NZ551826A - Horizontal multi-blade wind turbine - Google Patents

Abstract

A blade system for a fluid turbine consists of a rotor mounted for rotation about a first axis, blades in rows along a length, each with a radially extending blade axis, and each row being spaced about the circumference of the rotor. At least one of the blades is formed with one end connected to the rotor and the other free end having an arcuate face, a plane of the chord of the face being rotated about an angle relative to the rotor axis. A sensor is provided for receiving data and the blade system is automatically rotated about a second axis non-parallel to the first axis, in response to the data.

Description

55 1 8 26 PATENTS FORM NO. 5 Fee No. 4: $250.00 PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Divisional Application From NZ 548877 James & Wells Ref: 44028DIV/57 HORIZONTAL MULTI-BLADE WIND TURBINE I Garry Emshey a dual Canadian/New Zealand citizen, of 34 Richmond Road, RD3, New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: MEESi'pSjSy Office of N.Z. 05 DEC 2006 received "HORIZONTAL MULTI-BLADE WIND TURBINE" FIELD OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the invention are directed towards wind turbines for generating energy and more particularly to a horizontal axis wind turbine having a plurality of blades along the horizontal axis and to a blade suitable for said wind turbine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known to use apparatus to generate electricity from the wind. Typically, high speed propeller-type turbines have been used due to their high efficiency. Such highspeed turbines are generally very large and generally comprise a nacelle mounted for use atop single towers of significant height and diameter. Such turbines may be unidirectional and erected to take advantage of the usual flow of winds through the location in which they are positioned. Alternatively, the nacelle may be capable of turning in a horizontal plane to adjust the direction of the rotor to face into the oncoming wind.

Many different designs of wind turbines are known. Many wind turbines are oriented vertically, having one or more stacked rotors rotatable about a vertical axis such as described in US Patent 4,359311 to Benesh. Others are mounted on a horizontal axis and have a plurality of blades typically oriented at one end of the horizontal rotor like a traditional windmill. Multi-vaned rotors or windmills are taught in a number of patents including US Patent 6,064,123 to Gislason, US Patent 6,779,966 to Smith II, US Patent 6.069,409 to Fowler et al., and US Patent Application 2005/0015639.

Of particular interest, US Patent 4,838,757 to Benesh teaches a wind turbine having a 'Savonius'-type rotor mounted along a horizontal rotor. The wind turbine is mounted on a frame having wheels which engage a circular track for rotation in yaw. A wind sensor controls the orientation of the wind turbine relative to the direction of the wind and a 2 deflector plate is mounted at an entrance to the blades to augment and smooth the action of the 'Savonius'-type rotor. One or more airfoils assist in ensuring the alternator is not overloaded in high wind conditions.

There is interest in the field of wind power generation for relatively compact wind turbine units which can be readily transported and mounted at remote locations where other sources of power are scarce and which are relatively simple in design, capable of producing sufficient power for the purpose to which they are directed and which are efficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A low-profile ground-mounted fluid turbine utilizes a unique blade system comprising a plurality of arc-shaped blades mounted in rows along a shaft or rotor.

In a broad aspect the blade system for a fluid turbine comprises: - a rotor mounted for rotation about a first axis; - a plurality of blades supported in rows along a length and having a blade axis extending radially and spaced about a circumference of the rotor; and - at least one sensor for receiving data, wherein at least one of said blades are formed having a first attachment end for connection to the rotor and a second free end having an arcuate face, a plane of a chord of the arcuate face being rotated about the blade axis at an angle relative to the rotor axis and said blade system being automatically rotatable about a second axis non-parallel with said first axis in response to said sensor data.

Preferably said second axis is substantially vertical. 3 As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the data may be meteorological data or relate to the blade system or turbine apparatus. It will also be appreciated that the or each sensor may measure the data directly or receive the data from an external source.

By rotating the blade system in response to data from the or each sensor the angle of the blades with respect to the fluid flow may be optimised to maximise efficiency. Moreover, the blade system may be rotated to an offset angle relative to the fluid flow to reduce the angle at which the fluid contacts the blades and thus power output during extreme wind conditions.

Preferably each of the blades is rotated about 120 degrees about the blade axis to maximize fluid engagement and power generation. In a further broad aspect a blade suitable for use in the blade system as described comprises: a first end for connection to a rotor of a fluid turbine; and a second free end having an arcuate face so as to maximize fluid engagement.

Preferably, the arcuate face of the blade defines a central angle which is about 120 degrees.

An embodiment of the present invention utilizing the blade system and blade as described is a fluid turbine comprising: a support framework; a load unit such as an electrical generator; and a blade system as described, the rotor mounted to the support frame and connected to the load unit for generation of power therethrough.

Preferably two turbine units are connected to a single centrally located load unit or generator. Such a preferred turbine unit is particularly suitable for remote locations for use in one or more of: - AC power generation for export to grid or for DC power generation for charging battery banks, 4 - AC power generation in a closed loop for running electrical equipment in remote locations, - pumping water or hydrocarbons, and/or compressing air or natural gas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a plan view of a prior art wind turbine having a horizontal 'Savonius'-type rotor mounted on a framework and moveable about a circular track for rotating in yaw; Figure 2 is an end view of the prior art wind turbine according to Fig. 1 illustrating a frame for mounting the horizontal rotor and having a deflector and one or more airfoils mounted thereon; Figure 3a is a schematic front view illustrating a rotor shaft and a plurality of blades organized in rows thereabouts according to an embodiment of the invention for mounting on a support, the rows of blades on the front of the rotor shaft having been removed from the representation for clarity; Figure 3b is an end view of the rotor according to Fig. 3a illustrating the rows of blades positioned circumferentially about the rotor shaft; Figures 4a-b are schematics illustrating a blade for mounting on the rotor according to Fig. 3, more particularly, Fig. 4a is a plan view of an embodiment of the blade; and Fig. 4b is an end view of the blade according to Fig. 4a showing a curve in a paddle portion of the blade; Figure 5 is an end transverse section view of an embodiment of the blade illustrating an aerodynamic fin; Figure 6a is a schematic top view of a single row of blades according to Figs. 4a and 4b illustrating a mounting angle relative to the horizontal rotor shaft; Figure 6b is a schematic top view of two rows of blades, the blades in the second row being offset from the blades in the first row; Figure 7 is a schematic front view of an embodiment of the invention having two wind turbine rotors according to Fig. 3 mounted for rotation about a common horizontal axis and connected to a single generator and mounted on a frame, a support structure rotatable about a single vertical axis having been removed for clarity; Figure 8 is an end view according to Figs. 3 and 6 and illustrating an inlet, an inner shroud; and a circular track; Figure 9 is a schematic plan view of a wind turbine according to Fig. 7 at start up or shut down; and Figure 10 is a schematic plan view of a wind turbine according to Fig. 7 during a normal operation, the wind turbine being rotated relative to the direction of wind flow to optimize contact of the wind with the blades.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figs. 1 and 2 show a prior art wind turbine 1 such as described in US Patent 4,838,757 to Benesh, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. A support structure 2 for a horizontal rotor 3 is provided which pivots about a central vertical shaft 4. The horizontal rotor 3 is supported by the support structure 2. The support structure 2 is 6 further supported on wheels 5, which travel in a circular track 6 to permit the wind generator 1 to rotate in yaw about the vertical central shaft 4.

Having reference to Figs. 3a and 3b, a fluid turbine 10 according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The turbine 10 comprises a horizontal shaft or rotor 11 having a blade system comprising a plurality of blades 12 mounted in rows 13 along the rotor 11 and extending radially along a blade axis A and spaced about a circumference of the rotor 11.

As shown in Fig. 6b, in one embodiment, the plurality of blades 12 in each successive row 13 may be positioned offset relative to the blades 12 in a preceding row 13 so as to position the plurality of blades 12 for maximizing engagement of the wind and efficiency of the generator 10.

Having reference to Figs. 4a, 4b, 5, 6a, 6b and 10 and in a preferred embodiment, each blade 12 comprises a first end 14 for connection to the rotor 11 and a second free end 15 having an arcuate body or face 16 for engagement with the fluid W. Best seen in Fig. 4b, the arcuate face 16 is generally a circular section having a central angle a in a range from about 60 degrees to about 180 degrees and preferably about 120 degrees. As shown in Fig. 6a, each of the blades 12 is mounted to the rotor 11 so that a plane defined by a chord or secant C of the arcuate face 16 is rotated to an optimal angle of incidence or pitch angle 0, ranging from about 100 degrees to about 180 degrees and preferably about 120 degrees about vertical relative to a horizontal axis X defined by a longitudinal axis of the rotor 11. The pitch angle 0 of the arcuate face 16 minimizes the disturbance in the direction of the fluid flow as it passes by the blades 12. The angle of rotation of the blades 12 about their axes A, may be adjusted upon installation of the blades 12 depending upon the location and prevailing conditions in the location in which the turbine 10 is to be used. As shown in Fig. 5, in an alternate embodiment, a back side 7 17 of each blade 12 is formed having an aerodynamic fin 18 to further improve performance of the turbine 10. The fin 18 preferably extends the full length of the back side 17 of the free end 15 of the blade 12. Further, the fin 18 may protrude to a greater extent at a tip 19 of the free end 15 and taper to a narrower extent as it extends down the free end 15.

In a preferred embodiment as shown in Figs. 7-10, the fluid turbine is a wind turbine 10. Preferably, two wind turbine units 10, as described above, are mounted along a common first axis, being the horizontal axis X defined by the rotors 11, and are operatively connected to a single load device such as a generator 20 positioned therebetween. Best seen in Fig. 8a, a structural frame 30 comprising a frame base 31 supports the rotatable turbine units 10 for mounting on a lower frame 32. The lower frame 32 is rotatable around a common shaft 4 as in the prior art and is mounted on wheels 5 for rotation of the entire wind turbine 10 about a circular track 6. The structural frame 30 is constructed to accommodate mounting of the weight of the generator 20 and the turbine units 10.

As shown in Fig. 8 an outer, lower shroud 40 shields the second free end 15 of the lower blades 12 from the prevailing wind W during normal operation when rotating about the rotor 11 so as to avoid counteracting the upper exposed blades 12. Slots (not shown) may be added to the lower shroud 40 to permit water and debris to drain from the lower shroud 40.

Further, in a preferred embodiment, an inner shroud 41 (shown in dotted lines in figure 8) is rotationally mounted within the outer shroud 40. In the event the turbine 10 is shut down as a result of undesirable operating conditions, such as excessive winds, hail and the like, the inner shroud 41 is caused to rotate from an open position nested within the outer shroud 40 to a closed position covering the otherwise exposed blades 12 above the horizontal axis. Preferably, opening and closing of the inner shroud 41 is controlled 8 through a programmable logic controller (PLC) and wireless sensing units which respond to meteorological data provided thereto. In the case where a plurality of turbine units are situated in or near the same location, wireless sensors adjacent the general location may communicate meteorological data to the PLCs or data can be communicated remotely from weather stations to optimize operation of the unit or to close the inner shroud 41 and shutdown the turbine units 10. In the case where the turbine unit 10 sustains damage which affects performance, the PLC is programmed to sense the alteration in performance and shut the turbine unit 10 down. By monitoring status of the unit during start up and during running the PLC can perform an emergency shutdown and place the unit in a fail safe more when required.

Preferably, a shrouded inlet vane 50 is provided to assist in directing the flow of fluid tangentially past the upper exposed turbine blades 12. The angle through the inlet vane 50 can be adjusted by the PLC to match changes in the flow of fluid using conventional technology.

In operation, electric motors 60, located at each wheel 5 drive the turbine unit 10 about the circular track 6. As shown in Fig. 9, at start up, shutdown and during extreme wind conditions the turbine unit 10 will be repositioned to an offset angle relative to the fluid flow to reduce the angle at which the fluid W contacts the arcuate blade face 16. As shown in Fig. 10, as the turbine unit 10 becomes operational it will be permitted to rotate in yaw or it will be locked into position by the PLC based on programs written for the PLC to be used under different environmental conditions and in different locations.

Preferably, the wheels 5 are further provided with brakes (not shown) which are used to lock the position of the turbine unit relative to the fluid flow. 9

Claims (15)

CLAIMS:

1. A blade system for a fluid turbine comprising: a rotor mounted for rotation about a first axis; a plurality of blades supported in rows along a length and having a blade axis extending radially and each row being spaced about a circumference of the rotor; and a sensor for receiving data, wherein at least one of said blades is formed having a first attachment end for connection to the rotor and a second free end having an arcuate face, a plane of a chord of the arcuate face being rotated about the blade axis at an angle relative to the rotor axis, and, said blade system being automatically rotatable about a second axis, non-parallel with said first axis in response to said sensor data.

2. The blade system of claim 1 wherein the first axis is a horizontal axis.

3. The blade system of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a central angle defined by the arcuate face is from approximately 60 degrees to approximately 180 degrees.

4. The blade system of claim 3 wherein the central angle defined by the arcuate face is approximately 120 degrees.

5. The blade system of any one of claims 1-4 wherein the plane of the chord of the blade is rotated from about 100 degrees to about 180 degrees about the blade axis relative to the first axis. 11 Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. 1 4 APR 2008

6. The blade system of claim 5 wherein the plane of the chord of the blade is rotated about 120 degrees about the blade axis relative to the first axis.

7. The blade system of any one of claims 1-6 wherein the blades of each successive row of blades about the rotor are mounted offset to the blades of a previous row of blades.

8. The blade system of any one of claims 1-7 wherein the fluid turbine is a wind turbine.

9. The blade system of any one of claims 1-8 wherein the second free end of at least one of said blades further comprises an aerodynamic fin.

10. A fluid turbine comprising: a support framework; a load unit; and a blade system according to any one of claims 1-9, the rotor mounted to the support frame and connected to the load unit for generation of power therethrough.

11. The fluid turbine of claim 10 wherein the fluid turbine is a wind turbine.

12. The fluid turbine of claim 10 or claim 11 further comprising: a central shaft; and a base for supporting the support framework, Intellectual Property Office of n.Z. 12 1* APR 2008 RECEIVED the base being rotationally connected to the central shaft for permitting the fluid turbine to be rotatable thereabout.

13. The fluid turbine of claim 12 further comprising: a plurality of wheels supporting the base: and a circular track for engaging the wheels, the fluid turbine being rotatable therein.

14. The fluid turbine of claim 13 further comprising a shroud rotatable between an open position, wherein the blades above the horizontal axis are exposed to the fluid for contact therewith, and a closed position, wherein the shroud covers and protects the blades above the horizontal axis.

15. The fluid turbine of claim 14 wherein the shroud is controlled between the open and closed position by at least one sensor. Garry Emshev by his authorised agents JAMES & WELLS per: 13 Intellectual Property Office of m Z. 14 APR 2008 RECEIVED