The steering arrangement includes a first stabilizer vane 34 and a second stabilizer vane 36. The first stabilizer vane 34 is located at the back of the turbine assembly 20, adjacent to the primary exhaust opening 28, and is positioned on the side of the assembly 20 behind the primary inlet 24. The first stabilizer vane 34 (see FIG. 2) extends generally vertically with respect to the axis of rotation 38 for the wind turbine assembly 20. The second stabilizer vane 36 is located at the back of the turbine assembly 20, adjacent to the secondary exhaust opening 29, and is positioned on the side of the assembly behind the secondary inlet 26. (See FIG. 3). The second stabilizer vane 36 is not vertical and has an acute angle with respect to the first stabilizer vane 34. (See FIG. 2).
The first stabilizer vane 34 extends rearwardly from the turbine assembly 20 so that it extends beyond the plane of the exhaust opening 28.
(See FIG.
3). As a result, the first stabilizer vane 34 has a larger surface area than the secondary stabilizer 36 and is the primary device for orienting the turbine assembly 20 so that the inlet openings 24, 26 face the incoming air.
As best seen in FIG. 4, the external contours of the turbine assembly 20 are such that the vertical height of the assembly 20 decreases from the forward edges 30, 32 toward the exhaust opening 28 at the back of the assembly 20.
While the stabilizers 34, 36 (see FIG. 4) are illustrated as being generally plate like appendages, their shape and location are not important.
The important aspect is the efficacy of the stabilizers 34, 36 as a guidance means 42 to compensate for unbalanced forces associated with the secondary inlet opening and to keep the primary inlet opening 24 aligned with the ambient wind.
Furthermore, if desired, the guidance means 42 can be controllable in a suitable conventional manner so that it generates different force levels as may be necessary at different wind velocities to properly orient the inlet opening 24 with the ambient wind direction.
In addition to the vertical stabilizers 34, 36, the guidance means 42 of the wind turbine assembly 20 also includes a pair of horizontal stabilizers 35, 37--one on each side of the wind turbine assembly 20, positioned outboard of the corresponding vertical stabilizers 34, 36 at the back of the assembly 20, and extending to a position generally coextensive with the rearward projection of the vertical stabilizer 34. The secondary exhaust opening provides assistance to the guidance means to balance the housing about the axis 38.
As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 5, walls of the dividing vane 25 and surfaces of the inlet define area constrictions in the cross-sectional flow area within the turbine assembly 20--one constriction being in the primary inlet opening 24, another constriction being in the secondary inlet opening 26. These area constrictions serve to accelerate the air flow into the turbine assembly 20.
A baffle arrangement (see FIG. 6) inside the housing 22 directs a primary airflow from the primary inlet 24, through a rotor assembly 40 to the outlet or primary exhaust opening 28. In addition, the baffle arrangement of the turbine assembly 20 directs a first portion of a secondary airflow from the secondary inlet 26 directly along a substantially straight path to the secondary exhaust outlet.
A second portion of the secondary airflow from the secondary inlet 26 is also directed by the baffle arrangement through the rotor assembly 40 to the primary exhaust opening 28.
The baffle arrangement ensures that a larger portion of flow from the secondary inlet 26 flows directly to the secondary exhaust than through the turbine assembly to the primary exhaust opening. The second portion of the flow from the secondary inlet 26 is split from the first portion adjacent the secondary exhaust opening at the trailing end of the housing. The baffle arrangement also defines an annular path 50 in which an annular cascade of turbine blades 52 of the rotor assembly 40 is positioned.
A central part of the baffle arrangement defines the inner surtace of the annular path 50 and is divided into two portions 54, 56. The first of these portions 54 carries a portion of the primary airflow; while the second of these portions 56 carries the second portion of the secondary airflow. The baffle arrangement also defines a central flow channel 58 which is positioned within the annular cascade of turbine blades. The baffle arrangement includes a first pillar wall 60 having a crescent-shaped cross section and a second pillar wall 62 having an airfoil-shaped cross section. The first pillar wall 60 cooperates with the baffle arrangement to define a converging portion of the annular channel 54 through which the turbine blades 52 move. A
portion of the primary airflow moves through the converging channel 54. Similarly, the second pillar wall 62 cooperates with the baffle arrangement to define a second converging 5 portion of the annular channel portion 56 through which the turbine blades 50 move.
The second portion of the secondary airflow passes through the annular channel portion 56. The first and second pillar walls 60, 62 also define a central passage or channel 58 between the primary inlet 24 and the outlet 28. The precise contour for the primary and secondary inlets 24, 26 may be varied to accommodate conventional 10 design parameters and flowpath analyses.
In FIG. 5, the baffle arrangement also includes a wall 64 extending from the dividing vane 25 and cooperating with the second pillar wall 62 to substantially define the secondary airflow passage prior to the airflow being split between first and second portions adjacent the secondary exhaust opening. A cusp-shaped wall 66 forms part of the exhaust baffle 31 for defining the primary and secondary exhaust openings on either side thereof. The scooped shape of the wall 66 splits the second portion of the secondary airflow from the first portion, so that the second portion is redirected into the annular channel portion 56 and subsequently through the primary exhaust opening while the first portion directly exits the secondary exhaust opening.
The wall 66 thus serves to define the remaining portion of the secondary airflow passage toward the back of the turbine assembly 20 as well as the secondary exhaust opening 29.
For the illustrated embodiment, the turbine blades 52 are mounted to the rotor assembly so as to be spatially fixed on the rotor assembly 40. In other embodiments however, the turbine blades may be designed to provide a variable position, or variable angle of attack, to air passing through the turbine assembly. The arrangement of the baffles and the variable mouth opening can be readily applied to a wind turbine having variable positions of blade angles such as the wind turbine described in US Patent 6,158,953 to Lamont, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The front edges 30 and 32 at the inlet end of the housing are supported so as to be moveable relative to one another to control the cross sectional area at a common mouth of the primary and secondary inlet openings. The edges 30 and 32 are respective front edges of top and bottom mouth panels 50 which are supported to define a tapered mouth passage therebetween in the normal operating position as illustrated in Figure 4. Each of the mouth panels 50 is hinged relative to the main body of the housing and accordingly each is also pivotal relative to the other.
Each of the mouth panels 50 is pivoted about a substantially horizontal hinge axis extending laterally across the housing so as to be perpendicular to both the wind direction passing through the housing and the axis 38 about which the housing is rotatably supported.
The panels 50 are ahead of the stationary vane 25 which remain fixed within the housing so as to define a common mouth inlet ahead of separation of the secondary flow through the secondary inlet from the primary flow through the primary inlet.
Movement of the mouth panels 50 are controlled by respective operating linkages. Each operating linkage has a post link 52 pivoted on a fixed portion of the housing near the hinge axis of the respective mouth panel to extend generally upward from the housing. A hydraulic cylinder 74 is coupled between a fixed portion of the housing spaced rearwardly from the post link 72 towards the exhaust end of the housing and a top end of the post link 72. Connection at each end of the hydraulic piston cylinder 74 is freely pivotal so that extension and contraction of the hydraulic cylinder causes the post link 72 to be pivoted about its bottom end pivotally coupled to the housing. Extension and contraction of the hydraulic piston cylinder 74 thus causes the top end of the post link 72 to be displaced forward and rearward in the flow direction through the housing.
A connecting link 76 is coupled between the post link 72 near connection of the hydraulic piston cylinder 74 and a pivotal coupling on the respective mouth panel 70. The mouth panel 70 is thus displaced up and down towards and away from the opposing mouth panel about its hinge axis as the post link 72 is displaced forwardly and rearwardly by the hydraulic cylinder. In this configuration extension of both the hydraulic piston cylinders 74 causes the mouth panels to be pivoted towards each other for closing the common mouth opening locating the primary and secondary inlets therein. Alternatively, retraction of the hydraulic piston cylinders 74 accordingly opens the mouth opening. The hydraulic piston cylinders 74 include automatic operating controllers which serve to open and close the mouth panels 70 responsive to speed of the turbine rotating within the housing. When wind forces become excessive so that the turbine rotates so fast to risk damaging components of the turbine, the controllers automatically pivot the mouth panels 70 towards each other in incremental stages until the turbine slows to an optimum performance and rotation speed.
Operation of the wind turbine assembly when exposed to ambient wind can best be understood from FIG. 6. As the ambient wind enters the inlet, it is divided into a primary airflow and a secondary air flow by the stationary vane 25.
Both the primary inlet opening 24 and the secondary inlet opening 26 accelerate the corresponding air streams into the turbine assembly 20.
The primary airflow engages the turbine blades 52 of the rotor assembly. A first portion of the primary airflow aerodynamically engages the turbine blades and passes into the chamber 58. Meanwhile, a second portion of the primary airflow pushes the blades 52 into the channel portion 54. By virtue of the converging channel defined by the inner surface of the blade channel and the outer surface of the first pillar wall 60, the second portion of the primary airflow accelerates into the blade channel. Thus, both portions of the primary airflow interact with the blades 52 to drive the rotor assembly.
Simultaneously, the secondary airtlow collected by the secondary inlet enters the converging channel defined by the curved wall 64 and the housing of the turbine. At the end of the channel, the secondary airflow is split into a first portion exiting directly through the secondary outlet and a second portion which is reversed in direction by the cusp wall 66 and enters the passage 56. The passage 56 is defined by the curved wall 64 and by the outer surface of the second pillar wall 62.
As the turbine blades of the rotor assembly enter that passage 56, the second portion of the secondary airflow substantially eliminates any vacuum drag on the turbine blades as they move forwardly toward the primary inlet opening 24. Depending on the operating conditions, the second portion of the secondary airflow may also urge the turbine blades forwardly through the secondary channel. As the second portion of the secondary airflow approaches the stationary dividing vane 25, an internal surface of that vane redirects the flow so that it enters the chamber 58 in the center of the turbine rotor, between the first and second pillar walls 60, 62. The second portion of the secondary airflow moves through the chamber 58 in confluence with the second part of the primary airflow.
A baffle arrangement (see FIG. 6) inside the housing 22 directs a primary airflow from the primary inlet 24, through a rotor assembly 40 to the outlet or primary exhaust opening 28. In addition, the baffle arrangement of the turbine assembly 20 directs a first portion of a secondary airflow from the secondary inlet 26 directly along a substantially straight path to the secondary exhaust outlet.
A second portion of the secondary airflow from the secondary inlet 26 is also directed by the baffle arrangement through the rotor assembly 40 to the primary exhaust opening 28.
The baffle arrangement ensures that a larger portion of flow from the secondary inlet 26 flows directly to the secondary exhaust than through the turbine assembly to the primary exhaust opening. The second portion of the flow from the secondary inlet 26 is split from the first portion adjacent the secondary exhaust opening at the trailing end of the housing. The baffle arrangement also defines an annular path 50 in which an annular cascade of turbine blades 52 of the rotor assembly 40 is positioned.
A central part of the baffle arrangement defines the inner surtace of the annular path 50 and is divided into two portions 54, 56. The first of these portions 54 carries a portion of the primary airflow; while the second of these portions 56 carries the second portion of the secondary airflow. The baffle arrangement also defines a central flow channel 58 which is positioned within the annular cascade of turbine blades. The baffle arrangement includes a first pillar wall 60 having a crescent-shaped cross section and a second pillar wall 62 having an airfoil-shaped cross section. The first pillar wall 60 cooperates with the baffle arrangement to define a converging portion of the annular channel 54 through which the turbine blades 52 move. A
portion of the primary airflow moves through the converging channel 54. Similarly, the second pillar wall 62 cooperates with the baffle arrangement to define a second converging 5 portion of the annular channel portion 56 through which the turbine blades 50 move.
The second portion of the secondary airflow passes through the annular channel portion 56. The first and second pillar walls 60, 62 also define a central passage or channel 58 between the primary inlet 24 and the outlet 28. The precise contour for the primary and secondary inlets 24, 26 may be varied to accommodate conventional 10 design parameters and flowpath analyses.
In FIG. 5, the baffle arrangement also includes a wall 64 extending from the dividing vane 25 and cooperating with the second pillar wall 62 to substantially define the secondary airflow passage prior to the airflow being split between first and second portions adjacent the secondary exhaust opening. A cusp-shaped wall 66 forms part of the exhaust baffle 31 for defining the primary and secondary exhaust openings on either side thereof. The scooped shape of the wall 66 splits the second portion of the secondary airflow from the first portion, so that the second portion is redirected into the annular channel portion 56 and subsequently through the primary exhaust opening while the first portion directly exits the secondary exhaust opening.
The wall 66 thus serves to define the remaining portion of the secondary airflow passage toward the back of the turbine assembly 20 as well as the secondary exhaust opening 29.
For the illustrated embodiment, the turbine blades 52 are mounted to the rotor assembly so as to be spatially fixed on the rotor assembly 40. In other embodiments however, the turbine blades may be designed to provide a variable position, or variable angle of attack, to air passing through the turbine assembly. The arrangement of the baffles and the variable mouth opening can be readily applied to a wind turbine having variable positions of blade angles such as the wind turbine described in US Patent 6,158,953 to Lamont, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The front edges 30 and 32 at the inlet end of the housing are supported so as to be moveable relative to one another to control the cross sectional area at a common mouth of the primary and secondary inlet openings. The edges 30 and 32 are respective front edges of top and bottom mouth panels 50 which are supported to define a tapered mouth passage therebetween in the normal operating position as illustrated in Figure 4. Each of the mouth panels 50 is hinged relative to the main body of the housing and accordingly each is also pivotal relative to the other.
Each of the mouth panels 50 is pivoted about a substantially horizontal hinge axis extending laterally across the housing so as to be perpendicular to both the wind direction passing through the housing and the axis 38 about which the housing is rotatably supported.
The panels 50 are ahead of the stationary vane 25 which remain fixed within the housing so as to define a common mouth inlet ahead of separation of the secondary flow through the secondary inlet from the primary flow through the primary inlet.
Movement of the mouth panels 50 are controlled by respective operating linkages. Each operating linkage has a post link 52 pivoted on a fixed portion of the housing near the hinge axis of the respective mouth panel to extend generally upward from the housing. A hydraulic cylinder 74 is coupled between a fixed portion of the housing spaced rearwardly from the post link 72 towards the exhaust end of the housing and a top end of the post link 72. Connection at each end of the hydraulic piston cylinder 74 is freely pivotal so that extension and contraction of the hydraulic cylinder causes the post link 72 to be pivoted about its bottom end pivotally coupled to the housing. Extension and contraction of the hydraulic piston cylinder 74 thus causes the top end of the post link 72 to be displaced forward and rearward in the flow direction through the housing.
A connecting link 76 is coupled between the post link 72 near connection of the hydraulic piston cylinder 74 and a pivotal coupling on the respective mouth panel 70. The mouth panel 70 is thus displaced up and down towards and away from the opposing mouth panel about its hinge axis as the post link 72 is displaced forwardly and rearwardly by the hydraulic cylinder. In this configuration extension of both the hydraulic piston cylinders 74 causes the mouth panels to be pivoted towards each other for closing the common mouth opening locating the primary and secondary inlets therein. Alternatively, retraction of the hydraulic piston cylinders 74 accordingly opens the mouth opening. The hydraulic piston cylinders 74 include automatic operating controllers which serve to open and close the mouth panels 70 responsive to speed of the turbine rotating within the housing. When wind forces become excessive so that the turbine rotates so fast to risk damaging components of the turbine, the controllers automatically pivot the mouth panels 70 towards each other in incremental stages until the turbine slows to an optimum performance and rotation speed.
Operation of the wind turbine assembly when exposed to ambient wind can best be understood from FIG. 6. As the ambient wind enters the inlet, it is divided into a primary airflow and a secondary air flow by the stationary vane 25.
Both the primary inlet opening 24 and the secondary inlet opening 26 accelerate the corresponding air streams into the turbine assembly 20.
The primary airflow engages the turbine blades 52 of the rotor assembly. A first portion of the primary airflow aerodynamically engages the turbine blades and passes into the chamber 58. Meanwhile, a second portion of the primary airflow pushes the blades 52 into the channel portion 54. By virtue of the converging channel defined by the inner surface of the blade channel and the outer surface of the first pillar wall 60, the second portion of the primary airflow accelerates into the blade channel. Thus, both portions of the primary airflow interact with the blades 52 to drive the rotor assembly.
Simultaneously, the secondary airtlow collected by the secondary inlet enters the converging channel defined by the curved wall 64 and the housing of the turbine. At the end of the channel, the secondary airflow is split into a first portion exiting directly through the secondary outlet and a second portion which is reversed in direction by the cusp wall 66 and enters the passage 56. The passage 56 is defined by the curved wall 64 and by the outer surface of the second pillar wall 62.
As the turbine blades of the rotor assembly enter that passage 56, the second portion of the secondary airflow substantially eliminates any vacuum drag on the turbine blades as they move forwardly toward the primary inlet opening 24. Depending on the operating conditions, the second portion of the secondary airflow may also urge the turbine blades forwardly through the secondary channel. As the second portion of the secondary airflow approaches the stationary dividing vane 25, an internal surface of that vane redirects the flow so that it enters the chamber 58 in the center of the turbine rotor, between the first and second pillar walls 60, 62. The second portion of the secondary airflow moves through the chamber 58 in confluence with the second part of the primary airflow.
The combined flow of the second part of the primary airflow and the second part of the secondary airflow pass through the central channel 58 where the combined flow may be accelerated by a cross-sectional area restriction defined between the first and second pillar walls 60, 62. This accelerated combined flow then moves radially outwardly across the blades 52 of the annular cascade, aerodynamically driving the turbine means, and exhausting through the outlet opening 28. At the outlet opening 28, the portion of the primary airflow which pushes the blades in the channel 54 is confluent with the other part of the primary airflow as well as the secondary airflow.
As a consequence of this arrangement of primary and secondary airflows, the turbine means is driven in the rearward direction by part of the primary airflow and is driven in the forward direction by the secondary airflow.
Moreover, the turbine rotor is driven aerodynamically at both the inlet and exhaust locations where air enters and leaves the central channel 58. Meanwhile, the turbine is driven impulsively by the primary and secondary airflows in the annular path or channel 50.
The turbine rotor may, for example, be attached to a suitable conventional electric power generator to convert the rotational energy imparted to the turbine by the primary and secondary airflows into electrical energy.
The wind turbine of this invention may be used in a variety of environments and may be scaled, or sized, as necessary for efficient utilization of wind energy. A small unit could be mounted on a car to supplement or supply the electrical requirements. Larger units might be used in open areas for supplementation and/or supply of household electricity requirements. Even larger units may be used on buildings as a supplement to the electrical power requirements.
One large scale installation suitable for use of a wind turbine might involve mounting the wind turbine on the roof of a building to gain access to stronger winds and to minimize air current distortions from adjacent structures.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made 5 within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
As a consequence of this arrangement of primary and secondary airflows, the turbine means is driven in the rearward direction by part of the primary airflow and is driven in the forward direction by the secondary airflow.
Moreover, the turbine rotor is driven aerodynamically at both the inlet and exhaust locations where air enters and leaves the central channel 58. Meanwhile, the turbine is driven impulsively by the primary and secondary airflows in the annular path or channel 50.
The turbine rotor may, for example, be attached to a suitable conventional electric power generator to convert the rotational energy imparted to the turbine by the primary and secondary airflows into electrical energy.
The wind turbine of this invention may be used in a variety of environments and may be scaled, or sized, as necessary for efficient utilization of wind energy. A small unit could be mounted on a car to supplement or supply the electrical requirements. Larger units might be used in open areas for supplementation and/or supply of household electricity requirements. Even larger units may be used on buildings as a supplement to the electrical power requirements.
One large scale installation suitable for use of a wind turbine might involve mounting the wind turbine on the roof of a building to gain access to stronger winds and to minimize air current distortions from adjacent structures.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made 5 within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
Claims (16)
1. A wind driven turbine device comprising:
a housing having sides, a primary inlet opening, a secondary inlet opening, a primary exhaust opening, and a secondary exhaust opening;
turbine means for generating rotary power from atmospheric wind, rotatably mounted in the housing for movement in response to atmospheric wind movements; and baffle means for directing wind through the housing and the turbine means, the baffle means connecting the primary inlet opening, secondary inlet opening, the primary exhaust opening and the secondary exhaust opening of the housing while defining an annular path for the turbine means, directing a first portion of wind from the primary inlet opening through a first portion of the annular path, directing a first portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening through a second portion of the annular path and into confluence with a second portion of the wind from the primary inlet opening, directing the confluent second portion of wind from the primary inlet opening and the first portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening outwardly through the turbine means to the primary exhaust opening, directing a second portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening to the secondary exhaust opening.
a housing having sides, a primary inlet opening, a secondary inlet opening, a primary exhaust opening, and a secondary exhaust opening;
turbine means for generating rotary power from atmospheric wind, rotatably mounted in the housing for movement in response to atmospheric wind movements; and baffle means for directing wind through the housing and the turbine means, the baffle means connecting the primary inlet opening, secondary inlet opening, the primary exhaust opening and the secondary exhaust opening of the housing while defining an annular path for the turbine means, directing a first portion of wind from the primary inlet opening through a first portion of the annular path, directing a first portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening through a second portion of the annular path and into confluence with a second portion of the wind from the primary inlet opening, directing the confluent second portion of wind from the primary inlet opening and the first portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening outwardly through the turbine means to the primary exhaust opening, directing a second portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening to the secondary exhaust opening.
2. The device according to Claim 1 wherein the baffle means define a straight passage from the secondary inlet opening to the secondary exhaust opening.
3. The device according to Claim 1 wherein the baffle means directs a majority of wind from the secondary inlet opening to the secondary exhaust opening such that the second portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening is larger than the first portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening.
4. The device according to Claim 1 wherein the first portion and the second portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening are separated by the baffle means adjacent the secondary exhaust opening.
5. The device according to Claim 1 wherein there is provided mounting means attached to the housing for rotatably supporting the housing while permitting movement of the housing about an axis and guidance means for orienting the primary inlet opening in general alignment with atmospheric wind wherein the baffle means are oriented for directing the second portion of flow from the secondary inlet to the secondary exhaust opening in a manner to assist the guidance means.
6. The device according to Claim 1 wherein the secondary inlet opening and the primary inlet opening are located within a common mouth of the housing.
7. The device according to Claim 6 wherein the inlet opening of the housing includes a stationary vane that divides incoming airflow between a primary air passage and a secondary air passage.
8. The device according to Claim 6 wherein the common mouth is adjustable for controlling a cross sectional area of the primary inlet opening and the secondary inlet opening.
9. The device according to Claim 8 wherein adjustment of the common mouth is responsive to speed of rotation of the turbine means.
10. A wind driven turbine device comprising:
a housing having sides, a primary inlet opening, a secondary inlet opening and an exhaust opening;
turbine means for generating rotary power from atmospheric wind, rotatably mounted in the housing for movement in response to atmospheric wind movements;
baffle means for directing wind through the housing and the turbine means, the baffle means connecting the primary inlet opening, secondary inlet opening and the exhaust opening of the housing while defining an annular path for the turbine means, directing a first portion of wind from the primary inlet opening through a first portion of the annular path, directing at least a portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening through a second portion of the annular path and into confluence with a second portion of the wind from the primary inlet opening, and directing the confluent second portion of wind from the primary inlet opening and the wind from the secondary inlet opening outwardly through the turbine means to the exhaust opening; and flow adjustment means for adjusting the primary inlet opening responsive to speed of rotation of the turbine means.
a housing having sides, a primary inlet opening, a secondary inlet opening and an exhaust opening;
turbine means for generating rotary power from atmospheric wind, rotatably mounted in the housing for movement in response to atmospheric wind movements;
baffle means for directing wind through the housing and the turbine means, the baffle means connecting the primary inlet opening, secondary inlet opening and the exhaust opening of the housing while defining an annular path for the turbine means, directing a first portion of wind from the primary inlet opening through a first portion of the annular path, directing at least a portion of wind from the secondary inlet opening through a second portion of the annular path and into confluence with a second portion of the wind from the primary inlet opening, and directing the confluent second portion of wind from the primary inlet opening and the wind from the secondary inlet opening outwardly through the turbine means to the exhaust opening; and flow adjustment means for adjusting the primary inlet opening responsive to speed of rotation of the turbine means.
11. The device according to Claim 10 wherein the primary inlet opening and the secondary inlet opening are positioned within a common mouth of the housing and wherein the flow adjustment means adjusts both the primary inlet opening and the secondary inlet opening responsive to speed of rotation of the turbine means.
12. The device according to Claim 11 wherein the common mouth includes a stationary vane the divides incoming air flow between the primary inlet opening and the secondary inlet opening.
13. The device according to Claim 10 wherein the flow adjustment means comprises two opposed mouth panels for directing air therethrough into the primary inlet opening in which the mouth panels are moveable relative to one another towards and away from one another for controlling a cross sectional area therebetween.
14. The device according to Claim 13 wherein both mouth panels are pivotally coupled to the housing for pivotal movement relative to the housing.
15. The device according to Claim 14 wherein each mouth panel is pivoted about a hinge axis lying substantially perpendicularly to an axis of rotation of the turbine means and a flow direction of air flow through the housing.
16. The device according to Claim 10 wherein the flow adjustment means include a controller for automatically adjusting size of the primary inlet opening.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002507478A CA2507478A1 (en) | 2005-05-16 | 2005-05-16 | Wind turbine |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002507478A CA2507478A1 (en) | 2005-05-16 | 2005-05-16 | Wind turbine |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2507478A1 true CA2507478A1 (en) | 2006-11-16 |
Family
ID=37450459
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002507478A Abandoned CA2507478A1 (en) | 2005-05-16 | 2005-05-16 | Wind turbine |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2507478A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2728174A1 (en) * | 2012-10-30 | 2014-05-07 | Anerdgy AG | Wind power plant for generating energy |
| GB2513674A (en) * | 2013-04-30 | 2014-11-05 | Romax Technology Ltd | Vertical wind turbine with constant output speed |
-
2005
- 2005-05-16 CA CA002507478A patent/CA2507478A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2728174A1 (en) * | 2012-10-30 | 2014-05-07 | Anerdgy AG | Wind power plant for generating energy |
| GB2513674A (en) * | 2013-04-30 | 2014-11-05 | Romax Technology Ltd | Vertical wind turbine with constant output speed |
| GB2513674B (en) * | 2013-04-30 | 2015-04-08 | Romax Technology Ltd | Vertical wind turbine with constant output speed |
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