WO2009024714A2

WO2009024714A2 - Wind turbine with vertical axis

Info

Publication number: WO2009024714A2
Application number: PCT/FR2008/051436
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alain Alberti
Original assignee: Societe De Conception Et D'exploitation De Produits Innovants
Priority date: 2007-08-01
Filing date: 2008-07-30
Publication date: 2009-02-26
Also published as: WO2009024714A3

Abstract

The wind turbine with a vertical axis of the present invention includes: a bearing means (3) defining the axis (2), including first and second rotary bearing parts (7, 8), a first assembly (4) oriented in the wind direction including two flanges (12, 13) mounted on the first portion (7), a casing in the form of a semi-cylindrical solid wall and an orientation wing (15), a second assembly (5) driven by the wind including bearing means (17, 18) mounted on the second portion (8) bearing blades (19) in the form of a rigid wall defined by an outer vertical edge (23), an inner vertical edge (24) and two upper (21) and lower (22) radial edges, and a power generator (6) driven by the second bearing portion (8), such that: the wing (15) extends between the first two flanges (12, 13), the bearing means (17, 18) consist of two circular flanges having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the flanges (12, 13) and located in the immediate vicinity thereof, the inner vertical edge (24) of the blade is substantially remote from the axis (2), and a substantially empty axial central gap (20) is provided between the inner vertical edges (24) of the blades (19).

Description

Vertical axis wind turbine

The invention relates to a wind turbine with a vertical axis.

Numerous embodiments of wind turbines are already known. In the most common embodiments, the wind turbine has a horizontal axis (WO / 1999/00598). In some cases, the wind turbine is associated with a building (US-A-7215039) or is mounted on an offshore construction (WO / 2003/004870). In other embodiments, the wind turbine is vertical axis.

The closest document, GB-A-281360, discloses, precisely, a first embodiment of a vertical axis wind turbine, comprising: support means constituting the axis, having a first rotatable support portion and a second rotary support portion, the two support parts being coaxial, adjacent to each other, structurally associated with each other, and able to be displaced in rotation about the axis independently of one another, a first assembly, mounted on the first support portion, adapted to be oriented with respect to the axis according to the direction of the wind, comprising: o first two up and down flanges, flat, solid, semicircular, transverse, horizontal, spaced one of the other and arranged in line with one another, mounted on the first support part, o a solid semi-cylindrical wall-shaped housing limited by two vertical edges, rigidly connecting the first flanges arranged at its ends, and o an orienting wing, plane, able to be arranged vertically, radially and in the plane defined by the two vertical edges of the casing, - a second assembly, mounted on the second support portion, adapted to be rotated by the wind, comprising support parts up and down, transverse, horizontal, spaced apart from each other and arranged in alignment with one another, mounted on the second support portion, rigidly supporting at their ends, several diametrically opposed, vertical drive blades, spaced angularly from each other, each in the form of rigid wall limited by an outer vertical edge, an inner vertical edge and two radial edges up and down.

In this first realization:

the support means constituting the axis of the wind turbine, comprise two coaxial shafts passing through the wind turbine from one side to the other, two orientation wings are provided which are pivotally movable according to the wind, these two orientation wings being orthogonal and arranged on and above the first upper flange, so that the first assembly is deformable and not rigid,

the support pieces of the second set are a plurality of arms angularly spaced from each other substantially, spaced apart from the inner faces of the first up and down flanges, so that, consequently, the top and bottom radial edges of the blade are also substantially spaced from the inner faces of the first flanges, when the corresponding blade is located in the first set,

the outer vertical blade edge is also substantially spaced from the inner face of the casing, when the corresponding blade is located in the first assembly,

- The inner vertical blade edge is spaced from the axis, the central axial space formed between the inner vertical edges of the blades being traversed by the coaxial shafts forming part of the support means constituting the axis of the wind turbine.

This first embodiment has several disadvantages.

- It is complex, and has too important areas of contact and friction between the two mobile assemblies constituting it, causing problems of bearing, balance and wear more particularly with respect to the two coaxial shafts.

- It leaves an open passage between the periphery of the second set and that of the first set, so that the air flow can enter through this passage in the first set, which disrupts the operation of the wind turbine,

- The axial central space formed between the inner vertical edges of the blades is obstructed by the coaxial shafts forming part of the support means constituting the axis of the wind turbine, carrying a major brake to the proper functioning of the mechanics and fluids at center of the wind turbine.

- the orientation wing is not very effective,

the space above the first upper flange and the one located below the first lower flange are obstructed, which disturbs the flow of air, makes the wind turbine all the more voluminous and does not make it possible to mount several wind turbines one above the other on the same axis.

Document GB-A-2041457 discloses a second embodiment of a vertical axis wind turbine comprising: support means constituting the axis, comprising a first and a second rotating support parts, a first rigid assembly, having the same function as the previous one and comprising: o first two up and down flanges, semicircular, o a casing similar to that of the first embodiment, and o an orientation wing, flat, vertical, radial and disposed in the plane defined by the two vertical edges of the casing extending between the two first flanges, substantially spaced from the one of the vertical edges of the housing, - a second assembly, mounted on the second support portion, adapted to be driven in rotation by the wind, comprising a plurality of drive blades, each limited by a frame supporting a textile web.

In this embodiment: the support means constituting the axis of the wind turbine, also comprise two coaxial shafts passing through the wind turbine from one side to the other,

- if only one orientation wing is provided, it is substantially separated from the vertical edge of the casing,

the blades are carried directly on the external shaft, a free space existing between the blades towards their radial free edges,

the top and bottom radial edges of the blade are separated from the internal faces of the first flanges, when the corresponding blade is situated in the first set,

- The outer vertical blade edge is also substantially spaced from the inner face of the housing, when the corresponding blade is located in the first set, - the inner vertical blade edge is spaced from the axis, the central space axial formed between the inner vertical edges of the blades being traversed by the coaxial shafts forming part of the support means constituting the axis of the wind turbine.

This second embodiment also has several disadvantages. due to the presence of the two coaxial shafts, this second embodiment has the same disadvantages as those for the first embodiment, on the one hand, by having too large contact and friction zones between the two mobile assemblies constituting it, sources of problems of bearing, balance and wear, and secondly, by constituting a major obstacle to the proper functioning of fluid mechanics in the center of the wind turbine.

- the blades are not rigid, which hinders an efficient and durable operation,

as the first embodiment, it leaves an open passage between the periphery of the second assembly and that of the first assembly, whereas the axial central space formed between the vertical internal edges of the blades is obstructed by the shafts of the support means constituting the axis. GB-A-78384/75 and US-A-2004/0047732 disclose another embodiment of a wind turbine in which there is provided a housing quarter-cylindrical perforated wall without orientation wing, the internal vertical edge blades being adjacent to the axis, no substantially empty axial central space being formed between the inner vertical edges of the blades.

Other embodiments or constructive details are described for example in EP-A-1096144, WO-A-2007/045851, EP-A-1930585, US-A-4979871, US-A-5676524, CA-A- 2264239, US-A-5391926, US-A-6740989, US-A-6942454 and WO-A-1997/020142.

The invention proposes a vertical axis wind turbine which, at the same time, is compact, of simple shape, so is not unsightly as are many wind turbines, either simple to produce or robust, and which allows a a more fluid and efficient running of the two mobile assemblies constituting it by the absence of coaxial shafts passing through the wind turbine thus limiting the areas of contact and friction and allowing the creation of a vacuum in the center of the wind turbine facilitating the fluid mechanics game and therefore the rotation of the second assembly supporting the blades.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a vertical axis wind turbine, of the type comprising: - support means constituting the axis, comprising a first rotatable support portion and a second rotatable support portion, the two support portions being coaxial, adjacent between they, structurally associated with each other, and able to be displaced in rotation about the axis independently of one another, a first assembly, mounted on the first support portion, adapted to be oriented relative to to the axis according to the direction of the wind, comprising: o first two up and down flanges, flat, solid, circular, transverse, horizontal, spaced from each other and arranged in line with one of the other, mounted on the first support part, o a casing in the form of a semi-cylindrical solid wall bounded by two vertical edges, rigidly connecting the first flanges arranged at its ends, and o an orienting flange, flat, vertical, radial and disposed in the plane defined by the two vertical edges of the housing, a second assembly, mounted on the second support portion, adapted to be rotated by the wind, comprising means for support up and down, transverse, horizontal, spaced apart the other and arranged vertically to one another, mounted on the second support portion, rigidly supporting at their ends, a plurality of diametrically opposed, vertical drive blades angularly spaced from each other, each in the form of a rigid wall bounded by an outer vertical edge, an inner vertical edge and two top and bottom radial edges, and an electricity generator driven by the second support portion.

The wind turbine according to the invention is such that: the first assembly is rigid and comprises a radially oriented wing, extending substantially between the first two flanges, at least substantially adjacent to one of the vertical edges of the housing, the support means of the second set are two second flanges high and low, planar, solid, circular diameter slightly smaller than that of the first two flanges, located in the immediate vicinity of the inner faces, respectively, of the first flanges up and down and, consequently, the radial high and low blade edges are also located in close proximity to the inner faces of the first flanges, when the blade is located in the first set, the outer vertical blade edge is located in the immediate vicinity of the inner face of the housing. when the blade is located in the first set, the inner vertical blade edge is substantially spaced from the axis and an axial central space at most A substantially empty space is provided between the inner vertical edges of the blades.

According to a first variant embodiment, the wind turbine is characterized in that:

the support means constituting the axis, comprise an upper part comprising one or more bearings interposed between the first upper flange and the second upper flange and providing a relative rotary connection between them, and a lower part comprising one or more bearings interposed between the first bottom flange and the second bottom flange and between the first bottom flange and a frame member, providing a relative rotary connection between them, the second support part further comprising, in the lower part, a shaft secured to the second bottom flange protruding towards the bottom able to drive the generator of electricity,

and in that the central axial space is completely empty.

According to a second variant embodiment, the wind turbine is characterized in that:

the support means constituting the axis, comprise an upper part comprising one or more bearings interposed between the first upper flange and the second upper flange and providing a relative rotary connection between them, and a lower part comprising one or more bearings interposed between the first bottom flange and the second bottom flange and between the first bottom flange and a frame member, providing a relative rotational connection between them, the second support part further comprising, in the lower part, a shaft integral with the second low flange, projecting upwards to the second flange up and down where it is able to drive the generator of electricity,

and in that the central axial space is substantially empty.

In one embodiment, the orientation wing is in contact with the vertical edge of the housing, without space or passage between them.

According to one embodiment, the difference in diameter and the spacing between the two second flanges and the first two flanges are those or adjacent to those just able to not allow friction between the first and the second set.

According to one embodiment, the spacing between the axis and the inner vertical blade edge is of the order of one fifth or one quarter of the radial length of the blades.

In one embodiment, the radial length of the orientation wing is of the order of the radius or diameter of the housing.

In one embodiment, the wind turbine has a plurality of first and second coaxially superimposed assemblies.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of several embodiments with reference to the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the wind turbine according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the whole of the wind turbine, FIG. 3 is a view of the main part of the wind turbine, in section through a vertical axial plane.

FIG. 4 is a view from above of the wind turbine,

FIG. 5 is a view from above of the first set of the wind turbine,

FIG. 6 is a view from above of the second set of the wind turbine; FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the second set of the wind turbine along the line AA of FIG.

A wind turbine 1 of electricity production according to the invention has an axis 2 which, when the wind turbine 1 is mounted in situ in position and normal operating situation, is vertical or substantially vertical. The axis 2 is both an axis of orientation of the wind turbine 1, a pivot axis for the moving parts of the wind turbine 1 and, finally, an axis of symmetry.

The qualifiers "horizontal" and "vertical" refer to this position and this situation.

It is understood that these qualifiers must be understood in a general way, which means that they may not correspond to a perfectly horizontal or perfectly vertical position, respectively. Similarly, should the words "high", "low", "superior", "lower", "height", "head", "foot", "above", "below" ... be understood with reference to the position and the situation where the axis 2 is vertical. It is understood that these qualifiers are not likely to limit the scope of the invention.

Of course, the invention also relates to the wind turbine 1, and its constituent parts, also when and they are not, and are not in situ or when the axis 2 is not vertical.

The wind turbine 1 can be of any size ranging from ten centimeters to several meters in height and diameter with the corresponding electric power.

The wind turbine 1 is intended to be added to or integrated into a structure such as a building (larger or smaller or complex), a structure of art or more simply a frame such as a support mast, since this structure has a suitable support. For this purpose, the wind turbine 1 comprises rigid connection means, for example removable, with such a structure. Such means are, for example, a support plate intended to be fixed by bolting or otherwise on a support plate.

In a particular embodiment, in no way limiting, the wind turbine 1 is integrated in an offshore structure or a port structure.

The wind turbine 1 can be for individual or collective use.

The wind turbine 1, in its elementary embodiment, comprises support means 3 constituting the axis 2, a first assembly 4, a second assembly 5 and an electricity generator 6.

In another embodiment, the wind turbine 1 comprises a plurality of first and second assemblies 4, 5 superimposed coaxially with respect to the axis 2. The support means 3 have two functions. On the one hand, they define and therefore constitute the axis 2. On the other hand, they provide a support function of the constituent parts of the wind turbine 1 relative to each other and the wind turbine as a whole in relation to the structure intended to accommodate it as discussed above.

According to a first approach, the support means 3 comprise a first rotating support portion 7 and a second rotating support portion 8. These two support parts 7, 8 are coaxial, adjacent to each other and structurally associated with each other. They are able to be displaced in rotation about the axis 2 independently of one another,

In a typical embodiment, the two support parts 7, 8 are the constituent parts of a bearing having two rings, respectively internal and external. In another embodiment, the two support parts 7, 8 are in the form of a journal mounted in a bearing.

According to a second approach, the support means 3 comprise an upper part 9 comprising one or more bearings or the like and a lower part 10 also comprising one or more bearings or the like.

Furthermore, there is provided a shaft 1 1 protruding from the wind turbine 1 downwards and adapted to drive the electricity generator 6, by means of a toothed gears device or with toothed belts, with rollers, with pebble ...

The first assembly 4 is rigidly mounted on the first support part 7.

It is able to be oriented relative to the axis 2 as a function of the direction of the wind. This is his first function.

The first set 4 comprises two first top 12 and bottom 13 flanges, a casing 14 and an orientation wing 15.

The second assembly 5 is rigidly mounted on the second support portion 8.

It is able to be rotated by the wind. This is his first function.

The first set 4 protects the action of wind one half of the second set 5, so that the pivoting of the latter is not prevented. This is his second function. The second assembly 5 drives the rotating shaft 11 which, in turn, drives the electricity generator 6. Thus, the wind turbine 1 converts the wind energy into electrical energy. This is his second function.

Because of their shape, their structure and their arrangement, the first set 4 and the second 5 optimize the transformation of wind energy into electrical energy. This is their third function.

If the first and second functions of the first set 4 and the second set 5 are known per se, their realization according to the invention is original. As for the third optimization function, it is original. It is important to emphasize that this third optimization function is fulfilled, even though the wind turbine 1 is compact and simple in shape, which, as a result, is not unsightly as are many wind turbines and, in As a result, it can, as has been indicated to be added or integrated into a structure such as a building, a structure or a frame, that it is simple to build and robust.

The first set 4 is now described in more detail.

The first two upper flanges 12 and 13 low of the first set 4 are planar, full and circular similar shape.

The first two upper flanges 12 and 13 are positioned transversely to the axis 2, that is to say placed horizontally.

The first two flanges 12 high and 13 low are spaced apart from each other and arranged in line with one another.

The first two upper flanges 12 and 13 low are mounted fixed rigidly on the first support portion 7 of the support means 3, respectively on their upper part 9 and their lower part 10.

The casing 14 is in the form of a semi-cylindrical solid wall. It is limited by two vertical edges 16a, 16b, diametrically opposed.

The housing 14 rigidly connects the two first flanges 12, 13, which are arranged at both ends of the housing. The orientation wing 15 is flat, vertical and radial.

The orientation wing 15 extends substantially between the first two flanges 12, 13.

The orientation wing 15 is disposed in the diametral plane defined by the two vertical edges 16a, 16b of the housing 14. It is at least substantially adjacent to one of the vertical edges of the housing 14, for example the vertical edge 16a. More precisely, the orientation wing 15 is in contact with the vertical edge 16a, so that between the casing 14 and the wing 15 there is continuity, without space or passage between them.

The orientation wing 15 is fixed rigidly to the casing 14.

In one embodiment, the radial length of the orientation wing 15 is of the order of magnitude of the radius or diameter of the casing 14.

The first set 4 comprising the first two upper flanges 12 and 13 low, the housing 14 and the orientation wing 15 therefore forms a rigid non-deformable.

The second set 5 is now described in more detail.

The second assembly 5 comprises two second upper and lower flanges 17, driving blades 19 and an axial central space 20.

The second upper flanges 17 and 18 bottom constitute high and low support means, transverse, horizontal, spaced apart from each other and arranged in line with one another.

These support means 17, 18 are mounted fixed rigidly on the second support part 8 of the support means 3, respectively on their upper part 9 and their lower part 10.

These support means 17, 18 rigidly support at their ends, the drive blades 19.

The two second flanges high 17 and low 18 are planar, solid, and of similar circular shape.

They have a diameter slightly smaller than that of the first two flanges 12, 13. The two second upper flanges 17 and 18 are located close to the inner faces, respectively, of the first upper flanges 12 and 13 low.

More precisely, the difference in diameter and the axial spacing between the two second flanges 17, 18 and the two first flanges 12, 13 are those - or close to those - just able not to allow friction between the first set 4 and the second set 5. Preferably, this difference in diameter and this axial spacing are minimum.

As a result of the foregoing, the upper radial edges 21 and lower 22 of blades are also located in close proximity to the internal faces of the first flanges 12, 13, when the corresponding blade 19 is located in the first assembly 4,

The blades 19 are arranged to be diametrically opposed.

They are vertical and spaced angularly from each other, in particular regularly, a value depending on the number of blades 19.

According to a preferred solution, five blades are provided.

Each blade 19 is in the form of a solid and rigid wall.

A blade 19 is bounded by an outer vertical edge 23, an inner vertical edge 24 and the two upper radial edges 21 and bottom 22 which was discussed above.

The outer vertical blade edge 23 is located in close proximity to the inner face of the casing 14, when the corresponding blade 19 is located in the first assembly 4.

The inner vertical edge 24 of the blade is substantially spaced from the axis 2.

This follows the axial central space 20 previously mentioned.

This central axial space 20 is formed between the inner vertical edges 24 of the blades 19.

In a first embodiment, shown in the figures, the support means 3 comprise firstly an upper part 9 comprising one or more bearings interposed between the first upper flange 12 and the second upper flange 17. they provide a relative rotary connection between them.

In this same first embodiment, the support means 3 then comprise a lower part 10 comprising one or more bearings interposed between the first bottom flange 13 and the second bottom flange 18 and between the first bottom flange 13 and the frame element already mentionned. They provide a relative rotary connection between them.

In this same first embodiment, the second support portion 8 further comprises, in the lower part, the shaft 1 1 already mentioned, the latter being secured to the second bottom flange 18 and projecting downwards.

This shaft 11 is able to drive the electricity generator 6, as already indicated.

In this first embodiment, the central axial space 20 is completely empty.

In a second variant embodiment, not shown, the shaft 1 1, secured to the second bottom flange 18, also projects upwards to the second top flange 17. In this case, the axial central space 20 is not totally empty but substantially empty (compared to known embodiments of the state of the art).

In one embodiment, the spacing between the axis 2 and the inner vertical edge 24 of the blade is of the order of one fifth or one quarter of the radial length of the blades 19.

Claims

A vertical axis wind turbine, comprising: support means (3) constituting the axis (2), comprising a first rotatable support portion (7) and a second rotatable support portion (8), the two support portions (7, 8) being coaxial, adjacent to each other, structurally associated with each other, and able to be rotated about the axis (2) independently of one another, a first assembly (4), mounted on the first support portion (7), adapted to be oriented with respect to the axis (2) as a function of the wind direction, comprising: o first two upper (12) and lower (13), flat, solid flanges , circular, transverse, horizontal, spaced from each other and arranged vertically to one another, mounted on the first support part (7), o a casing (14) in the form of a solid wall semi-cylindrical limited by two vertical edges (16a, 16b), rigidly connecting the first flanges (12, 13) arranged at its ends, and o an orienta wing tion (15), plane, vertical, radial and disposed in the plane defined by the two vertical edges (16a, 16b) of the housing (14), a second assembly (5), mounted on the second support portion (8), suitable to be driven in rotation by the wind, comprising high support means (17) and low (18), transverse, horizontal, spaced apart from each other and arranged in alignment with one another, mounted on the second support portion (8), rigidly supporting at their ends, a plurality of diametrically opposite, vertical, angularly spaced drive blades (19), each in the form of a rigid wall bounded by an outer vertical edge (23) , an inner vertical edge (24) and two radial top (21) and bottom (22) edges, - and an electricity generator (6) driven by the second support part (8), characterized in that: the first together (4) is rigid and comprises a radial orienting wing (15), extending substantially between the two x first flanges (12, 13), at least substantially adjacent to one of the vertical edges (16a) of the housing (14), - the support means (17, 18) of the second set (5) are two second upper flanges ( 17) and low (18), planar, full, circular, slightly smaller in diameter than the first two flanges (12, 13), located in immediate proximity to the inner faces, respectively, of the first upper flanges (12) and lower flanges (13). ) and, consequently, the radial upper (21) and lower (22) blade edges are also located in close proximity to the inner faces of the flanges (12, 13), when the blade (19) is located in the first set (4), the outer vertical blade edge (23) is located in close proximity to the inner face of the housing (14), when the blade (19) is located in the first assembly (4), the inner vertical blade edge (24) is substantially spaced from the axis (2) and a substantially empty axial central space (20) is provided between the inner vertical edges (24) of the blades (19).

Wind turbine according to Claim 1, characterized in that:

- The support means (3) constituting the axis comprise an upper portion (9) comprising one or more bearings interposed between the first upper flange (12) and the second upper flange (17) and providing a relative rotary connection between them, and a lower portion (10) comprising one or more bearings interposed between the first bottom flange (13) and the second bottom flange (18) and between the first bottom flange (13) and a frame member, providing a relative rotational connection between they, the second support portion (8) further comprising, in the lower part, a shaft (1 1) integral with the second downward flange (18) projecting downwards to drive the electricity generator (6),

and in that the axial central space (20) is totally empty.

Wind turbine according to Claim 1, characterized in that:

- The support means (3) constituting the axis comprise an upper portion (9) comprising one or more bearings interposed between the first upper flange (12) and the second upper flange (17) and providing a relative rotary connection between them, and a lower portion (10) comprising one or more bearings interposed between the first bottom flange (13) and the second bottom flange (18) and between the first bottom flange (13) and a frame member, providing a relative rotational connection between they, the second support portion (8) further comprising, in the lower part, a shaft (11) integral with the second bottom flange (18), projecting upwards to the second top flange (17) and down where it is able to drive the electricity generator (6),

and in that the axial central space (20) is substantially empty.

4. Wind turbine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the orientation wing (15) is in contact with the vertical edge (16a) of the housing (14), without space or passage between them.

5. Wind turbine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the difference in diameter and the spacing between the two second flanges (17, 18) and the first two flanges (12, 13) are those or neighbors of those just able not to allow friction between the first set (4) and the second set (5).

6. Wind turbine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the spacing between the axis (2) and the inner vertical edge (24) of the blade is of the order of one fifth or one quarter of the radial length. blades (19).

7. Wind turbine according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the radial length of the flange (15) is of the order of the radius or diameter of the housing (14).

8. Wind turbine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of first sets (4) and second sets (5) superimposed coaxially.