NZ556098A

NZ556098A - Wind generator having blades with multiple slats and vents

Info

Publication number: NZ556098A
Application number: NZ55609807A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Fu-Chang Liao
Original assignee: Fu Chang Liao
Priority date: 2006-06-26
Filing date: 2007-06-25
Publication date: 2008-12-24
Also published as: NL1034021C1; GB2439462A; AU2007100533A4; FR2902842B3; CA2595272A1; GB0712180D0; GB2439462B; DE202007008607U1; FR2902842A3

Abstract

A wind generator is disclosed that functions at low speeds, in turbulent air flows, and without being damaged at high wind speeds. The generator includes a post (10) with at least two support bars (11) perpendicularly attached near the top, and an annular rail (20) mounted on the support bars. A blade assembly (30) is rotatably mounted on the top of the post, where the assembly includes multiple blades (33) protruding from a base (31). Each blade has a control wing with multiple vents and multiple slats (341), and a fixed wing. There are multiple valve holes through the slats and the fixed wing, and relief valves are pivotally mounted to each selectively cover a corresponding valve hole. A stay assembly (40) has multiple struts extending from the base to an apex, and multiple windlasses are mounted to the apex and a corresponding blade. Each windlass has a string that is connected to, and controllably pulls, the distal end of the control wing of the respective blade. A generator assembly includes a translator mounted near the top of the post, with a rotatable gear wheel engaging inner teeth in a bottom opening of the base.

Description

10053901908* ;5 5 6 0 5 q ;'ij ;COMPLETE SPECIFICATION ;WIND GENERATOR ;I, FU-CHANG LTAO, a Taiwanese citizen of No. 50, Lane 1412, Chunghua Road, Toufen Chen, Miaoli Hsien, Taiwan, R.O.C., do 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: ;- 1 - ;(followed by page 1 a) ;la ;WIND GENERATOR ;10 ;15 ;The present invention relates to a generator, and more particularly to a wind turbine that functions at low wind speeds, in turbulent air flows and without being broken at high wind speeds. ;Wind generators are machines for converting kinetic energy from wind into electricity, and are developed into various types to adapt to different circumstances. ;A wind generator comprises a post, a blade assembly and a generator. The post is mounted vertically. The generator is mounted on the post to generate electricity. The blade assembly is mounted rotatably on the generator and is rotated horizontally by the wind to allow the generator to function. ;However, such kind of wind generators suffer from pulsating torque produced during each revolution and their efficiency is reduced by drag created when the blade rotates into the wind. The wind generators are also inappropriate to mount in high places, meaning they must operate at slower wind speeds near the ground, thereby causing inconvenience and resulting in lower energy extraction efficiency. ;To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a wind generator to obviate or mitigate the aforementioned problems. ;The main objective of the present invention is to provide a wind generator that can work in any turbulent or slow airflow condition. ;Another objective, the wind generator has a blade assembly that automatically balances the loads of blades of the blade assembly, to prevent the wind generator from being damaged. ;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. ;1 a ;(followed by page lb) ;3 I OCT 2008 RECEIVED ;Additionally or alternatively, it is an objective of the present invention to provide the public with a useful choice. ;The wind generator in accordance with an aspect of the present invention comprises a post, a rail, a blade assembly, a stay assembly, a generator assembly and at least one transmission pipe. ;The post has a top and at least two support bars perpendicularly attached diametrically near the top of the post. ;The rail is annular and is mounted on the support bars of the post. ;The blade assembly is mounted rotatably on the top of the post and has a base, a bearing and multiple blades. The base is an open container and has a bottom opening. The bottom opening is mounted rotatably around the top of the post and has an inner surface and multiple inner teeth. The inner teeth are formed around the inner surface of the bottom opening. The bearing is mounted in the bottom opening of the base and on the top of the post to facilitate the rotation of the base. The blades protrude radially from the base at an angle, and each blade has a control wing and a fixed wing. The control wing has a distal end, a luff edge, a luff surface, a leech surface, multiple vents and multiple slats. The vents are formed through the control wing. The slats are mounted pivotally on the luff surface, respectively corresponding to and controllably covering the vents. Each slat has a leech surface and a plurality of valve holes. The valve holes are formed through the slat. The fixed wing is mounted along the luff edge of the control wing at an angle and has a distal end, a luff surface, a leech surface, a leech edge, a plurality of valve holes and multiple relief valves. The valve holes are separately formed through the ;1486087_1.DOC ;(followed by page lc) ;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.2. ;31 OCT 2008 R E CEIVED ;fixed wing. The relief valves are mounted pivotally on the leech surfaces of the slats and the fixed wing^ and corresponding to and selectively cover the valve holes of the slats and the fixed wing. ;The stay assembly comprises multiple struts and multiple windlasses. The struts are mounted securely to the top of the base to form an apex. The windlasses are mounted securely in the apex of the struts and correspond respectively to the blades of the blade assembly. Each windlass has a string connected to the distal end of the control wing of the corresponding blade and controllably pulls the corresponding blade. ;The generator assembly comprises a translator and a generator. The translator is mounted securely on the post near the top and has a rotatable gear wheel. The rotatable gear wheel engages the inner teeth of the bottom opening of the base and rotates simultaneously with the blade assembly to retrieve kinetic energy from wind. The generator is mounted securely on the post and is capable of converting the kinetic energy to electricity. ;The at least one transmission pipe connects the translator to the generator and transmits kinetic energy from the translator to the generator for conversion. ;1466087_1.DOC |c ;(followed by page 2] ;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. ;3 1 OCT 2008 ;RECEIVED ;2 ;Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. ;Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a wind generator in accordance with the 5 present invention; ;Fig. 2 is a top view of the wind generator in Fig. 1; ;Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the wind generator in Fig. 1; ;Fig. 4 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a blade assembly of the wind generator in Fig. 1; ;10 Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the blade assembly of the wind generator in Fig. 1; ;Fig. 6 is a side view in partial section of the wind generator in Fig. 1; ;Fig. 7 is an operational side view of the blade assembly in Fig.5, being pushed by a high wind speed; ;15 Fig. 8 is an operational side view of the blade assembly in Fig.5 being pushed by a low wind speed; and ;Fig. 9 is an operational side view of the blade assembly in Fig. 1 moving against an air flow. ;With reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the wind generator in accordance with 20 present invention comprises a post (10), a rail (20), a blade assembly (30), a stay assembly (40), a generator assembly (60) and an optional accelerating motor (70). ;The post (10) may be tubular, is securely mounted on a surface of a building, a ground or such like, and has a top and at least two support bars (11) ;2 ;perpendicularly attached diametrically near the top of the post (10). ;The rail (20) is annular and is mounted on the support bars (11) of the post (10). ;The blade assembly (30) is mounted rotatably on the top of the post (10), 5 is pushed by the wind to rotate relative to the post (10) and has a base (31), a . bearing (32) and multiple blades (33). ;With further reference to Fig. 6, the base (31) is an open container, may be cylindrical and has a bottom opening (310). The bottom opening (310) is rotatably mounted around the top of the post (10) and has an inner surface and 10 multiple inner teeth (311) formed around the inner surface of the bottom opening (310). ;The bearing (32) is mounted in the bottom opening (310) of the base (31 land on the top of the post (10) to facilitate the rotation of the base (31). ;With further reference to Fig. 5, the blades (33) radially protrude from 15 the base (31) at a predetermined angle relative to each other, and each blade (33) has a control wing (34), a fixed wing (35), multiple relief valves (36) and a load equalizer (50). A preferred embodiment comprises four blades (33). ;The control wing (34) has a distal end, a luff edge, a luff surface, a leech surface, multiple vents (340) and multiple slats (341). The vents (340) are 20 formed through the control wing (34). The slats (341) are mounted pivotably on the luff surface, and corresponding to and controllably opening or closing the vents (340) to adjust the resistance of the corresponding blade (33). Each slat (341) has a leech surface and a plurality of valve holes (342) formed through the slat (341). ;4 ;The fixed wing (35) is mounted along the luff edge of the control wing ;(34) at a predetermined angle and has a distal end, a luff surface, a leech surface, a leech edge, a plurality of valve holes (350), multiple telescopic struts (351), a wheel bracket (352) and a wheel (353). ;5 The valve holes (350) are separately formed through the second leaf ;(35). ;The telescopic struts (351) are pivotably mounted on the leech surface of the fixed wing (35) and each telescopic strut (351) has a shaft connected to the corresponding slat (341) and controllably opens or closes the corresponding slat 10 (421) of the corresponding vent (340) of the control wing (34). ;■ The wheel bracket (352) is mounted securely on the leech edge near the distal end of the fixed wing (35) and corresponds to the rail (20). The wheel (353) is mounted rotatably in the wheel bracket (352) to facilitate rotation of and stabilize the blade assembly (30). The relief valves (36) are mounted pivotally on 15 the leech surfaces of the slats (341) and the fixed wing (35), and correspond to and selective cover the valve holes (342)(350). With further reference to Figs. 8 and 9, When the wind direction is conflict with the rotation of the blade assembly (30), the relief valves (36) open the valve holes (342)(350) of the slats (341) and the fixed wing (35) to reduce the wind resistance. Otherwise, when the wind 20 direction is according with the rotation of the blade assembly (30), the relief valves (36) close the valve holes (342)(350) of the slats (341) to increase the wind force applying in the blades (33). ;Each load equalizer (50) comprises a sensor (51) and a track (52), a weight (521) and a threaded rod (522) and is mounted on each corresponding ;5 ;blade (33). ;The sensor (51) is mounted in the wheel bracket (352) and detects the load of the wheel (353). ;The track (52) is mounted securely on the leech surface of the fixed wing 5 (35) of the blade (33). ;The weight (521) is mounted movably on the track (520). The threaded rod (522) is rotatably mounted to the track (520) and through the weight (521), and is controlled by the sensor (51) to rotate and thereby adjust the position of the weight (521) on the track (520) to balance the loads on the wheels (353) of all 10 blades (33). ;The stay assembly (40) comprises multiple struts (41) and multiple windlasses (42). ;The struts (41) are mounted securely to the top of the base (31) and form an apex. The windlasses (42) are mounted securely at the apex of the struts (41) 15 and respectively correspond to the blades (33) of the blade assembly (30), and each windlass (41) has a string (420) connected to the distal end of the control wing (34) of the corresponding blade (33) and controllably pull the corresponding blade. Therefore, the distal ends of the blades (33) of the blade assembly (30) are supported to maintain an equal load on the wheels (353). 20 The generator assembly (60) comprises a translator (61), a generator (62) ;and at least one transmission pipe (63). The translator (61) is mounted securely on the post (10) near the top of the post (10) and has a rotatable gear wheel (610) engaged with the inner teeth (311) of the bottom opening (310) of the base (31) and rotates simultaneously with the blade assembly (30) to retrieve kinetic ;6 ;energy from wind. The generator (62) is mounted securely on the post (10) and is capable of converting the kinetic energy to electricity. The transmission pipe (63) connects the translator (61) to the generator (62) and may use oil pressure to transmit the energy from the translator (61) to the generator (62). ;5 The accelerating motor (70) is mounted securely near the top of the post ;(10) and has an active gear (71) engaged with the inner teeth (311) of the bottom opening (310) of the base (31), such as to assist the rotation of the blade assembly (30) when wind velocity is too low. ;Accordingly, the wind generator in accordance with present invention is 10 less susceptible to breakage by pulsating torque produced during each revolution and drag created when the blade (33) rotates into the wind. The wind generator is stably operated in places with high air turbulence or slow airflow, and has a high energy extraction efficiency. ;The term ^comprising' as used in this specification means ^consisting at least in part of'. When interpreting each statement in this specification that includes the term ■"comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as 'comprise' and * comprises' are to be interpreted in the same manner.

Claims

7 WH&T I CLAIM IS:

1. A wind generator comprising a post having a top and at least two support bars perpendicularly attached diametrically near the top of the post; 5 a rail being annular and being mounted on the support bars of the post; a blade assembly being mounted rotatably on the top of the post, having a base being an open container and having a bottom opening being - rotatably mounted around the top of the post and having an inner surface; and 10 multiple inner teeth formed around the inner surface of the bottom opening; a bearing being mounted in the bottom opening of the base and on the top of the post to facilitate the rotation of the base; and multiple blades radially protruding from the base at an angle and 15 each blade having a control wing having a distal end; a luff edge; a luff surface; 20 a leech surface; multiple vents being formed through the control wing; and multiple slats being mounted pivotably on the luff surface, respectively corresponding to and controllably covering the vents, and INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.2. 31 OCT 2008 RECEIVEDl 8 each slat having a leech surface; and a plurality of valve holes formed through the slat; a fixed wing mounted along the luff edge of the control wing at an angle and having 5 a distal end; a luff surface; a leech surface; a leech edge; and - a plurality of valve holes being separately formed 10 through the fixed wing; and multiple relief valves being mounted pivotally on the leech surfaces of the slats and the fixed wing, and corresponding to and selective cover the valve holes of the slats and the fixed wing; a stay assembly comprising 15 multiple struts being mounted securely to the top of the base to form an apex; and multiple windlasses being mounted securely in the apex of the struts and corresponding respectively to the blades of the blade assembly, and each windlass having a string connected to the distal end of the 20 control wing of the corresponding blade and controllably pulls the corresponding blade; and a generator assembly comprising a translator being mounted securely on the post near the top of the post and having a rotatable gear wheel engaging with the inner teeth of the INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 3 1 OCT 2008 D c i\/c n bottom opening of the base and rotating simultaneously with the blade assembly to retrieve kinetic energy from wind; a generator being mounted securely on the post and being capable of converting the kinetic energy to electricity: and at least one transmission pipe connecting the translator to the generator and transmitting the kinetic energy from the translator to the generator for conversion.

2. The wind generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixed wing of each blade further has multiple telescopic struts being pivotably mounted on the leech surface of the fixed wing and corresponding to the slats respectively, and each telescopic strut having a shaft connected to a corresponding slat and controllably opening or closing the corresponding slat.

3. The wind generator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fixed wing of each blade further has a wheel bracket being mounted securely on the leech edge near the distal end of the fixed wing and corresponding to the rail; and a wheel being mounted rotatably in the wheel bracket to facilitate rotation of and stabilize the blade assembly.

4. The wind generator as claimed in claim 3, wherein each blade further has a load equalizer comprising a sensor being mounted in the wheel bracket of the blade and detecting a load on the wheel of the blade; a track being mounted securely on the leech surface of the fixed wing of the blade; 10 a weight being mounted slidably on the track; and a threaded rod being rotatably mounted on the track and through the weight, and being controlled by the sensor to rotate and thereby adjust the position of the weight on the track.

5 5. The wind generator as claimed in claim 1 further has an accelerating motor being mounted securely near the top of the post and having an active gear engaging with the inner teeth of the bottom opening of the base to assist the rotation of the blade assembly.

6. The wind generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein ^ the post is tubular.

7. The wind generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base is cylindrical.

8. The wind generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blade assembly comprises four blades.

9. The wind generator as claimed in claim 1, substantially as herein described with reference to the embodiment disclosed.

10. A wind generator, substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. 10 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.2. 31 OCT 2008 RECEIVED