NL1016166C1 - Wind vane to direct airflow to ground-mounted turbine to drive generator - Google Patents

Abstract

The vane (1) is an oblique section through a leaning cylinder on a turret mounting (2). Facing the wind, it directs airflow through the turbine (4) to drive a generator (5). A door in the deflector (6) provides maintenance access. If storm force winds are encountered, the vane is turned to face downwind. Air flow in the reverse direction will still turn the turbine.

Description

5 Method and device for producing energy from wind.

t * "

The invention relates to the method and device for producing energy by wind power. Such an apparatus is known, our old known windmills in which (eg) 4 blades formed by sail-stretched woodwork frames drive a central shaft, which is then coupled to a device for producing energy, eg in the form of grinding grain or pumping it up, or moving a medium such as eg water.

The method and equipment were later modernized by designing the blades as wing profiles and then connecting the central axis of the blades directly or indirectly (eg reduction cabinets) to a generator, which provides electrical energy for a variety of application areas elsewhere. drains.

20 The currently well-known image of windmills on high masts that use wind energy at a relatively great height for energy supply elsewhere.

Placing a high-power generator at a great height poses construction and maintenance problems. Moreover, the offered wind energy flow is only partially used by a number of blades in a circular area.

The object of the invention is to increase the maximum limit of generator power while at the same time minimizing the construction and maintenance technical problems and, moreover, utilizing the offered wind flow rate much more efficiently.

According to the invention this can be achieved by replacing the old known image of wing profiles at a great height with a particularly aerodynamically well-dimensioned construction which, even without a positioning at a great height, puts an end to all the aforementioned limitations of the currently known windmills. makes.

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To this end, according to the invention, the available wind energy is discharged at a certain level via a "wind catcher" in the support structure located below it. The total amount of air collected is then supplied - whether or not via an accelerator construction - to a turbine, which in turn drives a generator - whether or not via a gearbox or a new angle rotation method (*) to be introduced.

In this way the efficiency of energy transfer from wind to generator is considerably improved.

Because the generator can now be placed in a well-supported position at a low level, both the air turbine and the generator can be dimensioned for a much higher capacity.

15 Ad (*) »Model tests show that even in severe storms, the aerodynamic load of the wind turbine decreases exponentially by only a slight rotation of the wind chopper relative to the prevailing wind direction. The structural load decreases in almost the same way.

20 At 180 gr. Rotation of the wind blower - thus opposite to the prevailing wind direction - creates an underpressure in the device that causes the air turbine to rotate in the opposite direction. *

The turbine can therefore still produce energy in storm winds and storm wind overload is excluded.

25

The invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings, figures 1, 2, IA, IB, 2B, 3, 4 and 5.

Fig. 1 schematically shows the rotatable "wind blower" (1), which feeds the offered wind flow rate "" to the interior of the vertical column (3) on the wind turbine (4) and subsequently produces electrical energy in the generator (5).

The deflector (6) makes it possible to inspect or repair the generator and additional control equipment at necessary times without stopping the installation.

With this installation of the wind turbine / generator, weight {power I) no longer plays a role and the energy production per installation can be increased drastically.

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Pig. IA shows section / view A. .A of fig. 1.

5 The oblique section of an obliquely placed cylindrical body.

Model and smoke tests show that such an aerodynamic design does not a priori provide the best energy production.

Fig. 1B schematically shows air flows that occur in wind directions according to "β".

The blade installation itself can be designed aerodynamically as a turbine, whereby an optimum transmission efficiency can be realized.

Pig. 2 When the wind attack "β" takes extreme forms, not only will the structural load of the wind blower (1) become too high, but also the turbine load.

The moment of turning of the wind chopper is determined by the maximum permissible play of forces on the wind chopper, turbine and foundation.

In a storm situation {β), the installation does not have to be taken out of operation. Either turning at reduced power can be done by turning the wind flap slightly or in extreme situations by turning 180 degrees, indicated in .l **. "

Fig.2Bj Create a situation where storm wind still produces energy without damage to the installation parts.

25 Model tests confirmed the results of calculations that in this situation there is such an underpressure on the hollow side of (1) that the turbine - rotating in the opposite direction - still produces energy.

Fig. 3 gives a more detailed overview of the parts that will play a role in such an installation.

Part (1)! the wind deflector, to be manufactured from (e.g.) reinforced plastic fibers, mounted on a swivel base (2), with the pull wires (15) keeping excessive vibrations from part (1) within acceptable limits.

35 Component (11) t an auxiliary motor, which drives the rack (12) attached to (2) via a gearbox and can thus control the position of the wind blower (1) in relation to the wind direction.

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The interplay of forces exerted by the wind on the wind catcher (1) is transferred downwards to the cylinder (3) by means of heavy roller bearings.

5 Cylinder (3) does not only have the function of transferring forces and moments to the foundation (7). It also ensures that the airflow from the air extractor (1) [see Fig. 1B] is guided to the air turbine (4) in such a way that the efficiency is maximum. Important design parameters are the dimensions D, L and H.

10 The power of the turbine is transferred to generator (5) by means of the combination gearbox and coupling (10). In this part, a starting auxiliary motor (starter motor) can also be fitted, which receives its power from the batteries (8), the voltage of which is maintained by generator (5).

Generator (5) can be designed as a power current source, part of the power of which is converted into direct current by means of the rectifier transformer (9). Produced power flow can of course be used for a large number of applications. Also some applications where the discontinuity of the wind supply does not require additional standby from the national grid. Produced direct current offers the possibility to make both hydrogen and oxygen "in stock" via electrolysis of (sea) water with a multitude of application possibilities, for example as fuel that does not cause environmental pollution when burned. A fuel cell can also already take advantage of this fuel.

The air is discharged from the turbine via deflector (6). In the lower part of column (3) (eg!) The steel support pipes (13) can be dimensioned as "discharge grille".

Adjustable blades (14) can be mounted on these pipes.

30 This provides a simple way to access the entire interior of the unit for inspection / repair, even in stormy weather.

To start moving the heavy generators to be used with this wind turbine at low wind speeds, a starter motor is no superfluous luxury. If the batteries (8) are empty, light fans (16) can provide the necessary battery voltage.

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Fig. 4 In addition to suitable locations on land (many examples internationally!), A wind farm can also be situated on platforms in the sea. Not only do the new wind turbines achieve considerably larger powers, but where so-called horizon pollution would mean an impeding factor, this new method does not require gigantic high structures.

The wind choppers (1) collect and conduct wind flows to a relatively narrow passageway inside (3) and transform increased velocity energy through turbine / fan blades into electrical energy.

FIG. 5 The visible part of the eight wind choppers anchored on a platform (18) somewhere off a coast to the sea bed (20), as shown in fig. 4, can display visual impressions at different distances from the coast via photo montages and perspective drawings.

20 On the basis of this, one can form an opinion on whether or not "degradation of the horizon image" is acceptable.

However, the height dimensions of this new version of wind turbines are such that comparison with ship silhouettes is certainly realistic here. And then only with bright sunlight. Horizon pollution naturally plays no role in covered skies and rainy periods.

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Claims (7)

1. Method for producing energy from wind in the most extensive sense, in which the wind energy is not transferred directly to airfoils or wings arranged in the wind, but in which the wind flow is via a specifically shaped "wind catcher" (1), (fig. 1B) is collected and diverted to a, preferably circular column (3), of dimensions such that the wind flow rate is transformed to a considerably higher energy level. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the wind flow introduced into the circular column is accelerated such that a much greater power can be supplied to the wind turbine (4) than is currently possible in the conventional embodiment of windmills, which are limited in installing large and therefore heavy generators at a great height. Method according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that capacity adjustments based on wind supply "c (" or 20 "β" (fig. 1B and 2 B) can be easily realized by switching on auxiliary or starter motors (10, 11 and 16 a) (fig. 3) where energy can be produced even during stormy periods, (fig. 2B) Method according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that maintenance / repair activities can now be carried out without problems during almost all weather conditions (incl. Storm periods), by closing the discharge of air flow by closing the blades (14), (Fig. 3). Device for carrying out the methods according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 4, characterized in that, in contrast to the method commonly used up to now, to transfer the wind energy available at relatively high heights to airfoils - or blades otherwise shaped now to bring the available wind flow in its entirety to a low level via the catch construction (1) and acceleration inside (3) in such a way that turbine (4) can produce maximum energy. 35 1018166>> 6. Device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the air flow rate discharged from the turbine can also give its energy to fans to be arranged in the circumference (16) (fig. 3), with which auxiliary circuits can then be supplied with energy , as there are parts (8), (10) and (11) 7. Device according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that heavy ground generators of high power can now be safely and solidly grounded at ground level (7), so that not only large electrical powers can be supplied to existing electricity grids, but transformation to a heavy direct current circuit is also possible, by means of (9), (fig. 3). This opens the way to (eg): - electrolysis of (sea) water, through which hydrogen and oxygen can be produced, and then store them in gas containers; - production of interesting (expensive) base metals and medicinal salts. 1016166