WO2007145391A1

WO2007145391A1 - A wind power generating apparatus using magnetic force

Info

Publication number: WO2007145391A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/002530
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sang Young Kim
Original assignee: Sang Young Kim
Priority date: 2006-06-14
Filing date: 2006-06-29
Publication date: 2007-12-21
Also published as: WO2007145398A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a wind power generating apparatus using magnetic force. The wind power generating apparatus can achieve high power generation efficiency by preventing loss of power by weight of a windmill unit. The wind power generating apparatus can save a space for installation thereof. Moreover, the wind power generating apparatus is configured not to be subject to direction and force of the wind. To this end, the wind power generating apparatus comprises a rotary shaft; a lower magnet connected to an upper part of the rotary shaft; a windmill unit connected to a center part of the rotary shaft; a rotary shaft gear connected to one side of the rotary shaft; a generator gear meshed with the rotary shaft gear; a generator rotated by the generator gear and thereby generating electricity; an upper magnet generating magnetic induction in connection with the lower magnet; and a static frame fixing the upper magnet onto the ground.

Description

A WIND POWER GENERATING APPARATUS USING

MAGNETIC FORCE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a wind power generating apparatus using magnetic force. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wind power generating apparatus capable of achieving high power generation efficiency without loss of generated power by weight of a windmill unit, applicable even to a relatively narrow space, and unsusceptible to wind direction. Background Art

[2] In general, a thermal power generation system that utilizes heat produced by igniting fossil fuel such as petroleum and coal has been mainly employed in generating electricity.

[3] Due to problems of environmental pollution, however, thermal power generation facilities need to be constructed far from big cities where the electricity is in great demand. As a result, considerable expenses are required for power transmission facilities. In addition, a leakage current during power transmission deteriorates the power generation efficiency. Furthermore, thermal power generation system is not even economical because of steadily increasing cost of the fossil fuel. In order to replace the thermal power generation system, other power generation systems using various natural agencies such as solar energy, wind, and tide have been suggested.

[4] Among the above, especially, a wind generation system is useful since it is not highly subject to geographical features.

[5] The wind generation system necessitates constructions for supporting huge windmill fans. Accordingly, a wide area is required. Furthermore, when it blows irregularly, the power generation efficiency should be deteriorated.

[6] In order to overcome such problems of the wind generation system using general huge windmill fans, a wind power generating apparatus is suggested as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[7] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional wind power generating apparatus, and FIG. 7 is a longitudinal-sectional view of the conventional wind power generating apparatus.

[8] As shown in the drawings, a conventional wind power generating apparatus 10 comprises a static platform 11 and a generation unit 20 mounted on a top of the static platform 11 to receive wind.

[9] The static platform 11 is mounted with component parts of the wind power generating apparatus 10 and fixes the parts to the ground at the same time.

[10] A windmill fan 21 is rotatably mounted in the generation unit 20. Rotation of the windmill fan induces rotation of a rotary gear 23. Passing through an upper transmission gear 24 and a lower transmission gear 23, torque of the rotary gear rotates a generator gear 13 of a generator 12, thereby generating electricity.

[11] A wind direction indicator 30 is mounted to an upper portion of the generation unit

20 to rotate an exposed portion of the windmill fan 21 according to the wind direction.

[12] Since not adopting huge windmill fans, the above- structured wind power generating apparatus 10 can be constructed even in remote and secluded places, for example, mountains or islands. Also, optimum output can be obtained by rotating the power turbine generator 10 along the wind.

[13] However, the conventional wind power generating apparatus 10 as described above has inconvenience of having to convert its operation direction frequently as the wind direction varies.

[14] In addition, friction generated due to weight of the windmill fan 21 causes much loss of the wind force, thereby deteriorating the power generation efficiency. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[15] An aspect of the present invention is to solve at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a wind power generating apparatus capable of efficiently generating electricity regardless of wind direction.

[16] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a wind power generating apparatus that can be applied to remote and secluded places such as mountains and islands, and used as a portable power generator.

[17] Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a wind power generating apparatus capable of accomplishing high power generation efficiency by minimizing friction caused by weight of a windmill fan. Technical Solution

[18] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wind power generating apparatus using magnetic force comprising a rotary shaft; a lower magnet connected to an upper part of the rotary shaft; a windmill unit connected to a center part of the rotary shaft; a rotary shaft gear connected to one side of the rotary shaft; a generator gear meshed with the rotary shaft gear; a generator rotated by the generator gear and thereby generating electricity; an upper magnet generating magnetic induction in connection with the lower magnet; and a static frame fixing the upper magnet onto the ground. [19] According to one embodiment, the windmill unit comprises a lower rotary board connected to the rotary shaft, at an upper position than the rotary shaft gear; an upper rotary board connected to the rotary shaft, at a lower position than an upper bearing, and a plurality of windmill fans interconnecting the lower and the upper rotary boards.

[20] The windmill fan is bent by a predetermined angle. The windmill fan is constructed by a plurality of partitions bent by a predetermined angle. The partition includes a movable strength adjusting plate which is part of a middle partition.

[21] The strength adjusting plate is slid outward by a centrifugal force.

[22] The strength adjusting plate further comprises a resilient member connected to the windmill fan by one side and to the strength adjusting plate by the other side, for restoring the moved strength adjusting plate to the initial position when the wind force is weakened.

[23] The wind power generating apparatus further comprises a support piece disposed at one side of the strength adjusting plate for preventing the strength adjusting plate from being affected by direction and force of the wind.

[24] The wind power generating apparatus may further comprise an upper bearing rotatably connected to outer circumference of the lower magnet and a lower bearing rotatably connected to lower outer circumference of the rotary shaft to improve rotational efficiency by reducing rotational friction, and a rotary shaft support frame to fix the lower bearing onto the ground.

[25] A rotary shaft head fixed to the static frame and a rotary shaft head mounted to the rotary shaft are formed in a hemispheric or pyramid shape to reduce the rotational friction.

[26] The lower and the upper rotary boards are provided with an opened recess formed on a surface thereof where the windmill fan is not contacted, in order to reduce weight thereof.

[27] The upper magnet has magnetic force at least twice as much as the lower magnet, or the upper and the lower magnets have magnetic force greater than weight of a load material suspended from the upper magnet. Advantageous Effects

[28] As described above, a wind power generating apparatus having a windmill unit mounted in an opened state can generate electricity regardless of wind direction.

[29] A rotary shaft is rotated as being suspended from a static shaft by magnetic force, more specifically, by magnetic induction between upper and lower magnets. Therefore, friction by weight of a windmill fan is not caused. As a result, power generation efficiency is improved.

[30] Since a strength adjusting plate is separably mounted, breakage of the wind power generating apparatus can be prevented even at a gale of wind. [31] In case the strength adjusting plate can be manually operated, the structure is simplified, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost. In case the strength adjusting plate has a structure being automatically driven according to the wind force, by being connected to a partition to be slidable by centrifugal force, use of the strength adjusting plate is more convenient. [32] Additionally, a support piece is connected to the strength adjusting plate to prevent the strength adjusting plate from being broadened along the wind, thereby preventing damage of a resilient member and the strength adjusting plate. [33] Rotational efficiency can be improved by further providing an upper bearing rotatably connected to outer circumference of the lower magnet and a lower bearing rotatably connected to lower circumference of the rotary shaft. The upper and the lower bearings can reduce friction generated during rotation of a rotary part, and prevent the rotary part from being swayed by the wind. [34] In addition, since a static shaft head fixed to a static frame and a rotary shaft head mounted to the rotary shaft are formed in a hemispheric or pyramid shape, friction is less generated during rotation thereof. [35] An opened recess is provided to a surface of the lower and the upper rotary boards, respectively, the surface not contacted with the windmill fan, so that weight of the windmill fan can be reduced. Rotational friction of the windmill fan can also be decreased. [36] Furthermore, when magnetic force of the upper magnet is twice as much as magnetic force of the lower magnet, a load material can be stably suspended from the lower magnet. [37] In order to more stably maintain the load material suspended from the lower magnet, the upper and the lower magnets are configured to have magnetic force greater than weight of the load material suspended from the lower magnet.

Brief Description of the Drawings [38] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: [39] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wind power generating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [40] FIG. 2 is a side view for of the wind power generating apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [41] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the main elements of a windmill fan of the first embodiment of the present invention; [42] FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing a rotary shaft and a static shaft of the first embodiment of the present invention;

[43] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the main elements of a windmill fan according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[44] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional wind power generating apparatus; and

[45] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal-sectional view of the conventional wind power generating apparatus.

[46] 10: a wind power generating apparatus

[47] 12: a generator

[48] 20: a generation unit

[49] 30: a wind direction indicator

[50] 100: a wind power generating apparatus

[51] 101: a base frame

[52] 102: an upper end outer circumferential frame

[53] 103: an upper end inner circumferential frame

[54] 104: a vertical frame

[55] 105: a bearing support frame

[56] 109: a rotary shaft support frame

[57] 110: an upper magnet

[58] 111: a static shaft

[59] 112: a static shaft head

[60] 113 : a static shaft nut

[61] 120: a lower magnet

[62] 121: a rotary shaft

[63] 122: a rotary shaft head

[64] 125: a rotary shaft gear

[65] 126: a lower bearing

[66] 130: an upper bearing

[67] 141: a windmill fan

[68] 142: a strength adjusting plate

[69] 145: an upper rotary board

[70] 146: a lower rotary board

[71] 150: a generator

[72] 151 : a generator gear

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[73] (First Embodiment) [74] A wind power generating apparatus using magnetic force according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4.

[75] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wind power generating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view for of the wind power generating apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the main elements of a windmill fan of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing a rotary shaft and a static shaft of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[76] Hereinafter, 'a wind power generating apparatus using magnetic force 100' will be briefly referred to as a 'wind power generating apparatus 100'.

[77] A static frame of the wind power generating apparatus 100 comprises a base frame

101, an upper end outer circumferential frame 102, an upper end inner circumferential frame 103, and a vertical frame 104.

[78] A lower magnet 120 is connected to an upper part of a rotary shaft 121 where a windmill unit 140 of the wind power generating apparatus 100 is connected. An upper magnet 110 is connected to outer circumference of a static shaft 111 engaged with the base frame 101.

[79] A static shaft head 121 and a rotary shaft head 122, having a hemispheric shape, are rotatably connected to the static shaft 111 and the rotary shaft 121, respectively, by magnetic force.

[80] The rotary shaft head 122 constituting a top end of the rotary shaft is connected to the static shaft head 112 by magnetic force, and formed in the hemispheric shape for minimizing friction generated during rotation.

[81] However, the present invention is not limited so, but may adopt the rotary shaft head 122 and the static shaft head 112 having a pyramid shape if necessary.

[82] A lower magnet 120 is connected to a lower part of the rotary shaft head 122, so that magnetic induction is generated at the rotary shaft head 122.

[83] An upper bearing 130 is fit around outer circumference of the lower magnet 120 to remove the friction caused when the rotary shaft 121 rotates. Also, the upper bearing 130 prevents a load material suspended from the upper magnet 110, such as the lower magnet 120, the windmill unit 140 and a rotary shaft gear 125, from swaying along the wind.

[84] The windmill unit 140 is connected to a center portion of the rotary shaft 121. The windmill unit 140 comprises a lower rotary board 146, an upper rotary board 145 and a windmill fan 141. The windmill unit 140 is activated by wind force and rotates rotary parts such as the rotary shaft 121 and the rotary shaft gear 125. [85] The lower and the upper rotary boards 146 and 145 fix the windmill fan 141 in connection with the rotary shaft 121. Optionally, an opened recess is formed on a surface of the lower and the upper rotary boards 146 and 145, where the windmill fan

141 is not contacted, respectively, so that weight of the lower and the upper rotary boards 146 and 145 can be reduced. [86] The windmill fan 141 is constructed by connecting three partitions bent in a horizontal direction. Three windmill fans 141 are employed in this embodiment. [87] However, the present invention does not limit the number and the shape of the partitions as the above. More than four partitions and even semicircular partitions can be employed. Also, two, four or more windmill fans can be employed according to the present invention. [88] A middle partition among the three partitions functions as a strength adjusting plate

142, part of which is separably connected. The strength adjusting plate 142 can be separated when the wind is strong, so as to prevent falling down of the wind power generating apparatus 100 and damage of the windmill unit 140. [89] A removal slit 147 is formed on the upper rotary board 145, so that the strength adjusting plate 142 can be separated through the removal slit 147 without having to totally disassembling the windmill unit 140. [90] The rotary shaft gear 125 is connected to a lower part of the windmill unit 140 of the rotary shaft 121. The rotary shaft gear 125 is meshed with a generator gear 151 to generate electricity. [91] A lower bearing 126 is mounted to an end of the rotary shaft 121 to reduce rotational friction and in the same manner as the upper bearing 130, prevent a lower part of the rotary shaft 121 from swaying along the wind. [92] The lower bearing is fixed to the ground, for example, by a rotary shaft support frame 109. [93] The static shaft head 112 constituting a lower end of the static shaft 111 is connected to the rotary shaft head 122 by magnetic force, and has a hemisphere shape for minimizing the rotational friction. [94] The upper magnet 110 is fit with outer circumference of the static shaft 111, so that magnetic induction is generated at the static shaft head 112.

[95] An upper end of the static shaft 111 is connected to the upper end inner circumferential frame 103 of the base frame 101 by a static shaft nut 113. [96] The base frame 101 includes the upper end inner circumferential frame 103, the upper end outer circumferential frame 102, a bearing support frame 105, and the vertical frame 104. [97] The upper end inner circumferential frame 103 fixes the static shaft nut 113 to the base frame 101. [98] The upper end outer circumferential frame 102 connects the four vertical frames

104 with one another.

[99] The bearing support frame 105 fixes the upper bearing 130 to the base frame 101.

[100] The vertical frame 104 fixes the wind power generating apparatus 100 onto the ground. [101] By being meshed with the rotary shaft gear 125, the generator gear 151 transmits rotational force generated by the windmill unit 140 to a generator 150. [102] The generator 150 generates electricity from the rotational force transmitted through the generator gear 151. Although not shown, the electricity generated by the generator 150 may be stored by an electric condenser or directly connected to an electric apparatus through an external cable.

Mode for the Invention [103] (Exemplary Operation)

[104] Hereinafter, the operation of a wind power generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. [105] In the wind power generating apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, it will be noted that weight of the rotary shaft 121 is not operated upon a lower part as friction because of magnetic force of the upper and the lower magnets 110 and 120. [106] In other words, the static shaft head 112 induced by the upper magnet 110 and the rotary shaft head 122 induced by the lower magnet 120 are drawn to each other by the magnetic force. [107] Accordingly, the windmill unit 140 connected to the rotary shaft 121 and the rotary shaft gear 125 cause almost no friction during the operation as if those were rotated in the air. [108] The upper and the lower bearings 130 and 126 prevent a load material suspended from the upper magnet 110, such as the lower magnet 120, the windmill unit 140, and the rotary shaft gear 125, from swaying along the wind. Moreover, the bearings 130 and 126 enhance rotational efficiency by removing the friction generated by the rotation. [109] First, as the wind blows, the windmill fan 141 is rotated regardless of direction of the wind. In other words, since being connected with the rotary shaft 121 as opened in all directions, the windmill fan 141 can be rotated by the wind blowing from any direction. [110] Second, the windmill fan 141 can be operated without causing loss of friction by weight of the rotary shaft 121 connected to the windmill unit 140. [I l l] Third, the rotary shaft gear 125 is rotated by rotation of the rotary shaft 121.

[112] Fourth, accordingly, the generator gear 151 in mesh with the rotary shaft gear 125 is rotated. As a result, the generator 150 generates electricity by the magnetic induction.

[113] When the wind blows hard, the windmill unit 140 can be rotated by rpm higher than predetermined limit rpm. This may damage the windmill unit 140 or fell the wind power generating apparatus 100.

[114] In order to prevent such damages, a user removes the strength adjusting plate 142 of the windmill unit 140 when it blows hard.

[115] When the strength adjusting plate 142 is removed, the wind is able to pass through a vacant space that was occupied by the strength adjusting plate 142. Therefore, the rpm of the windmill unit 140 can be maintained below the predetermined limit rpm. Here, preferably, removal of the strength adjusting plate 142 is performed with respect to all the windmill fans 141. For instance, when three windmill fans 141 are used, three strength adjusting plates 142 are separated from the respective windmill fans 141. Otherwise, center of rotation of the windmill unit 140 is inclined to a certain portion, thereby inducing tremble of the windmill unit 140. However, in case that four windmill fans 141 are used, the strength adjusting plates 142 may be removed from just two windmill fans 141 facing each other.

[116] (Second Embodiment)

[117] Hereinafter, a wind power generating apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

[118] FIG. 5 shows the main elements of a windmill fan according to the second embodiment.

[119] As shown in FIG. 5, in a windmill unit 240 of the second embodiment, except that a strength adjusting plate 242 is mounted to be slid outward from a windmill fan 241 by a centrifugal force, the other parts are structured in the same manner as the first embodiment.

[120] More specifically, the strength adjusting plate 242 slidable by the centrifugal force is provided with a resilient member 243, one side of which is connected to the windmill fan 241 and the other side to the strength adjusting plate 242. When the wind force is weakened, the strength adjusting plate 242 slid outward can be restored to the initial position by the resilient member 243.

[121] Additionally, a support piece 244 is provided at one side of the strength adjusting plate 242 such that the strength adjusting plate 242 is not affected by the wind direction.

[122] When the wind force is weak, the resilient member 243 helps maintain the strength adjusting plate 242 in the initial position, so that the power generation efficiency is optimized.

[123] When the wind force is strong and rotary parts are rotated hard, the centrifugal force applied to the strength adjusting plate 242 increases. When the centrifugal force exceeds resilience of the resilient member 243, the strength adjusting plate 242 is slid outward, thereby forming a space. [124] Thus, when the wind force is strong, the wind can escape through the space formed by the strength adjusting plate 242. Therefore, damage of the windmill unit 240 can be prevented. [125] Furthermore, the support piece 244 mounted to the strength adjusting plate 242 helps the strength adjusting plate 242 normally operate without being affected by direction and force of the wind. [126] Especially when the wind force is strong, the support piece 244 prevents the strength adjusting plate 242 from being broadened along the wind direction while sliding.

Industrial Applicability

[127] While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

[1] A wind power generating apparatus using magnetic force comprising: a rotary shaft; a lower magnet connected to an upper part of the rotary shaft; a windmill unit connected to a center part of the rotary shaft; a rotary shaft gear connected to one side of the rotary shaft; a generator gear meshed with the rotary shaft gear; a generator rotated by the generator gear and thereby generating electricity; an upper magnet generating magnetic induction in connection with the lower magnet; and a static frame fixing the upper magnet onto the ground.

[2] The wind power generating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the windmill unit comprises: a lower rotary board connected to the rotary shaft, at an upper position than the rotary shaft gear; an upper rotary board connected to the rotary shaft, at a lower position than an upper bearing, and a plurality of windmill fans interconnecting the lower and the upper rotary b oards.

[3] The wind power generating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the windmill fan is bent by a predetermined angle.

[4] The wind power generating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the windmill fan is constructed by a plurality of partitions bent by a predetermined angle.

[5] The wind power generating apparatus of claim 4, wherein the partition includes a movable strength adjusting plate which is part of a middle partition.

[6] The wind power generating apparatus of claim 5, wherein the strength adjusting plate is slid outward by a centrifugal force.

[7] The wind power generating apparatus of claim 6, wherein the strength adjusting plate further comprises a resilient member connected to the windmill fan by one side and to the strength adjusting plate by the other side, for restoring the moved strength adjusting plate to the initial position when the wind force is weakened.

[8] The wind power generating apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a support piece disposed at one side of the strength adjusting plate for preventing the strength adjusting plate from being affected by direction and force of the wind.

[9] The wind power generating apparatus of any of claims 1 through 8, further comprising an upper bearing rotatably connected to outer circumference of the lower magnet and a lower bearing rotatably connected to lower outer cir- cumference of the rotary shaft to improve rotational efficiency by reducing rotational friction, and a rotary shaft support frame to fix the lower bearing onto the ground.

[10] The wind power generating apparatus of claim 9, wherein a rotary shaft head fixed to the static frame and a rotary shaft head mounted to the rotary shaft are formed in a hemispheric or pyramid shape to reduce the rotational friction, and the lower and the upper rotary boards are provided with an opened recess formed on a surface thereof where the windmill fan is not contacted, in order to reduce weight thereof.

[11] The wind power generating apparatus of claim 9, wherein the upper magnet has magnetic force at least twice as much as the lower magnet, or the upper and the lower magnets have magnetic force greater than weight of a load material suspended from the upper magnet.