GB2346655A - Gyrating mast wind-driven power converter - Google Patents

Gyrating mast wind-driven power converter Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2346655A
GB2346655A GB9903085A GB9903085A GB2346655A GB 2346655 A GB2346655 A GB 2346655A GB 9903085 A GB9903085 A GB 9903085A GB 9903085 A GB9903085 A GB 9903085A GB 2346655 A GB2346655 A GB 2346655A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
wind
power converter
mast
driven power
pole
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB9903085A
Other versions
GB2346655B (en
GB9903085D0 (en
Inventor
Richard Stuart Sutton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB9903085A priority Critical patent/GB2346655B/en
Publication of GB9903085D0 publication Critical patent/GB9903085D0/en
Publication of GB2346655A publication Critical patent/GB2346655A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2346655B publication Critical patent/GB2346655B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • F03D5/00—Other 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • F03D13/22—Foundations specially adapted 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 
    • F03D3/005—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor  the axis being vertical
    • 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
    • F03D80/00—Details, components or accessories not provided for in groups F03D1/00 - F03D17/00
    • F03D80/70—Bearing or lubricating arrangements
    • 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
    • F03D9/10—Combinations of wind motors with apparatus storing energy
    • F03D9/12—Combinations of wind motors with apparatus storing energy storing kinetic energy, e.g. using flywheels
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/16—Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids
    • 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
    • Y02E70/00—Other energy conversion or management systems reducing GHG emissions
    • Y02E70/30—Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
    • 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

Abstract

A wind-driven power converter comprises an upright mast 10 gauged to flex and execute a general circular motion under the influence of a prevailing wind, and means 18 coupled to the mast, at or adjacent its lower end, for providing a power output. The mast has a vane arrangement 20 at the top to promote pole rotation, an annular bearing 22 part way up its height anchored by resilient stays 24 to limit bending and a flywheel disc 12 and bearing arrangement at its base. An electrical generator or hydraulic pump may be driven by the disc. The mast may serve as an aerial.

Description

Wind-driven Power Converter The present invention relates to a wind-driven power converter and particularly but not solely to an electrical generator assembly which is powered by wind.
A number of wind powered electrical generators have been proposed hitherto and a few have been put into practice.
However, still relatively little electricity is actually generated from wind power and the resource remains largely undeveloped.
I have now devised a wind-driven power converter which provides a number of advantages over those which have been proposed hitherto.
Thus, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a wind-driven power converter which comprises an upright pole or mast arranged to flex and execute a generally circular motion under the influence of a prevailing wind, and means coupled to the pole, at or adjacent its lower end, for providing a power output.
In this power converter, the upright pole mimics the flexing and oscillating motion of tall, shallow rooted trees such as fir trees or spruce trees. Thus, such trees are able to withstand very strong winds, despite their shallow rooting, by flexing and executing an oscillating, generally circular motion, with the effect by absorbing wind energy. Furthermore, the upright pole acts effectively as a lever, a small force on the top of the pole exerting a much larger force at the bottom of the pole. The power output means is accordingly coupled to the pole to utilise the power which the pole absorbs from the wind.
The power output means may comprise an electrical generator, such that the power converter forms a electrical generator assembly. The power output means may take alternative forms, for example it may comprise an hydraulic pump.
Preferably the upright pole or mast of the power converter is mounted for turning around on a vertical axis.
Preferably the pole is provided with a vane, or an assembly of vanes, at or adjacent its top, to promote turning of the pole under the influence of a prevailing wind.
Preferably the upright pole is mounted, at its lower end, or a member which is rotatably mounted to a fixed base via a bearing arrangement. Preferably this member forms a flywheel.
Preferably means are provided to limit the angle through which the upright pole or mast may flex, so ensuring that the pole does not become unstable owing to its considerable height. Preferably therefore, an annular bearing is coupled to the upright pole part way up its upright pole part way up its height, this annular bearing being coupled to a number of anchor points by respective lines which are resiliently extensible. However, unless the pole or mast is relatively high, the angle limiting means may be dispensed with.
It will be appreciated that the wind-driven power converter of the present invention has a minimum of moving parts and is substantially less obtrusive, unsightly and noisy than wind turbines which are in use currently. It is also believed that the converter of the present invention has the potential of substantially greater efficiency and costeffectiveness.
In some cases the pole or mast of the power converter may be used as an aerial for radio or telecommunications.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is perspective view of a wind powered electrical generator assembly in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the generator assembly of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the generator assembly of Figure 3 is a plan view of the generator assembly of Figure 1; FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the base an flywheel parts of the generator assembly of Figure 1; and FIGURE 5 is a diagram to explain the manner in which the generator assembly operates.
Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, there is shown a wind powered electrical generator assembly which comprises an upright pole or mast 10 mounted on disc 12 which forms a flywheel. As shown in Figure 4, the disc 12 has annular grooves 12a, 12b formed in its lower and upper sides, adjacent its periphery: the disc 12 is mounted on a fixed base 14 by means of a plurality of bearing units 16, each of which includes a ball bearing 16a running in the underside groove 12a of the disc 12 and a ball bearing 16b running in the upper side groove 12b of the disc 12. The assembly comprising the disc 12 and pole 10 are accordingly arranged for rotation around a vertical axis: the particular bearing arrangement which is shown may however be reduced by any appropriate bearing arrangement.
An electrical generator 18 is mounted to the base 14 and is coupled to the disc 12 for rotation by the disc 12, in order to generate electricity.
A vane 20 is mounted to the upper end of the upright pole 10. The pole 10 is intentionally flexible, but an arrangement is provided to limit the angle through which it may deflect: thus, an annular bearing 22 is coupled to the pole 10 part way up its height, the bearing 22 being connected, by a number of radiating lines or stays 24, to anchors 26 fixed in the ground at points spaced around the base 14; each of the stays 24 includes means (shown here as a helical spring) allowing it to extend in length in resilient manner.
In use, the prevailing wind acts on the vane 20 to cause it to turn: also, the wind causes the upright pole 10 to flex, resulting in the pole executing a circular motion as indicated in Figure 5, in similar manner to tall trees such as fir trees. The energy which is absorbed by the pole in its oscillating flexing motion is converted into rotary movement of the assembly of the pole 10 and the disc or flywheel 12: this flywheel drives the generator 18 to generate electricity.

Claims (1)

  1. Claims 1) A wind-driven power converter which comprises an upright pole or mast arranged to flex and execute a generally circular motion under the influence of a prevailing wind, and means coupled to the pole, at or adjacent its lower end, for providing a power output.
    2) A wind-driven power converter as claimed in claim 1, in which said power output means comprises an electrical generator.
    3) A wind-driven power converter as claimed in claim 1, in which said power output means comprises a hydraulic pump.
    4) A wind-driven power converter as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said upright pole or mast is mounted for turning around on a vertical axis.
    5) A wind-driven power converter as claimed in claim 4, in which said upright pole or mast is provided, at or adjacent its top, with a vane or assembly of vanes to promote turning of the pole or mast under the influence of a prevailing wind.
    6) A wind-driven power converter as claimed in claim 4 or 5, in which said upright pole or mast is mounted, at its lower end, on a member which is rotatably mounted to a fixed base via a bearing arrangement.
    7) A wind-driven power converter as claimed in claim 6, in which said member forms a flywheel.
    8) A wind-driven power converter as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising means for limiting the angle through which said upright pole or mast may flex.
    9) A wind-driven power converter as claimed in claim 8, in which said angle limiting means comprises an annular bearing coupled to said pole or mast part way up its height, said annular bearing being coupled to a plurality of anchor points by respective, resiliently-extensible lines 10) A wind-driven power converter as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said upright pole or mast serves as an aerial.
    11) A wind-driven power converter substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB9903085A 1999-02-12 1999-02-12 Wind-driven power converter Expired - Fee Related GB2346655B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9903085A GB2346655B (en) 1999-02-12 1999-02-12 Wind-driven power converter

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9903085A GB2346655B (en) 1999-02-12 1999-02-12 Wind-driven power converter

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9903085D0 GB9903085D0 (en) 1999-03-31
GB2346655A true GB2346655A (en) 2000-08-16
GB2346655B GB2346655B (en) 2002-09-25

Family

ID=10847545

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9903085A Expired - Fee Related GB2346655B (en) 1999-02-12 1999-02-12 Wind-driven power converter

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2346655B (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1498604A1 (en) * 2003-07-17 2005-01-19 Neuhäuser GmbH Wind power plant
US7936079B2 (en) * 2008-03-06 2011-05-03 Howard David Rees Distributed system of electrical generators utilizing wind driven natural motion of trees
US8061998B2 (en) 2002-09-27 2011-11-22 Aloys Wobben Construction apparatus and method for a wind power installation

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2073327A (en) * 1980-03-27 1981-10-14 Pipe J Apparatus utilizing wind energy
GB2102079A (en) * 1981-07-03 1983-01-26 Univ Open Vertical axis wind turbine
GB2103721A (en) * 1981-08-12 1983-02-23 David Adam Lawson Energy conversion apparatus
DE3246831A1 (en) * 1982-12-17 1984-06-20 Jean 5100 Aachen Braun Multilateral wind power installation (system)
US4832571A (en) * 1987-12-23 1989-05-23 Carrol Frank L Flexible tethered wind turbine
EP0647782A1 (en) * 1993-10-12 1995-04-12 Horst Alber Wind paddle

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2073327A (en) * 1980-03-27 1981-10-14 Pipe J Apparatus utilizing wind energy
GB2102079A (en) * 1981-07-03 1983-01-26 Univ Open Vertical axis wind turbine
GB2103721A (en) * 1981-08-12 1983-02-23 David Adam Lawson Energy conversion apparatus
DE3246831A1 (en) * 1982-12-17 1984-06-20 Jean 5100 Aachen Braun Multilateral wind power installation (system)
US4832571A (en) * 1987-12-23 1989-05-23 Carrol Frank L Flexible tethered wind turbine
EP0647782A1 (en) * 1993-10-12 1995-04-12 Horst Alber Wind paddle

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8061998B2 (en) 2002-09-27 2011-11-22 Aloys Wobben Construction apparatus and method for a wind power installation
EP1498604A1 (en) * 2003-07-17 2005-01-19 Neuhäuser GmbH Wind power plant
US7936079B2 (en) * 2008-03-06 2011-05-03 Howard David Rees Distributed system of electrical generators utilizing wind driven natural motion of trees

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2346655B (en) 2002-09-25
GB9903085D0 (en) 1999-03-31

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20060212