WO2009135247A1 - Vertical axis turbine system - Google Patents

Vertical axis turbine system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009135247A1
WO2009135247A1 PCT/AU2009/000512 AU2009000512W WO2009135247A1 WO 2009135247 A1 WO2009135247 A1 WO 2009135247A1 AU 2009000512 W AU2009000512 W AU 2009000512W WO 2009135247 A1 WO2009135247 A1 WO 2009135247A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
turbine
rotor
cavity
power
flow
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2009/000512
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
John Keir
Original Assignee
Atlantis Resources Corporation Pte Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2008902272A external-priority patent/AU2008902272A0/en
Application filed by Atlantis Resources Corporation Pte Limited filed Critical Atlantis Resources Corporation Pte Limited
Publication of WO2009135247A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009135247A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/26—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy
    • F03B13/264—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy using the horizontal flow of water resulting from tide movement
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B17/00—Other machines or engines
    • F03B17/06—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head"
    • F03B17/062—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" with rotation axis substantially at right angle to flow direction
    • F03B17/063—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" with rotation axis substantially at right angle to flow direction the flow engaging parts having no movement relative to the rotor during its rotation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/10—Stators
    • F05B2240/12—Fluid guiding means, e.g. vanes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/40—Use of a multiplicity of similar components
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to turbines for generating power from water flow.
  • Turbines are used to generate power from the flow of water.
  • turbines are uni-directional, meaning that power can only be generated by water flowing in a single operational direction through the turbine. This presents problems in generating power from tidal water flows which alternate in flow direction as the tide changes.
  • Rotating mechanisms can be provided to rotate or yaw the turbine 180° at each change of tide, allowing the turbine to operate in both incoming and outgoing tides.
  • rotating mechanisms add significant expense to turbines and require external control and maintenance.
  • the present inventors have developed an improved vertical axis turbine system that allows power generation from various water flow directions.
  • the present invention provides a vertical axis turbine comprising: a base; four partitions arranged on the base forming four ducts opening into a cavity; a rotor mounted in the cavity for rotation in a drive direction about a central axis; and a power extraction device adapted to extract power from the rotation of the rotor; wherein for a given liquid flow direction, one of the ducts directs liquid flow to the cavity to turn the rotor in the drive direction and an adjacent duct directs flow of the liquid out of the cavity, wherein the partitions substantially prevent water flow from causing the rotor turning in a direction opposite to the drive direction.
  • the vertical axis turbine is bi-directional.
  • the turbine further comprises a cover, the partitions extending between the base and the cover.
  • the partitions may be substantially linear or curved to direct water flow as required.
  • the rotor comprises a hub and a plurality of paddles.
  • the rotor has four paddles.
  • the power extraction device is a generator or pump.
  • the power extraction device is housed in or under the base.
  • the base includes a conduit for power cables or piping.
  • the present invention provides a turbine system comprising an array of a plurality of the turbines according to the first aspect of the present invention.
  • the turbines are stacked one on top of the other in the array.
  • the present invention provides a method of generating power form water flow comprising: providing a turbine according to the first or second aspects of the present invention to a marine or river environment; allowing water movement through a duct of the turbine to cause rotation of the rotor; and drawing power from the turbine.
  • Figure 1 shows a bi-directional vertical axis turbine
  • Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the turbine of Figure 1
  • Figure 3 shows an array of the turbines of Figures 1 and 2.
  • the bi-directional vertical axis turbine comprises a base, four partitions and a rotor.
  • the partitions are mounted on the base to form first, second, third and fourth ducts converging on a cavity.
  • the rotor is mounted in the cavity for rotation in a drive direction about a central axis.
  • the rotor comprises a hub and four radial paddles. Alternative embodiments may have a different number of paddles.
  • the turbine also includes a power extraction device, such as a generator or pump to extract power from the rotation of the rotor. As shown in Figure 1 , when the turbine is deployed in a tidal flow with water flowing in a first flow direction A, the first duct directs the flow into a first side of the cavity. The flow forces the rotor to turn in the drive direction and exits the cavity via the second duct. When the tide turns and the water flows in a second opposite flow direction B, the third duct directs the flow into a second opposite side of the cavity. The flow forces the rotor to turn in the drive direction and exits the cavity via the fourth duct. In this way, the turbine is truly bi-directional and does not require re-orientation each time the tide changes.
  • Incoming flow from the first flow direction A is blocked from entering the second half of the cavity and incoming flow from the second flow direction B is blocked from entering the first half of the cavity, which minimises the drag on the paddles passing through the blocked half of the cavity.
  • the turbine system can work by directing or accelerating the water flow where the paddles need to be 'pushed' whilst creating 'dead' water when the paddles are returning to their original position by blocking the flow. Therefore efficiency can be improved on two fronts as opposed to the traditional duct arrangement where the drag effect on the turbine due to increased water velocity is also increased. As a result, smaller turbines for a given power output could be used.
  • the bi-directional operation of the turbine allows the system to utilise both directions of tidal flow. There is no need for complicated yawing mechanisms to rotate the turbine system at the turn of each tide and keep it pointing directly into the flow, both of which would be expensive to design, build and maintain.
  • the turbine may further comprise a cover, with the partitions extending between the base and the cover to enclose the ducts and prevent spillage of the flow over the rotor and other interference from the surrounding flow conditions.
  • the base which may comprise a block of concrete, acts as a gravity based anchor.
  • the partitions are mounted on the base and may be made from a variety of materials such as steel, concrete or carbon fibre depending on the flow conditions and other factors.
  • a generator may be housed in the base or within the hub for converting the mechanical power output into electricity.
  • a pump may be installed to convert the mechanical power output into hydraulic power. Cabling to carry the electricity from the turbine can be installed via an electrical conduit embedded in the base.
  • the angle and shape of the partitions can be varied to optimise the impingement angle of the water on the paddles.
  • Various rotor designs are also possible having different paddle designs, paddle angles and paddle lengths.
  • a turbine system may include a vertical array of turbines stacked one on top of the other. This design would allow farming of the system in order to maximise the power output of an installation.
  • Another alternative for a turbine system is arranging the turbines in series such that the exiting flow of one turbine enters the next turbine in series.
  • the turbine system has few moving parts and is inexpensive to install and maintain, making it suitable for deployment in remote areas.

Abstract

A vertical axis turbine is described, the turbine comprising: a base; four partitions arranged on the base forming four ducts opening into a cavity; a rotor mounted in the cavity for rotation in a drive direction about a central axis; and a power extraction device adapted to extract power from the rotation of the rotor; wherein for a given liquid flow direction, one of the ducts directs liquid flow to the cavity to turn the rotor in the drive direction and an adjacent duct directs flow of the liquid out of the cavity, wherein the partitions substantially prevent water flow from causing the rotor turning in a direction opposite to the drive direction. Also described is a turbine system comprising an array of a plurality of the turbines. Furthermore, described is a method of generating power form water flow comprising the steps of: providing a turbine to a marine environment; allowing water movement through a duct of the turbine to cause rotation of the rotor; and drawing power from the turbine.

Description

VERTICAL AXIS TURBINE SYSTEM
Field of Invention
The present invention relates to turbines for generating power from water flow.
Background
Turbines are used to generate power from the flow of water. Typically, turbines are uni-directional, meaning that power can only be generated by water flowing in a single operational direction through the turbine. This presents problems in generating power from tidal water flows which alternate in flow direction as the tide changes. Rotating mechanisms can be provided to rotate or yaw the turbine 180° at each change of tide, allowing the turbine to operate in both incoming and outgoing tides. However, rotating mechanisms add significant expense to turbines and require external control and maintenance. The present inventors have developed an improved vertical axis turbine system that allows power generation from various water flow directions.
Summary of Invention
Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a vertical axis turbine comprising: a base; four partitions arranged on the base forming four ducts opening into a cavity; a rotor mounted in the cavity for rotation in a drive direction about a central axis; and a power extraction device adapted to extract power from the rotation of the rotor; wherein for a given liquid flow direction, one of the ducts directs liquid flow to the cavity to turn the rotor in the drive direction and an adjacent duct directs flow of the liquid out of the cavity, wherein the partitions substantially prevent water flow from causing the rotor turning in a direction opposite to the drive direction.
Preferably the vertical axis turbine is bi-directional. In a preferred embodiment, the turbine further comprises a cover, the partitions extending between the base and the cover.
The partitions may be substantially linear or curved to direct water flow as required. Preferably, the rotor comprises a hub and a plurality of paddles. Preferably, the rotor has four paddles.
In a preferred embodiment, the power extraction device is a generator or pump. Preferably, the power extraction device is housed in or under the base. Further preferably, the base includes a conduit for power cables or piping. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a turbine system comprising an array of a plurality of the turbines according to the first aspect of the present invention. Preferably, the turbines are stacked one on top of the other in the array.
In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of generating power form water flow comprising: providing a turbine according to the first or second aspects of the present invention to a marine or river environment; allowing water movement through a duct of the turbine to cause rotation of the rotor; and drawing power from the turbine. Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word
"comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the. purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia before the priority date of each claim of this specification.
In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawings and examples. Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 shows a bi-directional vertical axis turbine; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the turbine of Figure 1 ; and Figure 3 shows an array of the turbines of Figures 1 and 2.
Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the bi-directional vertical axis turbine comprises a base, four partitions and a rotor. The partitions are mounted on the base to form first, second, third and fourth ducts converging on a cavity. The rotor is mounted in the cavity for rotation in a drive direction about a central axis.
In this embodiment, the rotor comprises a hub and four radial paddles. Alternative embodiments may have a different number of paddles. The turbine also includes a power extraction device, such as a generator or pump to extract power from the rotation of the rotor. As shown in Figure 1 , when the turbine is deployed in a tidal flow with water flowing in a first flow direction A, the first duct directs the flow into a first side of the cavity. The flow forces the rotor to turn in the drive direction and exits the cavity via the second duct. When the tide turns and the water flows in a second opposite flow direction B, the third duct directs the flow into a second opposite side of the cavity. The flow forces the rotor to turn in the drive direction and exits the cavity via the fourth duct. In this way, the turbine is truly bi-directional and does not require re-orientation each time the tide changes.
Incoming flow from the first flow direction A is blocked from entering the second half of the cavity and incoming flow from the second flow direction B is blocked from entering the first half of the cavity, which minimises the drag on the paddles passing through the blocked half of the cavity.
The turbine system can work by directing or accelerating the water flow where the paddles need to be 'pushed' whilst creating 'dead' water when the paddles are returning to their original position by blocking the flow. Therefore efficiency can be improved on two fronts as opposed to the traditional duct arrangement where the drag effect on the turbine due to increased water velocity is also increased. As a result, smaller turbines for a given power output could be used. The bi-directional operation of the turbine allows the system to utilise both directions of tidal flow. There is no need for complicated yawing mechanisms to rotate the turbine system at the turn of each tide and keep it pointing directly into the flow, both of which would be expensive to design, build and maintain. The turbine may further comprise a cover, with the partitions extending between the base and the cover to enclose the ducts and prevent spillage of the flow over the rotor and other interference from the surrounding flow conditions.
The base, which may comprise a block of concrete, acts as a gravity based anchor. The partitions are mounted on the base and may be made from a variety of materials such as steel, concrete or carbon fibre depending on the flow conditions and other factors. A generator may be housed in the base or within the hub for converting the mechanical power output into electricity. Alternatively, a pump may be installed to convert the mechanical power output into hydraulic power. Cabling to carry the electricity from the turbine can be installed via an electrical conduit embedded in the base.
The angle and shape of the partitions can be varied to optimise the impingement angle of the water on the paddles. Various rotor designs are also possible having different paddle designs, paddle angles and paddle lengths.
As shown in Figure 3, a turbine system may include a vertical array of turbines stacked one on top of the other. This design would allow farming of the system in order to maximise the power output of an installation. Another alternative for a turbine system is arranging the turbines in series such that the exiting flow of one turbine enters the next turbine in series.
The turbine system has few moving parts and is inexpensive to install and maintain, making it suitable for deployment in remote areas.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

Claims:
1. A vertical axis turbine comprising: a base; four partitions arranged on the base forming four ducts opening into a cavity; a rotor mounted in the cavity for rotation in a drive direction about a central axis; and a power extraction device adapted to extract power from the rotation of the rotor; wherein for a given liquid flow direction, one of the ducts directs liquid flow to the cavity to turn the rotor in the drive direction and an adjacent duct directs flow of the liquid out of the cavity, wherein the partitions substantially prevent water flow from causing the rotor turning in a direction opposite to the drive direction.
2. The turbine according to claim 1 wherein the turbine is bi-directional.
3. The turbine according to claim 1 wherein the turbine further comprises a cover and the partitions extend between the base and the cover.
4. The turbine according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the partitions are substantially linear.
5. The turbine according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the partitions are curved to direct water flow as required.
6. The turbine according to any one of the previous claims wherein the rotor comprises a hub and a plurality of paddles.
7. The turbine according to any one of the previous claims wherein the rotor has four paddles.
8. The turbine according to any one of the previous claims wherein the power extraction device is a generator or pump.
9. The turbine according to any one of the previous claims wherein the power extraction device is housed in or under the base.
10. The turbine according to any one of the previous claims wherein the base includes a conduit for power cables or piping.
11. A turbine system comprising an array of a plurality of the turbines according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
12. The turbine system according to claim 11 wherein the turbines are stacked one on top of the other in the array.
13. A method of generating power form water flow comprising the steps of: providing a turbine according to any one of claims 1 or 10 to a marine or river environment; allowing water movement through a duct of the turbine to cause rotation of the rotor, and drawing power from the turbine.
PCT/AU2009/000512 2008-05-08 2009-04-29 Vertical axis turbine system WO2009135247A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2008902272A AU2008902272A0 (en) 2008-05-08 Vertical Axis Turbine System
AU2008902272 2008-05-08

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009135247A1 true WO2009135247A1 (en) 2009-11-12

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PCT/AU2009/000512 WO2009135247A1 (en) 2008-05-08 2009-04-29 Vertical axis turbine system

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014009441A1 (en) * 2012-07-12 2014-01-16 Dennis Patrick Steel Hydroelectric power plant for irregular flow conditions
US9651018B2 (en) 2014-01-30 2017-05-16 Mihalis Vorias Power generating assembly

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1983000889A1 (en) * 1981-09-04 1983-03-17 William Arnold Fleay Apparatus for extracting power from wave motion
JP2003120499A (en) * 2001-10-15 2003-04-23 Masaru Ijuin Wind mill/water turbine with vertical axis, wave activated generator, and wind power generator
JP2003307172A (en) * 2002-04-15 2003-10-31 Takamasa Iwameji Wave force power machine
WO2007009155A1 (en) * 2005-07-15 2007-01-25 Frederick Herman Sundermann Electricity generating apparatus from a flow of water such as tide, river or the like.

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1983000889A1 (en) * 1981-09-04 1983-03-17 William Arnold Fleay Apparatus for extracting power from wave motion
JP2003120499A (en) * 2001-10-15 2003-04-23 Masaru Ijuin Wind mill/water turbine with vertical axis, wave activated generator, and wind power generator
JP2003307172A (en) * 2002-04-15 2003-10-31 Takamasa Iwameji Wave force power machine
WO2007009155A1 (en) * 2005-07-15 2007-01-25 Frederick Herman Sundermann Electricity generating apparatus from a flow of water such as tide, river or the like.

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014009441A1 (en) * 2012-07-12 2014-01-16 Dennis Patrick Steel Hydroelectric power plant for irregular flow conditions
US9651018B2 (en) 2014-01-30 2017-05-16 Mihalis Vorias Power generating assembly

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