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
  • F03D—WIND MOTORS
  • F03D1/00—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor 
  • F03D1/04—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor  having stationary wind-guiding means, e.g. with shrouds or channels
• • 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
  • F03D—WIND MOTORS
  • F03D13/00—Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
  • F03D13/20—Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
• • 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
  • F05B2240/13—Stators to collect or cause flow towards or away from turbines
  • F05B2240/133—Stators to collect or cause flow towards or away from turbines with a convergent-divergent guiding structure, e.g. a Venturi conduit
• • 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
  • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
  • F05B2240/98—Mounting on supporting structures or systems which is inflatable
• • 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
  • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
  • Y02E10/72—Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• • 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
  • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
  • Y02E10/728—Onshore wind turbines

Definitions

• System for converting wind power to electricity comprising a plurality of modules comprising a tube having its inlet end adapted for letting the wind in and its outlet end adapted for letting the wind out and further having a tapered portion arranged between said ends and accommodating or adjoining a turbine arranged inside the interior space of the tube and provided with a generator for converting the power of the wind driven turbine to electricity and with a cable for conducting the generated electricity away.
• the document US2009146435 discloses a modular wind power plant comprising an array of wind turbine modules which are arrangeable so as to form the desired aggregates.
• Each wind turbine module comprises a tube that has an inlet end for letting the air in, an outlet end for letting the air out and a vaned rotor arranged between said ends, the vanes of the rotor being propelled by the airflow.
• the internal diameter of the tube is continuously getting smaller in the direction from the inlet end towards the rotor and larger in the direction from the rotor to the outlet end.
• the disclosed tubes are made of a polymer, a compound material, a metallic foam or a plastic compound material.
• the drawback of such wind power plant consists in that the power plant has to be assembled from the individual modules directly on the installation site, which makes the installation time significantly slower. Besides that, the transportation of the power plant is demanding due to the overall volume of the component parts to be transported.
• the individual modules have considerable weights and must have a structural strength which is sufficiently high to prevent any damage caused by heavy windstorms or by similar extreme weather conditions during the operation.
• the system for converting wind power to electricity comprising a plurality of modules comprising a tube having its inlet end adapted for letting the wind in and its outlet end adapted for letting the wind out and further having a tapered portion arranged between said ends and accommodating or adjoining a turbine arranged inside the interior space of the tube and provided with a generator for converting the power of the wind driven turbine to electricity and with a cable for conducting the generated electricity away.
• the system comprises an inflatable supporting structure to which the modules are secured.
• the tubes of the modules have inflatable walls and/or the tubes are formed by a foil and provided with an inflatable case.
• the tubes and / or the cases of mutually adjoining modules are, at least in the areas of their inlet ends and/or outlet ends, interconnected or joined together and, simultaneously, the cases and / or tubes adjoining the supporting structure are interconnected with said supporting structure or secured thereto.
• the interior space confined by the inflatable walls of the tube and / or by the walls of the inflatable case and / or by the inflatable walls of the supporting structure is at least partly subdivided by partitions into interconnected channels and / or contains interconnecting elements arranged inside it and interconnecting the respective opposing wall portions.
• System may comprise further a membrane, which is secured to the supporting structure, extends perpendicularly to the axes of the modules and is provided with openings for the fitment of the turbines of the individual modules.
• the inflatable case has a reinforced region surrounding the tube around its tapered cross section.
• the rims of the supporting structure and / or the rims of the circumferential frame extend beyond the plane of the inlet ends at one side and / or the plane of the outlet end on the other side.
• At least a part of the inflatable supporting structure may be of a tripple layer material, which comprises a pair of foils and a textile arranged there between.
• the system may further comprise a supporting pillar, on which the supporting structure is attached pivotally around a vertical axis.
• the supporting structure comprises an inflatable circumferential frame, preferably subdivided by inflatable partitions into fields, which - when the structure is inflated - define areas forming preferably triangular prisms, especially even triangular prisms, and there is a plurality of modules arranged within each of the fields.
• Fig. 1 A shows the first exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention in a front elevation view
• Fig. IB shows a section B-B of the system of in Fig. 1A
• Fig. 1C shows the system from Fig. 1 A in a plan view
• Fig. 2 A shows the second exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention in a front elevation view
• Fig. 2B shows the system of Fig. 2 A in a sectional view
• Fig. 3 A shows a longitudinal section of the first exemplary embodiment of the module according to the invention
• Fig. 3B is a view taken in the direction B shown in Fig. 3 A
• FIG. 3C shows the section C from Fig. 3A
• Fig. 3D shows the section D from Fig. 3A
• Fig. 4A shows a longitudinal section of the second exemplary embodiment of the module according to the invention
• Fig. 4B is a view taken in the direction B shown in Fig. 4A
• Fig. 4C shows the section C from Fig. 4A
• Fig. 4D shows the section D from Fig. 4A
• Fig. 5A shows a longitudinal section of the third exemplary embodiment of the module according to the invention
• Fig. 5B is a view taken in the direction B shown in Fig. 5 A
• Fig. 5 C shows the section C from Fig. 5A
• Fig. 5D shows the section D from Fig. 5 A
• Fig. 5A shows a longitudinal section of the second exemplary embodiment of the module according to the invention
• Fig. 5B is a view taken in the direction B shown in Fig. 5 A
• Fig. 5 C shows the section C
• FIG. 6A shows a longitudinal section of the fourth exemplary embodiment of the module according to the invention
• Fig. 6B is a view taken in the direction B shown in Fig. 6A
• Fig. 6C shows the section C from Fig. 6A
• Fig. 6D shows the section D from Fig. 6A
• Fig. 7A shows a longitudinal section of the fifth exemplary embodiment of the module according to the invention
• Fig. 7B is a view taken in the direction B shown in Fig. 7A
• Fig. 7C shows the section C from Fig. 7A
• Fig. 7D shows the section D from Fig. 7A
• Fig. 8 shows a partial section of an exemplary embodiment of an inflatable wall of the module according to the invention in an axonometric view
• Fig. 8 shows a partial section of an exemplary embodiment of an inflatable wall of the module according to the invention in an axonometric view
• Fig. 8 shows a partial section of an exemplary embodiment of an inflatable wall of
• FIG. 9A shows a preferred embodiment of a supporting structure with the modules
• Fig. 9B shows a portion of the supporting structure from Fig. 9A in a close-up view
• Fig. 10 shows the fitment of a turbine inside the tube in schematic indicative view
• Fig. 11 shows a preferred attachment of the supporting structure to a support column in an indicative view
• Fig. 12 shows a similar supporting structure to be placed on a water surface (for the sake of clarity, the modules are omitted in Figs. 11 and 12).
• the grey fill in some areas shown in the drawings indicates that the respective element is an inflatable one, i.e. there is an air overpressure acting inside such element during the operation.
• the first exemplary embodiment of the system for converting wind power to electricity is schematically depicted in Figs. 1 A to 1C.
• This embodiment which is particularly suitable for being placed on a water surface, comprises a loading chamber 10, an inflatable annular element 9 attached to the former, partial sleeves 8, which protrude beyond the inflatable annular element 9 and which are slidably mounted on the same, thus collectively forming a plain bearing.
• the above components collectively form an antifriction bearing.
• the partial sleeves 8 accommodate a system of inflatable supporting structures 6 attached thereto.
• This system carries a plurality of modules 7 attached thereto. In this exemplary embodiment, the modules 7 are arranged in three separate rectangular fields.
• the plurality of modules 7, the system of the inflatable supporting structures 6 and the partial sleeves 8 are rigidly interconnected. Altogether, they form an assembly, which can slidably revolve along the inflatable annular element 9 around its centre.
• the loading chamber 10 is filled with water.
• the weight of the contained water causes the inflatable annular element 9 to be pulled under the surface of the surrounding water while the air captured inside the inflatable annular element 9 prevents the same from getting excessively submerged. In this manner, the vertical position of the aggregate is stabilized and any inclination of the same with respect to the vertical axis is hindered.
• the supporting structure can be directly attached to the inflatable annular element 9 or to the loading chamber 10 without employing the partial sleeves 8, i.e. without having the possibility of swivelling the supporting structure with respect to the inflatable annular element 9 (Fig. 12).
• the spatial volume inside the inflatable annular element 9 is divided into separate annular chamber, the walls of the latter forming circular sectors when seen in a cross-sectional view (alternatively, different cross-sectional sections may be selected).
• the inflatable annular element may be provided with a case which enables a damaged chamber to be removed and a new chamber to be inserted.
• the system also comprises an instrumentation unit 1, into which electrical cables 39 from the individual modules 7 or the groups of modules 7 are lead and which includes a central busbar and, as the case may be, a frequency converter, voltage transformer, etc., for the subsequent processing of the generated electric current (not shown).
• the generated electricity is conducted away by means of a cable 29 leading from the instrumentation unit 1.
• the system is anchored by means of anchor ropes 11.
• the first exemplary embodiment which is described above, is preferably usable on a water surface, e. g. on a sea surface, but also on a solid base or e. g. on roofs, provided that the mounting of the overall system is adapted accordingly.
• FIG. 2A and 2B The second exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention is shown in Figs. 2A and 2B.
• This embodiment comprises an inflatable support column 4 with the inflatable supporting structure 6 resting on it in a swivelling manner.
• said supporting structure also comprises an inflatable circumferential rim 5 and the modules 7 carried by said structure form separate triangular fields.
• the support column 4 is attached to a base and provided with anchor ropes 11 in order to be stabilized in its position.
• the upper part of the support column 4 accommodates a bearing 18, by means of which the supporting structure 6 is affixed to the column.
• the mstrumentation unit 1 is placed on the support column 4, said instrumentation unit comprising a central busbar, to which the cables 39 leading from the individual modules 7 or from groups of modules 7 are connected.
• the output side of the instrumentation unit 1 is further
• Fig. 2B shows in a particularly obvious manner that the circumferential rim 5 considerably protrudes beyond the modules 7, thus creating shorter guiding walls for the air blowing into the modules 7 on the one side (windward side) and longer protective walls for the air being led away from the modules 7 on the other side (leeward side).
• the effect which is achieved by means of the above arrangement, consists in that the air blowing towards the modules 7 is directed and guided into the modules 7 in an increased amount and under a higher pressure, while the air being led away from the modules 7 on the leeward side is protected from being rapidly mixed with the other air.
• undesirable air swirls are prevented from developing and, simultaneously, the negative pressure can rise, which causes the air to be drawn out from the modules 7.
• the circumferential rim 5 increases the stiffness of the supporting structure 6.
• Such circumferential rim 5 could be also usable for the embodiments described with reference to Figs. 1 A to 1C, or for still other embodiments of the supporting structure 6. Nevertheless, it is not indispensable for the function of the overall system.
• the supporting structure 6 may assume a form, which comprises solely a peripheral frame, or the system may comprise a support column, to which such a peripheral frame is attached, or a support column, from which separate arms extend, said arms forming a supporting structure in a simple or branched manner.
• a yet another alternative embodiment comprises a supporting structure consisting of arms extending from a common base.
• such column may be made of a solid material or may assume an inflatable form.
• a still further embodiment is particularly preferred, said embodiment comprising a rectangular outer frame which is subdivided into triangular regions, the triangles being preferably equilateral or, alternatively right-angled and/or isosceles.
• the supporting structure 6 along with the modules 7 is preferably adapted for swivelling around the vertical axis.
• the angular position of the supporting structure can be adjusted in accordance with the wind direction.
• the mounting of the supporting structure 6 along with the modules 7 in a single point of the support column 4 is accomplished in a manner which enables the supporting structure 6 not only to swivel but also to be tilted and inclined in various directions (such mounting is particularly useful for structures which are subject to a wobbling motion caused by sea waves).
• the latter arrangement can be realized, e.g., by means of a spherical bearing or a ball joint.
• the spherical bearing 4 5 is affixed to the top of the support column 4 and, by means of a sleeve 47, to a clamping arm 166 of the supporting structure 6.
• the clamping arm 166 is attached to the rest of the supporting structure 6 with its one end and to a counterweight 100 with its other end, said counterweight securing the supporting structure 6 in a correct position during the operation of the system.
• the centre of gravity of the supporting structure 6, along with all the elements affixed thereto or mounted thereon, is located substantially in the area of the support column 4, particularly on the axis of the same and below the level of the joint between the supporting structure 6 and the support column 4.
• auxiliary weight 101 attached to the lower portion of the supporting structure 6, while the main counterweight 100 is held by suspension ropes.
• the auxiliary weight 101 which mounted on the supporting structure 6, is divided into two parts and placed in the lower corners of the supporting structure, as shown in Fig. 11.
• an oblong auxiliary weight can be mounted along the lower edge of the supporting structure 6.
• Both the auxiliary weight 101 and the main counterweight 100 can be either suspended underneath the supporting structure 6 or directly affixed to the same, provided that the fixing point is situated sufficiently low with respect to the level of the bearing.
• the supporting structure 6 When the supporting structure 6 is attached to the supporting structures in a single point, it is particularly advantageous to situate such point (bearing) slightly above the geometrical centre, or - to be more exact - in the point of action of the aerodynamic forces caused by the wind. In fact, the kinetic energy of the wind increases along with the rising height above the ground, thus also lifting up the point of action of the kinetic energy taken of by the field of the modules 7.
• the latter arrangement is particularly advantageous when a spherical bearing or a ball joint is used because it minimizes any undesirable inclination (or slant) out of the optimum position.
• the supporting structure 6 is, along with the array of modules 7, placed on the inflatable support column 4 by means of a spherical bearing or ball joint so that the centre of gravity of the assembly, which is carried by said spherical bearing or ball joint, is situated below that spherical bearing or ball joint.
• the above supporting structure 6 may be also installed on an existing column, such as that of a wind power plant being put out of service, or another suitable column, mast or tower. Such an installation will involve the removal of surplus components from the top portion of the column and the replacement of those components with a bearing or joint by means of which a supporting structure, such as that shown in Figs. 2 or 11, is attached. Additionally, the column may be stabilized by the ropes 11. Occasionally, the bearing of the former wind power station can be used.
• control of the amount of air being let through the turbines 37 may be used for balancing the system. This may be accomplished, e.g., by tilting the vanes or by impeding the motion of the same by means of a control unit. Thus, the amount of air being let through the turbines 37 in lower levels can be different from the amount of air being let through the turbines 37 in higher levels.
• the counterweight 100 may be formed by the instrumentation unit l_with the voltage transformer 2 or with other instrumentation components of the wind power station.
• the counterweight may comprise the latter unit and components.
• the supporting structure 6 is placed and suspended so that the level of the turbines 37 extends obliquely in relation to the horizontal plane, as shown in Fig. 11.
• the supporting structure comprises a central element affixed to the terminating portion of the clamping arm 166.
• said central element comprising eight inflatable braces 160 extending therefrom and having their ends adapted to support a pair of nettings 161.
• the inputs of the tubes 31, or cases 41, or modules 7 are attached to the one netting 161, while the outlets of the same are attached to the other netting 161.
• the supporting structure of such a type can be also placed on a floating annular element, as shown in Figs. 1 A and IB.
• four inflatable braces 160 extend from the central element.
• Figs. 3A to 7D show different embodiments of the modules 7 in the respective schematic views.
• Fig. 3 a shows the first exemplary embodiment of the module 7 in a longitudinal section view.
• the module 7 comprises a tube 31, which is inflatable, i.e., to a certain extent, self contained, the internal surface of said tube continuously narrowing in the direction from the windward side (from the inlet end), thus forming a confuser, and subsequently expanding, thus forming a diffuser.
• the shape of the tube substantially corresponds to that of a Venturi tube.
• the narrowing portion, preferably the narrowest point, of the tube 31 forms a mounting area for the wind turbine 37 driving an electric generator.
• the cable 39 which is connected to the outlet of the electric generator, leads the generated electric current to a central busbar.
• the tube 31 shown in Fig. 3 A may consist of a single piece or be made up of two coaxial parts, namely an inlet part and an outlet one, which mutually adjoin in their areas having the smallest internal cross sections. Between the latter and to the common longitudinal axis of the same, the membrane 38 is housed, which is preferably shared by a group of modules 7, e.g. by an array of modules, and which accommodates the wind turbines 37 for the individual modules 7 and/or supports the cables leading from the individual generators to the central busbar, said cables being placed either inside the membrane or on its surface.
• the membrane 38 is provided with opening in the areas, which are intended for the insertion of the turbines 37, in order to enable the air flow to pass through the turbines 37.
• the tube 31 according to the present embodiment is inflatable, the structural strength of the tube being increased in that the same is, at least partly, subdivided by partitions into interconnected channels 32.
• the internal spaces of the individual channels are preferably interconnected so that the inflation / deflation of the respective module 7 can be carried out via a single, common air valve.
• the orientations of the partitions and channels 32 can be also more complex, which means that they can be arranged in a plurality of overlapping layers or form separately inflatable / deflatable sections.
• the overall spatial stiffness is increased and the operational continuity is ensured in the case of malfunction of (or damage to) some channels 32, partitions or other parts of the module 7.
• the second exemplary embodiment of the module 7 is shown in Figs. 4A to 4D.
• This embodiment comprises a tubular inflatable case 41 Vvitnin which the tube 31 is arranged.
• the latter is formed by a foil which is tensioned from the inlet end of the inflatable case 41 towards the outlet end of the same, so that the internal surface of said foil corresponds to the shape of a Venturi tube at least in the areas adjoining the wind turbine 37 (the inlet and outlet ends can have quadrangular or polygonal cross section, this feature being shared by all further embodiments).
• the wind turbine 37 driving an electric generator is mounted in the area of the narrowest internal cross section of the tube 31. From there, the generated electric current is led via the cable 39 to the outlet end of the tube 31 and subsequently to a central busbar.
• the inflatable case 41 has a regular hexagonal cross section and relatively thin walls at its inlet and outlet ends. This means that the thicknesses of the walls of the inflated case are relatively small, the inflatable wall in the central area being wider for the sake of increasing the structural strength of the case and provided with an array of partitions, which at least partly subdivide the internal inflated volume into individual channels 33 - peripheral hexagonal rings with triangular cross sections.
• the internal spaces of the individual channels are preferably interconnected so that the inflation / deflation of the respective module 7 can be carried out via a single, common air valve.
• a carrying foil 51 is arranged inside the case 41 and forms a tube having a triangular cross section and being arranged coaxially with the case 41, said tube being attached to the case in the areas of the edges of the latter, thus
• the modules 7 are rigidly (but not permanently, with regard to possible repairs) interconnected, preferably in the points where the respective cases 41 are coupled with the carrying foil 51.
• an array of statically determinate triangular prisms is created, thus making the group of the modules 7, to a certain extent, self contained and spatially rigid when the inflatable components of the latter have been sufficiently pressurized.
• the above mentioned carrying foil 51 may be replaced with a system of cords. Said cords preferably extend through a plane, which is perpendicular to the axis of the tube, thus interconnecting the opposite corners and/or edges.
• the cases 41 of the adjacent modules 7 are interconnected at least at their ends, preferably at least at their inlet and outlet ends. Moreover, those cases 41, which adjoin the supporting structure 6, are secured to the supporting structure 6. Thereby, the above mentioned ends of the cases 41 are reinforced and any undesirable distortion of the cases due to the tensile action of the foil of the tube 31or due to the lateral wind loads, etc., can be prevented.
• the inlet and or outlet ends of the tubes or cases are attached to the netting 161, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12.
• the fitment of the turbine 37 may be carried out by means of the membrane 38.
• each module 7 is provided with its separate membrane 38, which is attached to the respective case 41.
• a single membrane 38 can be shared by multiple modules 7. In the latter case, the membrane 38 divides a group of the modules into front and rear subgroups.
• Figs. 5 A to 7D show further embodiment of the modules, particularly different variants of the reinforced portions of the cases 41.
• Figs. 5 A to 5D show the module 7 that comprises the case 41 consisting of an outer tubular element, the latter having a hexagonal cross section and inflatable walls.
• An inflatable internal reinforcing tube 42 is arranged inside the case 41 and is shorter than the respective case 41 and its cross section has substantially the shape of a triangle with bevelled vertices.
• the reinforcing tube 42 is provided with an array of stiffening partitions, which subdivide the internal space defined by the walls of the reinforcing tube 42 into ring-shaped channels having triangular cross sections.
• the internal spaces of the individual channels are preferably interconnected so that the inflation / deflation of the respective module 7 can be carried out via a single, common air valve.
• the tube 31 is arranged inside the case 41. Said tube is formed by a foil which is tensioned in the direction from the inlet end of the inflatable case 41 towards the outlet end of the same so that the internal surface of the foil corresponds to that of a Venturi tube.
• the fitment of the turbine 37 and the cable 39 is similar to that according to the embodiment shown in Figs. 4A to 4D. Alternatively, the variants of the fitment described with reference to Figs. 3A or 3D are usable.
• the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 A to 6D includes a combination of the features of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 A and the embodiment shown in Fig. 4A.
• the inner and outer portions of the case 41 are not separated from each other, the portions of the case 41 at the inlet and outlet ends of the same have relatively thin walls and the central portion of the case is expanded and reinforced by partitions, the outer wall of the case 41 having a hexagonal cross section and the inner wall of the case 41 having a triangular cross section within said central portion.
• the inflatable case 41 has a regular hexagonal cross section and relatively thin walls at its inlet and outlet ends, which means that the thicknesses of the walls of the inflated case are relatively small.
• the central area of the inflatable wall of the case 41 is wider in order to increase the overall structural strength of the case. Besides that, said wall has a regular hexagonal cross section on its outer side and a triangular cross section on its inner side.
• the inflatable wall is also provided with an array of partitions which at least partly subdivide the inner inflatable space defined by said wall into the channels 33.
• the internal spaces of the individual channels are preferably interconnected so that the inflation / deflation of the respective module 7 can be carried out via a single, common air valve.
• the tube 31 is arranged inside the case 41. Said tube is formed by a foil which is tensioned in the direction from the inlet end of the inflatable case 41 towards the outlet end of the same so that the internal surface of the foil corresponds to that of a Venturi tube.
• the fitment of the turbine 37 and the cable 39 is similar to that according to the embodiment shown in Figs. 4A to 4D. Nevertheless, it is also possible to use the fitment indicated in Figs. 3A to 3D, i.e. the fitment by means of a membrane which forms the interface between the inlet and outlet portions of the respective module (both the case 41 and the foil 31 would be divided into their inlet and outlet portions).
• the embodiment shown in Figs. 7A and 7D is an alternative to the embodiment shown in Figs. 4A to 4D.
• the case 41 has a tubular shape, relatively thin walls at its inlet and outlet ends and a widened central portion. Besides that, the case 41 has a hexagonal cross section in the vicinity of its ends, said cross section gradually becoming triangular in the transition areas between each of the end portions and the widened central portion of the case 41. Thus, the widened central portion has a substantially triangular cross section along its entire length.
• the inflatable wall of the case 41 is provided with an array of partitions which at least partly subdivide the inner inflatable space defined by said wall into the channels 33.
• the internal spaces of the individual channels are preferably both
• the tube 31 is arranged inside the case 41.
• Said tube is formed by a foil which is tensioned in the direction from the inlet end of the inflatable case 41 towards the outlet end of the same so that the internal surface of the foil corresponds to that of a Venturi tube.
• the case 41 is provided with covering foil tube 43 which extends from the inlet end towards the outlet end of the case 41 and has a substantially hexagonal cross section along its entire length.
• the covering foil tubes 43 of the adjacent modules 7 are
• the modules 7 were described with reference to Figs. 3 A to 7D, those skilled in the art will appreciate that further alternatives are possible, Even though the hexagonal outer cross section of the cases 41 or at least of their inlet and outlet ends is favourable with regard to the creation of the arrays or groups of the modules 7, other variants with triangular, square or irregular cross sections of the cases 41 are also conceivable.
• the interior shape of the tube 31 corresponds to that of a Venturi tube.
• the interior shape of the tube 31 is continuously tapered from the inlet or from an area adjoining the inlet end towards the turbine 37 or towards an area adjoining the turbine 37 and subsequently continuously expands from the turbine 37 or from an area adjoining the turbine 37 towards the outlet end.
• the turbines 37 of the system according to the invention are arranged in a coplanar manner, particularly in a common vertical plane.
• the rotational axis of the system is substantially vertical and parallel to the plane 3, in which the turbines 37 are arranged.
• said rotational axis extends through the area confined by the plane of the turbines 37 and by the plane of the inlet ends of the modules 7 or, as the case may be, by the plane of the outlet ends of the modules 7.
• the inlets of the tubes 31 may be arranged in a single common plane which is favourable from the manufacturing point of view.
• the netting 161 which is, in turn, secured to the supporting structure 6 and extends both along the inlets of the tubes 31 and along a corresponding concave plane.
• Fig. 8 shows a portion of the supporting structure 6 in a schematical, partial cross- sectional view.
• the supporting structure 6 is inflatable.
• the wall of the supporting structure 6 comprises a first wall portion 61 and a second wall portion 62, said portions being interconnected so that an inflatable space is formed therebetween.
• the interior space of the same i.e. the space between the first wall portion 61 and the second wall portion 62, is provided with an array of partitions 64 which at least partly subdivide the interior inflatable space into individual channels 63.
• the interior spaces of the channels 63 are preferably interconnected so that the inflation / deflation of the supporting structure 6, or a certain section of the latter, can be carried out via a single, common air valve.
• the above channels are arranged in the planes which are perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the individual modules 7.
• the orientation of the partitions 64 and the channels 63 can be also more complex.
• the partition and/or channels can be arranged in multiple layers having different individual orientations.
• the partitions 64 and channels 63 arranged in the walls of the supporting structure 6 or the layers consisting of such partitions and channels may also form separate inflatable / deflatable sections which contribute to the spatial stiffness of the system and ensure the operational continuity of the same in the case of malfunction of some of the channels 63, partitions 64 or parts of the modules 7.
• the biggest load- carrying capacity of the structure is obtained in the direction of the straight channel 63, while the directions, which are perpendicular to said straight channel, enable the inflatable walls to be desirably shaped when the respective partitions are suitably positioned.
• the above principles relating to the shaping and partitioning of the supporting structure 6 also apply to the other inflatable elements of the complete system.
• the first wall portion 61 and/or the second wall portion 62 consists of multiple layers, including a pair of foils 67 and a reinforcing fabric 68 arranged therebetween.
• the foils 67 can be made, e.g., of PE, PP, PA, or the like, while the reinforcing fabric 68 can be made of PE (e.g. UHMWPE) or PA (e.g. para-aramid fibres, kevlar fibres, twaron fibres). Similar materials are usable for the membrane 38 accommodating the turbine 37.
• first and/or second wall portion can have a single layer formed by a foil having sufficient mechanical strength or two layers formed by a foil and a reinforcing fabric, respectively.
• the supporting structure 6, the tubes 31, the cases 41 or, if need be, other elements of the system can be made of a transparent or translucent material, such as of a polymer selected from the group including PVC, BO-PET, A-PET or PU, of a silicone rubber, an epoxy resin etc.
• the walls of the supporting structure 6 or, if need be, the cases of the support column 4 are made of a transparent polymer, particularly of PVC or PET, consisting of two or more layers interspersed with mutually spaced reinforcing fibres or with reinforcing fibre-based grids.
• said fibres are oriented in a manner which enables them to carry the most of the load acting on the tubes 31 and on the inflatable elements, to prevent any material creep from occurring and to allow the desired transparency or translucency of the reinforced material to be achieved.
• the tubes 31 can be made up of a single layer of a transparent foil and the respective reinforcing fibres can be affixed to such tubes by means of an adhesive.
• the transparent elements with a layer that is able to absorb or reflect the undesirable UV radiation.
• a layer may be formed by an additional foil, which purposefully absorbs the UV radiation, or by a foil provided with a very thin metallic coat, preferably applied by spraying, or by a thin gelous layer interposed between two transparent layers or by a thin resilient resin layer (e.g. on the polyurethane or epoxy basis) with glass fibres embedded therein.
• the tubes 31 can additionally have a special configuration consisting in that the ratio between the inner diameter of the inlet end of the tube 31 and the smallest inner diameter of the same tube is greater than 4 and less than 6,5. Simultaneously, the ratio between the inner diameter of the inlet end of the tube 31 and the overall length of the same tube 31 should be equal to or greater than 9. In case that the tube 31 has a non-circular cross section of its inlet end, the calculation of the above ratios will be based on the diameter of a circle inscribed in the inlet shape of the tube 31.
• the reinforcing fibres of the tubes 31 can be made of low ductile materials, such as glass fibres, which prevent, in a more efficient manner, the undesirable strains from occurring.
• Fig. 9 A shows a schematical axonometric view of a particularly preferred embodiment of the supporting structure 6 along with the modules 7, wherein the supporting structure 6 comprises the inflatable circumferential frame 65 consisting, as shown in Fig. 8, of the first and second wall portions 61, 62, at least the latter being preferably formed by one pair of the foils 67 and by the reinforcing fabric 68 arranged therebetween.
• the interior space between the first wall portion 61 and the second wall portion 62 is subdivided into multiple interconnected channels.
• the interior space of the circumferential frame 65 is subdivided by the inflatable partitions 69 into multiple fields having substantially the shape of equilateral triangles or regular triangular prisms.
• the individual fields contain the respective arrays of parallel modules 7, the edges of the outlet end of each module 7 being affixed to the edges of the inlet ends of the adjacent modules 7 or, as the case may be, to the adjacent areas of the inflatable partitions 69 or of the circumferential frame 65.
• the outlet ends of the modules 7 are configured in a similar manner. Thereby, an especially high structural strength can be obtained.
• the modules 7 are depicted in a single field in Fig. 9 A, while Fig. 9B provides an indication of the modules in the one field and the representation of a part of the total number of the modules in the other field.
• Fig. 10 schematically shows the fitment of the turbine 37 in the tube 31.
• the annular element 50 serves mainly as a bearing and is made up of two other annular elements rotating in opposite directions.
• the outer one of said two annular elements is stationary (i.e., forms a part of the stator) and is secured to the walls of the tube 31.
• the inner, rotating annular element and the central part 51 of the rotor are interconnected by means of the vanes 52, thus forming the rotor in their entirety.
• the central part 51 of the rotor can incorporate a rotor bearing as well as an array of magnets and coils along with the outlet for the generated electricity; in such case, the turbine is attached to the tube 31 by means of one or more retaining arms and corresponding annular elements (to protect the rotor vanes from a damage during transportation) to which me central part of the turbine is secured.
• the rotor can be movable relative to the direction of the rotational axis.
• the annular element 50 can be secured to the tube 31 or to the membrane 38. At least one coil 53 is mounted inside the annular element 50.
• the annular element 50 can be provided either with an outlet for the cable 39 leading the generated electric current or with an inlet for a low-current line 55 for controlling the turbine 37.
• the annular ring 50 can also incorporate a compressor for controlling the air pressure in the inflatable components of the module 7.
• the coil 53 can be moved closer or away in order to adjust the generated electric voltage.
• the diameter of the rotor can range between, e.g., 0.1 and 0.2 m; nevertheless, other dimensions are also possible.
• the modules 7 may also, but not necessarily, incorporate the case 41.
• a single common inflatable case for one array of the modules 7 can be provided; according to the embodiment shown in Figs. 9 A and 9B, such a common inflatable case having a tubular shape with an equilateral triangular cross section can be used for increasing the structural stiffness of the array of the modules 7, said array of modules extending through one of the triangular fields in the supporting structure 6.
• Fig. 9B shows a portion of the supporting structure 6 from Fig. 9A in a close-up view, wherein the arrangement of the inlet ends of the modules 7 in one of the fields is visible and wherein the fitment of the modules 7 and the membrane 38 for securing the turbines 37 is also indicated.
• the cables 39 can incorporate control lines for operating the turbine 37, driving lines for the coils of the current generator and, if need be, supply lines for the compressors.
• the inflatable tubes 31 or inflatable cases 41 of two or more of the modules 7 can be joined together in a manner that enables a plurality of inflatable elements to be simultaneously supplied with air from a single source of compressed air and through a single valve.
• the inflatable elements of the system comprise multiple individual, mutually separable chambers which are replaceable during the operation of the system in the case of a damage to any of such elements.
• each inflatable chamber is provided with its own individual valve.
• a backup inflatable chamber e.g. an inflatable chamber for support column
• such inflatable chamber can be housed in a case, in a partition wall, inside an inflatable element in the vicinity of an active chamber or in a transitional chamber at one of the ends of an inflatable element.
• the backup chamber is automatically inflated to replace the faulty one.
• the system according to the invention can also comprise the following additional functional elements:
• an electronic control unit such as that based on a frequency converter, into which the phase lines of several turbines are led and which rectifies both the variable currents and the controlled varying voltages in order to equalize them and to obtain the desired parameters of the generated electricity;
• a transformer station receiving the electric current from the frequency converter and transforming the electricity, which is drawn from one or more systems, in order to adapt it according to the requirements of a single branch line or of an entire utility grid;
• a supervision unit with low-current or airborne electric lines connected to the above components and controlling, possibly by means of a remote access functionality, both the setup and the operation of the power plant.

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• 2013
  • 2013-09-10 CZ CZ2013-690A patent/CZ305135B6/cs not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2014
  • 2014-09-09 WO PCT/CZ2014/000100 patent/WO2015035965A1/en active Application Filing

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