GB2471121A

GB2471121A - Urban vertical axis wind turbine and generator

Info

Publication number: GB2471121A
Application number: GB0910501A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Hird
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-06-18
Filing date: 2009-06-18
Publication date: 2010-12-22
Also published as: GB0910501D0

Abstract

The VAWT includes a wind engaging rotor 1 comprising a double helical array of anemometer type scoops or cups 2 on arms arranged in opposed pairs offset relative to adjacent pairs by 15 degrees about a telescopic vertical shaft. Each scoop is of elongate pentagonal cross section and may have vertical fins. The vertical shaft 3 turns a drive shaft 4 and a drive gear 5 at ground level which, in turn drives four generators 8 via smaller driven gears 6 and flywheels 7. The generator assembly is housed in a soundproof box 10 fixed to a base 9. Generated electricity may be inverted and sent to the grid or a battery. The helical rotor assembly allows urban winds of inconsistent strength or direction to be used.

Description

TITLE

Urban Vertical Axis Wind Turbine and Generator Arrangement

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a new variation on the vertical axis wind turbine and generator arrangement.

In the UK, particularly in urban areas, the wind does not blow with consistent strength or direction. These two factors result in the traditional horizontal axis wind turbines hardly ever achieving their rated power generation. In this form of turbine the changing wind direction means that the turbine is constantly trying to adjust to face directly into the wind to achieve optimum performance. Whilst the fact that the wind, in urban UK, tends to be gusty means that the drive to the generator is not smooth and suffers a loss of thrust as soon as the wind dies down, due to the adverse effects of drag.

Finally, a factor that makes the horizontal axis wind turbine undesirable for the urban use is the level of noise that most of these types of turbine produce when in use.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

To overcome the factors mentioned above, the present invention proposes to mount the blade on a vertical axis. The generator arrangement is situated at the base of the turbine support pole and uses 4 separate fly-wheel and generator combinations to maximise the thrust introduced by the gusty conditions for the production of electricity.

ADVMTAGES

The urban vertical axis wind turbine and generator arrangement will produce more energy than a typical domestic horizontal axis or vertical axis wind turbines in the same conditions.

The design uses one drive blade to turn 4 separate generators, effectively quadrupling the output from one blade, whilst minimising the visual impact on the surrounding area. The simple design also means this invention provides a much better capital cost to energy output ratio. The vertical arrangement also means that the noise generated by the blade is greatly reduced. With the main serviceable parts being at ground level this makes maintenance much easier, quicker and cheaper.

The energy reducing effect of drag is also greatly minimised as the fly-wheel generating the thrust is enclosed. Finally, with the electricity production being so close to the inverter the electrical loss through the wires is kept to a minimum.

DVNTAGES (cont.) Preferably, the support pole will be telescopic to make installation and maintenance easier.

Preferably, the support pole will be supported by guy wires.

Preferably, the majority of the materials used in the super-structure will be made from recycled materials.

DRAWINGS

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: * Figure 1 shows the Vertical Axis Wind Turbine and Generator Arrangement (in elevation) * Figure 2 shows the Blade (in elevation) * Figure 3 shows a pair of scoops (isometric) * Figure 4 shows the blade (in plan) * Figure 5 shows the generator arrangement (in elevation) * Figure 6 shows the generator arrangement (in plan)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of the detailed description the invention will be split into its two main components, the blade and the generator arrangement.

* Blade The blade 1 (Figure 2) for this invention is made from 25 pairs of scoops 2 (Figure 3) . The scoops 2 are aero-dynamically designed to; on one side capture the wind and on the other cut through the wind. The vertical face of the blade is shaped like an elongated pentagon (Figure 3).

The scoops 2 are arranged into a blade (figure 2) on top of each other and offset at 15° from the pair of scoops 2 below (Figure 4) until the final pair of scoops is in the same plane as the first pair of scoops. To aid aero-dynamics the scoops may have vertical fins protruding from their [the scoops] base. This means that the turbine is facing into the wind no matter the direction. This blade will then be attached to a drive shaft 4 to turn the drive wheel 5 (Figure 5). The blade is supported by a support pole 3 that has a ball bearing top to allow the blade to rotate freely (Figure 1 & 5) * Generator Arrangement The generator arrangement (Figure 5) takes the thrust from the blade 1 and processes it through a gearing arrangement, the driven wheel 5 attached by the drive shaft 4 to the blade 1 and the driven wheel 6 attached to the generator shaft, to enhance the rotational speed input into 4 separate driven generator shafts (Figure 6). Each driven shaft powers a fly wheel 7 which in turn powers it own generator 8. The electricity generated is then passed into an inverter and finally processed into the national grid or into a battery arrangement. All of this arrangement is housed in a sound proofed box 10 to reduce the noise emitted by the fly wheels 7.

Claims

CLAIMS1. This vertical axis wind turbine and generator arrangement is a design that will optimise the UK urban [gusty and omni-directional] wind conditions much better than any other domestic turbine.
2. The vertical axis wind turbine and generator arrangement will capture the wind from all directions, whilst having low drag from the "inactive" scoops.
3. The vertical axis wind turbine and generator arrangement will maintain the wind energy in the fly-wheels and provide a smooth drive to the generator.
4. The vertical axis wind turbine and generator arrangement quadruples the energy generated from one blade, which makes it more desirable to the home owner.
5. The vertical axis wind turbine and generator arrangement is simple to maintain as the majority of the serviceable parts are located at ground level
6. The vertical axis wind turbine and generator arrangement is simple to install. * * . * I-I * SS *II* * . III SI I.. S 4