WO2016064287A1

WO2016064287A1 - Rotor of a wind turbine with a vertical axle of rotation

Info

Publication number: WO2016064287A1
Application number: PCT/PL2015/050055
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zbigniew ŁAZUR
Original assignee: Łazur Zbigniew
Priority date: 2014-10-21
Filing date: 2015-10-15
Publication date: 2016-04-28

Abstract

Rotor of a wind turbine with a vertical axle of rotation, comprising a power takeoff shaft with evenly distributed along its circumference and perpendicular thereto sets of arms, in which ends there are arranged rotatably wings, characterized in that, it comprises an eccentric (3) which is rotatably mounted in relation to the axle of the power takeoff shaft (1) and slidably in relation to said rotor in a plane perpendicular to said power takeoff shaft and the wing (4) consists of at least two segments (4a) and (4b) connected in series and rotatably in the relation to the previous segment where said segments form in the transverse plane an aerodynamic profile with variable geometry and profiles of the segments symmetrical in that plane. The first segment (4a) has a leading edge and the last is terminated with a trailing edge, wherein the first segment (4a) of the wing has mounted therein a permanent connector (5) joining the first segment (4a) with a rotor's arm (2a) by a first pin (6a) passing through the first opening (5a) of the connector (5) and an opening in the rotor's arm (2) and with the eccentric (3) through an adjustable main linkage (7) mounted rotatably on the eccentric (3), and from the other side in the second opening (5b) of the connector (5) with placed into it second pin (6b). The segments, starting from the second (4b) are rotatably mounted at the ends of the preceding segment (4a) by a hinge joint, wherein said segments have secondary linkage (8) connecting them directly and/or indirectly with the eccentric (3) and the sets of arms (2) are arranged in one or more planes.

Description

Rotor of a wind turbine with a vertical axle of rotation

The present invention is a rotor of a wind turbine with a vertical axle of rotation, designed for the use of wind energy for households use.

From the US Patent No 3897170, 3902072, 4496283, 6779966, 7258527, among others, there are known wind turbines with a vertical rotor axle. These turbines are characterized by the fact that to the vertical axle, through various types of hubs and gears, there are mounted arms, at the ends of which there are various kinds and shapes blades, wherein the amount of the arms is different and varies from three to nine. In addition the blades are equipped with elements allowing for their partial rotation, according to the wind direction, which at the moment said elements are subjected. Essential for the efficiency of a wind turbine is the best possible selection of the quantity of the blades, their shape, and the way of setting said blades in the direction of the wind.

Applied herein are solutions consisting the fact, that the blade is rotary mounted at one end, and at some distance from the axle of rotation there is placed pin or resistant surface, which creates the conditions for the reception of the wind energy, and while moving upwind the blades take the position relative to the wind with a smallest surface thereby obtaining difference of moments.

Furthermore, from Polish Patent Description No. 70658 there is known wind turbine with vertical shaft, wherein a rotor consists movable blades pivotally embedded on arms, which are mounted radially on the circumference of that shaft. From Polish Patent Description No. 105099 there is known wind turbine with a rotor with a vertical shaft to which perpendicularly, on several levels, at right angles there are mounted four horizontal axles, and on said axles there are two-piece movable blades.

Additionally, from the Polish Patent Description No. 54609 there is known turbine air motor, equipped with two rotors with vertical axles, mounted on a common support plate. The rotors are partially housed with two symmetrical air streams deflectors.

Polish patent descriptions No. PL 40165 - wind motor and No. PL 40378- wind motor with vertical shaft also discusses the construction of wind turbines with rotors with vertical axles and movable blades.

The Polish patent No. 25034 presents wind motor consisting of a cylinder mounted on a vertical axle with fixed on the surface thereof axles, which are parallel to the axle of the cylinder, movable wings, having a curvature, same, as the curvature of the cylinder surface. Each of the wings covers the adequate part of that surface. Operation of the motor lies in the fact, that in the resting position, under pressure from springs the wings line up radially in the direction of the axle of cylinder, applying pressure of its convex side to supports. Under the pressure of the wind rotation is caused by a blow to the concave surface of the wing, held in the radial position while the convex surfaces of the wing are pressed to the surface of the cylinder.

There are also known wind motors with a vertical axle of the rotor, inter alia, from U.S. Patent No. 3897170. These motors are characterized by the fact, that to the vertical axle, through various types of hubs and gears, there are mounted arms, on the ends of which there are various kinds and shapes blades, wherein the amount of the arms varies from three to nine. In addition the blades are equipped with elements allowing their partial rotation, according to the wind direction, which at the moment are subjected. Important for the efficiency of a wind turbine is the optimal selection of the quantity of the blades, their shape, and the way of their setting in the direction of the wind, that is self-steering.

From the Polish Patent Description No 162656 there is also known a wind motor equipped with blades that have a cross-sectional shape of an aircraft wing, wherein the blade is divided along the longitudinal axle into two parts, upper and lower and between these parts there is, lying also in the longitudinal axle, a stabilizing -reinforcing beam. The upper and lower parts of the blades are pivotally connected together in such a way that, in the front part, forming oval part of the blade and are connected linearly by the stabilizing -reinforcing beam, and in the rear part are connected by a lever system, wherein the system causes the opening and closing of the blade and is actuated by a fin comprising an extension of the lower part, and after closing of the blade the extension of the contour of the upper part. Manufactured in this way blades, whose longitudinal axle is parallel to the vertical axle of the motor are connected in a known manner with the vertical axle.

From German Patent Description No. 2826180 there is known windmill with a vertical axle of rotation. A centric ring relative to the vertical axle of rotation has vertical axles mounted on the circumference, on which sails are mounted. The sails surface is divided by said vertical axles into two unequal parts. The vertical axles have mounted below the ring straight yokes, and inside them sliding sliders mounted on cranks, which second arm is connected with control ring. The control ring is disposed eccentrically to the axle of rotation of the windmill and has an internal toothed rim. Also the ring with the sails has an internal toothed rim. Both toothed rims are coupled with gear mechanism. Rotation of the ring causes a rotation of the control ring; thereby the sliders through the yokes are causing rotation of the vertical axles with the sails. Thus the sails are set transversely to the direction of the wind on the side of the windmill moving along that direction and parallel to the direction of the wind on the side moving in opposite to the direction of the wind.

The essence of a rotor of a wind turbine with a vertical axle of rotation, comprising a power takeoff shaft with evenly distributed along its circumference and perpendicular thereto sets of arms, in which ends there are arranged rotatably wings is that, it comprises an eccentric which is rotatably mounted in relation to the axle of the power takeoff shaft and slidably in relation to said rotor in a plane perpendicular to said power takeoff shaft and the wing consists of at least two segments connected in series and rotatably in the relation to the previous segment where said segments form in the transverse plane an aerodynamic profile with variable geometry and profiles of the segments symmetrical in that plane, where the first segment has a leading edge and the last is terminated with a trailing edge, wherein the first segment of the wing has mounted therein a permanent connector joining the first segment with a rotor's arm by a first pin passing through the first opening of the connector and an opening in the rotor's arm and with the eccentric through an adjustable length main linkage mounted rotatably on the eccentric and from the other side in the second opening of the connector with placed into it second pin, while segments, starting from the second are rotatably mounted at the ends of the preceding segment by a hinge joint, wherein said segments have secondary linkage connecting them directly and/or indirectly with the eccentric and the sets of arms are arranged in one or more planes.

Preferably, the wing has a skeletal structure in the shape of a closed frame structure formed by a vertical rigid tubular profile terminated on both sides with identical arched profiles embedded rigidly in the vertical tubular profile and the ends of the arched profiles are connected by a springy closing profile with bulge on the outside, wherein the vertical tubular profile and the springy closing profile are rigidly connected with at least one connector holding fixed distance between them, and the rigid tubular profile has rotatably mounted and symmetrical in cross section segment a rigid segment of the wing which is transversely divided in at least one place, in which there is embedded a flexible wing segment extending to the vicinity of the springy closing profile and connected with it by sliding on it clamps while side ends of a flexible segment of the wing have a profile similar to the shape of the shark fin with sleeves through which extends the closing profile and the side ends of the flexible segment of the wing are connected to the arched profiles by tensioning springs wherein the flexible segment of the wing on the entire length of the trailing edge has a flexible reinforcing strip.

In another embodiment of the invention, it is preferred that the first segment and a trailing segment are respectively ended with two plates and the two plates limiting the height of the sections, respectively the first segment and the trailing segment and permanently attached to them, whose contour is larger than the cross- sectional outline of the first segment and trailing segment and the height of the first segment is greater than the height of trailing segment, while the first segment and trailing segment are rotatably and in line arranged in relation to each so that the trailing edge of the first segment and the leading edge of trailing segment do not interfere with each other, while the axle of rotation of trailing segment passes near the trailing edge of the first segment and goes slightly beyond the two plates limiting the height of the first segment and is placed in front of the leading edge of the trailing segment and passes through the plates limiting the height of trailing segment.

This variation is further characterized by the fact that in the axle of the upper- end of the first segment and the trailing segment there are bearing- mounted the first linkages, whose other ends are bearing- mounted in the axle of a bearing-mounted eccentric which is bearing-mounted on the power takeoff shaft, and the trailing segment near the trailing edge has an axle on which they are rotatably bearing- mounted secondary linkages whose other ends are rotatably bearing- mounted on the axle of the main linkage, wherein to the eccentric axle there is rigidly fixed a steering wheel, which projects beyond the structure of the rotor, wherein the number of arms is not less than two.

Preferably the connector in the horizontal plane has a shape similar to the letter "V" which arms form an obtuse angle, and in the vicinity of the ends of the arms there are through openings.

Furthermore, it is preferred when the arms have extensions in the shape of arches in the ends of which there are divided openings.

Preferably, the tension springs have axes parallel to the axes of the sleeves.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the wing made up of segments has external outline in a vertical plane the shape of a limited geometric figure starting from a horizontal symmetry plane on the side of the leading edge of a straight line or a convex line with a small curvature, which passes smoothly into arch and further into peak-shaped part similar to the shape of the dorsal fin of a shark passing on the side of the trailing edge and ending with a convex arch with a small curvature.

Preferably, the eccentric is mounted rotatably in the relation to the main shaft and slidably in the relation to said shaft on guides arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane going through the eccentric axle and the axle of the main shaft.

Preferably, secondary linkages of the subsequent segments of the wing, starting from the second are rotatably mounted on a common main axle on the main linkage of the first segment.

Preferably, the secondary linkages of the subsequent segments of the wing, starting from the second are rotatably mounted on the preceding linkage.

The invention has been described in embodiment with a reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of a wind turbine with vertical axle of rotation, FIG. 2 is an axonometric view of the wind turbine with a closer look at generator and an eccentric mechanism, FIG. 3 is axonometric view of joint of segments of wing with arms of the turbine and main and secondary linkages, FIG. 4 is axonometric view of segments of rigid wing, FIG. 5 side view of the wing, FIG. 6 axonometric view of segments of the rigid wing in close-up, FIG. 7 the single wing, FIG. 8 top view of the wing with a connector, FIG. 9 axonometric view of the turbine with a rotor with flexible wings, FIG. 10 axonometric view of the flexible wing FIG. 11 close-up view of the flexible wings with connectors, FIG. 12 close-up of the flexible wing with view on a tip of the wing and FIG. 13 top view of the eccentric.

A rotor in another embodiment is illustrated in the following drawings, in which Fig. 14 is a view of the rotor in a top view, FIG. 15 shows four sequential positions of segments of the panels 4a and 4b, FIG. 16 shows one set of the segments towards a side view of while the FIG. 17 shows an axonometric view of a segment of the rotor. Figures 1 - 8 show the wind turbine with a vertical axle of rotation in version with the rigid wing made of composite technology.

Turbine's rotor comprises a shaft (1) to which there are attached perpendicularly thereto sets of arms (2). To the ends of the arms (2) there are rotatably attached wings (4) by connectors (5) with openings.

Through the first opening (5a) extends a pin (6a) connecting a wing to an arm (2) while the second opening (5b) connects extending through said opening the second pin (6b) main linkage (7) having adjustable length with eccentric (3) as shown in FIG. 13. The eccentric (3) is mounted rotatably on a power takeoff shaft (1) and has the ability to change the size of the eccentricity "e" by the use of a sliding carriage (19) sliding on guides (14) mounted in mountings (14a) fixed to a rotary disk (20) rotating relative to the power takeoff shaft (1). Therefore, it is possible to arbitrary set the wings (4) with respect to the incoming wind by connecting the wings (4) through main linkage (7) and secondary linkage (8) to the eccentric (3). Rotation of the eccentric (3) results, through main linkage (7) and secondary linkage (8), change of the angular position of the segments of the wings (4a) and (4b) by rotation on the pin (6a) and on a hinge (15). Another solution is to use alternative wing FIG. 9 - 12 which has a skeletal structure in the shape of a closed frame structure formed by a vertical rigid tubular profile (4c) terminated on both sides with identical arched profiles (4d) embedded rigidly in the vertical tubular profile (4c). Ends of the arched profiles (4d) are connected by a springy closing profile (4e), with bulge on the outside, wherein the vertical tubular profile (4c) and the springy closing profile (4e) are rigidly connected with two connectors (5) holding fixed distance between them. While the rigid tubular profile (4c) has rotatably mounted and symmetrical in cross section rigid segment of a wing (4f) which is divided transversely in two places which means that the entire structure is rigid and deformable to a limited extent. In the back section of the rigid wing (4f) there is embedded a flexible wing segment (4g) extending to the vicinity of the springy closing profile (4e). This distance is maintained by sliding on it clamps (10). While the side ends of a flexible segment of the wing (4h) have a profile similar to the shape of the shark fin with sleeves (11), through which extends the springy closing profile (4e), and the side ends of the flexible segment of the wing (4h) are connected to the arched profiles (4d) by tensioning springs (12). The tensioning springs (12) cause constant tension of the flexible segment of the wing (4h). At the same time the flexible wing segment (4g) on the entire length of the trailing edge has a flexible reinforcing strip (13) causing stiffening and strengthening of that edge.

A wing (4) in the rigid version made of composite materials is shown in FIG. 4 - 6 and is composed of two sections (4a) and (4b), and has the external outline in a vertical plane in the shape of a limited geometric figure starting from a horizontal plane of symmetry B-B on the side of the leading edge a straight line or a convex line (9') with a small curvature. This line passes smoothly into arch (9") and further into peak-shaped part (9"') similar to the shape of the dorsal fin of a shark, which passes on the side of the trailing edge and ends with a convex arc (9"") with a small curvature.

The presented solution along with the set of wings (4) rotatably mounted in the arms (2) and connected to the power takeoff shaft (3) form the turbine's rotor, which drives a generator (16) that is mounted on a support column (18) located on- site relevant foundation. Below the generator (16) there is service platform (17) for performing assembly and maintenance.

Another variation of a rotor of a wind turbine with a vertical axle is shown in FIG. 14 - 17 and consists of a power takeoff shaft (1) to which uniformly on the periphery thereof are rigidly mounted on arms (2a). The arms (2a) are arranged on two levels along the axle of the shaft (1). At the ends of the arms (2a) there are rotatably mounted on the axle (2b) wing segments, the first segment (4a) and trailing segment (4b). The segments consist of a first segment (4a) rotatably mounted on an axle (2b), the arm (2a), of the power takeoff shaft (1). The ends of the first segment (4a) are ended with plates (3d) and (3d ') limiting the length of said segment and eliminating adverse edge effects. The trailing segment (4b) is ended with similar limiting plates (3e) and (3e'). The first segment (4a) and the trailing segment (4b) are rotatably connected by an axle (3 c) that is situated near the trailing edge of the first segment (4a) and exits above the plates (3d) and (3d ') limiting the height of the first segment (4a) and is placed in front of the leading edge of the trailing segment (4b) and passes through plate (3e) and (3e ') limiting the height of trailing segment. The adjustment of the angular position of the segments (4a) and (4b), in the relation the rotor's arm (2a) is provided main linkages (7) and secondary linkages (8). The main linkage (7) is rotatably connected with the first segment (4a) via an axle (3 c) and the other end of the linkage is connected rotatably to the axle of the eccentric (la), whose position determinates a steering wheel (Id), which is set by wind direction W and is parallel to the incoming wind stream. Whereas the secondary linkage (8) determinates the angular position of the trailing segment (4b) relative to the first segment (4a). FIG. 15 shows the superposition of the respective angular positions of the segments of the wing (4a) and (4b). The operation of the rotor requires just two sets of the segments of the wing (4a) and (4b). However, depending on the geometrical sizes of the arms the number of combined wings may be higher, e.g. 3.

Claims

1. Rotor of a wind turbine with a vertical axle of rotation, comprising a power takeoff shaft with evenly distributed along its circumference and perpendicular thereto sets of arms, in which ends there are arranged rotatably wings, characterized in that, it comprises an eccentric (3) which is rotatably mounted in relation to the axle of the power takeoff shaft (1) and slidably in relation to said rotor in a plane perpendicular to said power takeoff shaft and the wing (4) consists of at least two segments (4a) and (4b) connected in series and rotatably in the relation to the previous segment where said segments form in the transverse plane an aerodynamic profile with variable geometry and profiles of the segments symmetrical in that plane, where the first segment (4a) has a leading edge and the last is terminated with a trailing edge, wherein the first segment (4a) of the wing has mounted therein a permanent connector (5) joining the first segment (4a) with a rotor's arm (2a) by a first pin (6a) passing through the first opening (5a) of the connector (5) and an opening in the rotor's arm (2) and with the eccentric (3) through an adjustable length main linkage (7) mounted rotatably on the eccentric (3), and from the other side in the second opening (5b) of the connector (5) with placed into it second pin (6b), while segments, starting from the second (4b) are rotatably mounted at the ends of the preceding segment (4a) by a hinge joint, wherein said segments have secondary linkage (8) connecting them directly and/or indirectly with the eccentric (3) and the sets of arms (2) are arranged in one or more planes.

2. The rotor according to claim 1, characterized in that, the wing (4) has a skeletal structure in the shape of a closed frame structure formed by a vertical rigid tubular profile (4c) terminated on both sides with identical arched profiles (4d) embedded rigidly in the vertical tubular profile (4c), and the ends of the arched profiles (4d) are connected by a springy closing profile (4e), with bulge on the outside, wherein the vertical tubular profile (4c) and the springy closing profile (4e) are rigidly connected with at least one connector (5) holding fixed distance between them, and the rigid tubular profile (4c) has rotatably mounted and symmetrical in cross section segment a rigid segment of the wing (4f), which is transversely divided in at least one place, in which there is embedded a flexible wing segment (4g) extending to the vicinity of the springy closing profile (4e) and connected with it by sliding on it clamps (10) while side ends of a flexible segment of the wing (4h) have a profile similar to the shape of the shark fin with sleeves (11), through which extends the closing profile (4e) and the side ends of the flexible segment of the wing (4h) are connected to the arched profiles (4d) by tensioning springs (12) wherein the flexible segment of the wing (4g) on the entire length of the trailing edge has a flexible reinforcing strip (13).

3. The rotor according to claim 1 , characterized in that, the first segment (4a) and the trailing segment (4b) are appropriately ended with two plates (3d) and (3d ') and two plates (3e) and (3e ') limiting the height of the segments, respectively (4a) and (4b) and permanently attached to them, whose contour is larger than the cross-sectional outline of the segments (4a) and (4b) and the first segment (4a) height is greater than the height of trailing segment (4b), while the segments (4a) and (4b) are rotatably and in line arranged in relation to each so that the trailing edge of the first segment (4a) and the leading edge of trailing segment (4b) do not interfere with each other, while an axle (3 c) of rotation of trailing segment passes near the trailing edge of the first segment (4a) and goes slightly beyond two plates (3d) and (3d ') limiting the height of the first segment (4a) and is placed in front of the leading edge of the trailing segment (4b) and passes through plates plate (3e) and (3e ') limiting the height of trailing segment (4b).

4. The rotor according to claim 3, characterized in that, in the axle of rotation (3 c) in the upper-end of the first segment (4a) and the trailing segment there are bearing-mounted the first linkages (7), whose other ends are bearing-mounted in the axle (la) of the bearing-mounted eccentric which is bearing -mounted on the power takeoff shaft (1), and the trailing segment (4b) near the trailing edge has an axle (3f) on which they are rotatably bearing-mounted secondary linkages (8) whose other ends are rotatably bearing-mounted on the axle (7a) of the main linkage (8), wherein to the eccentric axle (la) there is rigidly fixed a steering wheel (Id), which projects beyond the structure of the rotor (20), wherein the number of arms (2a) is not less than two.

5. The rotor according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that, the connector (5) in the horizontal plane has a shape similar to the letter "V" which arms (5') and (5") form an obtuse angle, and in the vicinity of the ends of the arms there are through openings (5a) and (5b).

6. The rotor according to claim 3, characterized in that, the connector (5) has arms extensions (5') and (5") in the shape of arches (5c) and (5d) in the ends of which there are divided openings (5e) and (5f).

7. The rotor according to claim 2, characterized in that, the tension springs (12) have axes parallel to the axes of the sleeves (11).

8. The rotor according to claim 1, characterized in that, the wing (4) consisting of at least two segments (4a) and (4b) has external outline in a vertical plane the shape of a limited geometric figure (9) starting from a horizontal symmetry plane B-B on the side of the leading edge of a straight line or a convex line (9') with a small curvature, which passes smoothly into arch (9") and further into peak-shaped part (9"') similar to the shape of the dorsal fin of a shark passing on the side of the trailing edge and ending with a convex arch (9" ") with a small curvature.

9. The rotor according to claim 1, characterized in that, the eccentric (3) is mounted rotatably in the relation to the power takeoff shaft (1) and slidably in the relation to said shaft on guides (14) arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane going through the eccentric (3) axle and the axle of the power takeoff shaft (1).

10. The rotor according to claim 1, characterized in that, the secondary linkages (8) of the subsequent segments (4b) of the wing, starting from the second are rotatably mounted on a common main axle on the main linkage (7) of the first segment (4a).

11. The rotor according to claim 1, characterized in that, the secondary linkages (8) of the subsequent segments (4b) of the wing, starting from the second are rotatably mounted on the preceding linkage (7).