GB2190966A - Wind energy convertor - Google Patents
Wind energy convertor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2190966A GB2190966A GB08612503A GB8612503A GB2190966A GB 2190966 A GB2190966 A GB 2190966A GB 08612503 A GB08612503 A GB 08612503A GB 8612503 A GB8612503 A GB 8612503A GB 2190966 A GB2190966 A GB 2190966A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- annular body
- turbine
- closed annular
- wind energy
- wind
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 239000011150 reinforced concrete Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005339 levitation Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03D—WIND MOTORS
- F03D3/00—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor
- F03D3/04—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor having stationary wind-guiding means, e.g. with shrouds or channels
- F03D3/0427—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor having stationary wind-guiding means, e.g. with shrouds or channels with converging inlets, i.e. the guiding means intercepting an area greater than the effective rotor area
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03D—WIND MOTORS
- F03D13/00—Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
- F03D13/20—Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03D—WIND MOTORS
- F03D3/00—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor
- F03D3/04—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor having stationary wind-guiding means, e.g. with shrouds or channels
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/70—Wind energy
- Y02E10/728—Onshore wind turbines
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/70—Wind energy
- Y02E10/74—Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P80/00—Climate change mitigation technologies for sector-wide applications
- Y02P80/10—Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Wind Motors (AREA)
Abstract
A wind energy convertor comprises an upstanding support which may comprise a plurality of columns uniformly spaced around a central vertical axis; a circular turbine which may be connected to a fan situated above the turbine and which is supported to be freely rotatable about the vertical axis and which comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades extending lengthwise with respect to the support; and a closed annular body of reinforced concrete or other fluid-impermeable material carried by the support and coaxial with and positioned adjacent to the upper end of the turbine. The closed annular body has inlet and outlet ports for water or other fluid. At least one pump is provided. The closed annular body is so shaped as to create a reduction in air pressure in the circular space bounded there by so that wind is drawn upwardly and out of the circular space to drive the turbine. A second annular body, also suitable for fluid storage may be provided below the first body, there being a plurality of blades extending between the two bodies and defining venturi passages for directing wind onto the turbine. The bodies and turbine may be vertically adjustable relative to the support columns. The fan & turbine may run on an annular track by means of wheels or magnetic levitation. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
An improved wind energy converter
This invention relates to apparatus for converting the energy of the wind into mechanical energy for use in the generation of electricity or other source of power and, for convenience, such apparatus will hereinafter be referred to by the generic expression "wind energy convertor".
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved wind energy convertor which will convert into mechanical energy the energy of a wind blowing in substantially any direction and which, if desired, can be used as a tower for the storage of water or other fluid.
According to the invention, the improved wind energy convertor comprises an upstanding support having a central vertical axis; a substantially circular turbine which is directly or indirectly supported by the support in such a way that the turbine is freely rotatable about said vertical axis and which comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades extending lengthwise with respect to the support; a closed annular body of reinforced concrete or other substantially fluid-impermeable material which is carried by the support and which is coaxial with and positioned adjacent to the upper end of the turbine and which has inlet and outlet ports for introduction or extraction of water or other fluid into or out of the closed annular body and, associated with the closed annular body, at least one pump for pumping water or other fluid into and/or out of the closed annular body, the upper surf ace of the closed annular body being above the turbine 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 closed annular body so that wind blowing against the blades of the turbine is drawn upwardly within the turbine and out of said circular space to drive the turbine rotatably about said vertical axis, thereby converting the energy of the wind into rotational mechanical energy.
By virtue of the fact that the closed annular body is of reinforced concrete or other substantially fluid-impermeable material and has inlet and outlet ports and at least one associated pump for pumping water or other fluid into and/or out of the closed annular body, the wind energy convertor serves the dual purposes of a wind energy convertor and a water tower.
The or each pump f or pumping water or other fluid into and/or out of the closed annular body may be electrically or mechanically driven.
To ensure that the improved wind energy convertor converts the vertical component of the energy of the wind into mechanical energy, preferably the improved wind energy convertor also includes, between the closed annular body at the upper end of the convertor and the upper end of the turbine, a fan which is supported on the upper end of the structure in such a way that the fan is freely rotatable about said vertical axis and which comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending blades. The fan is preferably rigidly secured to the turbine so that both will rotate at the same speed.
To accelerate a larger volume of wind between the blades of the turbine and thereby increase the amount of wind energy available for conversion, preferably the wind energy convertor 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 support and which define, between adjacent blades, a plurality of venturi through which wind is directed on to the blades of the turbine, the surfaces of the venturi blades being so shaped as to direct the wind on to the blades of the turbine and, at the same time, to shield from the wind the downwind blades of the turbine, thereby substantially reducing the drag on the turbine and enabling the turbine to rotate such that its peripheral velocity preferably does not exceed twice the linear velocity of the wind.Preferably, also, the venturi blades extend downwardly from the underside of the closed annular body and are secured between the closed annular body and a second annular body coaxial with and spaced below the first annular body.
The second or lower annular body may also be a closed annular body of reinforced concrete or other substantially fluid-impermeable material and may be interconnected by at least one pipe or other means to, and serve as an extension of, the first or upper closed annular body for the storage of water or other fluid; the second closed annular body may also have inlet and outlet ports for introduction or extraction of water or other fluid.
The upper surface of the closed annular body at the upper end of the convertor is preferably of such a shape as to encourage accelerated flow of the wind over its surface.
In a preferred embodiment, the angle of inclination of the upper surface of the closed annular body to said vertical axis increases smoothly in an upward direction. The accelerated flow of the wind over the upper surface of and the circular space bounded by the closed annular body causes a reduction in air pressure in and above the circular space which increases the velocity of wind flowing upwardly through the fan and the circular space, with the result that the inherent resistance of the turbine to the rate of flow of air through the turbine is reduced.
The upstanding support may be a single col umn as described in the specification of Patent No: 2083564B or, where the improved wind energy convertor is to be of a substantially larger construction than the wind energy convertor of the af oresaid patent, e.g. having an output of one megawatt and above, the support may comprise a plurality of upstanding elongate members uniformly spaced around said central vertical axis, the turbine being rotatably supported at at least one of its ends by said upstanding members. The plurality of upstanding elongate members may be the legs of a lattice work tower or pylon but, in a preferred embodiment the plurality of upstanding elongate members are substantially vertical columns. The vertical columns, the closed annular body and, when present, the second annular body may, in some circumstances, be manufactured in situ of reinforced concrete.
Where the site at which the wind energy convertor is to be positioned is inaccessible for cranes and other lifting devices, preferably the upstanding support of the wind energy convertor is a plurality of substantially vertical columns on or with respect to which the closed annular body and, when present, the second annular body, is or are slidably or otherwise so mounted that it or they can be raised or lowered when required, the turbine is carried by and is freely rotatable with respect to the closed annular body so that it is indirectly supported by the vertical columns, and the vertical columns have associated means for raising or lowering the annular body or bodies, and the turbine carried thereby, with respect to the columns for locking the or each annular body with respect to the columns when it is in the desired position.This embodiment has the important advantage that the annular body or bodies, and the turbine carried thereby, can be raised with respect to the columns to the desired position without the use of a heavy crane, and as a consequence, in weather conditions when the use of a crane would be too dangerous.
In the case of larger wind energy convertors, to provide for free rotatable motion of the fan and the turbine about the vertical axis of the plurality of upstanding elongate members, the fan and the turbine may each have at or near its circumferential edge means engaging in a circular track which is directly or indirectly carried by one of the annular bodies.
For example, the fan may be dependent from, and rotatably mounted to run in, a circular track carried on the undersurface of the closed annular body positioned above the fan and the turbine may be rotatably mounted to run in a circular track carried on the upper surf ace of the second or lower annular body; the fan and the turbine may run on wheels or may be
magnetically levitated.
The improved wind energy convertor of the
present invention may also include any one or more of the optional features of the wind energy convertors described and claimed in Patents Nos: 2083564B, 2116640B and 211 7453B and described in the specifications of Patent Applications Nos: 85/15324 and 86/00701.
Claims (14)
1. A wind energy convertor comprising an upstanding support having a central vertical axis; a substantially circular turbine which is directly or indirectly supported by the support in such a way that the turbine is freely rotatable about said vertical axis and which comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades extending lengthwise with respect to the support; a closed annular body of reinforced concrete or other substantially fluid-impermeable material which is carried by the support and which is coaxial with and positioned adjacent to the upper end of the turbine and which has inlet and outlet ports for introduction or extraction of water or other fluid into or out of the closed annular body and, associated with the closed annular body, at least one pump for pumping water or other fluid into and/or out of the closed annular body, the upper surface of the closed annular body being above the turbine 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 closed annular body so that wind blowing against the blades of the turbine is drawn upwardly within the turbine and out of said circular space to drive the turbine rotatably about said vertical axis, thereby converting the energy of the wind into rotational mechanical energy.
2. A wind energy convertor as claimed in
Claim 1, wherein the or each pump for pumping water or other fluid into and/or out of the closed annular body is electrically driven.
3. A wind energy convertor as claimed in
Claim 1 or 2, wherein the wind energy convertor 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 support and which define, between adjacent blades, a plurality of venturi through which wind is directed on to the blades of the turbine, the surfaces of the venturi blades being so shaped as to direct the wind on to the blades of the turbine and, at the same time, to shield from the wind the downwind blades of the turbine.
4. A wind energy convertor as claimed in
Claim 3, wherein the venturi blades extend downwardly from the underside of the closed annular body and are secured between the closed annular body and a second annular body coaxial with and spaced below the first annular body.
5. A wind energy convertor as claimed in
Claim 4, wherein the second annular body is also a closed annular body of reinforced concrete or other substantially fluid-impermeable material and is interconnected by at least one pipe or other means to, and serves as an extension of, the first or other closed annular body for the storage of water or other fluid.
6. A wind energy convertor as claimed in
Claim 5, wherein the second closed annular body also has inlet and outlet ports for introduction or extraction of water or other fluid.
7. A wind energy convertor as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the convertor also includes, between the closed annular body at the upper end of the convertor and the upper end of the turbine, a fan which is supported on the upper end of the structure in such a way that the fan is freely rotatable about said vertical axis and which comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending blades.
8. A wind energy convertor as claimed in
Claim 7, wherein the fan is rigidly secured to the turbine so that both will rotate at the same speed.
9. A wind energy convertor as claimed in
Claim 7 or 8, wherein the fan and the turbine each has at or near its circumf erential edge means engaging in a circular track which is directly or indirectly carried by one of the annular bodies.
10. A wind energy convertor as claimed in
Claim 9, wherein the fan is dependant from, and rotatably mounted to run in, a circular track carried on the undersurface of the closed annular body positioned above the fan and the turbine is rotatably mounted to run in a circular track carried on the upper surface of the second annular body.
11. A wind energy convertor as claimed in
Claim 10, wherein the fan and the turbine run on wheels or are magneticaily levitated.
12. A wind energy convertor as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the angie of inclination of the upper surface of the closed annular body at the upper end of the convertor to said vertical axis increases smoothly in an upward direction.
13. A wind energy convertor as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the support comprises a plurality of upstanding elongate members uniformly spaced around said central vertical axis, the turbine being rotatably supported at at least one of its ends by said upstanding members.
14. A wind energy convertor as claimed in
Claim 13, wherein the upstanding support of the wind energy convertor is a plurality of substantially vertical columns uniformly spaced around said central vertical axis on or with respect to which the closed annular body and, when present, the second annular body, is or are slidably or otherwise so mounted that it or they can be raised or lowered when required, the turbine is carried by and is freely rotatable with respect to the closed annular body so that it is indirectly supported by the vertical columns, and the vertical columns have associated means for raising or lowering the annular body or bodies with respect to the columns and for locking the or each annular body with respect to the columns when it is in the desired position.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08612503A GB2190966A (en) | 1986-05-22 | 1986-05-22 | Wind energy convertor |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08612503A GB2190966A (en) | 1986-05-22 | 1986-05-22 | Wind energy convertor |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8612503D0 GB8612503D0 (en) | 1986-07-02 |
| GB2190966A true GB2190966A (en) | 1987-12-02 |
Family
ID=10598293
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08612503A Withdrawn GB2190966A (en) | 1986-05-22 | 1986-05-22 | Wind energy convertor |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2190966A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2000079127A1 (en) * | 1999-06-22 | 2000-12-28 | Fernandez Arcos Manuel | Wind-operated generator |
| WO2010148579A1 (en) * | 2009-06-22 | 2010-12-29 | 东莞市金鑫智能机械设备有限公司 | Wind-power generator driven by natural or regenerated wind |
Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB210926A (en) * | 1922-12-11 | 1924-02-14 | Roland Rolf Richard | Improvements in windmills |
| US4229661A (en) * | 1979-02-21 | 1980-10-21 | Mead Claude F | Power plant for camping trailer |
| US4236083A (en) * | 1975-02-19 | 1980-11-25 | Kenney Clarence E | Windmill having thermal and electric power output |
| GB2083564A (en) * | 1980-09-09 | 1982-03-24 | Mewburn Crook Anthony James Se | An Improved Wind Energy Convertor |
| EP0073840A1 (en) * | 1981-01-28 | 1983-03-16 | Costica Rusu | Hydro-electric plant for the conversion of wind and solar energy |
| GB2116640A (en) * | 1982-03-15 | 1983-09-28 | Mewburn Crook Anthony James Se | Vertical axis wind turbine with feathering vanes |
| GB2117453A (en) * | 1982-03-22 | 1983-10-12 | Mewburn Crock Anthony James Se | Vertical axis wind turbine having at least two turbine groups |
-
1986
- 1986-05-22 GB GB08612503A patent/GB2190966A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB210926A (en) * | 1922-12-11 | 1924-02-14 | Roland Rolf Richard | Improvements in windmills |
| US4236083A (en) * | 1975-02-19 | 1980-11-25 | Kenney Clarence E | Windmill having thermal and electric power output |
| US4229661A (en) * | 1979-02-21 | 1980-10-21 | Mead Claude F | Power plant for camping trailer |
| GB2083564A (en) * | 1980-09-09 | 1982-03-24 | Mewburn Crook Anthony James Se | An Improved Wind Energy Convertor |
| EP0073840A1 (en) * | 1981-01-28 | 1983-03-16 | Costica Rusu | Hydro-electric plant for the conversion of wind and solar energy |
| GB2116640A (en) * | 1982-03-15 | 1983-09-28 | Mewburn Crook Anthony James Se | Vertical axis wind turbine with feathering vanes |
| GB2117453A (en) * | 1982-03-22 | 1983-10-12 | Mewburn Crock Anthony James Se | Vertical axis wind turbine having at least two turbine groups |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2000079127A1 (en) * | 1999-06-22 | 2000-12-28 | Fernandez Arcos Manuel | Wind-operated generator |
| ES2154595A1 (en) * | 1999-06-22 | 2001-04-01 | Arcos Manuel Fernandez | Wind-operated generator |
| WO2010148579A1 (en) * | 2009-06-22 | 2010-12-29 | 东莞市金鑫智能机械设备有限公司 | Wind-power generator driven by natural or regenerated wind |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB8612503D0 (en) | 1986-07-02 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |