WO2004110859A1

WO2004110859A1 - Self-trimming oscillating system

Info

Publication number: WO2004110859A1
Application number: PCT/CA2004/000917
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maxime Lambert-Bolduc
Original assignee: Éolo Inc.
Priority date: 2003-06-19
Filing date: 2004-06-21
Publication date: 2004-12-23
Also published as: WO2004110859B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a self-trimming oscillating system. This system comprises a wing like member (5) pivotally mounted on an elongated lever (3). It also comprises reciprocating connecting (49) means adapted to cause articulation of the elongated lever (3) on the one hand and to be rotatably associated with a crank means (45) on the other hand. Means (57) responsive to reciprocation of the connecting means causes oscillation of the wing (5) as the elongated lever (3) is articulated.

Description

SELF-TRIMMING OSCILLATING SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an oscillating system that is adapted for operation in a fluid either to produce energy therefrom, or to cause a fluid to be propelled therethrough when the system is oscillated. More specifically, the invention is concerned with a device including at least one wing member that is constructed to oscillate through the impulse of a fluid, such as air in motion, and is arranged to convert the linear movement produced by any oscillation of the wing member(s) into a rotary movement that can be transformed into electrical energy or the like, for example. The system is constructed to be self-trimming so as to respond properly to a flow of fluid and to allow it to absorb the full force of the fluid impulse. Alternately, the device can be operated in a fluid such as water, in which case mechanical energy is imparted to cause oscillation of the wing member(s), with the result that if the device is associated with a floating object, for example a boat, oscillation of the wing member(s) will produce a forward or rearward movement of the object as water is propelled therethrough in rearward or forward direction. Still more specifically, especially when it operates to absorb the force produced by a strong wind, the system is arranged to be oriented to directly face the wind.

BACKGROUND ART

Use of oscillating systems comprising a wing like member has been described in the prior art, especially as propelling means. For example Fowles described a whale tail ship propulsion system back in 1848. In this system, the whale tail moves up and down with an angle of attack. However, the up and down movement creates an incoming flow that is perpendicular to the tail plan at a low speed and this is not acceptable.

The firm "Voith-Schneider" attempted to adapt existing cycloidal systems by modifying the blade incidence mechanical linkage. The approaches considered up to now consisted in mechanically forcing the blade incidence against flow. This company was interested to adapt the whale tail propulsion system implicating some form of blade translation like the sweep of a whale tail to the development of its cycloidal propulsion system, but after several years of research no achievement had been realized.

Wing-like systems are not only seen as propelling devices. Indeed, a fluid flow may be caught by a wing system to induce a specific movement. The best example remains the lifting force of aircrafts wings.

Wing systems can be used as a means to produce electricity from a fluid flow, such a river or wind. Such a system provides advantageous characteristics over conventional turbines. Indeed, seeing that oscillating wing systems get their high efficiency from a very large rectangular projected area in the flow, it is more easy to install it into a deep river. Moreover, because the system uses the flow dynamic pressure of the river, it is not necessary to build water dams to raise static pressure.

An oscillating wing system is also more interesting for producing electricity from wind than a traditional wind turbine since the latter comprises a heavy alternator and relevant equipments remaining on the ground. Seeing that the oscillating wing profile configuration is thick and large compared to high technology fabrication of large wind turbine blades, wings can be made of a light material still very robust comprising large voids covered with a thin plastic material partly inflated to maintain rigidity.

One of the major concern of oscillating systems is the control of the angle of attack of their wing relative to a fluid flow. Systems that actually exist use hydraulic or cable system to give to the wing the proper orientation relative to the fluid flow. These systems can be quite complex and can necessitate additional maintenance for proper uses.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a self-trimming oscillating system adapted for use with a fluid, which comprises

a base, an elongated lever and means for articulately mounting one end of said elongated lever relative to said base,

at least one wing like member,

means for pivotally mounting said wing like member at other end of said elongated member and transversally thereto, in a manner to permit back and forth oscillation and simultaneous pivoting of said wing like member along a longitudinal axis thereof when said elongated lever is articulated,

crank means, and

reciprocating means connected to said elongated lever and arranged to cooperate with said crank means when said elongated lever is articulated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration, a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a self-trimming oscillating system according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is another perspective view the self-trimming oscillating system illustrated in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the self-trimming oscillating system illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the self-trimming oscillating system illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a top view of the self-trimming oscillating system illustrated in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the self-trimming oscillating system illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a side view of another embodiment of the self-trimming oscillating system according to the invention;

Fig. 8 is a top view of the system illustrated in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an exploded view of the wing and elevon with its activating device for the system illustrated in Fig. 7;

Figs. 10A, 1OB and 10C are detailed views of the oscillating system showing the wing and elevon in three positions;

Fig. 11 is a detailed view showing a negative and a positive angle of attack of the wing and elevon; and

Fig. 12 is a curve showing the angle of attack of the wing and elevon during an oscillation cycle.

It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.

MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, more particularly figures 1 to 6, there is shown a self-trimming system 1 that generally comprises an elongated articulated lever 3 on which a wing member 5 including elevon 7 is mounted to oscillate and pivot between the two extreme positions illustrated in Fig. 11. Elevon 7 is operatively connected to elongated articulated lever 3 either to provide a rotation thereto or to receive an impulse therefrom for the purpose of imparting an oscillation to wing member 5.

More particularly, it will be seen that elongated articulated lever 3 (which may be of any suitable shape as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, however the shape illustrated is preferred) is mounted to articulate on top of a vertical support 9 by means of a first articulation 11 of a well known design. Vertical support 9 is on the other hand fixed in known manner at its lower end to revolving platform 13, the latter being rotatably mounted on base 15 that is of standard construction. The self-trimming oscillating system 1 may comprise rotatable means to permit orientation thereof so that a front edge of said wing like member 5 directly faces an incoming flow of a fluid. The means by which rotation of revolving platform 13 is ensured can be appropriately selected by any one skilled in the art and include, but is not limited to a structure having a shape of a vertical wing that covers a portion of self trimming oscillating system 1 and which allows oscillation of wing like member 5 while orientating the same so that a front edge of said wing like member 5 directly faces an incoming flow of a fluid. The fluid of the present invention can be any gas or liquid and includes water and air.

Referring now to wing member 5, the drawings show that in cross- section (Fig. 3) it has the shape of a standard airplane wing, although any suitable shape can be used bearing in mind the purpose for which it was provided. As shown, wing member 5 is formed with a central slot 17 that extends substantially halfway and transversely therein. Central slot 17 makes it possible to mount wing member 5 at the end of elongated articulated lever 3 opposite articulation 11, while permitting oscillation and pivoting of wing member 5 between the two extreme positions mentioned above (Fig. 11). To achieve this a longitudinal pivoting rod 19 (Fig. 6) is disposed in known manner through wing member 5 where it is fixed therein by means of two lock nuts 21 screwed into pivoting rod 19 at both ends of wing member 5.

As mentioned above, wing member 5 also comprises an elevon 7 that is mounted to pivot along edge 23 (Fig. 6) of wing member 5. For this purpose, wing member 5 and elevon 7 are articulated to one another by means of a hinge 25, 27 including a second pivoting rod 29 that is fixed into hinge 25, 27 by means of two lock nuts 31

In order to cause pivoting of elevon 7 relative to wing member 5, it will be noted that a protruding tab 33 is provided at the end of elongated articulated lever 3 opposite first articulation 11, said protruding tab being shaped as particularly illustrated in Fig. 6. Also provided in articulated lever 3, is an articulation 35 through which pivoting rod 19 extends when the self-trimming system is mounted. It will be noted here that protruding tab 33 is terminated by a pivot point 37 that will be referred to later on in this description.

Turning now to elevon 7 it will be seen that the latter has an upstanding control member 39 in the form of a small vertical tab that is fixed in known manner on elevon 7 and is disposed in alignment with central slot 17, all as particularly shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6. It will also be noted that control member 39 has an articulation 41 in the upper part thereof, the purpose of which will be discussed below.

Referring again to the drawings, it will be seen that an activating arm 43 is provided as shown to articulately connect control member 39 and protruding tab 33 of elongated articulated lever 3 respectively at articulation 41 and pivot point 37 as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art. So, any clockwise rotation of wing member 5 will cause a counterclockwise pivoting of elevon 7, and conversely a counterclockwise rotation of wing member 5 will cause a clockwise pivoting of elevon 7. Reference is made here to figures 8(a), 8(b) and 8(c).

The self-trimming system 1 according to the invention essentially comprises a system enabling to convert a reciprocating linear movement into a rotary movement and vice versa. This is made possible by the provision of two counterbalanced cranks 45a and 45b. Of course only one crank or more than two cranks can be used to achieve the intended purpose, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, where two cranks 45a, 45b are used, two crank supports 47a and 47b are fixedly mounted side by side in known manner, as shown, on revolving platform 13, and these cranks are used among other things to hold cranks 45a, 45b.

Before describing the mounting of cranks 45a and 45b relative to crank supports 47a and 47b, it must be mentioned that self-trimming system 1 comprises a connecting rod 49 that is pivoted at its upper end to elongated articulated lever 3 through articulation 51 provided between articulation 11 and articulation 35. The lower end of connecting rod 49 is placed between both cranks 45a and 45b and is eccentrically connected to both of them with a bolt 53.

As mentioned above, the two crank supports 47a and 47b are fixed side by side on revolving platform 13. Both cranks 45a and 45b with connecting rod 49 placed therebetween and connected thereto, are mounted between crank supports 47a and 47b in a freely rotatable fashion through their central axes. Outside crank supports 47a and 47b, two driving pulleys 55a and 55b are operatively connected in known manner respectively to cranks 45a and 45b, so that any rotation of cranks 45a and 45b will drive pulleys 55a and 55b. These pulleys can thereafter be operatively connected to an electrical generator or to any other driving means.

Finally, to complete the assembly, there is provided a link bar 57 that is pivoted at one end midway in connecting rod 49, more specifically to pivot connection 51, and at the other end to pivot connection 61 of joint 63, joint 63 being articulately connected to elongated lever 3 through articulation 35 and pivot connection 65 and fixedly mounted on wing 5. Link bar 57 and joint 63 ensure pivoting and oscillation of wing 5 following reciprocation of connecting rod 49.

With reference to Figs. 7 to 9, there is shown an alternate arrangement for providing a simultaneous oscillation and pivoting of wing member 5. To achieve this, the system includes elongated lever 3, a base 15, wing 5, elevon 7 and a connecting rod 49 as in the previous arrangement. Instead of a straight vertical support, there is provided an upright holder 71, that is fixed in known manner on base 15 and is formed of a lever post 73 and a guiding post 75. Upright holder 71 and lever post 73 are parallel and spaced from one another as shown.

A joint 74 having pivot connections 76 and 77 is mounted as shown at the inner end of elongated lever 3. Another joint 78 having pivot connections 81 and 83 is mounted as shown at the outer end of elongated lever 3. Link 85 articulately connects both joints 74 and 78 respectively at pivot connections 76 and 83, while link 80 articulately connects joint 74 at pivot connection 76 to one end of arm 91, which will be described more in detail hereinbelow.

An articulating arm 87 is mounted in articulation 89 to pivot on upright holder 71. A second arm 91 has its lower end articulately connected in 93 at the upper end of arm 87 and its upper end articulately connected to link 80. Referring more particularly to Fig. 7, it will be realized that a link member 95 articulately connects connecting rod 49 and the junction between arms 87 and 91 at 93.

Referring again to Fig. 7, it will be seen that a longitudinal sliding channel 97 is formed in arm 91 as shown. Finally an extension guide 99 is provided and is arranged to slide in sliding channel 97 and along guiding post 75. It will appear to one skilled in the art that an upward or downward movement of extension guide 99 will act to control the angular displacement of arm 91 and consequently the reciprocating extent of links 80 and 85, that act to control the oscillation and pivoting of wing 5 and elevon 7.

Referring now to Fig. 9 it will be seen that there is provided an elbow connector 101 two vertically aligned pivot connections 100 and 102 and a protrusion 109, which provides for an alternative way to cause elevon 7 to pivot relative to wing member 5. Elbow connector 101 is mounted in alignment with pivot connection 83 of joint 78 by way of pivot connection 102 while pivot connection 100 is articulately connected to one extremity of link 105. The other extremity of link 105 is articulately connected to one double joint pivot connection 106 of a double joint 110, articulately fixed to pivot connection 77 by second double joint pivot connection 108. The length of link 105 is adapted in a manner such that a fully horizontal position of lever 3 allows pivot connections 100 and 102 of elbow connector 101, as well as pivot connections 106 and 108 of double joint 110 to be vertically aligned one to another, respectively, and permitting link 105 to be horizontal and parallel to lever 3. The articulation of lever 3 upward or downward will therefore preserve the vertical alignment of 100 relative to 102 and 106 relative to 108, respectively, and lever 3 and link 105 will remain parallel in any time. The oscillation of wing like member 5 relative to elongated lever 3 therefore causes protrusion 109 to move along channel 107 of an elevon activator 103 since the rear edge of wing like member 5 moves upward or downward. A skilled artisan will understand that movement of protrusion 109 along channel 107 will cause elevon 7 to move so as to increase the incidence angle of the wing like member and elevon assembly.

The self-trimming oscillating system 1 of the present invention may be used for various purposes. For example, self-trimming oscillating wing system 1 may be used in the production of electricity from a fluid such as water or wind. For that purpose, the revolving platform 1 is orientated in a way that allows wing 9 to be in a proper position to induce alternating dynamic pressures on both side of wing 5. Variable dynamic pressures will cause wing 5 to move articulated lever 3 downwardly and upwardly. The conversion of the oscillating linear movement of lever 3 into a circular movement is insured by cranks 45a, 45b, to which a generator may be connected, through pulleys 55a, 55b. The generator may be connected to pulleys 55a, 55b by means of a belt system or by a shaft and transmission combination.

The self-trimming oscillating system 1 of the present invention may also find uses in the conversion of a circular movement into a linear reciprocating movement to cause a displacement of fluids for propelling a vehicle such as a pedal-boat, a tug boat, a submarine or any other vehicle that requires a fluid displacement to be moved. Alternatively, system 1 may be used as a fan or simply as a mean to produce an oscillating movement of a device, for esthetic purposes.

The self trimming oscillating system 1 of the present invention may make advantage of coupling multiple wing like member assemblies. For example, a skilled artisan could extend elongated lever 3 so that vertical support 9 and articulation 11 would be found midway both extremities of elongated lever 3. One wing like member could be articulately mounted at each extremity of elongated lever 3 in a manner such that front edges of both wing like members 5 would face the incoming flow of fluid. A person skilled in the art will understand that to take advantage of such a wing like members arrangement, the oscillation of wing like members 5 would have to be opposite so that reciprocation of reciprocating rod 49 and wing like member oscillation system would cause a wing like member 5 to have a positive angle of attack while causing the other wing like member 5 to have a negative angle of attack, each wing like member 5 counterbalancing the weight of the other wing like member and exerting an opposite lifting force on lever 3. Such an arrangement would therefore relief from the need of using cranks 45a and 45b that are counterbalanced.

The production of electrical energy may also benefit from coupling multiple wing like member arrangements. As seen on Fig. 12, the wing like member 5 exert no force on lever 3 when it reaches the top and lower point of the oscillation cycle since it reaches a neutral position. Therefore inertia of the whole system is required to induce change of the angle of attack of the in the wing like member 5 so as to make it effective again in exerting a positive or a negative force on lever 3. As a consequence, the rotation force exerted on cranks 45a and 45b is not constant throughout oscillation cycle. By coupling multiple wing like member arrangements, each wing like member arrangement being at different phases of the oscillation cycle, the constancy of the force exerted on the cranks 45a and 45b can be improved. For example, two wing like member arrangement, each arrangement being constituted by wing like member 5, and elongated lever 3, a support 9 and a connecting rod 49, can be placed either side by side or one at the top of another so as to permit rods 49 of every arrangement to cooperate with a single crank. As one wing like member arrangement reaches neutral points of the oscillation cycle, the other arrangement exert a maximal force on crank and vice versa and therefore, the rotation force exerted on the crank tends to be more regular. A person skilled in the art will understand that the uniformity of the rotation force exerted on crank is increase with the number of wing like member arrangement found at the different phase of the oscillation cycle that exert a force on the crank.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to the illustrated embodiment, it will be understood that numerous modifications thereto will appear to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description and accompanying drawings should be taken as illustrative of the invention and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A self-trimming oscillating system adapted for use with a fluid, which comprises

a base,

an elongated lever and means for articulately mounting one end of said elongated lever on said base,

at least one wing like member,

crank means, and

2. Self-trimming oscillating system according to claim 1 , which comprises means, causing oscillation of said wing like member in response to operation of said reciprocating means.

3. Self-trimming oscillating system according to claim 1 , which comprises an elevon articulately mounted on a rear edge of said wing like member, and means dictated by oscillation of said wing like member to produce a predetermined articulation of said elevon relative to said wing like member.

4. Self-trimming oscillating system according to claims 1 , 2 or 3, wherein said base comprises rotatable means to permit orientation thereof so that a front edge of said wing like member directly faces an incoming flow of a fluid.

5. Self-trimming oscillating system according to claim 4, wherein said fluid is water or air.

6. Self-trimming oscillating system according to claim 3 wherein said reciprocating means comprises a connecting rod.

7. Self-trimming oscillating system according to claim 6, wherein said means to cause pivoting of said wing like member comprises a joint having a first and a second pivot connection, a link member connected at one end to said connecting rod and at the other end to said first pivot connection of said joint, said joint being fixedly connected to said wing like member and also connected to the other end of said elongated lever through said second pivot connection, so that when said link member reciprocates in response to continuous movement of said connecting rod, said wing like member effects consecutive clockwise and counterclockwise pivoting movements along said longitudinal axis.

8. Self-trimming oscillating system according to claim 1 , which comprises a vertical support fixedly mounted on said base, said vertical support having an upper end articulately connected at said one end of said elongated lever, a crank support also mounted on said base, said crank being rotatably and centrally mounted on said crank support and being keyed to a lower end of said connecting rod, said rod having an upper end articulated to said elongated lever at a location intermediate between both ends of said elongated lever, and a pulley operatively connected to said crank to be engaged in rotation therewith.

9. Self-trimming oscillating system according to claim 8, wherein a pivoting rod longitudinally extends through said wing like member, a transverse slit is formed in said wing like member, said slit extending from front edge of said wing member to a point intermediate between said front edge and said read edge of said wing like member where said pivoting rod extends through said wing like member, said elongated lever being associated with said pivoting rod to allow pivoting of said wing like member.

10. Self-trimming oscillating system according to claim 9, which comprises a first articulation tab upwardly projecting at the other end of said elongated lever, a second articulation tab disposed on said elevon and aligned with said first articulation tab, and an activating lever having both end articulately connected respectively to said first and second articulation tabs so that when said wing like member pivots in one direction, said elevon will further pivot in the same direction.

11. Self-trimming oscillating system according to claim 6, which comprises means cooperating with said reciprocating means to adjust extent of oscillation of said wing like member.

12. Self-trimming oscillating system according to claim 11, which comprises an upright holder fixedly mounted on said base, said upright holder being formed with a lever post and a guiding post parallel and spaced from one another, said lever post having an upper end articulately connected at said one end of said elongated lever, a second joint having a first and a second pivot connection provided at said one end of said elongated lever, a third joint having a first and a second pivot connection provided at the other end of said elongated lever, first linking means connecting said second and third joint through said first pivot connections thereof, said elongated lever being articulated at said other end in said second pivot connection of said third joint, a first arm mounted at a lower end to pivot on said upright holder, a second arm having its lower end articulately connected at the upper end of said first arm, second linking means articulately connecting the second pivot connection of said second joint and the upper end of said second arm, third linking means articulately connecting said connecting rod simultaneously to the upper end of said first arm and the lower end of said second arm, a longitudinal sliding channel being provided in the second arm, an extension guide arranged to slide along said guiding post and said sliding channel so as to control angular displacement of said second arm and consequently the reciprocating extent of said first linking means, an elbow connector mounted in alignment with the second pivot connection of said third joint and articulately connected with the other end of said first linking means, said elbow connector operatively connected to said elevon, so that oscillation and pivoting extents respectively of said wing like member and said elevon are governed by said extension guide when sliding same in said sliding channel and along said guiding post.