GB2555392A - Radial rotor system - Google Patents
Radial rotor system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2555392A GB2555392A GB1617884.0A GB201617884A GB2555392A GB 2555392 A GB2555392 A GB 2555392A GB 201617884 A GB201617884 A GB 201617884A GB 2555392 A GB2555392 A GB 2555392A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- hub
- duct
- rotor system
- blades
- radial rotor
- 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- Withdrawn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
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
- F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
- F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
- F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
- F03B13/14—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
- F03B13/141—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy with a static energy collector
- F03B13/142—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy with a static energy collector which creates an oscillating water column
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01D—NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES
- F01D1/00—Non-positive-displacement machines or engines, e.g. steam turbines
- F01D1/30—Non-positive-displacement machines or engines, e.g. steam turbines characterised by having a single rotor operable in either direction of rotation, e.g. by reversing of blades
-
- 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
- F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
- F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
- F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
- F03B13/14—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
- F03B13/24—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy to produce a flow of air, e.g. to drive an air turbine
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/10—Stators
- F05B2240/13—Stators to collect or cause flow towards or away from turbines
- F05B2240/133—Stators to collect or cause flow towards or away from turbines with a convergent-divergent guiding structure, e.g. a Venturi conduit
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/20—Rotors
- F05B2240/24—Rotors for 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
- Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
- Hydraulic Turbines (AREA)
Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed for a radial rotor system, preferably for an oscillating water column device 12, comprising a circular duct 5 with a longitudinal opening 6 and a longitudinal closed end 7 and at least one radial opening 8 on the side of the duct, an internally hollow hub 2 with an open end 3, a plurality of blades 9 on the surface of the hub facing then opening in the duct, a shaft 4 driven by the hub suitable for driving an electrical generator 19. The hollow hub generates a vortex between the wall of the hub and the longitudinal closed end of the duct. The rotor is self-rectifying as it turns in a single direction regardless of a change of direction of the flow of fluid within the duct. There may additional plurality of blades 10 or 11 associated with the hub or shaft respectively. The radial rotor system may have a modular removable unit and a duct composed of at least two longitudinally symmetric parts to simplify maintenance, mounting and dismounting operations. The radial rotor system can be deployed individually or in any number of units.
Description
(54) Title of the Invention: Radial rotor system
Abstract Title: Self-rectifying radial rotor system (57) An apparatus is disclosed for a radial rotor system, preferably for an oscillating water column device 12, comprising a circular duct 5 with a longitudinal opening 6 and a longitudinal closed end 7 and at least one radial opening 8 on the side of the duct, an internally hollow hub 2 with an open end 3, a plurality of blades 9 on the surface of the hub facing then opening in the duct, a shaft 4 driven by the hub suitable for driving an electrical generator 19. The hollow hub generates a vortex between the wall of the hub and the longitudinal closed end of the duct. The rotor is self-rectifying as it turns in a single direction regardless of a change of direction of the flow of fluid within the duct. There may additional plurality of blades 10 or 11 associated with the hub or shaft respectively. The radial rotor system may have a modular removable unit and a duct composed of at least two longitudinally symmetric parts to simplify maintenance, mounting and dismounting operations. The radial rotor system can be deployed individually or in any number of units.
Fig. 2
1/2
212
-1 Radial rotor system
Background of the invention
The present invention relates to a device for energy conversion, preferrably for oscillating water column systems.
More particularly, the invention relates to a radial rotor system comprised of a circular duct and an hub which drives an output shaft which can be used for driving an electrical generator.
Among renewable energy systems, wave energy is very appealing because of its constant and large amount of untapped energy potential. At present, despite the development of several types of wave energy converters, there is still no technology which can compete with solar or wind energy.
The reason for this delay of development can be found in the harsh and corrosive marine environment, which most devices challenged with oversized devices composed of expensive equipment to overcome durability and failure problems. These problems increase in offshore environments, making devices not economically viable for long-term projects.
Inshore oscillating water column breakwaters drastically reduce these problems, guaranteeing more durability and making devices more viable.
The most adopted rotor in oscillating water column systems has been the lift-based Wells rotor, described for example in patents US8678745B2. Despite proving high peak efficiency (around 70%), the Wells rotor suffers from low torque which makes the control system difficult, hence not efficient in wave energy applications where the sudden change in pressure and direction requires a more flexible control system to obtain an optimal energy conversion.
An alternative to Wells rotor could be a drag-based rotor, such as the one proposed in patent EP2893185A1. Drag-type rotors have higher torque but suffer from lower peak efficiencies (around 40%) compared to lift-type rotors. In addition, this type of rotor requires two bearings for optimal balance and requires external support systems for the generator. Also, the higher torque allows the rotor to self-start without the need of external motors, but it requires a flywheel to stabilise the torque during the strong variations in fluid power inside the chamber of the duct where the rotor is lodged.
In order to overcome these problems, a new rotor system is described as follows.
-2Brief summary of the invention
It is an object of the present invention to implement a radial rotor system preferrably suitable for oscillating water columns devices that overcomes some of the disadvantages of the prior art.
Other objects include providing a radial rotor system composed of an internally hollow hub with at least an open end, a plurality of blades associated with said hub, a shaft driven by the hub which can be used for driving an electrical generator, a circular duct preferrably convergent/divergent and with rotational symmetric side walls, with at least a longitudinal opening and a longitudinal closed end and at least one radial opening on the side of the duct.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved energy conversion rotor system, wherein the conversion of fluid energy into mechanical energy at the hub is performed by the plurality of blades associated with said hub, plurality of blades which is peripherally arranged to said central axis of rotation for capturing the fluid flow and generating the rotation of said hub in a predetermined direction. The plurality of blades should at least be present on the surface of the hub facing the longitudinal opening of the duct. It is recommended to have a plurality of blades also on the surface of the hub facing the closed end of the duct, as well as to have a plurality of blades associated to the shaft, in order to capture the vortex generated in the hollow chamber between the surface of the hub facing the closed end of the duct and the longitudinal closed end of the duct.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a radial rotor system wherein the rotor is selfrectifying, as it is capable of turning in the same direction despite the change of direction of the flow inside the duct.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a radial rotor system with a modular removable unit and a duct composed of at least two longitudinally symmetric parts to simplify maintenance, mounting and dismounting operations.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a radial rotor system which may be deployed individually or in any number of units, and be deployed on oscillating water column breakwaters, floating due to an integral buoyant structure, in a dam, by a river, or any other location where the invention can be suitable for energy conversion.
Further advantages of the invention will become apparent when considering the drawings in conjunction with the detailed description.
Brief description of drawings
Fig. 1 is a cut away perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the self-rectifying radial rotor system according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-section of a preferred embodiment of the self-rectifying radial rotor system according to the present invention as part of an oscillating water column device.
-3Detailed description of the invention
Fig. 1 shows a cut away perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the radial rotor system (1) according to the present invention.
The radial rotor system is composed of an internally hollow hub (2) with at least an open end (3). The hub drives a shaft (4) which can be used for driving an electrical generator.
The Hub and the shaft are lodged inside a circular duct (5), preferrably convergent/divergent and with rotational axysymmetric sides.
The duct is composed of at least a longitudinal opening (6) and a longitudinal closed end (7) and at least one radial opening (8) on the side of the duct.
A plurality of blades (9) is associated with said hub and located on the surface of the hub facing the longitudinal opening of the duct.
Another plurality of blades (10) is associated with said hub and located on the surface of the hub facing the longitudinal closed end of the duct.
Another plurality of blades (11) is associated with said shaft.
The plurality of blades is peripherally arranged to the central axis of rotation of the hub for capturing the fluid flow and for generating the rotation of said hub in a predetermined direction.
In addition, plurality of blades (10) and (11) captures the fluid flow in the vortex generated, while turning, in the hollow chamber between the surface of the hub facing the closed end of the duct and the longitudinal closed end of the duct.
The vortex is important to stabilise the torque and consequently the energy production of the rotor during the sudden changes of pressure and velocity inside the duct, as it acts as a flywheel. In addition, it also acts as a spring, pushing the hub far from the longitudinal closed end of the duct thus avoiding unexpected contact and consequent damage which can arise if strong pressure is applied by the fluid to the rotor.
Fig. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the radial rotor system according to the present invention as part of an oscillating water column device (12) composed of a pneumatic chamber (13) with a lower opening (14) which allows the entrance and exit of waves and a hollow chamber (15) where a water column (16) rises and falls over time.
An additional opening (17) more elevated than said lower opening (14) allows air to flow inside the duct (5).
Said duct is connected with fasteners (18) to the pneumatic chamber. The housing could also be included in the pneumatic chamber or joint by welding or by other means.
The opening (6) of the duct overlies the opening (17) of the penumatic chamber.
When the water column is rising, opening (6) acts as an inlet and opening (8) as an outlet. When the water column is falling, opening (8) acts as an inlet and opening (6) as an oudet.
The opening (6) drives the fluid substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the hub. The opening (8) drives the fluid substantially perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the hub. Thus the reason of a radial rotor.
-4Despite this change of direction, the rotor turns in a single direction. This type of rotor is called selfrectifying.
The shaft (4) driven by the hub can be connected with external means for generating electric or mechanical power, preferrably a generator (19) which the longitudinal closed end (7) of said duct can hold without need of additional supporting systems. Said closed end (7) is perforated to allow the passage of the shaft. The end wall can also have lodges either inside or outside the chamber of the duct to hold the bearings.
An additional improvement is represented by the use of guide vanes with predetermined direction at the radial openings to improve the self-rectifying capability of the rotor.
The hub can have different cross-sectional shapes, either tipped or flat, including conical, curved and rectangular shapes.
To facilitate maintenance, mounting and unmounting, the self-rectifying radial rotor system can be provided with a modular removable unit, which can be deployed individually or in any number of units, and be deployed on oscillating water column breakwaters, floating due to an integral buoyant structure, in a dam, by a river, or any other location where the invention can be suitable for energy conversion.
To further facilitate maintenance, mounting and unmounting, the duct or a part of it which includes the longitudinal closed end should be composed of at least two longitudinally symmetric parts, which can be connected by fasteners or any other means.
Claims (11)
1. A radial rotor system comprised of:
-an internally hollow hub with at least an open end;
-a shaft driven by the hub which can be used for driving an electrical generator;
-a circular duct with rotational symmetric side walls and with at least a longitudinal opening and a longitudinal closed end and at least one radial opening on the side of the duct.
- a plurality of blades associated with said hub and said plurality of blades is peripherally arranged to said central axis of rotation and said plurality of blades is located on the surface of the hub facing the longitudinal opening of the duct.
2. A radial rotor system according to claim 1, wherein the duct is convergent/divergent.
3. A radial rotor system according to claim 1, wherein another plurality of blades is associated with said hub and said plurality of blades is peripherally arranged to said central axis of rotation and said plurality of blades is located on the surface of the hub facing the longitudinal closed end of the duct.
4. A radial rotor system according to claim 1, wherein another plurality of blades is associated with said hub and said plurality of blades is peripherally arranged to said central axis of rotation and said plurality of blades is located on the surface of the hub facing the longitudinal closed end of the duct and wherein yet another plurality of blades is associated with said shaft and said plurality of blades associated with said shaft is peripherally arranged to said central axis of rotation.
5. A radial rotor system according to claim 1, wherein the hub is tipped and has a curved crosssection.
6. A radial rotor system according to claim 1, wherein the hub is tipped and has a conical crosssection.
7. A radial rotor system according to claim 1, wherein the hub is not tipped and has a curved crosssection.
8. A radial rotor system according to claim 1, wherein the hub is not tipped and does not have a curved cross-section.
9. A radial rotor system according to claim 1, wherein the duct has guide vanes at the radial openings.
10. A radial rotor system according to claim 1, wherein the duct is composed of at least two longitudinally symmetric parts.
11. A radial rotor system according to claim 1, wherein a part of the duct which includes the longitudinal closed end is composed of at least two longitudinally symmetric parts.
Intellectual
Property
Office
Application No: GB1617884.0
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1617884.0A GB2555392A (en) | 2016-10-21 | 2016-10-21 | Radial rotor system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1617884.0A GB2555392A (en) | 2016-10-21 | 2016-10-21 | Radial rotor system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201617884D0 GB201617884D0 (en) | 2016-12-07 |
| GB2555392A true GB2555392A (en) | 2018-05-02 |
Family
ID=57738079
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1617884.0A Withdrawn GB2555392A (en) | 2016-10-21 | 2016-10-21 | Radial rotor system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2555392A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN110056470A (en) * | 2019-03-12 | 2019-07-26 | 王嘉静 | A kind of power-assisted acceleration wave-activated generator suitable for the rainy day |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN111980849A (en) * | 2020-08-27 | 2020-11-24 | 吴守尧 | Aerodynamic power generation device for power supply of lighthouse |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2125113A (en) * | 1982-06-17 | 1984-02-29 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Turbine rotatable in one direction in a reciprocating flow |
| CN201461213U (en) * | 2009-05-08 | 2010-05-12 | 单运秋 | Spiral water turbine |
| WO2011050229A2 (en) * | 2009-10-23 | 2011-04-28 | Dresser-Rand Company | Energy conversion system with duplex radial flow turbine |
| WO2011119144A1 (en) * | 2010-03-22 | 2011-09-29 | Dresser-Rand Company | Energy conversion system with self-rectifying radial flow turbine and method |
-
2016
- 2016-10-21 GB GB1617884.0A patent/GB2555392A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2125113A (en) * | 1982-06-17 | 1984-02-29 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Turbine rotatable in one direction in a reciprocating flow |
| CN201461213U (en) * | 2009-05-08 | 2010-05-12 | 单运秋 | Spiral water turbine |
| WO2011050229A2 (en) * | 2009-10-23 | 2011-04-28 | Dresser-Rand Company | Energy conversion system with duplex radial flow turbine |
| WO2011119144A1 (en) * | 2010-03-22 | 2011-09-29 | Dresser-Rand Company | Energy conversion system with self-rectifying radial flow turbine and method |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN110056470A (en) * | 2019-03-12 | 2019-07-26 | 王嘉静 | A kind of power-assisted acceleration wave-activated generator suitable for the rainy day |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB201617884D0 (en) | 2016-12-07 |
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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) |