RU2804170C2 - Omnidirectional generator device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: wind energy.

SUBSTANCE: omnidirectional generator device is configured to convert a pushing force of the fluid from any direction in the vertical, horizontal or diagonal planes into rotational motion around a single axis. Contains many channels, the input of each channel is larger than the output of each channel. As the fluid passes, the difference in size between the inlet and outlet creates a pressure difference that makes a pushing force from the inlet to the outlet. Plurality of sides form a geometric body. Each side groups a subset of plurality of channels. Each side is oriented in such a way that its channels push the device in a given direction of rotation to rotate the specified geometric body. The device is connected to the power generation system via a fixed axis, which transmits the rotation of the body to said power generation system.

EFFECT: use of omnidirectional wind.

15 cl, 7 dwg

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device for generating energy using omnidirectional flows.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

A wind power generating device is generally classified according to the orientation of its axis, which may be vertical (VAWT) or horizontal (HAWT).

Horizontal axis devices have the largest presence in the high volume power generation market due to their efficiency when dealing with stable, high speed winds. Their main limitation is that they must be located in areas where the wind is stable in direction and intensity, as they cannot operate at low speeds and require braking systems for high speeds as well as directional control systems to address the winds , perpendicular to their blades, making them unsuitable for areas with variable winds such as cities. Other disadvantages that are commonly reported are the relatively high potential for failure due to the vibration to which they are subject, the noise they generate and the environmental impact in terms of visual and bird life. Vertical axis devices are capable of handling winds from any direction perpendicular to their axis, so they are usually described as "omnidirectional". This description is incorrect because these devices can only handle winds perpendicular to their axis, namely horizontal winds, and cannot handle vertical or diagonal winds, and are therefore not optimal for situations where winds may be affected by verticals, horizontals or diagonals, for example on the facades of buildings in cities. The proposed device is capable of handling winds from any direction, not only horizontal, but also diagonal and vertical, which allows it to be described as truly omnidirectional.

Some wind energy installations that have been published as "omnidirectional" are presented in applications ES 1,072,304, ES 2,620,927, ES 2477115 and ES 2,418,680.

The wind generator device can also be classified according to its operating principle, which can be lift or drag force. The best of the horizontal axis devices and some of the vertical axis devices such as Darrieus operate on the basis of lifting force. Others, such as Savonius, operate using drag force.

The proposed device does not operate on the basis of drag or lift force, and its operation is based on the Venturi effect, which describes the pressure difference of a fluid passing through a channel of variable cross-section. Thus, since each duct has an inlet point greater than its outlet point, the air passing through it is accelerated, reducing its outlet pressure, which creates a pushing force from inlet to outlet.

Other generators that rely on the Venturi effect use it primarily to accelerate the air driving the propeller, but not to produce pushing force. Some examples are presented in publications US 2012/0175882, US 4,508,973, EP 2264309A2 and US 2012/0098262A1. Therefore, there is an unmet need for a power generator based on flow from any direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An omnidirectional generator device is provided that is capable of converting a pushing force of a fluid from any direction in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal plane into a rotational motion about a single axis. This rotational motion can be converted into electrical energy in a known manner.

This device is particularly useful in areas where the direction and orientation of fluids change, as it is capable of generating electricity with fluids in horizontal, vertical and/or diagonal orientation.

This device does not need to be redirected to handle fluids from different directions due to the fact that its geometry allows it to function by accepting flows from any direction.

The device contains channels having inputs that are larger than outputs in different ratios. As fluid passes, the difference in size between the inlet and outlet creates a difference in pressure, which creates a pushing force from inlet to outlet.

The channels can be straight or curved and of different lengths. The inputs may be open on one side of the device, and the outputs may lead inward and/or outward.

Channels can be grouped to form the sides of a geometric solid, these sides can be straight or curved and in the shape of various polygons. Each side may include one or more channels forming one or more layers of channels with internal and/or external outlets.

All sides formed by the channels together form a geometric body that rotates around a single axis. To achieve this, each side is oriented such that its channels push the device in a given direction of rotation.

The device is connected to the electrical power generation system using a fixed axis, which transmits the rotation of the body to the generator.

Such a device could be useful in a variety of situations, such as generating energy from wind in urban areas or from water flows driven by sea waves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a regular tetrahedron having sides labeled A, B, C and D. This drawing may represent the basic geometry for a wind power generating device as described in the example. The drawing also shows a single axis (k) of rotation and the vertices (f) and (g) intersecting it.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the omnidirectional device described in the example. Its triangular sides correspond to those indicated in Fig. 1. The basic geometry of this device is a regular tetrahedron. A single axis (k) of rotation is also shown.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing the device described in the example in an axial view with respect to its axis of rotation. Also shown are the 4 sides A, B, C and D.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the device described in the example in a perpendicular view with respect to its axis of rotation. Also shown are the 4 sides A, B, C and D.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the device described in the example in a perspective view. Its 4 sides are shown spaced apart for ease of understanding. Sides A and B are equal and facing each other. In the same way, sides C and D are equal and facing each other. The difference between sides A-B and sides C-D lies in the orientation of their internal channels, as explained in the following drawings.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing sides A-B and C-D in an exploded perspective view. Each side contains 3 layers (a), (c) and (e) and 2 groups of spacers (b) and (d). You can see the difference in the orientation of the spacers, which determine the orientation of the air flow in the device described in the example. This difference makes it possible that, being located in opposite positions in the device, each side converts the pushing force of the wind into a rotational movement always in the same direction.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the components shown in FIG. 6, grouped in such a way that you can visualize how the wind is distributed and affected on each side.

The combination (a+b) illustrates the distribution of channels whose entrances are at the vertices (f) and (g) intersecting the single axis of rotation, and which will therefore be those channels that receive winds axial to the axis (k) of rotation. In the example, these channels (b) can receive vertical (i) and diagonal (j) winds and direct them diagonally inward, leading to internal outlets through a cutout in the inner surface (a).

The combination (c+d) illustrates the distribution of channels whose inputs are located on vertices that do not intersect the axis (k) of rotation. In the example, these channels (d) can take horizontal (h) and diagonal (j) winds and direct them inward horizontally, leading to outer outlets.

Feature (e) illustrates the outer layer that covers all channels (d). Its shape is determined by the channels and does not correspond exactly to the sphere segment.

In this example, the inputs of all channel groups (b) and (d) are defined by a circular segment of the same size. In addition, the air outlets of all channels (b) and (d) have an area corresponding to half of the inlets.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE

An application of this technology could be a device for generating energy based on wind.

This device can contain 4 triangular sides (A, B, C and D) that form a regular tetrahedron. Each side can in turn contain 2 combinations of channels (a+b) and (c+d), of which 6 channels (b) with internal output and 6 channels (d) with external output. The internally exiting channels (b) may be oriented in a different direction from the externally exiting channels (d).

The single axis (k) of rotation of the device may be located at the center of the opposite vertices (f) and (g) of the tetrahedron. The channels (b), having inputs located at the vertices that intersect the axis of rotation, can be oriented diagonally to create rotational motion based on winds acting on the device in the axial direction ((i)) or diagonally to the axis ((j )). Channels (d), having inputs located at vertices that do not intersect the axis, can be oriented perpendicular to the axis to create rotational motion based on winds acting on the device perpendicularly ((h)) or diagonally to the axis ((j)) .

The channels (b) and (d) may be separated from each other by straight or curved walls, and their upper and lower surfaces (a), (c) and (e) may be straight or curved. Channels can have different lengths. The air inlets and outlets of each side can form a circular segment. The ratio between input and output can be set to 2:1.

This device can be installed on the facade of a building with its axis in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal position, and in any of these positions can generate energy based on the vertical, horizontal or diagonal winds existing in places of this type.

Claims (24)

1. An omnidirectional generator device configured to convert the pushing force of a fluid from any direction in the vertical, horizontal or diagonal planes into rotational motion around a single axis, wherein said generator device comprises: many channels, wherein the inlet of each channel is larger than the outlet of each channel, wherein as fluid passes, the difference in size between the inlet and the outlet creates a difference in pressure, which creates a pushing force from the inlet to the outlet; many sides that form a geometric body, wherein each side groups a subset of said plurality of channels, and wherein each side is oriented such that its channels push the device in a given direction of rotation to rotate said geometric body; energy generation system; fixed axis wherein the device is connected to the power generation system through a fixed axis which transmits the rotation of the body to said power generation system. 2. Omnidirectional generator device according to claim 1, in which the channel outputs lead inside the omnidirectional generator device. 3. An omnidirectional generator device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the channel outputs lead outward from the omnidirectional generator device. 4. Omnidirectional generator device according to any one of claims. 1-3, in which each side contains a plurality of layers of channels, the first channels of the first layer of the plurality of layers being oriented in a direction different from the direction of the second channels of the second layer of the plurality of layers. 5. Omnidirectional generator device according to any one of claims. 1-4, in which the channel inputs are located at the edges of the omnidirectional generator device. 6. The omnidirectional generator device of claim 5, wherein the channels of the plurality of channels that have inputs located on edges that intersect a single axis are oriented diagonally to the single axis, and the channels of the plurality of channels that have inputs located on edges that do not intersect a single axis, oriented perpendicular to a single axis. 7. Omnidirectional generator device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-6, in which the channels have different lengths. 8. Omnidirectional generator device according to any one of claims. 1-7, in which the sides are triangular. 9. Omnidirectional generator device according to any one of claims. 1-8, in which the sides are curved. 10. Omnidirectional generator device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-8, in which the sides are straight. 11. Omnidirectional generator device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10, configured to be installed on the facade of a building to generate energy from wind. 12. Omnidirectional generator device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-11, in which the output of each channel is half the size of the input of each channel. 13. Omnidirectional generator device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-12, which is a tetrahedron containing four triangular-shaped sides. 14. Omnidirectional generator device according to claim 13, in which: the first two of the four triangular sides are equal and facing each other, and the second two of the four triangular sides are equal and facing each other, and the channels of the first two of the four triangular sides have a different orientation than the channels of the second two of the four triangular sides. 15. Omnidirectional generator device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-14, containing a plurality of internal outlet channels and a plurality of external outlet channels, the internal outlet channels being oriented in a direction different from the direction of the external outlet channels.

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