CH714971A2 - Self-supporting wind turbine as a flying object. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a wind turbine as a flying object for generating electrical energy from wind energy. It comprises a structural frame (2), a plurality of wings (1) with a wing profile, which are rotatably mounted on the structural frame (2), and coupling means (7) for coupling and driving a power generator (9). The wind turbine is self-supporting, by means of the variation of the angle of attack of the wing (1), the weight of the wind turbine is compensated by the buoyancy. The invention further relates to a power generating device with at least two, preferably individually controllable, wind turbines.

Description

Description Field of the Invention The invention relates to a wind turbine as a flying object for generating electrical energy from wind energy and a power generating device with at least two such wind turbines, according to the independent claims.

Background Wind turbines are known to convert wind energy into electrical energy.

So far, the technology of horizontal-axis wind turbines has established itself as a high-speed runner. All operating components are attached to or in a mast that is firmly anchored to the ground on land or lake. The turbine blades rotate around an axis that is aligned with the wind. In the vertical-axis turbines, the turbine blades rotate around the mast, which is also anchored.

The most energy-rich wind fields are located at great heights above the ground, outside the boundary layer of the earth's surface. A doubling of the wind speed means an eightfold increase in performance. This is why the height of the masts continues to increase, but remains limited for structural reasons. Further disadvantages of today's wind turbine technology are the high fixed costs of the systems, the immobility of the assets, the unpredictability of the wind or energy yield, the noise and aesthetic pollution of the systems, the threat to bird life and the high level maintenance costs.

Emerging kite and drone-based systems are trying to exploit the high-energy wind fields at a greater height. They are also more mobile. However, kite operation remains inefficient because energy is consumed during the alternating winding phases. The energy yield of the drones remains limited for structural reasons. Both emerging technologies have the disadvantage that they use a relatively large three-dimensional space for operation with corresponding air traffic restrictions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a wind turbine.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a wind turbine as a flying object for generating electrical energy from wind energy. The wind turbine comprises a structural frame 2 with a first axis of rotation. It also comprises a plurality of wings 1 with an airfoil profile and a variable angle of attack, which are each fastened to the structural frame 2 so as to be rotatable about a second axis of rotation and all of the wings 1 can be rotated together about the first axis of rotation. The wind turbine further comprises a coupling means 7 for coupling and driving a power generator 9. The wind turbine is oriented in relation to the wind direction in such a way that at any time during a rotation of the structural frame 2 a first part of the wings 1 on a side facing the wind and a second part of the Wings 1 are arranged on a side facing away from the wind and each wing 1 passes once through the wind-facing side and once through the wind-facing side during a complete rotation of the structural frame 2. The wind turbine works in both directions of rotation, only one direction of rotation being described below. The wind turbine is self-supporting in that, based on the wind direction, the angles of attack of each wing 1 show a cyclical course, with each wing 1 on the windward side having a maximum of a first lift-generating angle of attack and each wing 1 on the side facing away from the wind having a maximum of a second angle of attack , so that a first average value of the first angles of attack of the assigned blades 1 and a second average value of the second angles of attack of the assigned blades 1 are in such a relationship that at least the weight of the wind turbine is compensated by the lift.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a power generation device with at least two wind turbines according to the first aspect of the invention. The wind turbines are arranged at a distance from one another along a central axis, which coincides with the first axis of rotation or perpendicular thereto. The wind turbines and the respective blades can preferably be controlled individually.

The present invention has the advantages of kite and drone technology without the disadvantages. The generation of energy is also mobile, effective at large operating heights, has no unproductive winding phases and basically only takes up the space that is given by the system dimensions. The invention can therefore be operated at the same location and does not have to go through cyclical trajectories.

Since the buoyancy of all wings 1 is in total on the windward side, a torque is simultaneously created about the first axis of rotation of the structural frame 2. The advantage of the invention is that it solves two tasks at once: the same rotary movement produces on the one hand the necessary buoyancy - without being dependent on additional buoyancy-generating elements or Magnus effects - and on the other hand, the rotation is also used to generate electricity. As a result, an improved weight and energy balance result overall for the present wind turbine.

CH 714 971 A2

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further refinements, advantages and applications of the invention result from the dependent claims in conjunction with the description that follows, using the figures. It shows:

Fig. 1: Side view of the invention as a slow rotor with an eccentrically placed power generator

Fig. 2: Side view of the invention as a slow rotor with a concentrically placed current generator

Fig. 3: Side view of the invention as a fast rotor with an eccentrically placed power generator

Fig. 4: Front view of the invention as a fast rotor with an eccentrically placed current generator

Way (s) for carrying out the invention. FIG. 2 shows the side view of the invention in an embodiment with 12 blades 1 with a low high-speed number (slow rotor) and with the current generator 9 in the axis of rotation of the structural frame 2. FIG. 3 shows the invention with 3 blades 1 with a high high-speed number (high-speed rotor) and with the power generator 9 in an eccentric position on the structural frame 2. The high-speed number is the ratio of the local rotational speed to the undisturbed wind speed. The rotational speed r, the speed vector of the undisturbed flow and the downwind of the preceding wing 1 together give the local speed and direction of the flow to the following wing 1.

In both representations, the conversion of mechanical into electrical energy takes place in the air. If the power generator 9 is mounted on a platform (14), the mechanical energy must be transmitted via a chain or belt. This variant will not be examined further below.

[0014] The invention converts mechanical wind energy into electrical energy. An essential feature of the invention is that the same wing movement of the wind turbine generates both the lift necessary for operation and the torque required for electrical energy conversion. This double effect is created by rotating a number of blades 1 with a varying angle of attack around a horizontal axis, which is usually parallel to the bottom or surface of the lake. The buoyancy can optionally be increased by the Magnus effect, by additional static buoyancy support or external elements such as an additional wing. However, these elements are not essential to the invention. The speed of rotation and geometry of blades 1 and the configuration of the wind turbine define the power factor Cp. Ideally, this is the Betz value 16/27. The relative position of the turbine to the platform (14) depends on the wind direction and wind speed, as well as on the lift, resistance and torque of the wing 1 and the total weight of the wind turbine. The solid angle in the plane of the wind speed vector basically results from the balance of these forces and moments in this plane.

The wings 1 are positioned along one or more circular structural frames 2. The angle of attack of the blades 1 are either passively specified via a mechanical guide or actively via a measuring unit 4 and a control unit 3. This also includes an engine. The active management variant is described below.

3 and 4 show one of many configuration options. In this variant, 3 pairs of wings are attached symmetrically to the structural frame 2. In normal operation, the structural frame 2 is vertical and the wings are parallel to the earth's surface. Here it is assumed that the wings 1 have no arrow or V position. The local angle of attack of the individual blades 1 can be controlled individually via the measuring unit 4 and control unit 3. The eccentrically acting lift and drag forces and the aerodynamic moment cause the wings 1 and the structural frame 2 to rotate about the first axis of rotation. The wind turbine basically works in both directions of rotation. In this configuration, most of the subsystems required for operation - such as current generator 9, receiver 10 and transmitter 11, drive systems 12, energy storage medium 12, sensors 12, energy management 12 - and control systems 12 - are attached to the coupling means 7. The coupling means 7 also contains the connection to the cable 13 and is located under the first axis of rotation of the wind turbine. As a result, the center of gravity of the wind turbine lies below the symmetry axis of the structural frame 2. This has a positive effect on the longitudinal and transverse stability of the wind turbine. The cable 13 should ideally be biased and conduct the electrical current to the platform 14. This platform 14 also contains a coil for winding up and down the pre-tensioned cable 13.

The rotation of the structural frame 2 drives via a bearing 8, one or more current generators 9, which convert the mechanical into electrical energy. Optionally, a gear can be used to better match the speed of the structural frame 2 to the speed of the power generator 9. Optionally, the cable 13 can be equipped with aerodynamic or static buoyancy aids in order to compensate for the dead weight. Different wind turbines can also be connected in series, whereby they can be configured individually for buoyancy or for energy conversion. In the buoyancy function, more weight is attached to the buoyancy and in the energy conversion function, the available torque is maximized.

CH 714 971 A2 [0018] The wind turbine can be positioned at different heights depending on the wind strength and direction. The position in space as well as local wind speeds and directions can be measured with corresponding measuring units 4 on the blades 1 and on the coupling means 7. These can also be used to measure lateral and vertical differences in wind strength, to reposition the wind turbine accordingly and to ensure the stability and control of the wind turbine in the room. For example, a rolling movement of the wind turbine to the left can be generated by simultaneously increasing the angle of attack of all blades 1 on the right side. The resulting increase in resistance causes a yaw movement to the right. This can in turn be compensated for by increasing the resistance without additional lift by adjusting the wings 1 on the left side.

Natural stability can be increased by the geometry and configuration of the wind turbine, such as by a V or arrow position of the pairs of blades. The aerodynamic properties of the wings 1 are influenced by the profile shape, the wing slenderness, the local setting angle and their courses. Optionally, the wings can each be equipped with individual rudders 6, each with its own servo motor 5. To increase stability, the wind turbine can optionally be provided with horizontal or vertical tail units and respective rudders 6.

The wind turbine can cope with 6 different flight phases as a flying object with active control of the individual wings 1 and optionally additionally via the respective rudder.

a) Takeoff and climb

The wind turbine can be catapulted at a height similar to a glider by pulling the cable 13. The catapult and coil are part of the platform 14. In the subsequent climbing phase, the wind turbine can be pulled up like a kite. As an alternative to this or subsequently, the transition to the normal rotational movement can take place, as described above.

Another possibility for starting and climbing results from the reversal of the function of the current generator 9 in an engine. As a result, the structural frame 2 and the wings 1 can be brought into rotation, which then generate the necessary lift for gaining height.

b) landing

At a critical wind speed, the lift of the wind turbine will no longer be able to compensate for the weight. In this case or in the event of repair or maintenance, the wind turbine must be able to land safely. For this purpose, the blades 1 are placed in the feathered position and the wind turbine is brought in via the coil and the prestressed cable 13. The wind turbine sails down onto the cable 13 like a glider and with controlled tension.

c) Cyclic movements

The blades 1 can be adjusted so that the wind turbine, like kites or drones, undergoes cyclical movements, such as circular or figure-eight movements.

[0021] Alternative forms of configuration:

- Position of the generator - As part of the wind turbine, the power generator 9 can be close to the plane of symmetry as shown in FIG. 2 or eccentrically as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Alternatively, the current generator 9 can be part of the platform 14. In this case, the mechanical energy must first be transmitted via a chain, belt or similar means.

- Structural frame 2 - sash 1 - configuration - There are different variants. For example, the wings can be fastened between two structural frames 2. Any combination, such as sash 1 - structural frame 2 - sash 1 - structural frame 2 - sash 1 are conceivable.

- Cascade of wind turbines - Different wind turbines can be scaled in all 3 dimensions:

• along the axis of symmetry of the wind turbine • perpendicular to the axis of symmetry in the Z direction according to FIG. 2 or 3.

• perpendicular to the axis of symmetry in the X direction according to FIG. 2 or 3.

- Static buoyancy support - The components (sash 1, structural frame 2 and others) can be filled with gas that is lighter than air, such as hydrogen or helium.

- Other structural measures - Additional wings or inflatable structures can be used.

- Energy measures - The elements of the wind turbine, in particular the blades, can be equipped with solar cells for additional energy generation.

CH 714 971 A2

- Further possible uses - The wind turbine, in particular the coupling means 7, can be equipped with further devices, for example for data acquisition and transmission, in particular over remote areas.

While preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the present application, it should be clearly pointed out that the invention is not limited to these and can also be carried out in other ways within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (17)

claims 1. Wind turbine as a flying object for generating electrical energy from wind energy, comprising a structural frame (2) with a first axis of rotation, several blades (1) with wing profile and variable angle of attack, which are each rotatably attached to the structural frame (2) about a second axis of rotation and all Blades (1) can be rotated together about the first axis of rotation, coupling means (7) for coupling and driving a power generator (9), the wind turbine being oriented in relation to the wind direction in such a way that the blades (1) come in at any time during a rotation the first part of the blades (1) are arranged on a side facing the wind and a second part of the blades (1) are arranged on a side facing away from the wind and each wing (1) passes through the wind-facing side and once the wind-facing side during a complete rotation, the wind turbine being self-supporting , by, based on the wind direction, each wing (1) on the windward Side has a first varying lift-generating angle of attack and each wing (1) on the side facing away from the wind has a second varying lift-generating angle of attack, so that a first average value of the first angle of attack of the assigned wing (1) and a second average value of the second angle of attack of the assigned wing (1) stand in such a relationship to one another that at least the weight of the wind turbine is compensated for by the buoyancy. 2. Wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein either the wings (1) are fixedly attached to the structural frame (2), the structural frame (2) being rotatably mounted about the first axis of rotation, or the blades (1) are fixed to one on the structural frame (2 ) attached rail are attached, the structural frame (2) is not rotatable and the wings (1) are rotatably mounted in the rail. 3. Wind turbine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the blades (1) are rotatably mounted such that a current angle of attack of each blade (1) during a complete rotation about the first axis of rotation in a range between a maximum value of the first angle of attack and a minimum value of the second angle of attack changes. 4. Wind turbine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein two adjacent blades (1) have different angles of attack at all times. 5. Wind turbine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the blades (1) are rotatably mounted such that an average value of the first angle of attack of the associated blades (1) and an average value of the second angle of attack of the associated blades (1) are in such a relationship to each other that a force generated by an upwind force on the wings (1) or a force generated by a falling wind on the wings (1) is compensated. 6. Wind turbine according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a measuring unit (4) and control unit (3) which is designed such that it individually controls a, in particular stepless, change in the angle of attack of each wing (1), in particular as a result of which a new position in the Room can be controlled, in particular wherein the measuring unit (4) and control unit (3) can be remotely programmed. 7. Wind turbine according to claim 6, wherein the measuring unit (4) and control unit (3) are designed such that they controls the blades (1) for starting and landing the wind turbine so that on average a start, climb, glide and landing flight of the wind turbine can be generated. 8. Wind turbine according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an energy storage medium (12) for storing the electrical energy obtained from the rotation of the wind turbine. 9. Wind turbine according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one additional buoyancy element, in particular at least one inflatable structure, in particular a container which can be filled with a gas that is lighter than air. 10. Wind turbine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the structural frame (2) is designed as a hollow cylinder (15) or wheel (16) with spoke-like reinforcing struts and the blades (1) are arranged equidistantly along the circumference of the structural frame (2), the Structural frame (2) comprises a light metal, in particular aluminum or titanium, or a fiber-reinforced plastic. 11. Wind turbine according to one of the preceding claims and claim 2, further comprising a via the coupling means (7) with the rotatable structural frame (2) or with the rotatable rail current generator (9) for generating electrical current. CH 714 971 A2 12. A wind turbine according to claim 11, wherein the power generator (9) is fastened to the structural frame (2) and is connected by means of a power-transporting cable (13) to an energy generation unit located on the ground, on a ship or on another platform (14). 13. A wind turbine according to claim 11, wherein the power generator (9) is arranged on the ground, on a ship or another platform (14). 14. Wind turbine according to one of claims 11 to 13 and claim 2, wherein the power generator (9) can be operated as a motor and the structural frame (2) or the rail can be driven by the motor to perform a rotational movement about the first axis of rotation. 15. Wind turbine according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one additional positioning element, in particular a vertical tail, in particular a remote-controlled vertical tail. 16. Wind turbine according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a receiver (10) for control commands and a transmitter (11) for transmitting a transponder signal. 17. Power generating device with at least two wind turbines according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wind turbines are arranged perpendicular to or along a central axis, which coincides with the first axis of rotation, at a distance from one another, in particular wherein the wind turbines and the blades (1) of each wind turbine individually are controllable. CH 714 971 A2

CH 714 971 A2