GB2166806A

GB2166806A - Vertical axis wind-driven rotor

Info

Publication number: GB2166806A
Application number: GB08525603A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roland Store
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-11-07
Filing date: 1985-10-17
Publication date: 1986-05-14
Also published as: GB8525603D0; GB8428080D0

Abstract

A wind-driven rotor comprises an obliquely cut section from a thin- walled cylinder 1, and the elliptical openings on each face of the rotor are partially covered by the attachment of components 2,3. Alternative mounting arrangements permit the use of more than one rotor on a single shaft. The rotor is responsive to wind from any direction and has a self-limiting topspeed. It rotates about an axis extending at right angles to the axis of the cylinder and equidistant from and parallel to the planes containing the elliptical openings. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vertical axis wind-driven rotor This invention relates to a vertical axis winddriven rotor.

Wind powered devices, which rotate about a vertical axis, are known in various forms.

Such devices generally respond to wind from any direction and do not require orientating to face the wind in the manner of a conventional propellor type windmill. However, as well as the aforementioned general advantage, there is a further inherent feature of the present invention, in that, part of the prevailing wind-force automatically acts to prevent the build up of excessive rotational speeds. Normally, in other wind powered machines, the required degree of control can only be achieved by incorporating mechanical and/or aerodynamic braking systems.

The method of operation of the invention involves the conversion of linear kinetic energy into rotational power. The aforesaid energy conversion is achieved by deflecting and arresting the wind flow in a way that ensures a minimum of air turbulence.

Apart from the aforementioned functional advantages, the present invention differs from other vertical axis windmills in the shape and form of the rotor. In particular, the structural form ensures that the rotor is inherently strong, thus facilitating construction from light weight materials.

According to the present invention, the form of the rotor is defined by a thin-walled cylindrical shape intersected by two parallel oblique transverse planes, with the resulting elliptical openings partially covered by the attachment of additional surfaces; the whole structure is rotatable about a central vertical axis equidistant from and parallel to the two oblique planes, with provision for mounting the rotor on a shaft either by means of an internally secured sleeve coaxial with the axis of rotation or alternatively by means of an undermounted sleeve, coaxial with the axis of rotation and incorporating a contoured flange, which is secured to the underside of the rotor.

Two specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a side view of the rotor (1st embodiment).

Figure 2 is a plan view of the rotor (1st embodiment).

Figure 3 is a view seen in the direction of arrow A.

Figure 4 is a view seen in the direction of arrow B.

Figure 5 is a side view of the rotor (2nd embodiment).

Figure 6 is a plan view of the rotor (2nd embodiment).

Figure 7 is a view seen in the direction of arrow A1.

Figure 8 is a view seen in the direction of arrow B'.

With reference to Figs. 1-4, component 1 is an oblique segment derived from a holow cylindrical shape. The elliptical openings, which form each oblique face, are partially covered by the inclusion of components 2 & 3, which are respectively positioned on opposing faces, so as to form an obtuse angle with the side walls of component 1, when seen in plan (reference Fig. 2). Component 4 is a sleeve internally secured to the rotor so that the sleeve is coaxial with the axis of rotation. As shown in Fig. 3, setscrews passing through the sleeve are used to secure the rotor to a driveshaft (not shown), which forms a close fit within the sleeve.

The incorporation of an internal sleeve in the first embodiment of the invention enables a number of rotors to be positioned along the length of a given driveshaft and typically, successive rotors would be staggered at differing angular orientations for maximum effect.

The second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 5-8. The basic structure is similar to that of the first embodiment, differing only in the method of mounting the rotor onto a shaft. Component 5 is an undermounted sleeve coaxial with the axis of rotation. The body of sleeve 5 fits closely over the end of a shaft, which is secured by means of a keyway or alternatively by setscrews passing through the side wall of the sleeve.

The upper part of sleeve 5 culminates in a flange, which is contoured to fit the underside of the rotor (reference Fig. 7). A hole, coincident with the axis of rotation, is located in the underside of the rotor and permits the insertion of bolt 6, which is threaded into the upper part of component 5 to secure the rotor.

As a result of the alternative method of mounting, the second embodiment may be more suitable where the use of a single rotor is preferred and since no provision needs to be made for including an internal sleeve, the rotor may be made less wide than in the case of the first embodiment (reference Figs. 6 & BR< 8). Further, concerning operational use of the second embodiment of the invention, there is no obstruction to the cross-flow of air between the opposing sides of the rotor.

Considering both the first and second embodiments of the invention, there are such factors as the overall size and the relative dimensions of the various components as well as the degree of obliqueness of the main component, and it should be noted that all of these foregoing factors may be influenced by relevant design criteria without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rotor, whose form is defined by a thin-walled cylindrical shape being cut off by two parallel oblique transverse planes, with the resulting elliptical openings partially cov ered by the attachment of additional surfaces positioned at the lateral extremities of each ellipitical opening so that each additional surface is positioned only at the nearest proxim ity to the axis of rotation, which is a central axis equidistant from and parallel to the two aforementioned oblique planes and perpendicu lar to the axis of the original cylindrical form.

2. A rotor, as claimed in Claim 1, with provision for mounting the rotor on a shaft by means of an internally secured sleeve coaxial with the axis of rotation.

3. A rotor, as claimed in Claim 1, with alternative provision for mounting the rotor on a shaft by means of an undermounted sleeve, coaxial with the axis of rotation and incorpo rating a contoured flange, which is secured to the underside of the rotor.

4. A rotor substantially as described herein, with reference to Figs. 1-8 of the accompanying drawings.