GB2542336A

GB2542336A - Fluid energy conversion devices support structure

Info

Publication number: GB2542336A
Application number: GB1516005.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paunovic Nenad
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-09-09
Filing date: 2015-09-09
Publication date: 2017-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 2035-09-09
Also published as: GB201516005D0; GB2542336B

Abstract

A fluid energy conversion devices, for example wind or tidal turbine, support structure which includes lateral branches 4 at different height levels for supporting the conversion devices. The branches rotate around the main pillar 1. The rotation at each height level may be independent and the installation such that complete rotation is possible. The branches may include slanted plates 5 on each side. The slanted plates can have fluid directors 6. Solar energy conversion panels 7 may be position on the slanted plates. A truncated cone at the top of the structure may support a further fluid energy conversion device. Each level of the support structure includes a non-rotating ring with a rotating ring placed on top of it. The branches are attached to the rotating section, and may be removable to make a modular structure.

Description

Fluid energy conversion devices support structure

Background art

This invention relates to support structure for fluid energy conversion devices like wind or hydro turbines. Conventional support structures are usually in the shape of pillar at top, or a side, of which are placed one or more devices for fluid energy conversion. These energy conversion devices either do not have wind direction tracking capabilities or usually tracking mechanism is placed directly below or above turbine in line with devices rotation axis. In some cases when for example same part of the structure, like supporting pillar, is to large and energy conversion devices are placed laterally relative to main supporting pillar the performance of energy conversion devices can be seriously affected on negative way.

Statement of invention

To overcome this problem and additionally improve fluid energy conversion devices performances present invention propose support branches, for fluid energy conversion devices, where each branch has 360 degrees rotation capabilities around main supporting pillar. In addition each rotating branch has independent rotating capabilities relative to other rotating branches in other height levels. So how fluid energy conversion devices support structure functioning?

At each height level of main support pillar is placed one non rotating ring which encircle entire main supporting pillar. Within nonrotating ring is placed another ring which is rotating. This rotating ring is connected with two or more supporting branches within corresponding height level, on this way rotating ring rotate together with supporting branches. Below supporting branches is placed drive motor which is by its housing connected with supporting branch below or above motor while the gear or wheel connected with motor axel laying or touching the non-rotating ring at main support pillar. On this way when motor (which can also be coupled with gearbox) rotate its axel and gear or wheel at the axel rotate, entire support branch will also rotate but around main support pillar. On this way every energy conversion device placed above supporting branch will rotate around main support pillar as well. This mechanism can be repeated multiple times at different height level along main supporting pillar. Each branch can be attached or detached from corresponding rotating ring by which modular nature of entire support structure is achieved by which why overall power output energy conversion apparatus (energy conversion devices with support structure) can be changed. Another way to change overall power output is by attaching or detaching energy conversion devices on supporting branches. In order to improve performances of devices for fluid energy conversion slanted plates are placed from both sides of each supporting branches. Plates can be slanted only from above, only from below or from both sides as present in pictures. By introducing slanted platforms at the supporting branches fluid acceleration within two height levels is achieved as well as reduced fluid induced stress on entire supporting structure, reduced structure vibrations and fluid turbulence. On this way energy conversion devices performances are improved. Energy conversion devices performances are additionally improves by introducing fluid directors on slanted plates which additionally concentrate fluid flow between different height levels and additionally reduce turbulence as well. At slanted plates can also be placed solar energy conversion devices for increased power output. At the top of main support pillar is placed truncated cone at top of which is placed another devices for fluid energy conversion with 360 degrees horizontal rotation capability. At slanted sides of truncated cone can placed fluid director for better fluid concentration as well as solar energy conversion devices for increased power output.

Introduction to drawings

Figure 1 present fluid energy conversion devices support structure with energy conversion devices placed on support structure - axonometric view from below

Figure 2 present enlarged detail "C" from figure 1

Figure 3 present fluid energy conversion devices support structure with energy conversion devices placed on support structure - axonometric view from above

Figure 4 present enlarged detail "D" from figure 3

Figure 5 present fluid energy conversion devices support structure with energy conversion devices placed on support structure -front view

Figure 6 present enlarged detail "B" from figure 5 Detail description

This invention propose support branches 4, for fluid energy conversion devices 11, 16, where each branch 4 has 360 degrees rotation capabilities around main supporting pillar 1. In addition each rotating branch 4 has independent rotating capabilities relative to other rotating branches within other height levels 15. So how fluid energy conversion devices support structure functioning?

At each height level 15 at main support pillar 1 is placed one non rotating ring 2 which encircle entire main supporting pillar 1. Within nonrotating ring 2 is placed another ring 3 which is rotating. This rotating ring 3 is connected with two or more supporting branches 4 within corresponding height level 15, on this way rotating ring 3 rotate together with supporting branches 4. Below supporting branches 4 is placed drive motor 8 which is by its housing connected with supporting branch 4 below or above branch 4 while the gear (which also can be a wheel) 10 is connected with motor 8 axel 9 which laying or touching the non-rotating ring 2. On this way when motor 8 (which can also be coupled with gearbox) rotate its axel 9 and gear 10 at the axel 9 will rotate entire support branch 4 but around main support pillar 1. On this way every energy conversion device 11 placed at supporting branch 4 will rotate around main support pillar 1 as well. On this way it is also given wind direction tracking capabilities to energy conversion devices. And by independent height levels rotation capabilities higher flexibility of wind tracking at different height levels is achieved as well as easier maintenance and installation of devices for fluid energy conversion.

This mechanism can be repeated multiple times at different height levels 15 along main supporting pillar 1. Each branch 4 can be attached or detached from corresponding rotating ring 3 by which modular nature of entire support structure is achieved and by which overall power output energy conversion apparatus (energy conversion devices with support structure) can be changed. Another way to change overall power output is by attaching or detaching energy conversion devices 11 at/from supporting branches 4. In order to improve performances of devices 11 for fluid energy conversion, slanted plates 5 are placed from both sides of each supporting branches 4. Plates 5 can be slanted only from above, only from below or from both sides as present in pictures. By introducing slanted plates 5 at the supporting branches 4 fluid acceleration between two height levels 15 is achieved as well as reduced fluid induced stress on entire supporting structure, reduced structure vibrations and fluid turbulence. On this way energy conversion devices 11 performances are improved. Energy conversion devices 11 performances are additionally improves by introducing fluid directors 6 on slanted plates 5 which additionally concentrate fluid flow between different height levels 15 and additionally reduce turbulence as well. At slanted plates 5 can also be placed solar energy conversion devices 7 for increased power output. At the top of main support pillar 1 is placed truncated cone 12 at top of which is placed another device 16 for fluid energy conversion with 360 degrees horizontal rotation capability. At slanted sides of truncated cone 12 can placed fluid director 13 for better fluid concentration as well as solar energy conversion devices 14 for increased power output.

Claims

1. A fluid energy conversion devices support structure with multiple, at different height levels and around main pillar rotating branches for supporting energy conversion devices.

2. A fluid energy conversion devices support structure according to claim 1 where rotating branches at different height level have 360 independent rotation capabilities relative to other rotating branches at different height levels.

3. A fluid energy conversion devices support structure according to claims 1 and 2 where at each side of rotating branches slanted plates are introduced with or without fluid directors.

4. A fluid energy conversion devices support structure according to claims 1, 2 and 3 where solar energy conversion devices are placed at slanted plates.