CA2639536A1 - Tethered balloon wind generator - Google Patents
Tethered balloon wind generator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2639536A1 CA2639536A1 CA002639536A CA2639536A CA2639536A1 CA 2639536 A1 CA2639536 A1 CA 2639536A1 CA 002639536 A CA002639536 A CA 002639536A CA 2639536 A CA2639536 A CA 2639536A CA 2639536 A1 CA2639536 A1 CA 2639536A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- balloon
- jet stream
- balloons
- tether
- array
- 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
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 abstract description 4
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 abstract description 4
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 229920000049 Carbon (fiber) Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004917 carbon fiber Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000001307 helium Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052734 helium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009172 bursting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004146 energy storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000002371 helium Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- SWQJXJOGLNCZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-N helium atom Chemical compound [He] SWQJXJOGLNCZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000001681 protective effect 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
- F03D13/00—Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
- F03D13/20—Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
-
- 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
- F03D9/00—Adaptations of wind motors for special use; Combinations of wind motors with apparatus driven thereby; Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
- F03D9/10—Combinations of wind motors with apparatus storing energy
-
- 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
- F03D9/00—Adaptations of wind motors for special use; Combinations of wind motors with apparatus driven thereby; Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
- F03D9/20—Wind motors characterised by the driven apparatus
- F03D9/25—Wind motors characterised by the driven apparatus the apparatus being an electrical generator
- F03D9/255—Wind motors characterised by the driven apparatus the apparatus being an electrical generator connected to electrical distribution networks; Arrangements therefor
-
- 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
- F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
- F05B2240/92—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on an airbourne structure
- F05B2240/922—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on an airbourne structure kept aloft due to buoyancy effects
-
- 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
- Y02E10/72—Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
-
- 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
- Y02E10/728—Onshore wind turbines
-
- 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
- Y02E70/00—Other energy conversion or management systems reducing GHG emissions
- Y02E70/30—Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
Landscapes
- 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)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Wind Motors (AREA)
Abstract
The highest renewable energy source in the world is the higher altitude winds from eight to ten kilometers, specifically the jet stream. In this invention a system of variable volume tethered balloons attached to a wing-like frame that suspends an array of rotors and generators is placed in the jet stream to generate significant amounts of electrical energy. Using long tubular super-pressure balloons and compression bands the balloon system will be able to provide stable lift during both low wind and high wind periods.
Description
Dan Hunter Box 1350 Okotoks, AB
Tethered Balloon Wind Generation System SPECIFICATION This invention relates to balloon-borne wind generators.
Several tethered balloon-borne wind generators have been proposed including aerostats, dirigibles, semi-rigid balloons and super-pressure balloons with ballonets that are filled with air and helium gas to maintain the shape of the balloon as it rises in altitude.
Several problems with these systems occur in high winds. One, the balloon is forced down by the wind and cannot stay aloft. Two, the tension on the tether becomes excessive and can break. Three, the balloon envelope becomes deformed or bursts because of the aerodynamic forces that develop from the wind speed. To summarize the problem, in order to reach the high-speed winds the balloon-borne generator must rise to 8-10 km. The balloon uses buoyancy to lift the generators to that altitude by having a large volume and low-density, but in high speed winds this large volume becomes a liability because of the aerodynamic drag that develops due to the large frontal area of the balloon.
My invention uses a series of helium filled super-pressure tubular balloons to provide buoyant lift in low winds. In high winds lift is achieved by reducing the balloons volume and creating a streamlined wing-like lifting body. Unlike a traditional balloon that uses a ballonet to change lifting volume, my invention reduces volume by compressing the outer surface of the balloon with exteriorly mounted bands that can be winched down, dynamically reducing the frontal area of the balloon as wind speed increases.
The nose and the underside of the frame that the balloons are attached to, are covered in a protective covering that acts as a wing. When the high-speed winds abate, the computer controlled compression bands are released and the balloon's volume is allowed to increase, maintaining lift for the entire balloon/wind generator assembly. By using the compression straps during high-speed winds, the balloon can stay aloft; can reduce the tension on the tether; and can avoid deforming or bursting the balloon envelope.
The rotor/generator array hangs below the balloon and frame directly in the high speed winds maximizing the electricity generated.
To further reduce the stress on the balloon and tether system, my invention is designed to sit above the jet stream at about 10-12 km. The rotor/generator system is lowered by a tether into the higher speed winds at the core of the jet stream. By doing this the entire balloon system will have less downrange drift (reducing the length of the tether), less stress on the tether and balloon envelope, and allow the rotor/generators to generate electricity in the highest speed winds possible.
A second problem in current systems is the weight of the tether that anchors the balloon and transmits the generated electricity to the ground. At higher altitudes, 8-10 km, the weight of an electrically conducting tether can become excessive. An aluminum cable/tether can weigh as much as lkg/meter. For a 10 km tether this equals 10 tons of additional weight to lift into the atmosphere. Because every kilogram lifted requires double the volume of balloon every 5 km, mass savings on the tether system make the entire assembly cheaper and smaller.
Instead of relying exclusively on an aluminum tether system to transmit the generated electricity to the ground, my invention uses a microwave antenna/rectenna array to transmit the energy to the ground. This system is highly efficient, up to 96%, and greatly reduces the weight of the entire balloon/wind generator system by reducing the mass of the tether.
In drawings which illustrate the invention, Figure 1 is a front view of the balloon, tether, and rotor/generator array. Figure 2 is a side view of the balloon, tether, and rotor/generator array. Figure 3 is a side view with the rotor/generator array lowered into the jet stream.
In Figure 1 the super-pressure balloons are attached to a carbon-fiber tube frame by reinforced edges of the balloon. In this figure there are 5 balloons, but there could be more or less depending on the mass needed to be lifted. The balloons will be a standard size allowing scalability in the design. Hanging below the main frame is the rotor/generator array that will hang perpendicular to the direction of the wind, maximizing electricity generation. This array will consist of rotors and generators designed to operate at high speeds. Also hanging below the main frame is the microwave antenna that will transmit the energy generated to the ground-based rectenna.
Although an aluminum cable may also be a part of the tether and can be used for electricity transmission. Around the balloons is the compression bands and winch that, in high speed winds, will compress the balloons and reduce the profile of the balloons to a minimum.
In Figure 2 the wind deflector shield is mounted on the front of the carbon-fiber frame and extends length-wise across the front of all the balloons. Mounted on the back and centered on the frame is a tail fin that will help orientate the balloon into the wind. Under the main frame hangs the rotor assembly and a winch that is used to lower the assembly into the jet stream.
Figure 3 shows the balloon and frame above the jet stream and the rotor/generator array lowered into the jet stream. The winch and tether system on the ground can be attached to a truck, a ship, or permanently to the ground. An integral part of the system is an energy storage system. Because wind generated electricity can be intermittent, the electricity that is generated will need to be stored in hydro-reservoirs and compressed air tanks. The electricity will be fed into the electrical grid at regular intervals.
The microwave rectenna will capture the transmitted electricity and either feed directly into the electrical grid or store the electricity in the hydro-reservoirs and or compressed gas tanks.
Tethered Balloon Wind Generation System SPECIFICATION This invention relates to balloon-borne wind generators.
Several tethered balloon-borne wind generators have been proposed including aerostats, dirigibles, semi-rigid balloons and super-pressure balloons with ballonets that are filled with air and helium gas to maintain the shape of the balloon as it rises in altitude.
Several problems with these systems occur in high winds. One, the balloon is forced down by the wind and cannot stay aloft. Two, the tension on the tether becomes excessive and can break. Three, the balloon envelope becomes deformed or bursts because of the aerodynamic forces that develop from the wind speed. To summarize the problem, in order to reach the high-speed winds the balloon-borne generator must rise to 8-10 km. The balloon uses buoyancy to lift the generators to that altitude by having a large volume and low-density, but in high speed winds this large volume becomes a liability because of the aerodynamic drag that develops due to the large frontal area of the balloon.
My invention uses a series of helium filled super-pressure tubular balloons to provide buoyant lift in low winds. In high winds lift is achieved by reducing the balloons volume and creating a streamlined wing-like lifting body. Unlike a traditional balloon that uses a ballonet to change lifting volume, my invention reduces volume by compressing the outer surface of the balloon with exteriorly mounted bands that can be winched down, dynamically reducing the frontal area of the balloon as wind speed increases.
The nose and the underside of the frame that the balloons are attached to, are covered in a protective covering that acts as a wing. When the high-speed winds abate, the computer controlled compression bands are released and the balloon's volume is allowed to increase, maintaining lift for the entire balloon/wind generator assembly. By using the compression straps during high-speed winds, the balloon can stay aloft; can reduce the tension on the tether; and can avoid deforming or bursting the balloon envelope.
The rotor/generator array hangs below the balloon and frame directly in the high speed winds maximizing the electricity generated.
To further reduce the stress on the balloon and tether system, my invention is designed to sit above the jet stream at about 10-12 km. The rotor/generator system is lowered by a tether into the higher speed winds at the core of the jet stream. By doing this the entire balloon system will have less downrange drift (reducing the length of the tether), less stress on the tether and balloon envelope, and allow the rotor/generators to generate electricity in the highest speed winds possible.
A second problem in current systems is the weight of the tether that anchors the balloon and transmits the generated electricity to the ground. At higher altitudes, 8-10 km, the weight of an electrically conducting tether can become excessive. An aluminum cable/tether can weigh as much as lkg/meter. For a 10 km tether this equals 10 tons of additional weight to lift into the atmosphere. Because every kilogram lifted requires double the volume of balloon every 5 km, mass savings on the tether system make the entire assembly cheaper and smaller.
Instead of relying exclusively on an aluminum tether system to transmit the generated electricity to the ground, my invention uses a microwave antenna/rectenna array to transmit the energy to the ground. This system is highly efficient, up to 96%, and greatly reduces the weight of the entire balloon/wind generator system by reducing the mass of the tether.
In drawings which illustrate the invention, Figure 1 is a front view of the balloon, tether, and rotor/generator array. Figure 2 is a side view of the balloon, tether, and rotor/generator array. Figure 3 is a side view with the rotor/generator array lowered into the jet stream.
In Figure 1 the super-pressure balloons are attached to a carbon-fiber tube frame by reinforced edges of the balloon. In this figure there are 5 balloons, but there could be more or less depending on the mass needed to be lifted. The balloons will be a standard size allowing scalability in the design. Hanging below the main frame is the rotor/generator array that will hang perpendicular to the direction of the wind, maximizing electricity generation. This array will consist of rotors and generators designed to operate at high speeds. Also hanging below the main frame is the microwave antenna that will transmit the energy generated to the ground-based rectenna.
Although an aluminum cable may also be a part of the tether and can be used for electricity transmission. Around the balloons is the compression bands and winch that, in high speed winds, will compress the balloons and reduce the profile of the balloons to a minimum.
In Figure 2 the wind deflector shield is mounted on the front of the carbon-fiber frame and extends length-wise across the front of all the balloons. Mounted on the back and centered on the frame is a tail fin that will help orientate the balloon into the wind. Under the main frame hangs the rotor assembly and a winch that is used to lower the assembly into the jet stream.
Figure 3 shows the balloon and frame above the jet stream and the rotor/generator array lowered into the jet stream. The winch and tether system on the ground can be attached to a truck, a ship, or permanently to the ground. An integral part of the system is an energy storage system. Because wind generated electricity can be intermittent, the electricity that is generated will need to be stored in hydro-reservoirs and compressed air tanks. The electricity will be fed into the electrical grid at regular intervals.
The microwave rectenna will capture the transmitted electricity and either feed directly into the electrical grid or store the electricity in the hydro-reservoirs and or compressed gas tanks.
Claims (4)
1. A balloon and rotor/generator apparatus designed to generate electricity from the jet stream. Comprising a series of super-pressure balloons; a series of bands to compress the balloon's volume, which are attached to a rigid frame that has a wind shield and orientation tail fin attached to it;
and that is tethered to the ground or a ship or a truck.
and that is tethered to the ground or a ship or a truck.
2. A vertically hanging array of rotors and generators that can be lowered from the main balloon and frame into the jet stream.
3. A microwave antenna and rectenna array for transmitting power from the balloon to the ground and into the electrical grid.
4. A electricity storage device of compressed air and or hydro-reservoir.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002639536A CA2639536A1 (en) | 2008-09-11 | 2008-09-11 | Tethered balloon wind generator |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002639536A CA2639536A1 (en) | 2008-09-11 | 2008-09-11 | Tethered balloon wind generator |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2639536A1 true CA2639536A1 (en) | 2010-03-11 |
Family
ID=41820784
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002639536A Abandoned CA2639536A1 (en) | 2008-09-11 | 2008-09-11 | Tethered balloon wind generator |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2639536A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2483705A (en) * | 2010-09-17 | 2012-03-21 | Peter Robert Goodall | Microwave transmission from a lighter-than-air wind energy conversion device |
| CN103640682A (en) * | 2013-12-13 | 2014-03-19 | 摩尔动力(北京)技术股份有限公司 | Navigation vehicle |
| RU2639419C1 (en) * | 2017-01-10 | 2017-12-21 | Александр Владимирович Губанов | Aerostat-bound wind turbine |
| RU2703098C1 (en) * | 2019-03-04 | 2019-10-15 | Александр Владимирович Губанов | Soft-balloon aeroenergostat |
| RU2729306C1 (en) * | 2020-02-14 | 2020-08-05 | Александр Владимирович Губанов | Catamaran aeroenergostat |
-
2008
- 2008-09-11 CA CA002639536A patent/CA2639536A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2483705A (en) * | 2010-09-17 | 2012-03-21 | Peter Robert Goodall | Microwave transmission from a lighter-than-air wind energy conversion device |
| WO2012035287A3 (en) * | 2010-09-17 | 2013-01-17 | Peter Robert Goodall | Lighter -than -air wind turbine with microwave power transmission |
| GB2483705B (en) * | 2010-09-17 | 2018-10-24 | Robert Goodall Peter | Microwave transmission from a lighter than air wind energy conversion device |
| CN103640682A (en) * | 2013-12-13 | 2014-03-19 | 摩尔动力(北京)技术股份有限公司 | Navigation vehicle |
| RU2639419C1 (en) * | 2017-01-10 | 2017-12-21 | Александр Владимирович Губанов | Aerostat-bound wind turbine |
| RU2703098C1 (en) * | 2019-03-04 | 2019-10-15 | Александр Владимирович Губанов | Soft-balloon aeroenergostat |
| RU2729306C1 (en) * | 2020-02-14 | 2020-08-05 | Александр Владимирович Губанов | Catamaran aeroenergostat |
| WO2021162577A1 (en) * | 2020-02-14 | 2021-08-19 | Gubanov Aleksandr Vladimirovich | Catamaran aeroenergostat |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |