GB2558649A - Reduced cost wind power generator - Google Patents

Reduced cost wind power generator Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2558649A
GB2558649A GB1700682.6A GB201700682A GB2558649A GB 2558649 A GB2558649 A GB 2558649A GB 201700682 A GB201700682 A GB 201700682A GB 2558649 A GB2558649 A GB 2558649A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
funnel
flexible material
material according
entry
vertical structure
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Granted
Application number
GB1700682.6A
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GB201700682D0 (en
GB2558649B (en
Inventor
Desmond Lewis Stephen
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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
    • F03D1/00—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor 
    • F03D1/04—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor  having stationary wind-guiding means, e.g. with shrouds or channels
    • 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
    • F03D9/30—Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
    • F03D9/34—Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations on stationary objects or on stationary man-made structures
    • 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
    • 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
    • Y02E10/72—Wind turbines with rotation axis in 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
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/728—Onshore wind turbines

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  • 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)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Wind Motors (AREA)

Abstract

A wind power generator comprises flexible funnel 2 having entry opening 3 at a larger end and exit opening 4 at a smaller end allowing passage of air by wind. The funnel is attached to vertical structure 1. The exit opening connects to turbine 5 to generate electrical or mechanical energy. The turbine may be attached to the vertical structures base. The vertical structure may rotate to capture wind from different directions, and the turbine may rotate with the structure. The vertical structure may be a pole or column. A cross member (6, fig. 2) attached to the funnel entry and vertical structure may hold the entry open. The funnel entry may be covered by mesh (7, fig. 2) preventing wildlife entering the funnel. A flexible duct 9 may connect the funnel exit to the turbine. The funnel and duct may comprise plastic or canvas.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Reduced cost wind power generator
Abstract Title: Wind power generator comprising flexible funnel (57) A wind power generator comprises flexible funnel 2 having entry opening 3 at a larger end and exit opening 4 at a smaller end allowing passage of air by wind. The funnel is attached to vertical structure 1. The exit opening connects to turbine 5 to generate electrical or mechanical energy. The turbine may be attached to the vertical structure’s base. The vertical structure may rotate to capture wind from different directions, and the turbine may rotate with the structure. The vertical structure may be a pole or column. A cross member (6, fig. 2) attached to the funnel entry and vertical structure may hold the entry open. The funnel entry may be covered by mesh (7, fig. 2) preventing wildlife entering the funnel. A flexible duct 9 may connect the funnel exit to the turbine. The funnel and duct may comprise plastic or canvas.
Figure GB2558649A_D0001
1/1
Figure GB2558649A_D0002
Reduced cost wind power generator
This invention relates to generating electrical or mechanical energy from wind for a reduced cost.
Wind power produced by conventional wind turbines is amongst the most economically viable forms of renewable energy, however, it still relies on a large industrial base to produce expensive parts such as large turbine blades, complex machinery to allow for varying wind speeds and directions, and at excessive wind speeds wind turbines cannot function.
To overcome this, the present invention proposes a funnel composed of a flexible material, said funnel having an entry comprising of an opening at a larger end to allow entry of a fluid, and an exit comprising of an opening at a smaller end to allow exit of said fluid wherein said funnel is attached to a vertical structure means and said exit of said funnel is fluidly connected to a turbine to generate electrical and/or mechanical energy wherein said fluid is air and entry of said air into said funnel is caused by wind.
When the wind is blown into the funnel the flow will be concentrated onto a smaller turbine, reducing costs of the turbine blades and the flexible material that makes up the funnel can be chosen to be as low cost as possible, again reducing the costs.
Preferably, said turbine is attached to the base of said vertical s tructure.
Preferably, said vertical structure is rotatable to capture wind from different directions .
Preferably, attached to said funnel said funnel entry has non-parallel cross member means said funnel entry and said vertical structure to hold open entry to allow entry of said air.
Preferably, said funnel has a mesh covering said funnel entry to prevent wildlife from entering said funnel.
Preferably,
Preferably,
Preferably, means .
Preferably, s tructure.
Preferably, there are two or more turbines.
said turbine rotates with said vertical structure.
said vertical structure is composed of a pole and/or column said funnel is positioned at the top of said vertical said turbine drives an electrical generator.
Preferably, flexible duct means fluidly connects said exit of said funnel and said turbine to change the direction of the flow of air to allow said turbine to be attached to base of said vertical structure.
Preferably, said funnel is composed i
Preferably, said duct is composed of
An example of the invention will now accompanying drawings :
- figure 1 shows a side view of the and;
- figure 2 shows an end view of the according to the invention.
f flexible plastic and/or canvas .
flexible plastic and/or canvas.
be described by referring to the reduced cost wind power generator reduced cost wind power generator
A vertical structure which may be composed of a pole or column 1 has a funnel 2 attached which may be attached near the top of the vertical structure. The funnel has an opening 3 for the entry of a fluid comprising of air propelled by wind, and an exit 4 for the fluid. The opening for the fluid entry is larger than the opening for the fluid exit. The funnel is attached to the vertical structure via the larger entry opening. The exit is fluidly connected to a turbine 5 which generates electricity by means which may be an electrical generator 8 and/or mechanical energy from the motion of the fluid through the funnel. The turbine is attached to the base of the vertical structure. There may be non-parallel cross members 6 attached to the funnel at the larger entry opening and the vertical structure to hold open the funnel to allow entry of the wind. The vertical structure may be rotatable to allow the funnel to capture energy from different wind directions, and there may be two or more turbines. There may be a mesh 7 attached to and covering the larger entry opening of the funnel to prevent wildlife from entering into the funnel. There may be a flexible duct 9 connecting the exit of the funnel and the turbine which changes the direction of the fluid flow to allow the turbine to be connected to the base of the vertical structure/pole/column. The duct and funnel may be made out of flexible plastic or canvas .
In simpler terms this can be described as a funnel 2 is attached to vertical structure means 1 that may be a pole/column. The funnel has an opening at the larger end 3 to allow entry of air blown in by wind and an exit at the smaller end 4 which is fluidly connected to a turbine 5 to generate electrical and/or mechanical energy. The vertical structure may rotate, there may be two or more turbines. The turbine may be attached to the base of the vertical structure, there may be non-parallel cross members 6 attached to the funnel entry opening and the vertical structure, the funnel may be attached to the top of the vertical structure and there may be a mesh 7 covering the funnel entry opening to prevent wildlife from entering the funnel. A duct may connect the funnel exit and turbine to change direction of the airflow enabling the turbine to be attached to vertical structure. The funnel and duct may be composed of flexible plastic or canvas .
As the wind blows into the funnel the airspeed increases and is concentrated onto the turbine at the base. This means only a small turbine is required to produce power resulting in the ability to generate electricity or mechanical energy in a greater range of wind speeds and less material is required in producing the turbine resulting in lower costs .
The turbine is also at the base of the vertical structure resulting in quicker maintenance and assembly. The vertical structure in the form of a pole or column requires less material than a hollow tower with stairs etc. resulting in a quicker and cheaper build.
The funnel can be made of any flexible material such as fabrics, PVC, flexible plastic, polyethylene, canvas etc., any material can be chosen based on low environmental impact and costs, suitability etc.
The vertical structure can also be made of composite, or metal, or wood, or plastic etc., to suit the required properties, low environmental impact, availability and cost.
Installation of the generator can be as simple as driving a pole into the ground with the generator attached.
The generator can be easy to transport to where it is deployed with the funnel being rolled or folded up and the pole or column can be constructed from smaller sections and telescopically deployed or bolted together on site.
The flow of air enters the funnel and is directed through a flexible duct changing direction back to the turbine, and with the turbine being attached to the same pole or column as the funnel there is only one point of foundation and attachment to the ground required.

Claims (12)

Claims
1 A funnel composed of a flexible material, said funnel having an entry comprising of an opening at a larger end to allow entry of a fluid, and an exit comprising of an opening at a smaller end to allow exit of said fluid wherein said funnel is attached to a vertical structure means and said exit of said funnel is fluidly connected to a turbine to generate electrical and/or mechanical energy wherein said fluid is air and entry of said air into said funnel is caused by wind.
2 A funnel composed of a flexible material according to claim 1, wherein said turbine is attached to the base of said vertical structure.
3 A funnel composed of a flexible material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said vertical structure is rotatable to capture wind from different directions.
4 A funnel composed of a flexible material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said funnel entry has non-parallel cross member means attached to said funnel entry and said vertical structure to hold open said funnel entry to allow entry of said air.
5 A funnel composed of a flexible material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said funnel has a mesh covering said funnel entry to prevent wildlife from entering said funnel.
6 A funnel composed of a flexible material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein there are two or more turbines.
7 A funnel composed of a flexible material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said turbine rotates with said vertical s tructure.
8 A funnel composed of a flexible material according preceding claims, wherein said vertical structure is and/or column means .
to any of the composed of a pole
9 A funnel composed of a flexible material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said funnel is positioned at the top of said vertical structure.
10 A funnel composed of a preceding claims, wherein flexible material according to any of the said turbine drives an electrical generator.
11 A funnel composed of a flexible material according to claim 2, wherein flexible duct means fluidly connects said exit of said funnel and said turbine to change the direction of the flow of air to allow said turbine to be attached to base of said vertical structure.
12 A wind power generator comprising a funnel of a flexible material according to claim 10, wherein said duct is composed of flexible plastic and/or canvas .
Intellectual
Property
Office
Application No: GB1700682.6
12 A funnel composed of a preceding claims, wherein and/or canvas .
flexible material according to any of the said funnel is composed of flexible plastic
13 A funnel composed of a flexible material according to claim 11, wherein said duct is composed of flexible plastic and/or canvas.
Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows:
10 11 17
Claims
1 A wind power generator comprising a funnel composed of a flexible material, said funnel having an entry comprising of an opening at a larger end to allow entry of a fluid, and an exit comprising of an opening at a smaller end to allow exit of said fluid wherein said funnel is attached to a vertical structure means and said exit of said funnel is fluidly connected to a turbine to generate electrical and/or mechanical energy wherein said fluid is air and entry of said air into said funnel is caused by wind, wherein said fluid changes direction enabling said fluid to exit in the opposite direction to the entry of said fluid into said funnel wherein said turbine is attached to the base of said vertical structure wherein said wind powered generator is attached to the ground via only one point.
2 A wind power generator comprising a funnel composed of a flexible material according to claim 1, wherein said vertical structure is rotatable to capture wind from different directions.
3 A wind power generator comprising a funnel composed of a flexible material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said funnel entry has non-parallel cross member means attached to said funnel entry and said vertical structure to hold open said funnel entry to allow entry of said air.
4 A wind power generator comprising a funnel composed of a flexible material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said funnel has a mesh covering said funnel entry to prevent wildlife from entering said funnel.
5 A wind power generator comprising a funnel composed of a flexible material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein there are two or more turbines .
6 A wind power generator comprising a funnel composed of a flexible material according to claim 2, wherein the or each turbine rotates with said vertical structure.
7 A wind power generator comprising a funnel composed of a flexible material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said vertical structure is composed of a pole and/or column means.
8 A wind power generator comprising a funnel composed of a flexible material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said funnel is positioned at the top of said vertical structure.
9 A wind power generator comprising a funnel composed of a flexible material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said turbine drives an electrical generator.
10 A wind power generator comprising a funnel composed of a flexible material according to claim 1, wherein flexible duct means fluidly connects said exit of said funnel and said turbine to change the direction of the flow of air to allow said turbine to be attached to base of said vertical structure.
11 A wind power generator comprising a funnel composed of a flexible material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said funnel is composed of flexible plastic and/or canvas.
GB1700682.6A 2017-01-14 2017-01-16 Wind power generator comprising flexible funnel Expired - Fee Related GB2558649B (en)

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GB2558649A true GB2558649A (en) 2018-07-18
GB2558649B GB2558649B (en) 2019-02-06

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2624379A (en) * 2022-11-09 2024-05-22 Desmond Lewis Stephen Apparatus for opening and closing a flexible funnel of a wind power generator

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB177071A (en) * 1921-04-08 1922-03-23 John Joseph Eagan Improvements in means for driving air motors on ships
JP2003049760A (en) * 2001-08-08 2003-02-21 Noriyasu Matsumoto Wind power generating device
US20050074324A1 (en) * 2003-10-01 2005-04-07 Yoo Woo Sik Power generation system
WO2010028342A2 (en) * 2008-09-08 2010-03-11 Flodesign Wind Turbine Corporation Inflatable wind turbine
US20120175882A1 (en) * 2011-01-10 2012-07-12 Peter John Sterling Injector venturi accelerated, wind turbine
CN202743473U (en) * 2012-07-17 2013-02-20 大连海洋大学 Sail and wind-energy comprehensive energy-saving ship
DE102011082987A1 (en) * 2011-09-19 2013-03-21 Manfred Möhring Single-stage wind power plant, has rotor blades supported at rotor assembly and air guiding element comprising transfer area coupled with coupling element that is arranged in torque-proof manner with respect to rotor axis of rotor assembly
CN105756860A (en) * 2016-04-15 2016-07-13 绍兴文理学院 Wind power water pumping and energy storage power station system

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB177071A (en) * 1921-04-08 1922-03-23 John Joseph Eagan Improvements in means for driving air motors on ships
JP2003049760A (en) * 2001-08-08 2003-02-21 Noriyasu Matsumoto Wind power generating device
US20050074324A1 (en) * 2003-10-01 2005-04-07 Yoo Woo Sik Power generation system
WO2010028342A2 (en) * 2008-09-08 2010-03-11 Flodesign Wind Turbine Corporation Inflatable wind turbine
US20120175882A1 (en) * 2011-01-10 2012-07-12 Peter John Sterling Injector venturi accelerated, wind turbine
DE102011082987A1 (en) * 2011-09-19 2013-03-21 Manfred Möhring Single-stage wind power plant, has rotor blades supported at rotor assembly and air guiding element comprising transfer area coupled with coupling element that is arranged in torque-proof manner with respect to rotor axis of rotor assembly
CN202743473U (en) * 2012-07-17 2013-02-20 大连海洋大学 Sail and wind-energy comprehensive energy-saving ship
CN105756860A (en) * 2016-04-15 2016-07-13 绍兴文理学院 Wind power water pumping and energy storage power station system

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2624379A (en) * 2022-11-09 2024-05-22 Desmond Lewis Stephen Apparatus for opening and closing a flexible funnel of a wind power generator

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GB201700682D0 (en) 2017-03-01
GB201700675D0 (en) 2017-03-01
GB2558649B (en) 2019-02-06

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Effective date: 20190208

PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20240116