GB2562283B

GB2562283B - Electrical Generator

Info

Publication number: GB2562283B
Application number: GB1707549.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Glyn Twyman Dallas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-05-11
Filing date: 2017-05-11
Publication date: 2019-09-11
Anticipated expiration: 2037-05-11
Also published as: GB201707549D0; GB2562283A

Description

ELECTRICAL GENERATOR

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating electricity. Background to the Invention

Wind turbines are commonly used nowadays in order to harness the energy from the wind and convert it to electrical energy. Such turbines have blades which are shaped in order to make the best use of even very light winds. However whilst wind turbines are adapted to harness natural wind energy they are not effective at low level or when there are large fluctuations in the strength of the wind at intermittent periods. Such turbulent wind energy is presently an untapped resource. A considerable amount of wind turbulence is generated at the side of a highway by cars, lorries and other vehicles. Similar wind turbulence is also created by trains travelling along train tracks. As vehicles pass, they push air which is ahead of them and around to their sides. This can be experienced by anyone who has stood at the side of a moving vehicle and felt the rush of air as it passes. This air naturally dissipates until the next vehicle approaches. The problem the present invention addresses is how to best utilise this excess energy and convert it into something useful. The present devices that use air pressure and turbulence to generate power such as wind turbines or the like are not suitable, because they cannot be placed at the level of the vehicle without presenting risk to persons or the passing vehicles.

There has now been devised an apparatus for generating electricity which overcomes and/or substantially mitigates the above referenced and/or other disadvantages associated with the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

In an aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for generating electricity, the apparatus comprising; an actuator rotatable about an axle, the actuator comprising a deflector portion and a first coupling, the deflector portion being adapted to deflect the actuator in response to an air pressure differential between one side of the deflector portion and the opposite side, a second coupling rotatable about a central axis, a free-wheel means having a first portion and a second portion which are rotationally locked with respect to one another in one direction of rotation of the first portion but independently rotatable with respect to one another in the opposite direction of rotation of the first portion and a rotation type electrical generator, wherein the first coupling of the actuator is operably engaged with the second coupling, the second coupling is coaxially engaged with the first portion of the freewheel means and the second portion of the free-wheel means is operably coupled to the generator, wherein the first coupling and the second coupling are coupled magnetically, and the actuator is biased towards a vertical position by a biasing means which comprises a torsion spring mounted around the axle.

The apparatus according to the invention is advantageous primarily because rotation of the actuator about the axle in one direction causes rotation of the second coupling, thereby rotationally locking the first portion and a second portion of the free-wheel means, which in turn causes rotation of the electrical generator and the generation of electricity. Rotation of the actuator in the opposite direction causes rotation of the second coupling in the opposite direction, thereby rotationally unlocking the first portion and a second portion of the freewheel means (i.e. the two portions are independently rotatable), which in turn means that electrical generator can continue to rotate and generate electricity without hindrance from the remaining parts of the apparatus. A further benefit of this is that the rotation of the second coupling which is brought about by the actuator serves only to force the rotational generator round with greater speed.

As stated above, the deflector portion is adapted to deflect the actuator in response to an air pressure differential between one side of the deflector portion and the opposite side. The deflector portion may therefore be any device which is able to deflect in response to wind. The deflector portion may have the overall cross section of a curved sheet of material. This serves to capture the wind energy as it hits the deflector and set up different regions of air pressure in order to force deflection. Preferably, the deflector portion comprises at least a portion having an aerofoil cross section. The inventors have found that an aerofoil section provides the most efficient means for producing the most deflection. The apparatus may be used in any area where there is wind. One area envisaged for the apparatus is at the side of a highway or train track. In such a manner the apparatus generates electricity from the wind generated by passing vehicles. The inventors have surprisingly found that when vehicles pass along the highway or train track, they push the air in front of them and to the side. The air at the side of vehicle therefore moves in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of the vehicle. Preferably therefore, when the apparatus is positioned at the side of a highway or train track, and the deflector portion is orientated such that a leading edge of the aerofoil is positioned into the oncoming air flow and a side of greatest surface area facing away from the traffic. This has the benefit of maximising the effect of the wind, and it also means that the deflection is away from the passing vehicles.

The actuator is biased towards a vertical position by a biasing means. This has the benefit that the actuator returns to its vertical position after every deflection, and means that the apparatus can function in areas where there repeated blasts of air.

The biasing means comprises a torsion spring mounted around the axle. This provides the most cost efficient and effective way of returning the actuator to the vertical position. The biasing means further preferably prevents the deflector portion of the actuator from deflecting toward the passing vehicles or (if not placed near a highway or train track) past the vertical position in the opposite direction to its initial deflection. Ina further embodiment as well as comprising a biasing means, the apparatus may comprise a stopping means to prevent the actuator from deflecting toward the passing vehicles. Said stopping means may be an abutment or the like positioned at or near the axle which engages with the actuator in use.

Thus in the use where the apparatus is placed next to a highway, preferably the deflector portion is moveable away from the highway only in use.

As mentioned above, the first coupling of the actuator is operably engaged with the second coupling. This means that when one rotates so does the other.

The first coupling and the second coupling are coupled magnetically. This is beneficial as it reduces wear and tear and reduces frictional forces and reduces the overall noise of the apparatus in use. The magnetic coupling is otherwise functionally similar to a cog type linkage.

Preferably the first coupling comprises an array of magnets having poles in a first direction and the second coupling comprises an array of magnets having poles in the same direction. Thus, when the first coupling engages with the second coupling, the magnets on the first coupling are attracted to the magnets on the second coupling. The first coupling and the second coupling can therefore be said to be magnetically linked. In such a configuration movement of one (ie the first or second coupling) in one direction causes the corresponding movement of the other (ie the other respective coupling).

When the magnetic coupling is used a described above, preferably the second coupling comprises two or more discs and the first coupling extends between the discs. This provides an easy and efficient way to mount the magnets and ensure the correct separation.

Preferably the second coupling is mounted onto a splined shaft which has mounted onto it at one end the first portion of the free-wheel means. Alternative configurations are also envisaged such as the second coupling being integral with the first portion of the free-wheel means, or the second coupling being connected and/or attached directly to the first portion. The use of the splined speed of rotation of the second portion of the flywheel means with respect to the generator. In other words, in use, the second portion of the flywheel means may rotate at speed x, but the gearbox is configured such that rotational generator rotates at 2x, or any predetermined amount. The gearbox may be a magnetic gearbox to reduce friction and noise. This also allows for variable gearing such that the predetermined gearing is not fixed. This means that the rotational generator can always rotate faster than the second portion of the flywheel means.

Preferably, the second portion of the free-wheel means is connected to the gearbox at a gearbox interface. Having a gearbox interface means that different forms of connection are possible.

Preferably the gearbox interface comprises a first bearing support means. This ensures adequate support for the gearbox interface and the flywheel means. The first bearing support means is preferably a magnetic bearing as this reduces friction and noise. Other examples of suitable bearings include but are not limited to roller bearings, ball bearings, thrust bearings or fluid bearings.

The gearbox may be integral with the flywheel means. As such no connection is required or interface.

For support of the splined shaft that is described above, preferably there is a second bearing support means. The second bearing support means is substantially similar to the first bearing support means, but serves to support the splined shaft and therefore the second coupling and free-wheel means.

The gearbox may be integral with the generator. That is to say the gearbox mechanism may be integrated into the rotational mechanism of the generator. This saves space and potential connection issues.

The free-wheel means, the generator and the gearbox may be integral with one another. That is to say they may be provided as a single device which is operably connectable to the second coupling.

The generator is a rotational generator. Preferably the generator stores rotational energy in use. This is useful as in periods of no wind, there is no drive to the generator. It will spin freely due to the free-wheel means. During such time, the energy from the rotation can be extracted in a conventional manner, either to power the electronic support services for the apparatus, or to the grid. Or the energy can be maintained within the generator in the form of rotation. Thus the generator provides a capacity for storage of energy which can be tapped off at any point as required. This provides much greater flexibility of where the apparatus may be sited and what applications it may be used for.

The apparatus will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like features.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows an external perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a cross sectional view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a cross sectional view of a further embodiment of the apparatus as shown in figures 1 and 2.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment

In figure 1 there is shown an example of the apparatus generally designated 1. The apparatus 1 comprises an actuator 2, which has a first coupling 7 at one end and a deflector 3 at the other end. The first coupling and the deflector 3 are separated by an axle 4. The deflector is made of plastic and is in the form of a post having an aerofoil cross section. Around the axle 4 is a torsion spring 5, which at one end engages with a case 6 and at the other end engages with the axle 4. In so doing the deflector 3 is biased towards the upright vertical position. The axle 4 is retained by an axle retainer 4b which is at an opening to the case 6 and through which the actuator 2 extends, such that the deflector 3 is outside the case 6 and the first coupling is inside the case 6. Also the axle retainer 4b is positioned such that the axle is level with the exterior of the case so that in case of a vehicle accident or the like, the actuator 2 including the deflector 3 can go all the way to the ground without bending. The axle retainer 4b is therefore positioned at the opening to the case 6. The opening to the case is covered by a rubberised guard 20. This stops debris and he case is made of galvanised steel, and has a door (not shown) to allow for maintenance. A cross section of the apparatus 1 is shown in detail in Figure 2. As mentioned above the actuator 2 has a first coupling 7 which is at the opposite end of the actuator 2 to the deflector 3. The first coupling comprises a semi-circular disc with magnets 7a disposed evenly about its rim. The magnets 7a extend through the whole of the semi-circular disc and they are mounted such that their polarity is all in the same direction. The first coupling 7 extends between the second coupling 8, which in this case comprises two circular discs 8a and 8b which are fixed axially with respect to one another and which have a central splined shaft 9 running through both of them. The two discs 8a and 8b also have magnets 8c and 8d embedded within their rims respectively. Each of the magnets on the discs 8a and 8b are spaced from one another by the same distance as the distance of separation of the magnets 7a. Furthermore, the magnets 8c and 8d are arranged with polarities in the same direction as the magnets 7a. In this way when the second coupling 7 extends between the two discs 8a and 8b (as indicated by the arrow on the arrow on the coupling 7), the magnets attract to each other and link magnetically, and thereby the discs 8a and 8b turn also (as indicated by the arrow on the discs). The splined shaft 9 is held at one end by a bearing 10. Therefore the second coupling 8 is rotatable. Inserted onto the shaft next to the second coupling is a free wheel clutch 11. The second coupling 8 is attached to a first portion (not shown) of the clutch 11. The clutch 11 is such that the first portion and the second portion can rotate with respect to each other freely in one direction only. Therefore when the second coupling 8 rotates in a first direction the first and second portions of the clutch 11 are rotationally locked and therefore rotate in the same direction also. However when the second coupling rotates in the opposite direction the first portion of the clutch rotates in the same opposite direction, but the second portion is free to continue to rotate in the same first direction. The second portion of the clutch 11 has mounted to it a shaft coupling 12. The shaft coupling comprises an opening into which a second splined shaft 13 is fitted. Around the opening is a bearing (not shown). The bearing is clamped to the base 6 by a bearing clamp 14 . On the opposite ends of the second shaft 13 is mounted a gearbox 15, which in this case is a magnetic gearbox. The gearbox 15 contains gears which are connected with the drive portion of a rotational electrical generator 16.

In another example of the apparatus 1 according to the invention there is an apparatus provided substantially as provided above. However instead of the rubberised guard 20 there is a rigid guard 20 which is made of solid material such as plastic or metal. The rigid guard 20 is fitted to the actuator 2 below the defector 3. This is shown in Figure 3. The guard 20 prevents rain and snow and dirt etc. from entering the area of the case 6 where the actuator extends through. This maintains the lifespan of the apparatus. The guard is arcuate. The guard moves with the actuator and is wider than the opening to the case. In use, the apparatus 1 is placed next to a highway. It will be appreciated that the apparatus could be placed in other areas where there are frequent winds, such as near a train track. The case 6 containing the majority of the parts of the apparatus is buried next to the highway and orientated such that the deflector 3 has its side of greatest surface area facing away from the traffic. As a vehicle passes the apparatus in the direction from left to right of the figure 1, the air around the car moves in the opposite direction which forces the deflector 3 in the direction of arrow A. The actuator 2 rotates about the axle 4 and thus the first coupling 7 moves in the opposite direction (i.e. towards the traffic). Being magnetically coupled to the second coupling 8, the second coupling 8 moves with the first coupling 7. However it is noted that as both the first coupling 8 and the second coupling 8 are rotationally mounted, the magnetic coupling means that the first coupling moves axially in one direction and the second coupling moves axially in the opposite direction in the same way that two interlinked gears would move. In this direction of movement the clutch is engaged meaning that the first portion of the clutch is fixed statically with respect to the second portion, and thus the second the second portion of the clutch is also forced to move. This in turn turns the gears in the gear box and which in turn turns the rotational generator. The generator starts to spin but once the deflector has reached its limit of deflection the clutch disengages and the generator continues to turn, whilst the deflector returns to its resting vertical position by the action of the spring. As it returns to its resting position, the clutch disengages and the first portion of the clutch and the second coupling both turn in the opposite direction to which they turned previously. The next vehicle passing the actuator 2, produces the same effect which only serves to further increase the speed of the already rotating generator. Between vehicles the generator continues to generate electricity because it is continually spinning. The electricity is conducted along cable connectors which enter and leave the case 6. The cables connect the electrical power to the electrical grid or a local device, such a street lamp or lighted bollard. Further advantageously the deflector can be painted with bright paint so that it can take the place of existing roadside markers. And because they move in the wind, they can further mark the edge of the road with much greater efficiency (due to flashing motorists) than existing markers which are static.

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating electricity, the apparatus comprising; an actuator rotatable about an axle, the actuator comprising a deflector portion and a first coupling, the deflector portion being adapted to deflect the actuator in response to an air pressure differential between one side of the deflector portion and the opposite side, a second coupling rotatable about a central axis, a free-wheel means having a first portion and a second portion which are rotationally locked with respect to one another in one direction of rotation of the first portion but independently rotatable with respect to one another in the opposite direction of rotation of the first portion and a rotation type electrical generator, wherein the first coupling of the actuator is operably engaged with the second coupling, the second coupling is coaxially engaged with the first portion of the freewheel means and the second portion of the free-wheel means is operably coupled to the generator, wherein the first coupling and the second coupling are coupled magnetically, and the actuator is biased towards a vertical position by a biasing means which comprises a torsion spring mounted around the axle.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deflector portion comprises at least a portion having an aerofoil cross section.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, in use, the apparatus is positioned at the side of a highway or train track and the deflector portion is orientated such that a leading edge of the aerofoil is positioned into an oncoming air flow and a side of greatest surface area facing away from the traffic.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the deflector portion is moveable away from the highway only in use.

5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first coupling comprises an array of magnets having poles in a first direction and the second coupling comprises an array of magnets having poles in the same direction.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 5, wherein the second coupling comprises two or more discs and the first coupling extends between the discs.

7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the second coupling is mounted onto a splined shaft which has mounted onto it at one end the first portion of the free-wheel means.

8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a gearbox is coupled between the generator and the second portion of the freewheel means.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second portion of the free-wheel means is connected to the gearbox at a gearbox interface.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the gearbox interface comprises a first bearing support means.

11. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the gearbox is integral with the freewheel means.

12. An apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the splined shaft is engaged with a second bearing support means.

13. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the gearbox is integral with the generator.

14. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the generator stores rotational energy in use.