SE468224B - Solar-powered wind-power station - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a solar-powered power station or, alternatively, a solar-powered chimney. Its base level, level 1, is pyramid-shaped or conical and consists of a transparent outer construction which allows the sunlight through and of an inner, dark construction which converts sunlight to heat. Level 2, which is located above level 1, is cone-shaped. The construction as a whole has the shape of an inverted funnel and is open both at the bottom and at the top so that air can rise freely inside. The driving mechanism of the invention is air-density inversion which takes place when sunlight heats air which is enclosed between the two parts on level 1. A turbine and generator system is installed close to the top of the construction. One or more turbines convert the kinetic energy in the rising air into mechanical energy and ultimately into electrical energy. The construction can also be used in a simpler manner as a large (solar-powered) chimney for conveying smog or other undesirable air to higher air layers in the atmosphere. The relative dimensions of the transparent part in relation to the dark part have been measured to find the optimum efficiency in the system. The optimum shape for the two constructions above has also been determined. <IMAGE>

Description

468 221% 2 How to use natural wind power to generate a vortex (a tornado-like wind current or whirlwind> to generate energy is described to some extent in "Proceedings of the third (and of the fifth> biennial conferences and workshops on wind energy conversion systems) (Washington DC). References to the above subject can be found in the chapters on "Tornado-type wind energy systems". I also refer to U.S. Patent Nos. 4,070, 131 and 4,452,046. In all of these cases, it is the low pressure power (suction power> which The present invention uses another way of solving the problem.

GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE CURRENT INVENTION This invention has to some extent been inspired by certain turbulent weather conditions, which are characterized by high-energy vortex>. The invention, hereinafter referred to as the tower, is an attempt to conditions reproduce the natural phenomenon known as "mesocyclone". This phenomenon is associated with some strong storms (of the 'supercell' type) and consists of an ascending. rotating hot air column, on the sides limited by colder air. The energy of such a system is huge even though the base area can be quite modest in size (less than a square kilometer).

The invention takes the form of an upside-down funnel. The base section can be either circular (cone-type) or polygon (polygon-type). Inside this tower a continuous, ascending hot air stream is maintained for as long as the tower. This air stream must then be used for different purposes (together or separately> f 1) To generate mechanical and then electric power using a turbine and generator system <= a power station>. transport unwanted air (smoke, smog, fog, etc.) to higher air layers in the atmosphere <= a chimney) 3) To cool various objects or to ventilate certain areas.

The primary object of the invention is to provide clean, cost-effective energy by means of a system which is relatively simple to design and operate.

Briefly, the tower consists of an outer, transparent part <'the transparent body'> that lets the sunlight through to an inner, opaque dark part <'the dark body'> that converts the sunlight into heat. The optimal, relative proportions between these constructions are discussed below. When the tower is illuminated, a greenhouse effect is created inside it between the transparent and the narrow part. 468 221! Through the openings that are both at the bottom and at the top of the tower, air flows continuously upwards in the tower. Depending on the upside-down funnel shape of the tower, the air flow accelerates and reaches its highest speed near the top where the diameter is the smallest. This is where one or more vertical shaft turbines are to be placed to convert the energy in the air flow into mechanical energy.

The dark part should preferably be cone- or pyramid-shaped, and its task is to reduce the volume of air heated inside the tower and in this way raise the temperature of the air, which is enclosed in the space between the dark and the transparent part. It has been found that the dark part strongly contributes to increasing the energy in the air flow, as it has been measured with an anemometer at the top of the tower. This energy, which corresponds to a certain number of rotations per unit of time. below is called Es ('energy at the summit'>.

It has also been found that there is a well-defined relationship between the size of the dark part on one side and the transparent part on the other, which gives an optimal Es value. If A is the average vertical distance between the dark and the transparent part (57, in fig. 19) and if B is the average height of the transparent part, ie the length of the part that receives the solar radiation (see also 58 in fig. 19), maximum power is achieved when A / B is between 0.05 and 0.20. The ideal embodiment ('The preferred embodiment') should have an A / B value between 0.08 and 0.12, and the value that has been arrived at as being the best is around 0.10. s 468 224 In addition, it has been found that the average base angle α of the tower (see 51, in Figs. 17, 18 and 19) is important for the efficiency (Es) of the system. When a gradually increases from the initial value O '(planar construction), Es increases rapidly at the beginning. This continues until the value of a is approximately 5 - 15 °. above these values Es rises only slowly as a increases. In practice, this means that a value of a> 10 ° has been assumed as the ideal design. By examining the optimal efficiency of the tower depending on the shape and location of different latitudes and by taking into account other technical factors associated with the construction. I have come to the conclusion that a base angle a of about 15 ° is the most ideal embodiment ('51 in fig. 17-19) It has also been found that the efficiency of the system can be increased significantly (see Es above) by inserting a device, here called "cyclone", into the tower. It preferably consists of helical frames ('frames') which are attached to the inside of the intermediate level in the tower (level 2, see Figs. 1 and 17) in a manner illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. The highest effect Es is obtained when the cyclone is placed somewhere near the base of level 2 (see 14 in Figs. 1. 17 and 18). Another alternative for creating a vortex in the tower is to start it at the base by means of special air intakes of the type depicted in Fig. 9. In such an alternative, level 1 should have a circular, horizontal cross-section (ie con- format, see Fig. 20) to prevent turbulence from forming in the tower. The latter alternative complicates the construction of the tower somewhat (construction of external type 468 2213 ['externallype supporting íramework'], see Fig. 5) and has therefore not been considered to be the preferred design in the first place.

Another interesting factor is that the height at level 2 (see J! Figs. 1 and 17) directly affects the efficiency (Es) of the system. Higher towers give better results than lower ones and level 2 should be higher than level 1.

It is possible to achieve efficiency around the clock if the dark part is built so that it stores solar heat during the day and releases it at night.

It is interesting to note that the interior of the tower can be used in many different ways. If you choose to use the interior of the tower, the interior of the dark part can be illuminated artificially or you can make window openings. for example on the north side.

In addition to the tower / solar panels combination mentioned below (see also Fig. 12), large towers can accommodate sports arenas. playgrounds, storage rooms, cultural centers, etc. In the space between the outer, transparent wall and the dark part, which receives the sunlight, you could grow plants that could also be used as heat exchangers, where you use excess heat of the kind found in different types of power plants (see Fig. 14).

As a summary of this chapter, it can be said that the tower is to be built in such a way that the optimal design and * the various parts are used as measured and calculated by the inventor. The most characteristic of the tower are: 1) The existence of and the shape of the transparent part. 7 468 224 2) The existence and shape of the dark part and its relative dimensions (Compared to the corresponding part of the transparent part). 3) The presence of fixed parts (for example helical frames), fixed inside the tower to start a whirlwind-like air flow [Alternatively, the presence of specially designed air intakes at the foot of the tower to start the whirlwind. 4) The placement of one or more vertical-axis turbines near or at the top of the tower where they use the kinetic energy from (the rotating and ascending) whirlwind.

) The type of supporting structure that depends on the type of vortex chosen (external construction in cases where the vortex is started at level 1 and internal construction for level 1 if the vortex is initiated above level 1).

It must be borne in mind that these different devices can be combined in different ways, but an ideal design for energy generation uses all. Device 8) above (fixed parts which initiate vortex) are not absolutely necessary if the tower is to be used only as a chimney of the type schematically depicted in Fig. 11. $> O \ OO NJ BJ 43k BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED OPENH The most important elements in the present invention is very schematically illustrated in Figures 1 - 20 below.

No scale is specified as the tower can be enlarged to virtually any dimension.

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Fig. Ll 13 14 16 Cross section through the vertical axes of the tower. Two different designs are shown.

Three projections of the tower.

Extensions for air intakes.

Different possible shapes of the tower.

External construction.

External / internal construction.

Frames to induce a counterclockwise ~ vortex.

Frames to induce a counterclockwise vortex.

Specially designed air intakes at the base of the tower to induce a counterclockwise vortex.

Different projections of a wind catcher, placed on top of the tower.

The tower used as the sun chimney.

A combination of towers and solar panels.

Device for cooling solar panels.

The tower used as a heat exchanger for a power plant.

An artist's image of a landscape with three towers.

Photograph of one of the small-scale models used for measuring parameters. 11 9 468 224 Fig. 17 The most ideal design (polygonal base).

Fig. 18 Some details on the most ideal design.

Fig. 19 Some parameters of the most ideal design.

Fig. 20 Ideal design (conical funnel type).

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Fig. 1 shows vertical cross-sections through the axes of symmetry of two towers. The figure shows the most important components and the driving mechanism. The tower is divided into three main levels, 1, 2 and 3. Each of them has a special function described in the following. A tower with a "smooth" design is depicted in 4. Another with a "linear" profile (for example two cones on top of each other) is shown in 5.

LEVEL 1 has an outer, transparent wall (6) (the transparent part) which is supported by structures of the type depicted in Figs. 5 and 6. Inside the tower and co-axially with it, a dark, pyramid- or cone-shaped has been erected. construction (the dark part) (7). Level lz's main function is to capture sunlight through the transparent part and to turn it into heat (vibrations with longer wavelengths) on the dark part. The transparent part (6) is made of a material that effectively stops heat and infrared radiation from escaping from the tower (glass and most plastic materials are sufficient). As a result, a greenhouse effect is created in the space (8) between the transparent and the dark part. An air density inversion thus occurs in 8. By having openings.at the base <9) and at the top (10) of the tower a continuous 468 224 stream of ~ ascending air is maintained in the tower, and this lasts as long as the tower is lit. It has been shown that the most important function of the dark part is to reduce the volume of air heated in the tower and thus raise the temperature of this air.

LEVEL 2 should preferably be conical in shape and can either have a smooth profile <4 in Figs. 1 and 20) or be constructed so that a number of cones are placed on top of each other (54 in Fig. 18). The level 2 walls do not necessarily have to be transparent. They should be of relatively resistant material and have a smooth inner surface to withstand the hard stress they are exposed to by the rising whirlwind. It has been found that the strongest air flow (measured in 11) is obtained with some form of rotating-ascending air flow (13). You can achieve this effect in two different ways; see below.

LEVEL S corresponds to the region where the cross section through the tower is the smallest and where therefore the rising air flow reaches its highest velocity. This is where a vertical shaft turbine should be placed (11, 43). The turbine and transformer system should be built so that it can convert a maximum of the kinetic energy in the vortex to mechanical / electrical energy. A wind-driven exhaust valve) can be built into the top of the tower to increase the turbine (s)'s power.

Fig. 2 shows a tower of type 5 from different halls. 15> = from the side, Sat = from above, 17 = in bird's eye view.

Pig. 3 shows the possibilities of expanding (18) the air intakes <9) at the foot of the tower to any position (see also fig. 11): Fig. 4 shows different profiles that the tower can be given depending on 468 224 ll how it is to be used, available space, sunlight etc.

Fig. 5 schematically shows an external construction (18) to be used when the vortex is started at level 1 (see Fig. 9). In all cases, the transparent panels (20 and 23) must be placed in such a way that no hot air can escape, but so that there is enough space for expansion or small relative movements.

Fig. 6 shows a type of internal (level 1) and external (level 2 and 3) construction to be used when vortexing is initiated at level 2 (22, see also Figs. 1 and 17). A section of the (internal) structure is visible through an opening in the outer wall <21ï.

Fig. 7 depicts the frames (26) to be mounted on the inside of level 2 to start a whirlwind-like air flow higher up in the tower. 24 = from the side, 25 = from the top.

Fig. 8 shows another type of frame (31) for starting a vortex in the tower. 27 = from below, 28 = from above, 29-30 = in bird's eye view from below, resp. from above.

Fig. 9 shows different types of openings (34) at the base of the tower to initiate a vortex-like air flow beginning at level 1. 32 = in bird's eye view, 33 = projections from above. Fig. 10 shows an "active exhaust valve" on top of the tower to increase the power of the turbine (s). 35 = from the side, 36 = from above, 37 = from below, 38 - 39 = in bird's eye view.

The lampshade-like device (4CÛ is attached to the top of the tower with structures of the type shown in 41 - 42. Natural wind, which enters the device from below. Has the effect that the air pressure becomes low immediately above the turbine (43) and this then raises the turbine's. 46 224 Ö 12 Fig. 11 illustrates how to use the tower as a solar-powered chimney to clean smog from an industrial or residential area and exhaust fumes from vehicles in a tunnel. For such use, the dark part must be included but the cyclone can The tower should also be high enough to break through the inversion of the air bearings that sometimes occurs over some larger cities. Fig. 12 shows a combination of the tower and solar panels (44) where the latter both cool and protected by the tower.

Fig. 13 is a spin-off effect of that shown in Fig. 12. A solar panel (45) is extended upwards with a dark panel (46 analogous to the dark part). It is covered at a certain distance by a transparent panel (47Å The longitudinal sides (48) of this box-like device are closed. It is sealed with openings at the bottom and top so that the air can circulate freely. When exposed to sunlight, an upward rising air stream is formed. The darker panel is here placed above the solar cells so that the heated air does not pass over them.

Figs. 14-16 need no other description than that given here DVBXII.

THE MOST IDEAL UIFORHWING (Fig. 17) The most ideal design is designed so that the tower achieves the highest possible effect and so that the construction is simplified.

The design also takes into account aesthetic values. Figs. 17 - 19 468 224 13 show a schematic view where 49 shows the tower from the side and 50 from above.

At level 1, both the transparent and the dark part have the shape of carved pyramids with a polygonal base. For reasons discussed above, the base angle α (51) is 15 'for both the transparent @) and the dark part <7). The structure supporting level 1 (52, 53) is of the internal type (see 21 in Fig. 6). . The transparent part thus rests on a structure (5E] which in turn rests on columns @ Ü% which rest on the ground.The dark part (73 is co-axial towards the tower. It must be so large that the relation 57/58 in Fig. 19 (see A / B above) is approximately 0.1.

The structure (56) on levels 2 and 3 is placed externally on the tower (54), which is built up of cut-out cones of varying size, placed on top of each other. The joint (55) between level 1 (pyramid) and level 2 (cone) must be relatively smooth to prevent turbulence from forming in the rising air flow. A cyclone (14) is located near the base at level 2.

Level 3, which houses the turbine and generator system for generating electricity, is located closest to the top of the tower (43). The vertical axis turbine (s) shall transform the kinetic energy of the ascending whirlwind into mechanical / electrical energy.

Fig. 20 shows an alternative. ideal design with even profile and circular horizontal sections (the upside-down funnel>, which is probably more difficult to build than the previous one, but which gives very aesthetic lines.

Claims (2)

NJ Ä) $> 14 I> aat: ear1t:} A solar-powered wind turbine is known as: a) a base structure which is transparent, b) C) at least 'to (6), to its interior and which is provided with devices which let in air from the surroundings to its interior, at or near its lower part (9, l9) í '_ the larger part that lets in solar energy An upper, tubular or conical part (12), which is open at the top and which is connected to the lower part so that the whole construction takes the form of an upside-down funnel. Internal devices in said base structure for defining a peripheral space between the inside of said base structure and internal devices- (7). Said volynx has a substantially said base structure and said internal devices (57), the base structure having an even depth between tens having Q as the average length of its transparent part upwards (58) and Q as the average depth of said (57), the proportion between A and § (A / B) shall be between approx. 0.05 to 0.20, and should preferably be 0.10 1 0.0 Said peripheral spaces are in peripheral space connected to the inner space of said upper, tubular or conical part. Said internal devices are preferably arranged so that they collect solar energy in order to. thereby improving the heating of the air in said peripheral space (8) by means of the sunlight penetrating through the base structure. Such heated air will rise upwards in said space, up to said tubular or conical part and out through said opening in its top (10). Replacement air automatically flows in through the openings (9) at the base of said base structure. Said internal devices should be dark, preferably black. 468 224 15 d) Devices (types 14, 24-26, 27-31, 32-34) as means for initiating a vortex-like air flow in said, upper, tubular, conical part. Solar-powered wind power station according to claim 1, characterized by a device at the top of a tubular, conical part for extracting the kinetic energy in the air stream passing through it (43). Solar-powered wind power station according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base structure in the vertical section forms a base angle (51), relative to the horizontal, which lies between approx. 89 259, and preferably 15:59. Solar-powered wind power station according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said vortex wind devices (types 24-26, or 27-31) are initiated in the lower part of the upper, tubular, conical part (14). Solar-powered wind power station according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said vortex wind devices (types 32-34) are started in the lower part of the base structure (19). Solar-powered wind power station according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shape of said internal devices corresponds to the shape of said base structure, where said shapes should preferably be conical (15-17, 20) or pyramid-shaped (23, 49-50). Solar-powered wind power station according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that solar cells or solar panels are mounted on said internal devices in said peripheral space (44).