GB2117453A - Vertical axis wind turbine having at least two turbine groups - Google Patents
Vertical axis wind turbine having at least two turbine groups Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2117453A GB2117453A GB08307851A GB8307851A GB2117453A GB 2117453 A GB2117453 A GB 2117453A GB 08307851 A GB08307851 A GB 08307851A GB 8307851 A GB8307851 A GB 8307851A GB 2117453 A GB2117453 A GB 2117453A
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- Prior art keywords
- blades
- wind
- turbine
- wind energy
- blade
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- 230000000452 restraining effect Effects 0.000 claims description 33
- 230000001965 increasing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000001154 acute effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 4
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 4
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 4
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 claims 4
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 4
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims 4
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 2
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000002829 reductive effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000116 mitigating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003796 beauty Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002401 inhibitory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000670 limiting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
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- 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
- F03D3/02—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor having a plurality of rotors
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- 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
- F03D7/00—Controlling wind motors
- F03D7/06—Controlling wind motors the wind motors having rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor
-
- 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
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- 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
- F05B2270/00—Control
- F05B2270/10—Purpose of the control system
- F05B2270/1016—Purpose of the control system in variable speed operation
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- 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)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Wind Motors (AREA)
Abstract
Each group 12, 13 of blades 10 is spaced lengthwise with respect to the other group and is rigidly secured to the adjacent group, (one group being preferably mounted above the other), the blades of one group being circumferentially staggered with respect to the blades of the other group. More than two groups of blades may be provided. The blades are pivotable to optimize extraction of energy from the wind and for feathering in high wind velocity modes. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
An improved wind energy convertor
This invention relates to apparatus for converting the energy of wind into mechanical energy for use in the generation of electricity of other source of power and, for convenience, such apparatus will hereinafter be referred to by the generic expression "wind energy convertor".
In the Specification of my co-pending Patent
Application No. 8127180 there is described and claimed a wind energy convertor comprising an upstanding column; a fan which is supported on the upper end of the column in such a way that the fan is freely rotatable about the axis of the column and which comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending blades; and, supported by, and freely rotatably about the axis of, the column, a substantially circular turbine which surrounds and is radially spaced from an uppermost part of the column and which comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades extending lengthwise with respect to the column, the arrangement being such that wind blowing against blades of the turbine will drive the turbine rotatably about the axis of the column to cause wind to be directed upwardly within the turbine to drive the fan rotatably about the axis of the column in the same rotational direction as the turbine, thereby converting the energy of the wind into rotational mechanical energy. Forconvenience, a wind energy convertor as described and claimed in the aforesaid copending patent application will hereinafter be referred to as "a wind energy convertor as the kind described".
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved wind energy convertor of the kind described which has all the advantages of the wind energy convertor of my aforesaid co-pening patent application but which will provide greater power under similar wind conditions.
According to the invention, in the improved wind energy convertor of the kind described the substantially circular turbine has at least two groups of circumferentially spaced, lengthwise extending blades, each of which groups of lengthwise extend
ing blades is spaced lengthwise with respect to the or each other group of blades and is rigidly secured to the or each adjacent group of blades, the circumferentially spaced blades of one group being circumferentially staggered with respect to the circumferentially spaced blades of the other group or of at
least one of the other groups.
Preferably, the substantially circular turbine has two groups of circumferentially spaced, lengthwise
extending blades, one group being mounted above
and rigidly secured to the other, with the circumferentially spaced blades of one group being circumferentially staggered with respect to the circum
ferentially spaced blades of the other group.
In some circumstances, however, the substantially
circular turbine may have at least three groups of
circumferentially spaced, lengthwise extending
blades, the groups being mounted one above
another with adjacent groups rigidly secured together. In this case, either the circumferentially spaced blades of adjacent groups may be circumferentially staggered with respect to one another with the lengthwise extending blades of at least two alternate groups lying in common vertical planes, or the circumferentially spaced blades of each group may be circumferentially staggered with respect to the circumferentially spaced blades of each other group.
In all cases, circumferential staggering of the lengthwise extending blades of adjacent groups of blades of the turbine provides beneficial induced drag characteristics resulting in a greater power output than would be obtained, under similar wind conditions, with a substantially circular turbine having a single group of circumferentially spaced, lengthwise extending blades.
Preferably, each turbine blade has a transverse cross-section of substantially aerofoil shape.
The fan and the turbine are preferably rigidly secured together so that both will rotate at the same speed.
As described in the Specification of my copending
Patent Application No. filed on 15th March, 1983 each of at least some of at least one of the groups of circumferentially spaced, lengthwise extending blades of the substantially circular turbine may be pivotally mounted about a substantially vertical axis passing through the blade and each may have associated means for automatically restraining pivotal movement of said blade about its vertical axis, the arrangement being such that, as the velocity of wind directed on to outwardly facing surfaces of the pivotable turbine blades gradually increases and hence the speed of rotation of the turbine gradually increases from zero to a predetermined value, the resultant gradually increasing centrifugal force on the pivotable turbine blades causes each pivotable turbine blade to pivot about its vertical axis against the action of its associated restraining means, the restraining means being of such a form that, as the velocity of the wind gradually increases until the rotational speed of the turbine reaches said predetermined value, each pivotable blade of the or each group is permitted to pivot smoothly against incremental restraint from an initial position in which it lies at a positive acute angle to a tangent of the circle passing through the vertical rotational axes of the pivotable turbine blades of the group to a normal running position in which it lies along or at a small angle to said tangent, and, as the velocity of the wind increases further to or above a maximum acceptable value, each pivotable blade of the or each group is permitted to pivot smoothly from the said normal running position to a "feathering" position in which it lies at a negative acute angle to said tangent, thereby ensuring that, as the velocity of the wind reaches or exceeds said
maximum acceptable value, the coefficient of torque and the ratio of pripheral turbine speed to wind
rotational speed of the turbine are reduced to
maintain substantially constant power and to ensure that the rotational speed of the turbine is not
increased to an undesirable extent.
A wind energy converter with pivotable turbine blades has the important advantages that it has a high starting torque and that, since each pivotable turbine blade is retrained from pivotting beyond a normal running position until the velocity of the wind reaches or exceeds a maximum acceptable value and, when the wind reaches or exceeds said maximum acceptable value, each blade is permitted to pivot smoothly to a "feathering" position, the rotational speed of the turbine will never exceed a predetermined maximum safe value, irrespective of the velocity of the wind as the aerodynamic characteristics of the convertor automatically change. Such a wind energy converter will, therefore, operate satisfactorily over a wide range of wind velocities, preferably as a variable speed device, but capable of operating as a constant speed device, if required.
The restraining means associated with each pivotable turbine blade of the or each group may be a single restraining device which will permit controlled pivotal movement of the blade until the centrifugal force on the blade reaches a predetermined value and which will then resist further pivotal movement of the blade until the velocity of the wind reaches or exceeds said maximum acceptable value when the restraining device will permit further pivotal movement of the blade to the "feathering" position, but, for ease of manufacture, preferably the restraining means associated with each pivotable turbine blade of the or each group comprises two restraining devices independent of one another, one restraining device permitting controlled pivotal movement of the blade from the start position to the normal full speed running position and the other restraining device restisting pivotal movement of the blade until the velocity of the wind reaches or exceeds said maximum acceptable value when the blade is permitted to pivot to the "feathering" position. Preferably, the first of said two restraining devices comprises a spring or springs connected to the pivotable turbine blade and the second of said two restraining devices is an elongate torsion member arranged along the vertical pivotal axis of the blade and fixed at one or both of its ends. The elongate torsion member may be a bar or tube of steel, of resin bonded carbon fibres or of other suitable composite materials.Alternatively, each of said two restraining devices may be an elongate torsion member, the first restraining device being a torsion tube and the second restraining device being a torsion bar surrounded by and co-axial with the torsion tube, the axes of the torsion tube and torsion bar lying along the vertical pivotal axis of the blade and the torsion tube and the torsion bar each being fixed at one or both of its ends.
As in the wind energy convertor described and claimed in co-pending Patent Application No.
8127180, with a view to enhancing airflow through the fan by producing a reduction in pressure above the fan, preferably the wind energy convertor includes an annular body which is supported by the column and which is co-axial with and is positioned adjacent to the outer circumferential edge of the fan, the upper surface of the annular body being above the fan and being so shaped as to cause the velocity of wind that blows against this surface to increase as it passes over the surface, thereby creating a reduction in air pressure in the circular space bounded by the annular body. Preferably, the upper surface of the annular body is of such a shape as to encourage laminar flow of the wind over its surface. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of inclination of the upper surface to the axis of the column increases smoothly in an upward direction.The increase in velocity of wind flowing upwardly through the fan arising from the shape of the upper surface of the annular body creates a reduction in air pressure in the annular space between the column and the surrounding turbine, with the result that the inherent resistance of the turbine to rotation about the axis of the column is also reduced, thus mitigating reduction of the upward wind velocity.
Preferably, over an upper part of its length immediately below the fan, the upstanding column has at least two circumferentially spaed, helically extending fins defining between them at least two helically extending passages, the depth of each fin, and hence the depth of each passage, increasing smoothly and the pitch of the radially outer edge of each fin decreasing smoothly from the lower ends of the fins to the upper ends of the fins.
The circumferentially spaced, helically extending fins on the upper part of the column effectively cause wind flowing within the helically extending passages to form a vortex. Since the column will be positioned within the "eye" of the vortex, the column is, in effect, self-stabilising and is therefore able to convert into mechanical energy the energy of winds of gale force, thereby taking advantage, prior to "feathering", of the fact that the energy of the wind increases with the cube of its velocity.
Preferably, the depth of each helically extending fin increases hyperbolically. Preferably, also, the uppermost ends of the fins are so shaped, and are so positioned with respect to the radially extending blades of the fan, as to act as stator blades.
Preferably, to accelerate a larger volume of wind between blades of each group of turbine blades and thereby increase still further the amount of wind energy available for conversion, the wind energy converter further includes, radially outwardly of and surrounding the turbine, a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades which extend lengthwise with respect to and are supported by the column and which define, between adjacent blades, a plurality of venturi through which wind is directed on to each group of blades of the turbine, the surfaces of the venturi blades being at such angles to radial planes as to direct the wind on to the blades of each group of turbine blades and, at the same time, to shield from the wind the on-coming blades of the group, thereby substantially reducing any drag on the turbine and enabiing the turbine to rotate such that its peripheral velocity preferably does not exceed twice the linear velocity of the wind. Preferably, the venturi blades extend downwardly from the underside of the annular body and are secured between the annular body and a second annular body co-axial with and spaced below the first annular body. The radially outer edges of the venturi blades may extend substantially vertically but, preferably, they are inclined radially outwardly in a direction towards the upper end of the convertor.
The electrical generators and/or other ancillary equipment associated with the generation of electricity or other source of power are preferably located in a housing atthe foot ofthe column, the column preferably passing centrally through the housing. If desired, the outer wall of the housing may be of approximataly parabolic shape to assist in directing a vertical component of the wind upwardly of the column.
The improved wind energy converter of the present invention ensures that both the horizontal and vertical components of the energy of the wind are converted into mechanical energy without inhibiting to any great extent the natural movement of the wind. Furthermore, the plurality of radially extending pivotable blades of the fan and the groups of longitudinally extending blades of the turbine provide the important advantage that the improved wind energy converter is self-starting, irrespective of the direction of the wind. Circumferential staggering of the blades of adjacent groups of turbine blades provides beneficial induced drag characteristics resulting in a greater output than would be obtained, under similar wind conditions, with a turbine having a single group of circumferentially spaced blades.
Moreover, where blades of the turbine can pivot about their vertical axes until they lie in a normal full speed running position and then are restrained against further pivotal movement until the velocity of the wind reaches or exceeds a maximum acceptable value when the blades pivot to a "feathering" position, ensures that the rotational speed of the turbine will not exceed a predetermined value even in gal conditions. Additionally, the improved wind energy converter is pleasing to the eye and can therefore be installed in areas of natural beauty without being any more obtrusive than the conventional sail mill.
The invention will be further illustrated by a description, by way of example, of a preferred wind energy converter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view of the wind energy converter;
Figure 2 is a fragmental sectional side elevation of the wind energy converter shown in Figure 1 drawn on an enlarged scale, and
Figure 3 is a fragmental plan view of the wind energy converter shown in Figure 1 drawn on an enlarged scale.
Referring to the drawings, the preferred wind energy converter comprises a rigid vertical column 1 which consists of a lower part 2 mounted on a foundation 30 and a separately formed upper part 3 of circular cross-section which carries four helically extending fins 4, adjacent fins defining between them helically extending passages 5. The depth of each fin 4, and hence of each passage 5, increases smoothly from a minimum value at the lower end of the upper part 3 to a maximum value at its upper end; the pitch of the fins at their radially outer edges decreases smoothly in a direction towards the upper end ofthe column 1.
Freely rotatably mounted on, and about the vertic
al axis of, the column 1, is a fan 7 comprising a
plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extend
ing blades 8. Rigidly secured to and depending
downwardly from the outer circumferential edge of
the fan 7 is a turbine 9 comprising two groups 12, 13
of circumferentially spaced blades 10 extending
lengthwise with respect to the column, the group 12
being mounted above and rigidly secured to the
group 13, with the circumferentially spaced blades of
one group being circumferentially staggered with
respect to the circumferentially spaced blades of the
other group. Each of the turbine blades 10 has a transverse cross-sectional shape of substantially aerofoil form and is pivotally mounted about a substantially vertical axis passing through the blade.
A torsion bar 11 which extends along the vertical
pivotal axis of each turbine blade 10 and which is fixed at each of its ends serves as a means of
restraining the turbine blade against pivotal movement about its vertical pivotal axis.
Separately formed with respect to the fan 7 and turbine 9 and surrounding the fan and turbine are two annular bodies 14 and 15 which are spaced lengthwise of and are rigidly secured to the upper part 3 of the column and which are interconnected by a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades 16 lying in substantially vertical radial planes. The upper surface 17 of the annular body 14 is positioned above the fan 7 and is so shaped as to cause the velocity of the wind that blows against this surface to increase as it passes over the surface, thereby creating a reduction in air pressure in the circular space 18 above the fan bounded by the annular body. The vertical blades 16 define, between adjacent blades, a plurality of venturi 19 through which wind is directed on to the blades 10 of the groups 12, 13 of turbine blades of the turbine 9.The surfaces of the venturi blades 16 are at such angles to radial planes as to direct the wind on to the blades 10 of each group 12, 13 of the turbine 9 and, at the same time, to shield from the wind the on-coming blades of each group. The undersurface 20 of the annular body 14 and the upper surface 21 of the annular body 15 are so shaped as to assist in directing and accelerating wind through the venturi 19 on to the blades 10 of the turbine 9.
The uppermost end of the fins 4 are so shaped, and are so positioned with respect to the radially extending blades 8 of the horizontal fan 7, as to act as stator blades.
Wind blowing against fins 4 on the column 1 will be directed upwardly within the helically extending passages 5 to drive the horizontal fans 7, and wind blowing against the blades 10 of both groups 12, 13 of turbine blades will drive the turbine 9, rotatably about the vertical axis ofthe column in an anticlockwise direction. Since the velocity of wind blowing against the uppermost surface 17 of the annular body 14 is caused to increase as it passes over the surface, a reduction in air pressure is created in the circular space 18 above the fan 7 and consequently the velocity of wind flowing up the passages 5 will increase.The increase in velocity of wind flowing up the helical passages 5 creates a reduction in air pressure in the annular space between the helically extending fins 4 and the turbine 9 with the result that the inherent resistance of the turbine to rotation about the vertical axis of the column 1 is also reduced, thus mitigating reduction of the upward wind velocity. The amount of wind energy available for conversion is further increased by the venturi 19 because wind flowing through these openings is accelerated and directed on to the pivotable blades 10 of each group 12, 13 of turbine blades, in such a way as to assist in driving the defining the venturi shielding from the wind the oncoming blades 10 of each group, thereby substantially reducing any drag on the turbine and enabling the turbine to rotate at a higher linear velocity than that of the wind.
As the velocity of the wind directed on to the pivotable blades 10 of each group 12, 13 of turbine blades gradually increases, each blade of each group is caused to pivot about its vertical axis in an anticlockwise direction against the action of the restraining torsion bar 11 from an initial start position, in which the major chord of the blade lies at an angle of f30" to a tangent of the circle passing through the vertical pivotal axes of the blades 10 of the group of a normal running position in which the major chord of the blade lies at an angle of +5 to said tangent, where the blade is retained by the restraining torsion bar. In the event of the velocity of the wind reaching or exceeding a maximum accpetable value, e.g. gale force, causing the turbine 9 to rotate at a speed above a desired predetermined value, the additional centrifugal force on each turbine blade 10 of each group 12, 13 causes the blade to pivot further about its vertical axis against the action of its associated restraining torsion bar until the major chord of the turbine blade lies in a "feathering" position at an angle of -15"to said tangent, at about which position aerodynamic spoiling will occur thus limiting any further increase of speed above a predetermined maximum value irrespective of the velocity of the wind.
Claims (25)
1. A wind energy convertor of the kind described, wherein the substantially circular turbine has at least two groups of circumferentially spaced, lengthwise extending blades, each of which groups of lengthwise extending blades is spaced lengthwise with respect to the or each other group of blades and is rigidly secured to the or each adjacent group of blades, the circumferentially spaced blades of one group being circumferentially staggered with respect to the circumferentially spaced blades of the other group or of at least one of the other groups.
2. A wind energy convertor as claimed in Claim 1 in which the substantially circular turbine has at least three groups of circumferentially spaced, lengthwise extending blades, wherein the circumferentially spaced blades of adjacent groups are circumferentially staggered with respect to one another with the lengthwise extending blades of at least two alternate groups lying in common vertical planes.
3. A wind energy convertor as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein each of at least some of at least one of the groups of circumferentially spaced, lengthwise extending blades of the substantially circular turbine is pivotally mounted about a substantially vertical axis passing through the blade and each has associated means for automatically restraining pivotal movement of said blade about its vertical axis, the arrangement being such that as the velocity of wind directed on to outwardly facing surfaces of the pivotable turbine blades gradually increases and hence the speed of rotation of the turbine gradually increases from zero to a predetermined value, the resultant gradually increasing centrifugal force on the pivotal turbine blades causes each pivotable turbine blade to pivot about its vertical axis against the action of its associated restraining means, the restraining means being of such a form that, as the velocity of the wind gradually increases until the rotational speed of the turbine reaches said predetermined value, each pivotable blade of the or each group is permitted to pivot smoothly against incremental restraint from an initial position in which it lies at a positive acute angle to a tangent of the circle passing through the vertical rotational axes of the pivotal turbine blades of the group of a normal running position in which it lies along or at a small angle to said tangent, and, as the velocity of the wind increases further to or above a maximum acceptable value, each pivotable blade of the or each group is permitted to pivot smoothly from the said normal running position to a "feathering" position in which it lies at a negative acute angle to said tangent, thereby ensuring that, as the velocity of the wind reaches or exceeds said maximum acceptable value, the rotational speed of the turbine is maintained substantially constant or is not increased to an undesirable extent.
4. A wind energy converter as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the restraining means associated with each pivotable turbine blade of the or each group comprises two restraining devices independent of one another, one restraining device permitting controlled pivotal movement of the blade from the start position to the normal full speed running position and the other restraining device resisting pivotal movement of the blade until the velocity of the wind reaches or exceeds said maximum acceptable value when the blade is permitted to pivot to the "feathering" position.
5. A wind energy convertor as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the first of said two restraining devices comprises a spring or springs connected to the pivotable turbine blade and the second of said two restraining devices is an elongate torsion member arranged along the vertical pivotal axis of the blade and fixed at one or both of its ends.
6. A wind energy convertor as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the elongate torsion member is a bar or tube of steel, of resin bonded carbon fibres, or of other suitable composite materials.
7. A wind energy convertor as claimed in Claim 4, wherein each of said two restraining devices is an elongate torsion member, the first restraining device being a torsion bar surrounded by and coaxial with the torsion tube, the axes of the torsion tube and torsion bar lying along the vertical pivotal axis of the blade and the torsion tube and the torsion bar each being fixed at one or both of its ends.
8. Awind energy convertor as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the restraining means associated with each pivotable turbine blade of the or each group is a single restraining device which will permit controlled pivotal movement of the blade until the centrifugal force on the blade.reaches a predetermined value and which will then resist further pivotal movement of the blade until the velocity of the wind reaches or exceeds said maximum acceptable value when the restraining device will permit further pivotal movement of the blade to the "feathering" position.
9. A wind energy convertor as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein each turbine blade has a transverse cross-section of substantially aerofoil shape.
10. A wind energy convertor as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein an annular body is supported by the column and is coaxial with and is positioned adjacent to the outer circumferential edge of the fan, the upper surface of the annular body being above the fan and being so shaped as to cause the velocity of wind that blows against the surface to increase as it passes over the surface, thereby creating a reduction in air pressure in the circular space bounded by the annular body and so effecting an increase in velocity of wind flowing upwardly through the fan.
11. A wind energy convertor as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the upper surface of the annular body is of such a shape as to encourage laminar flow of the wind over its surface.
12. A wind energy convertor as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the angle of inclination of the upper surface of the annular body to the axis of the column increases smoothly in an upward direction.
13. A wind energy convertor as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein, over an upper part of its length immediately below the fan, the upstanding column has at least two circumferentially spaced, helically extending fins defining between them at least two helically extending passages, the depth of each fin, and hence of each passage, increasing smoothly and the pitch of the radially outer edge of each fin decreasing smoothly from the lower ends of the fins to the upper ends of the fins.
14. A wind energy convertor as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the depth of each helically extending fin increases hyperbolically.
15. A wind energy convertor as claimed in Claim 13 or 14, wherein the uppermost ends of the fins are so shaped, and are so positioned with respect to the radially extending blades of the fan, as to act as stator blades.
16. A wind energy convertor as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades surround and are positioned radially outwardly of the turbine, which blades extend lengthwise with respect to and are supported by the column and define, between adjacent blades, a plurality of venturi through which wind is directed on to each group of blades of the turbine, the surfaces of the venturi blades being at such angles to radial planes as to direct the wind on to blades of each group of turbine blades and, at the same time, to shield from the wind the on-coming blades of the group.
17. A wind energy convertor as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the venturi blades extend downwardly from the underside of the annular body and are secured between the annular body and a second annular body coaxial with and spaced below the first annular body.
18. Awindenergyconvertorasclaimed in Claim 17, wherein the undersurface of the first annular body and the upper surface of the second annular body are so shaped as to assist in directing and accelerating wind through the venturi on to the groups of blades of the turbine.
19. Awind energy convertor as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the radially outer edges of the venturi blades are inclined radially outwardly in a direction towards the upper end of the convertor.
20. A wind energy convertor as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the fan and the turbine are rigidly secured together so that both will rotate at the same speed.
21. A wind energy convertor as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein electrical generators and/or other ancillary equipment associated with the generation of electricity or other source of power are located in a housing at the foot of the column.
22. A wind energy convertor as claimed in Claim 21,wherein the outer wall of the housing is of approximately parabolic shape to assist in directing a vertical component of the wind upwardly of the column.
23. In combination, a wind energy convertor operatively coupled to apparatus for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, and means for storage of the oxygen and hydrogen produced.
24. In combination, a wind energy convertor as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 22, operativeiy coupled to apparatus for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, and means for storage of the oxygen and hydrogen produced.
25. A wind energy convertor substantially as hereinebfore described with reference and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08307851A GB2117453B (en) | 1982-03-22 | 1983-03-22 | Vertical axis wind turbine having at least two turbine groups |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8208318 | 1982-03-22 | ||
| GB08307851A GB2117453B (en) | 1982-03-22 | 1983-03-22 | Vertical axis wind turbine having at least two turbine groups |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8307851D0 GB8307851D0 (en) | 1983-04-27 |
| GB2117453A true GB2117453A (en) | 1983-10-12 |
| GB2117453B GB2117453B (en) | 1985-04-11 |
Family
ID=26282325
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08307851A Expired GB2117453B (en) | 1982-03-22 | 1983-03-22 | Vertical axis wind turbine having at least two turbine groups |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2117453B (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2185289A (en) * | 1986-01-13 | 1987-07-15 | Mewburn Crook Co Ltd | Wind energy convertor |
| GB2190966A (en) * | 1986-05-22 | 1987-12-02 | Mewburn Crook Co Ltd | Wind energy convertor |
| GB2199377A (en) * | 1986-11-04 | 1988-07-06 | Mewburn Crook Co Ltd | Wind energy convertor |
| GB2275970A (en) * | 1993-03-13 | 1994-09-14 | Kenneth Morgan Davies | Vertical axis wind turbines |
| JP2002235656A (en) * | 2001-02-08 | 2002-08-23 | Maeda Corp | Linear vane installation method for vertical shaft wind power generating device |
| WO2012139583A1 (en) * | 2011-04-12 | 2012-10-18 | Compoenergy Aps | Device and system for harvesting the energy of a fluid stream |
Citations (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB131958A (en) * | ||||
| GB343399A (en) * | 1929-05-14 | 1931-02-19 | Energy Res Company | Improvements in current motors |
| US3793530A (en) * | 1972-04-19 | 1974-02-19 | F Carter | Wind turbine generator |
| GB1565486A (en) * | 1977-04-18 | 1980-04-23 | Oppolzer G | Windmill |
| US4203707A (en) * | 1975-03-03 | 1980-05-20 | Stepp William J | Windmill with automatic feathering control and storm protection |
| US4236866A (en) * | 1976-12-13 | 1980-12-02 | Valentin Zapata Martinez | System for the obtainment and the regulation of energy starting from air, sea and river currents |
| EP0043872A1 (en) * | 1980-07-10 | 1982-01-20 | Paul Hayen | Pitch regulation device for the rotor vanes of a windmill |
| GB2083564A (en) * | 1980-09-09 | 1982-03-24 | Mewburn Crook Anthony James Se | An Improved Wind Energy Convertor |
| GB2086489A (en) * | 1980-05-09 | 1982-05-12 | Kocsis Ferenc | Improvements in and relating to windmills |
-
1983
- 1983-03-22 GB GB08307851A patent/GB2117453B/en not_active Expired
Patent Citations (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB131958A (en) * | ||||
| GB343399A (en) * | 1929-05-14 | 1931-02-19 | Energy Res Company | Improvements in current motors |
| US3793530A (en) * | 1972-04-19 | 1974-02-19 | F Carter | Wind turbine generator |
| US4203707A (en) * | 1975-03-03 | 1980-05-20 | Stepp William J | Windmill with automatic feathering control and storm protection |
| US4236866A (en) * | 1976-12-13 | 1980-12-02 | Valentin Zapata Martinez | System for the obtainment and the regulation of energy starting from air, sea and river currents |
| GB1565486A (en) * | 1977-04-18 | 1980-04-23 | Oppolzer G | Windmill |
| GB2086489A (en) * | 1980-05-09 | 1982-05-12 | Kocsis Ferenc | Improvements in and relating to windmills |
| EP0043872A1 (en) * | 1980-07-10 | 1982-01-20 | Paul Hayen | Pitch regulation device for the rotor vanes of a windmill |
| GB2083564A (en) * | 1980-09-09 | 1982-03-24 | Mewburn Crook Anthony James Se | An Improved Wind Energy Convertor |
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2185289A (en) * | 1986-01-13 | 1987-07-15 | Mewburn Crook Co Ltd | Wind energy convertor |
| GB2190966A (en) * | 1986-05-22 | 1987-12-02 | Mewburn Crook Co Ltd | Wind energy convertor |
| GB2199377A (en) * | 1986-11-04 | 1988-07-06 | Mewburn Crook Co Ltd | Wind energy convertor |
| GB2199377B (en) * | 1986-11-04 | 1991-06-05 | Mewburn Crook Co Ltd | A wind energy convertor |
| GB2275970A (en) * | 1993-03-13 | 1994-09-14 | Kenneth Morgan Davies | Vertical axis wind turbines |
| GB2275970B (en) * | 1993-03-13 | 1996-02-14 | Kenneth Morgan Davies | Improvements relating to vertical axis wind turbines |
| JP2002235656A (en) * | 2001-02-08 | 2002-08-23 | Maeda Corp | Linear vane installation method for vertical shaft wind power generating device |
| WO2012139583A1 (en) * | 2011-04-12 | 2012-10-18 | Compoenergy Aps | Device and system for harvesting the energy of a fluid stream |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB8307851D0 (en) | 1983-04-27 |
| GB2117453B (en) | 1985-04-11 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19950322 |