GB2041458A

GB2041458A - A turbine

Info

Publication number: GB2041458A
Application number: GB8002245A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-02-09
Filing date: 1980-01-23
Publication date: 1980-09-10
Also published as: GB2041458B

Abstract

A turbine for generating power from wind, wave or tidal energy comprises a disc (11) rotatably mounted on an axis and having guide surfaces (16) for guiding in a radial direction fluid impinging on the disc in opposite axial directions and having a plurality of vanes (18) so that the fluid, when flowing in either or both of said directions simultaneously, effects unidirectional rotation of the disc (11) on the axis. The turbine may be rigidly supported from the sea bed on a rig and surrounded by a floating chamber which moves with the waves to impel water axially towards the turbine. In another arrangement the turbine is surrounded by a guide housing which is pivotal to align with the inflowing wind. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A turbine This invention relates to turbines and particularly to turbines for generating power from wind, wave and tidal energy.

According to the present invention there is provided a turbine comprising: a member adapted to be rotatably mounted on an axis, the member having guide surfaces for guiding in a radial direction of said axis fluid impinging on said member in opposite directions axially of said axis and the member having a plurality of vanes located adjacent each said surface, and means for locating the member on said axis relative to said fluid, so that the fluid, when flowing in one direction axially of said axis, reacts with vanes locates adjacent one said surface thereby effecting rotation of the member in a direction of rotation relative to said axis and, when flowing in an opposite direction axially of said axis, reacts with vanes located adjacent the other said surface thereby effecting rotation of the member also in the said direction of rotation.

Each said vane may comprise a curved portion extending substantially in a direction opposite to said direction of rotation.

Each said vane may comprise a rectilinear portion contained in a plane extending radially of and parallel to the said axis.

The vanes may be arranged such that the outer end portion of each vane is in the plane containing the rectilinear portion of the succeeding alternate vane in the said direction of rotation.

Each said vane may comprise an outer end portion located in an axial plane extending radially of the said axis at substantially ir/2 radians from the rectilinear portion of said vane.

Each guide surface may comprise a rectilinear portion contained in a plane extending transverse to the said axis and a frusto-conical portion co-axial with the said axis and tapering in a direction away from the rectilinear portion.

The rectilinear portions of the guide surfaces may comprise parallel faces of a disc.

The member may be connected to a drive mechanism whereby power is transmitted from the member by the drive mechanism on rotation of the member on the said axis.

The means for locating the member may comprise a chamber.

The chamber may be provided with guide surfaces for directing the fluid towards and away from the member.

The guide surfaces may define an additional chamber located adjacent the chamber. The fluid may be a movable liquid and the chamber may be adapted to be located adjacent the liquid so that, when the liquid moves, at least some of the liquid enters into, or drains from, the additional chamber thereby rotating the member on the said axis.

The chamber may comprise a vessel adapted to be buoyantly supported on a liquid subjected to movement and the member may be adapted to be rotatable at a location fixed relative to movement of the liquid whereby relative movement of the member and the vessel causes some of the liquid to rotate the member.

Alternatively, the guide surfaces may be arranged to direct the fluid simultaneously in the said opposite directions axially of the said axis and to direct the fluid from the member in a radial direction of the said axis.

In this case, the chamber may be adapted to rotate on an axis co-axial with the said axis.

Furthermore, the chamber may be provided with means for directing the chamber relative to direction of flow of the fluid and the direction means may comprise a fin. The means for locating the member may also comprise a support member adapted to support the housing.

Following is a description, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of one method of carrying the invention into effect.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of a turbine in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 is an elevation in the direction of the arrow A of Fig. 1, Figure 3 is a cross section of a housing and a turbine located therein, Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of embodiments incorporating the turbine for generating power from wave energy, Figure 5 is a diagrammatic representation of another embodiment incorporating the turbine for generating power by relative movement with a liquid, Figure 6 is a diagrammatic representation of apparatus incorporating the turbine for generating power from wind energy, Figure 7 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 6.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic representation of another embodiment of apparatus incorporating the turbine for generating power from wave energy, and Figure 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a further embodiment, similar to that disclosed in Fig. 8, of apparatus incorporating the turbine for generating power from wave energy.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a turbine 10 comprising a disc 11 having an upper surface 12, a lower surface 1 3 and a central bore (not shown). The central bore has extending therethrough a cylindrical hub 1 4 having a longitudinal bore 1 5. The upper surface 12 of the disc 11 has an upstanding frusto-conicular wall 1 6 extending coaxially with the central longitudinal axis of the bore 1 5. The circumferential base of the wall 1 6 is located radially inwardly of the circumference of the disc 11 and the wall 1 6 tapers upwardly from the upper surface 1 2 towards an upper end portion of the hub 1 4. The lower surface 1 3 of the disc 11 has depending therefrom a frustoconicular wall 1 7, the circumferential base of the wall 1 7 being spaced radially inwardly from the circumference of the disc 11 the same distance as the base of the wall 1 6. The wall 1 7 tapers downwardly from the lower surface 1 3 towards the lower end portion of the hub 14. The upper surface 12 of the disc 11 is provided with a plurality of upstanding vanes 1 8 disposed symmetncally of the central longitudinal axis of the bore 15, each vane 1 8 being located equi-distant from adjacent vanes in a circumferential direction of the disc 11.The lower surface 1 3 of the disc 11 has depending therefrom a plurality of vanes 1 9 which are similar to the vanes 18, are identical in number to the vanes 1 8 and are disposed relative to the central longitudinal axis of the bore 1 5 so as to correspond with the vanes 18.

Each of the vanes 1 8, 1 9 comprises a rectilinear portion 20 extending radially of the longitudinal axis of the bore 1 5 and a curved portion 21. The rectilinear portions 20 are of equal length and the curved portions 21 are of equal length and identical curvature and each curve in the same direction relative to their associated rectilinear portions 20. The rectilinear portions 20 are located relative to the longitudinal axis of the bore 1 5 such that each rectilinear portion 20 extends at an angle of n/2 radians from the rectilinear portion 20 of an alternate vane 1 8, 1 9 in a circumferential direction of the hub 14.The curved portions 21 are of such dimensions that an outer end portion of a vane 18, 1 9 is located on a radial axis of the bore 1 5 coaxial with a central longitudinal axis of the rectilinear portion 20 of an alternate vane, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The portions of the vanes 1 8 extending arcuately and outwardly beyond the circumference of the disc 11 are contiguous with corresponding portions of the vanes 19.

Referring now to Fig. 3 of the drawings, the turbine 10 is shown mounted in a frame 22 comprising a pair of spaced parallel members 23, 24 each having a bore 25, 26 therein.

The turbine 10 is located between the members 23, 24 and is secured to a shaft 27 extending through the bore 1 5 of the hub 14 and through the bores 25, 26, of the members 23, 24. The shaft 27 is rotatably mounted relative to the members 23, 24 by means of thrust pads 28.

Referring now to Fig. 4 of the drawings, the frame 22 having a turbine 10 rotatably mounted therein, is shown located in an aperture 29 of a float chamber 30. Tlì3 float chamber 30 is pivotally connected, as shown at A, to an outer end portion of a frame 31, an inner end portion of which is pivotally connected, as shown at B, to a gantry 32.

The gantry 32 is pivotally connected at an inboard end thereof, as shown at C, to a fixed structure D. The frame 31 has rotatably mounted therein a turbine 10 and is provided with a buoy 33. The gantry 32 is provided with power take off apparatus 34 connected to the shafts 27 of the turbines 10 by gearing mechanisms 35 and universal joints 36.

The arrangement is such that the gantry 32 extends above water 37 which exhibits wave motion, the chamber 30 floating on the water and the frame 31 being located below the surface of the water by means of the buoy 33. In this manner, the chamber 30 and the buoy 33 rise and fall with the waves independently of one another, due to the pivotal connections A, B and C. However, the rise and fall rhythm of the chamber 30 and the frame 31 does not invariably co-incide with the crests and troughs of the waves with a result that there will be relative motion between a wave or waves and the chamber 30 and frame 31.

A wave which has a component of velocity relative to a turbine 10 and directed in an upward axial direction of the shaft 27 secured to the turbine, impinges upon the turbine and is directed in a radially outward direction of the shaft 27 by the frusto-conicular wall 1 7 and the lower surface 1 3 of the disc 11 of the turbine. On moving in a radially outward direction of the shaft 27, the water reacts with the curved portions 21 of the vanes 1 9 causing turning of the turbine 10 in a direction of the central longitudinal axis of the shaft 27 corresponding to the direction of curvature of the curved portions 21 of the vanes towards the rectilinear portions 20 thereof.Since the turbine 10 is secured to the shaft 27, the shaft also is rotated on a central longitudinal axis thereof and drive is transmitted from the shaft 27 and the gearing mechanisms 35 to the power take off apparatus 34.

Movement of water relative to the turbine in a downward axial direction of the shaft effects a reversal of the process in that the water is directed radially outwardly of the central longitudinal axis of the shaft 27, due to the frustoconicular wall 1 6 and the upper surface 1 2 of the disc 11, and reaction with the curved portions 21 of the vanes 18 thereby effecting turning of the turbine 10 relative to the central longitudinal axis of the shaft 27. However, since the vanes 1 8 are arranged in mirror configuration relative to the vanes 19, the turbine 10 turns in the same direction relative to the central longitudinal axis of the shaft 27 as when the turbine turned on the same axis due to the relative motion of water in an upward axial direction of the shaft 27.

It will be appreciated that the frame 31 provided with a turbine 10 and the float chamber 30 provided with a turbine 10 may be alternative arrangements.

It will also be appreciated that a turbine 10 may be located in a stream of water whereby the stream is guided in an axial direction of a shaft 27 to which the turbine is secured so that all of the water in the stream impinges on the turbine when moving relative thereto. If the stream is tidal, the turbine will rotate unidirectionally during ebb and flow of the tide. The shaft 27 will be connected to power take off apparatus.

Referring now to Fig. 5 of the drawings, there is shown a turbine 10 secured to a shaft 38 extending through a housing 39. The shaft 38 is rotatably and longitudinally movable relative to the housing in bearings 39a.

The housing 39 is adapted to contain a liquid.

The arrangement is such that, if liquid is contained in the housing 39 and the shaft 38 is moved in either direction along a longitudinal axis thereof, relative movement of the turbine 10 and the liquid contained in the housing 39 causes rotation of the turbine 10 and, in consequence, rotation of the shaft 38.

Similarly, if the housing 39 is moved axially of the shaft 38, rotation of the turbine and shaft 38 will be effected. The shaft 38 may be connected to power take-off apparatus so that power is transmitted by the power takeoff apparatus on rotation of the shaft 38. The shaft 38 will rotate in the same direction regardless of the direction of longitudinal movement of the shaft.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings, there is shown a turbine 10 located in a housing 40. The housing 40 comprises a cylindrical base 41 having a circumferential wall 42 and an upper surface 43. The upper surface 43 has upstanding therefrom a plurality of posts 44, each of the posts being spaced equi-distant from adjacent posts and the posts being located circumferentially of the upper surface 43 of the base 41. The posts 44 have located thereon a pair of annular plates 45, 46 and a upper circular plate 47, each of the plates 45, 46 and 47 having apertures (not shown) for receiving the posts 44. The circular plate 47 also is provided with a central aperture (not shown) as is the upper surface 43 of the base 41.The circular plate 47 is secured to upper end portions of the posts 44 and the annular plates 45, 46 are secured to the posts 44 intermediate the upper circular plate 47 and the upper surface plate 43 of the base 41 so that the distance between the upper annular plate 45 and the upper circular plate 47 is equal to the distance between the lower annular plate 46 and the upper surface 43 of the base 41 and the distance between the annular plates 45 and 46 is sufficient to accommodate the turbine 1 0. The turbine 10 is located between the annular plates 45, 46 and a shaft 48 is received in the bore 1 5 of the hub 14 of the turbine 10 and in the apertures (not shown) in the upper surface 43 of the base 41 and the upper circular plate 47.The shaft 48 is mounted in bearings, one of which is shown at 49, at opposite end portions of the shaft 48 so that the shaft is rotatably mounted on a longitudinal axis thereof extending at right angles to the upper surface 43 of the base 41. The base 41 has located therein power take off apparatus 50 whereby torque applied to the shaft 48 is transmitted therefrom.

The upper circular plate 47 has supported thereon a bearing 51 of a cylindrical cowl 52 whereby the cowl 52 is supported on an upper surface of the upper circular plate 47 and is rotatable relative thereto on an axis coaxial with the central longitudinal axis of the shaft 48. The cowl 52 comprises an upper plate 53 having depending therefrom an arcuate skirt 54, a lower circumferential portion of which overlaps an upper circumferential portion of the wall 42 of the base 41 and which is provided with an outward downwardly extending circumferential flange 55.The skirt is provided with an inlet 56 having guide surfaces 57 for directing air through the inlet into an upper chamber 58 defined by a lower surface of the upper circular plate 47, an upper portion of an inner surface of the skirt 54 and an upper surface of the upper annular plate 45 and a lower chamber 59 defined by the upper surface 43 of the base 41, a lower portion of the inner wall of the skirt 54 and a lower surface of the lower annular plate 46.

The skirt 54 also is provided with an outlet 60 located diametricaliy opposite the inlet 56 and having dimensions longitudinally of the cowl 52 corresponding to the distance between the annular plates 45 and 46. The skirt 54 has extending from an outer surface thereof adjacent the outlet 60 a duct 61 and guide surfaces 62, 63 for transporting air directed through the outlet 60. The upper plate 53 of the cowl 52 has upstanding therefrom a fin 64, a central longitudinal axis of the fin extending parallel to the diametral axis of the cowl 42 at opposite ends of which are located the inlet 56 and the outlet 60.

In operation, the housing 40 is secured to a support such that the cowl 52 is located in an air stream. The cowl 52 is directed by the fin in the air stream such that the inlet 56 is aligned with the air stream. The air stream thus is directed into the chambers 58, 59 by the guide surfaces 57 and, subsequently, is directed by the turbine 10 through the outlet 60 and the duct 61. The turbine 10 thus rotates, due to the reaction of the fins of the turbine to the air being directed in opposite directions axially of the shaft 48 towards the turbine 10, thus providing torque which is transmitted by the power take off apparatus 50.

[t will be appreciated that, if the direction of the air stream should change. the air stream from the new direction will impinge upon the fin 64 and the cowl 52 wiil thus be repositioned so that the inlet 56 is aligned with the air stream in the new direction.

It will also be appreciated that drive means may be provided for moving the cowl 52 relative to the base 41 to reposition a cowl in accordance with prevailing wind direction.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the cowl 52 may be fixed relative to the base 41 wnen, for exampie, the housing 40 is secured to a vehicle. Airstream caused by relative movement of the vehicle and surrounding air is directed into the inlet 56.

Simiiar characteristics will occur whether the relative movement is between the turbine 10 and a fluid in the form of a gas or a liquid.

For example, the turbine 10 may be located in a buoyant vessel anchored or secured at sea or may be located in a buoyant vessel which moves relative to the sea. In each case there is relevant movement between the vessel and the sea water, the sea water impinges upon the turbine 10 causing it to rotate unidirectionally on an axis of rotation.

A plurality of turbines 10 may be used in one or more vessels or housings.

neferring to Fig. 8 of the drawings, there is shown a turbine 10 rotatably mounted on a vertical axis and located on a lower end portion of a vertically extending substantially elongate frame 70 depending from a platform 71 of a rig 72, the rig 72 being mounted on a sea bed 73. The rig 72 has located adjacent thereto a vessel 74 having buoyancy chambers 75 and ports 76 below the chambers 75. The vessel 74 is pivotally connected to the rig 72 by means of a pontoon 77. The turbine 10 is secured to a lower end portion of a vertically extending shaft 78 an upper end portion of which is journalled in bearings in the platform 71 and a lower end portion of which is journalled in bearings in the frame 70. The shaft 78 is connected to power takeoff apparatus 79 by means of gears 80.An additional vessel or additional vessels (not shown) similar to the vessel 74 may be provided each having a turbine 10, each being located in spaced relation relative one to another, each being pivotally connected to the rig 72 and each being connected to the power take-off apparatus 79, as shown at 81.

The arrangement is such that the or each vessel 74 is located below a sea water surface by means of the buoyancy chambers 75, such that sea water 82 enters through the ports 76 and fills the vessel 74. The vessel 74 thus remains full of sea water at all times. The vessel 74 rises and falls with waves of the sea 82 due to the buoyancy chambers 75 and thus moves relative to the frame 70. The sea water in the vessel 74 consequently is forced in a direction towards the turbine 10, by upward thrust of the base of the vessel 74 when the vessel is rising and by gravity of water entering through the ports 76 towards the turbine 10 when the vessel 74 is lowering, relative to the frame 70. The movement of water towards the turbine 10 causes the turbine to rotate and thereby supply power to the power take-off apparatus 79. Movement of the water relative to the turbine 10 is such that, having been forced radially of the axis of rotation of the turbine by the walls 16, 1 7 of the turbine, at least some of the water swirls around the turbine and re-enters in an opposite axial direction of the turbine thereby providing extra torque to the shaft 78.

The or each vessel 74 may be provided with an aperture (not shown) in a lower portion thereof to ensure that sufficient sea water is received in the vessel to maintain the vessel in a filled condition.

Referring now to Fig. 9 of the drawings, there is shown apparatus similar to that shown in Fig. 8 wherein the platform 71 is mounted on a side of a natural or fabricated structure 83 such as a pier, cliff or rock so as to project therefrom in cantilever manner. The apparatus operates in similar manner to the apparatus shown in Fig. 8.

Claims

1. A turbine comprising: a member adapted to be rotatably mounted on an axis, the member having guide surfaces for guiding in a radial direction of said axis fluid impinging on said member in opposite directions axially of said axis and the member having a plurality of vanes located adjacent each said surface, and means for locating the member on said axis relative to said fluid, so that the fluid, when flowing in one direction axially of said axis, reacts with vanes located adjacent one said surface, thereby effecting rotation of the member in a direction of rotation relative to said axis and, when flowing in an opposite direction axially of said axis, reacts with vanes located adjacent the other said surface thereby effecting rotation of the member also in the said direction of rotation.

2. A turbine as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each said vane comprises a curved portion extending substantially in a direction opposite to the said direction of rotation.

3. A turbine as claimed in Claim 2 wherein each said vane comprises a rectilinear portion contained in a plane extending radially of and parallel to the said axis.

4. A turbine as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the vanes are arranged such that the outer end portion of each vane is in the plane containing the rectilinear portion of the succeeding alternate vane in the said direction of rotation.

5. A turbine as claimed in Claim 4 wherein each said vane comprises an outer end portion located in an axial plane extending radially of the said axis at substantially n/2 radians from the rectilinear portion of said vane.

6. A turbine as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein each guide surface comprises a rectilinear portion contained in a plane extending transverse to the said axis and a frusto-conical portion co-axial with the said axis and tapering in a direction away from the rectilinear portion.

7. A turbine as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the rectilinear portions of the guide surfaces comprise parallel faces of a disc.

8. A turbine as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the member is connected to a drive mechanism whereby power is transmitted from the member by the drive mechanism on rotation of the member on the said axis.

9. A turbine as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the means for locating the member comprises a chamber.

10. A turbine as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the chamber is provided with guide surfaces for directing the fluid towards and away from the member.

10. A turbine as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the guide surfaces define an additional chamber located adjacent the said chamber.

1 2. A turbine as claimed in Claim 11 wherein the fluid is a movable liquid and the chamber is adapted to be located adjacent the liquid so that when the liquid moves at least some of the liquid enters into or drains from the additional chamber thereby rotating the member on the said axis.

1 3. A turbine as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the chamber comprises a vessel adapted to be buoyantly supported on a liquid subjected to movement and the member is adapted to be rotatable at a location fixed relative to movement of the liquid whereby relative movement of the member and the vessel causes some of the liquid to rotate the member.

14. A turbine as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the guide surfaces are arranged to direct the fluid simultaneously in the said opposite directions axially of the said axis and to direct the fluid from the member in a radial direction of the said axis.

1 5. A turbine as claimed in Claim 14 wherein the chamber is adapted to rotate on an axis co-axial with the said axis.

1 6. A turbine as claimed in Claim 1 5 wherein the chamber is provided with means for directing the chamber relative to direction of flow of the fluid.

1 7. A turbine as claimed in Claim 1 6 wherein the direction means comprises a fin.

1 8. A turbine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 4 to 1 7 wherein the means for locating the member also comprises a support member adapted to support the housing.

1 9. A member for use in a turbine as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims.

20. A turbine substantially as hereinbefore described and as iilustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 or 4, or 5 or 6 and 7 or 8 or 9 of the accompanying drawings.