ITRM20090607A1 - SELF-HOLDING CURRENT AIRBRUSHING DEVICE FOR HIGH-ALTITUDE WINDS - Google Patents

Description

Description

â € œSelf-sustained current wind turbine apparatus, for high altitude windsâ €

The present invention relates to a current wind generator apparatus, capable of rising autonomously, to reach an altitude of about 600-800mt, and once this is reached, by exploiting the fast and constant winds of 6-7m / s it sustains itself, it produces electricity, brought to the ground by the cables that hold it back.

More specifically, it is an apparatus resembling an aircraft, consisting of a thin central fuselage on which two pairs of wings are mounted, one forward and the other behind the fuselage, and under the wings in a rearward position, turbines are mounted, tangential fan type that cover the whole length of the wing.

The turbines consist of a cylindrical impeller with tangential fins, enclosed in a scroll able to rotate 90 ° on the axis of the turbine itself.

The turbines are driven by one or more current generating motors, capable of imparting an upward thrust to the apparatus, when the scrolls are in a vertical position; reached the altitude, these are rotated in a horizontal position, to take advantage of the wind that will rotate the turbines, to produce electricity.

The apparatus is equipped with an electronic management unit for the whole system, with inertial system means, for the management of the attitude, drifts, and wing and tail ailerons, and is also equipped with of aitimetrìco electronic control, and anemometric. It is also equipped with emergency parachute vehicles, and positioning via GPS.

The apparatus is held by one or more ropes, wound on a particular winch on the ground, and is also equipped with traction control means on the ropes and with controlled rope release systems with automatic return.

The current systems of exploitation of the wind for the production of electricity are wind towers, but these have a significant environmental impact, a high noise pollution, with a high cost, for a very low efficiency; from the fact that the winds on the ground are low and not very constant.

The apparatus object of the present invention allows to exploit the high altitude winds, with a minimum environmental impact, since at those altitudes, the wind turbines would be hardly visible, and silent, with an efficiency of eight to ten times higher than a wind tower.

It is now known that high altitude winds would be an inexhaustible and cheap source to replace the production of electricity from hydrocarbons, or from nuclear power; only that the researches are almost all oriented towards kites that are easy to make, but with technological drawbacks, not yet overcome.

The inconveniences that discouraged research towards rigid apparatus for high altitude wind power were mainly the weight of the electric generators, and that of the electric cables and cables, which weigh on the apparatus.

Today the new technologies allow us to have on the market sufficiently light and powerful generator motors, built for hybrid or electric cars, easily adaptable to these new needs, the new generation cables are sufficiently resistant, and adaptable to the needs, while the new composite materials allow us to build large, very light and resistant structures.

The purpose of the present invention is to be able to provide a current wind-generator apparatus, capable of reaching altitude autonomously, sustaining itself, and producing electricity, exploiting the fast and constant winds of 6-7m / s that run up there, in order to be able to build wind farms with high efficiency and very low costs per KW.

Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the present invention, will become clear from the detailed description that follows, in a currently preferred embodiment thereof, given for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, and on the basis of the figures of the attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective drawing of a wind generator apparatus

Figure 2 shows a turbine with a transparent scroll.

Figure 3 shows in A, a turbine with the scroll in a vertical position, of upward thrust, and in B with the scroll, in a horizontal production position.

Figure 4 shows the details of an aerogenerator apparatus, during the ascent phase.

Figure 5 shows the details of an aerogenerator apparatus, in the self-sustaining phase, and production of electricity.

With reference to drawings from 1 to 5, and in particular to figure 1, we see the perspective set of an aerogenerator apparatus where with 1 the fuselage is indicated, with 2 and 2b the two pairs of wings, with 3 the tail ailerons , with 4 the vertical tail plane, with 5 the wing fins, on which the external generator motors 9 are mounted, a stabilizer aileron 6, an attachment ring 7, for the retaining ropes 8, with 10 a housing for two parachutes and with 10b a tail, then with 9b the internal generator motors, with 13 the scrolls in a horizontal position and with 17 some adjustable flow deflectors.

With reference to figure 2, we see an assembly of the turbine, with 12 the impeller, and in the center the rotation shaft 11, then mechanically connected, to two generator motors not shown, and in 13 the scroll seen in transparency.

The present formula for the construction of the turbine has been described with reference to a currently preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that in practice, variations and modifications may be made, without departing from the protection scope of this industrial private sector, and the number of turbines and generator engines, per wing and per turbine, may vary according to subsequent engineering choices.

With reference to figure 3 we see, in A, the details of a turbine in the upward thrust phase, with 12 the impeller moved by the motors 9 9b, which sucks in the air from the upper part of the wing, to push it at high speed towards the low; and with 13 the nut in vertical position, positioned by the servomotor 16, on which a pinion 15 is keyed, which rotates the half-crown 14; this nut rotation system can be replaced by any other actuator device available on the market, without departing from the protection scope of this industrial private sector.

Again with reference to fig. 3, we see with 17 a flow deflector adjustable by means of the actuator 18, completely raised in the function of flap.

Then in B we see the same turbine in a horizontal position in the production phase, and we will notice that the wind that passes under the wing, creates a high pressure zone, and is conveyed by the flow deflector 17 towards the turbine, where it will rotate the impeller 12 in the opposite direction, and consequently the generators 9 9b.

The electronic management system will control the rotation speed of the turbine, and if it will act on the actuator 18, to lower or raise the deflector 17, which will increase or decrease the wind flow on the impeller 12.

The electronic management system of the deflector is not shown, as it is within the reach of an average expert in the art, and therefore its description would be useless and limiting the scope of the invention.

With reference to figure 4, we see an aerogenerator apparatus in the ascent phase, and we will notice that the turbines driven by the engines 9 9b, produce an upward thrust, along the entire length of the turbine, and therefore of the wing; at the same time wing 2 will become load-bearing even in the absence of wind, due to the fact that the turbine will create a low pressure zone B above the wing.

Consequently, the apparatus will receive an upward thrust, both from the turbine and from the wing; and the thrust will increase, as the altitude increases, and therefore the wind speed on the wing, where the deflector 17 acts as a flap, and will increase the wind pressure in zone A increasing the lift more and more.

The gyroscopic stability management system, not shown, will act on the power of the single engines 9 9b, to stabilize the apparatus in horizontal position, thus allowing it to be brought up, and then, when the engines are stopped, it will act on the ailerons € and 3 , to stabilize the apparatus.

With reference to figure 5, we see an apparatus in the production phase, and we will notice that the scroll 13 has been brought horizontally, and the wind that hits the wing 2, creates a low pressure area on the whole back of the € ™ wing, which extends over the snails 13.

While it forms a high pressure area under wing 2, it extends as far as the rounded side of the snail, which becomes self-supporting; this will give a certainty of stability to the apparatus, even in conditions of drop in wind speed. The electronic management system will then affect the tail plane to pull up or hit the apparatus in order to keep it at altitude; since the attachment rings 7, for the ropes 8, are positioned in the center of gravity of the apparatus.

The attachment rings 7 for the ropes 8 will be designed in such a way as to interact with the load sensors not shown, which keep the electronic management system of the load on the ropes constantly informed, in such a way as to avoid structural breakages, as we will describe more come on.

Again with reference to figure 5, we will notice that the wind that passes under the wing 2, is conveyed towards the scroll 13, by the deflector 17 regulated by the actuator 18, turning the impeller â € 2, mechanically connected to the motors generators and 9b, which will produce electricity. The electrical diagram of the generator motors 9, and of the electronic management system of the wind turbine apparatus, is not shown, as there are numerous equivalent solutions, based on the choice of the various components available on the market, and therefore within the reach of the average expert technician. of the branch, the solutions are innumerable, and their mention would be useless and limiting, within the scope of the invention.

With reference to Figures 1 to 5, the operation of the apparatus according to the present invention will now be illustrated.

In the maintenance position, the wind turbine apparatus will be on the ground near the winch to which it is docked, with the scrolls 13 in vertical position, the motors 9 9b will be powered to impart an upward thrust to the apparatus, the electronic management system will act on the power of the single 9 + 9b engines to stabilize the trim.

As the apparatus gains altitude, the wings will be hit by the wind which will increase as the altitude increases, and will greatly contribute to the ascent of the apparatus, which in turn will be progressively burdened by the weight of the ropes 8 , and of the power cable, until reaching the predetermined altitude, controlled by the altimeter on board.

Once the pre-established height has been reached, the electronic management system that communicates with a second system on the ground will give the command to lock the winch, then it will stop the motors 9 and 9b, and will activate the servomotors16, which will rotate the nuts 13 by 90 °, bringing them to a horizontal position, then lower the deflectors 17.

Now the wind hitting wing 2 will create a low pressure zone above the wing and below, a high pressure zone; and this high pressure wind will be conveyed by the deflector 17, onto the impeller 12 which will drive the generator motors 9 9b, producing electric current, brought to earth by cables coupled to the cables 8.

At this point the apparatus is self-supporting, productive, and the electronic management system will only have to manage the deflectors 17, through the actuator 18, to keep the speed of the impellers 12 constant, and act on the tail planes 3 , and on the ailerons 6, to keep the apparatus horizontal and at altitude, and so until the wind blows.

In the event of a drop in wind speed, which is not sufficient to keep the apparatus at height, the management system controls the loss of altitude, and beyond a certain predetermined limit, it activates the servomotors 16, to bring the snails 13 back to the vertical, and it powers the motors 9 9b which bring the apparatus back to altitude, until the wind blows sufficiently, to keep the apparatus at altitude, all this under management, of the electronic altimetric and anemometric control means.

In the event of a breakdown, or power failure of the motors, followed by a sudden drop in the wind, or in any other emergency situation, the electronic management system will activate the ejection system of the three parachutes 10 and 10b, completely similar to parachutes used for ultralight aircraft, which will gently bring the apparatus to the ground; at the same time, the electronic management system that communicates with the second system on the ground will activate the return winch, to bring the device back to its starting position without the possibility of damage to people or things.

In the case of exceptional gusts of wind, the device that controls the traction force on the retaining ropes 8 already described, will give the command to the winch to release the cable more or less slowly, to avoid structural breakages on the apparatus, a little ™ as you do with the reel, when you take a large prey; then, once the gust of wind has passed, it will give the recall command, to bring the device back to its primary position, under the control of the anemometric means, and of the GPS system.

The winch, and the electronic-management system, are not represented, since there are numerous equivalent solutions, based on the choice of the various components available on the market, and therefore within the reach of the average technician expert in the field, the solutions are innumerable , and their mention would be useless and limiting, in the context of the invention.

Furthermore, in the case of systems with several devices close together, the GPS system will control the position of each individual device, and by acting on the ailerons 6, the management system will ensure that no device can collide with another.

The present invention has been described with reference to a currently preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that in practice, variations and modifications may be made, without departing from the scope of protection of this industrial privacy.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS 1. Self-sustained current wind generator for high altitude winds, characterized by the fact of comprising: a fuselage (1) on which two pairs of wings (2, 2b) are assembled, a wing on the front side and a wing on the rear side of the fuselage (1); behind the wings (2, 2b), cylindrical fan turbines are assembled, these turbines covering the entire length of the wings; electric motors {9, 9b) adapted to drive the turbine and operate as generators when the turbines are moved by the wind; wing fins (5) on which the electric motors (9, 9b) are assembled; wing ailerons (6) and tail ailerons (3) to stabilize the apparatus; an electronic management system for the apparatus; means for rotating the turbine augers (13); and emergency parachute means (10b). 2. Self-sustaining current wind generator according to claim 1, characterized in that the turbines are composed of a cylindrical rotor (12), equipped with blades running along its entire length, and arranged at regular intervals throughout its length. perimeter. 3. Self-sustaining current wind generator apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the turbine screws (13) are able to rotate on the turbine axis, in order to be positioned both vertically to provide an upward thrust, and horizontally to exploit the wind, and operate the current generating motors (9, 9b). 4. Self-sustaining wind turbine apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the turbines are placed below the wind (2, 2b) in a fully retracted position, so that when they are in their lift position, they create a '' low pressure area on the crest of the wing, and a high pressure area under the wing (2, 2b), therefore, when they are positioned horizontally, during production, the high pressure area is able to extend up to above the turbine, while the low pressure area is able to extend up to the bottom of the turbine, making the turbine itself self-supporting. 5. Self-sustaining current wind generator according to claim 1 characterized in that the turbines are placed under the wings (2, 2b) in parallel with the latter, and are one or more turbines in order to cover the entire length of the 'wing. 6. Self-sustained wind generator apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the speed of the turbines is managed by one or more adjustable deflector devices (17), which are suitable to operate as flaps when the apparatus is in the ascending phase . 7. Self-sustaining current wind generator apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the augers (13) of the turbines are able to be managed in their position by drive means (18) which allow their rotation, under the electronic management of the system electronic management. 8. Self-sustained wind generator apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the connecting rings (7) of the cables (8) that hold the apparatus are adapted to interact with traction sensors which are adapted to constantly inform the central management in order to limit excessive efforts on the structures of the apparatus, in the event of exceptional gusts of wind.