WO2017134608A1 - Vertical axis wind turbine - Google Patents

Vertical axis wind turbine Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017134608A1
WO2017134608A1 PCT/IB2017/050583 IB2017050583W WO2017134608A1 WO 2017134608 A1 WO2017134608 A1 WO 2017134608A1 IB 2017050583 W IB2017050583 W IB 2017050583W WO 2017134608 A1 WO2017134608 A1 WO 2017134608A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
shells
vertical axis
wind turbine
shell
blades
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2017/050583
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Keith HONEYMAN
Original Assignee
Honeyman Keith
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
Application filed by Honeyman Keith filed Critical Honeyman Keith
Publication of WO2017134608A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017134608A1/en
Priority to ZA2018/04169A priority Critical patent/ZA201804169B/en

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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
    • F03D3/00—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor 
    • F03D3/06—Rotors
    • F03D3/062—Rotors characterised by their construction elements
    • F03D3/064—Fixing wind engaging parts to rest of rotor
    • 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
    • F05B2240/20—Rotors
    • F05B2240/21—Rotors for wind turbines
    • F05B2240/211—Rotors for wind turbines with vertical axis
    • F05B2240/213—Rotors for wind turbines with vertical axis of the Savonius type
    • 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
    • Y02E10/74—Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a vertical axis wind turbine.
  • a drawback associated with wind power generation is the fluctuation in wind velocity. While vertical axis wind power generators are suited to low wind speed power generation, the power generation efficiency of the blades varies considerably at different wind speeds. At high rotational speeds, resistance-type blades apply a resistance to the wind power generation system against rotation resulting in a significant reduction in power generation efficiency. Furthermore, vertical axis wind power generators having resistance-type blades are prone to being damaged at relatively high wind speeds.
  • a vertical axis wind turbine including: a blade support assembly including a central hub defining a vertical axis of rotation ; a drive shaft connected to the hub; and at least one pair of resistance-type blades which are mounted to the blade support assembly in an arrangement wherein the blades are displaceable horizontally relative to one another between a horizontally extended position of the blades wherein the blades are spaced relatively further outwardly from the vertical axis of rotation and a horizontally retracted position of the blades wherein the blades are spaced relatively closer to the vertical axis of rotation.
  • the blades may be in the form of shells.
  • open faces of the shells may face in opposite directions relative to one another.
  • the shells may partially overlap one another at inner end regions thereof in the horizontally extended position of the shells.
  • the shells In the horizontally retracted position of the shells, the shells may overlap one another completely in an arrangement closing off the open faces.
  • Each shell may have a semi-cylindrical configuration defining a longitudinal axis along the length thereof.
  • the shells may be mounted to the blade support assembly in an arrangement wherein the longitudinal axes thereof are disposed in an orientation parallel to the vertical rotation axis.
  • Each shell may define a semi-cylindrical side wall.
  • Each shell may define a flat base wall at a lower end thereof which extends perpendicularly relative to a lower end of the side wall.
  • Each shell may define a convexly curved upper wall at an upper end thereof which extends contiguously with the side wall.
  • the wind turbine may include a blade displacement system for displacing the blades between their horizontally extended and retracted positions.
  • the blade displacement system may include a worm drive mechanism including a worm screw which is mounted to the blade support assembly and two worm elements which engage the worm screw and which are displaceable along the worm screw, each worm element being mounted to a lower end of a different one of the shells.
  • the worm screw may define oppositely threaded screw threads with each worm element being engaged with a differently threaded screw thread of the worm screw thereby providing for oppositely directed linear displacement of the worm elements and thereby the shells, along the worm screw.
  • Each shell may have a construction including at least two shell parts which are displaceable relative to one another between a vertically extended position wherein the shell parts are displaced outwardly relatively to one another along the longitudinal axis thereof so as to increase the length of the shell and thereby the surface area of the shell which is exposed to wind and a vertically retracted position wherein the shell parts are displaced inwardly relatively to one another along the longitudinal axis thereof so as to decrease the length of the shell and thereby the surface area of the shell which is exposed to wind.
  • the shells may be displaceable relative to one another between the horizontally extended position wherein open faces of the shells face in opposite directions and wherein inner end regions of the shell overlap one another and the retracted position wherein the shells overlap one another completely, closing off the open faces thereof so as to define a unitary closed cylindrical shell.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic top plan view of a vertical axis wind turbine in accordance with the invention, in an arrangement wherein the shells thereof are in a horizontally extended position;
  • Figure 2 shows a top plan view of the wind turbine of Figure 1 , in an arrangement wherein the shells thereof are in a horizontally retracted position;
  • Figure 3 shows a top plan view of the shells and the blade displacement system of the wind turbine of Figure 1 , in an arrangement wherein the shells are in the horizontally extended position thereof;
  • Figure 4 shows a top plan view of the shells and the displacement system of the wind turbine of Figure 1 , in an arrangement wherein the shells are in the horizontally retracted position thereof;
  • Figure 5 shows the displacement system and the shells of the wind turbine of Figure 1 , illustrating the manner in which the shells are displaced from the horizontally extended position thereof into the horizontally retracted position thereof;
  • Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional view of the shells of the wind turbine of Figure 1 , in an arrangement wherein the shells are in the horizontally retracted position thereof;
  • Figure 7 shows a three-dimensional view of the shells of the wind turbine of Figure 1 , in an arrangement wherein the shells are in the horizontally extended position thereof;
  • Figure 8 shows the shells of the wind turbine of Figure 1 , in an arrangement wherein the shells are in the horizontally and vertically extended positions thereof;
  • Figure 9 shows a three-dimensional view of the shells of the wind turbine of Figure 1 , in an arrangement wherein the shells are in partially horizontally and vertically extended positions thereof;
  • Figure 10 shows a front view of the wind turbine of Figure 1 , in an arrangement wherein the shells thereof are in vertically and horizontally extended positions thereof;
  • Figure 1 1 shows a side view of one of the shells of the wind turbine shown in Figure 10;
  • Figure 12 shows a front view of the shells of the wind turbine shown in Figure 10
  • Figure 13 shows a top plan view of the shell of the wind turbine shown in Figure 10;
  • Figure 14 shows a top plan view of the wind turbine shown in Figure 10, in an arrangement wherein the shells thereof are in the horizontally retracted position thereof;
  • Figure 15 shows a front view of the wind turbine shown in Figure 10, in an arrangement wherein the shells thereof are in the vertically retracted position thereof;
  • Figure 16 shows an exploded view of the framework structure of the shells of the wind turbine shown in Figure 10, illustrating a manner in which the shells are displaced between vertically extended and retracted positions thereof;
  • Figure 17 shows a sectional side view of the blade support assembly of the wind turbine shown in Figure 10;
  • Figure 18 shows an enlarged sectional side view of the main bearing assembly and drive shaft of the blade support assembly shown in Figure 17;
  • Figure 19 shows an enlarged sectional side view of one of the secondary bearing assemblies of the blade support assembly shown in Figure 17;
  • Figure 20 shows an enlarged fragmentary three-dimensional view of the displacement system of the wind turbine of Figure 1.
  • a vertical axis wind turbine in accordance with the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10.
  • the wind turbine 10 comprises, broadly, a blade support assembly 12 having a central hub 13 defining a vertical axis of rotation A, a power take-off shaft which is connected to an electrical power generator, motor or the like, and a pair of resistance-type blades in the form of shells 16.1 and 16.2 which are mounted to the blade support assembly.
  • the shells 16.1 and 16.2 are mounted to the blade support assembly 12 in an arrangement wherein the blades are displaceable horizontally relative to one another between a horizontally extended position of the blades (as is shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings) wherein the blades are spaced relatively further outwardly from the rotation axis A and a horizontally retracted position of the blades (as is shown in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings) wherein the blades are spaced relatively closer to the rotation axis A.
  • the shells 16.1 and 16.2 have semi-cylindrical sidewalls 18.1 and 18.2, respectively, of a glass-reinforced polymer material.
  • the shells 16.1 and 16.2 define flat base walls 20.1 and 20.2 at lower ends thereof which extend perpendicularly relative to lower ends of the sidewalls.
  • the shells 16.1 and 16.2 further define domed upper walls 22.1 and 22.2, respectively, at upper ends of the shells which extend contiguously with the sidewalls thereof.
  • the shells each define a central longitudinal axis C which extends between the upper and lower ends of the shell. In the horizontally extended position of the shells, open faces of the shells face in opposite directions relative to one another with inner end regions of the shells overlapping one another.
  • the shells In the horizontally retracted position of the shells, the shells overlap one another completely, closing off the open faces thereof so as to define a unitary closed cylindrical shell having a domed upper end and a flat lower end.
  • the surface area of the shells which is exposed to the wind can thus be adjusted depending on ambient wind velocity.
  • the shell 16.1 comprises two shell parts 16.1 .1 and 16.1 .2 which are telescopically displaceable relative to one another between a vertically extended position (as shown in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 12 of the drawings) wherein the shell parts are displaced outwardly relative to one another along the longitudinal axis C of the shell so as to increase the length of the shell and thereby the surface area of the shell which is exposed to the wind and a vertically retracted position (as shown in Figures 6 and 15 of the drawings) wherein the shell parts are displaced inwardly relative to one another along the longitudinal axis C of the shell so as to decrease the length of the shell and thereby the surface area of the shell which is exposed to wind.
  • a vertically extended position as shown in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 12 of the drawings
  • a vertically retracted position as shown in Figures 6 and 15 of the drawings
  • the shell 16.2 comprises two shell parts 16.2.1 and 16.2.2 which are telescopically displaceable relative to one another between a vertically extended position (as shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, 1 1 and 12 of the drawings) wherein the shell parts are displaced outwardly relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of the shell so as to increase the length of the shell and thereby the surface area of the shell which is exposed to the wind and a vertically retracted position (as shown in Figures 6 and 15 of the drawings) wherein the shell parts are displaced inwardly relative to one another along the longitudinal axis C of the shell so as to decrease the length of the shell and thereby the surface area of the shell which is exposed to wind.
  • a vertically extended position as shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, 1 1 and 12 of the drawings
  • a vertically retracted position as shown in Figures 6 and 15 of the drawings
  • the shells are vertically displaceable relative to one another by means of pneumatic rams 24 which act between the two shell parts for displacing them relative to one another between their vertically extended and retracted positions.
  • pneumatic rams 24 which act between the two shell parts for displacing them relative to one another between their vertically extended and retracted positions.
  • the bottom, side and upper wall of each sheet is supported by a rigid metal space frame structure including a number of frame members 26 which are braced by rigging wires 28.
  • the blade support assembly 12 comprises a rigid metal space frame structure 30, a central main bearing assembly 32 and a pair of secondary bearing assemblies 34 which are disposed at opposite sides of the main bearing assembly 32.
  • the main bearing assembly 32 provides the central hub 13 and defines the vertical rotation axis A. More specifically, the main bearing assembly 32 comprises a solid central shaft 36 which is fixedly mounted to a substrate and a tubular sleeve 38 fixedly connected to the frame structure 30 and within which the shaft 36 is located, together with suitable bearings in the form of a pair of taper roller bearings 40 and a thrust bearing 42 providing for supported rotation of the sleeve 38 relative to the central shaft 36.
  • a main drive gear 44 is fixedly connected to an outer side of the sleeve 38 to which the power take off 14 is connected via appropriate gearing.
  • a compressed air storage vessel 46 is provided together with a compressor 48 which is driven via appropriate gearing coupled to the sleeve 38 for compressing air for storage in the compressed air storage vessel 46.
  • An electricity generator 50 is additionally coupled to the gearing which in turn is electrically connected to a back up battery pack 52.
  • Each secondary bearing assembly 34 comprises a central shaft 54 and a sleeve 56 which is fixedly connected to the space frame structure 30 and within which the central shaft 54 is rotatably supported by means of a pair of taper roller bearings 40 and a thrust bearing 42.
  • a shell mounting structure 58 is fixedly coupled to an upper end of the rotatable shaft 54.
  • the shell mounting structure 58 includes a base plate 60 which is bolted onto the base wall of a particular one of the shells such that the shell is caused to rotate with rotation of the central shaft 54.
  • the wind turbine includes a blade displacement system for displacing the blades between their horizontally extended and retracted positions.
  • the displacement system includes a worm drive mechanism 62 including a contra-threaded worm screw 64 which is mounted to the frame structure 30 and two worm gears 66 which engage the worm screw and which are displaceable along the worm screw.
  • the worm screw defines oppositely threaded screw threads, with each worm gear being engaged with a differently threaded screw thread of the worm screw thereby providing for oppositely directed linear displacement of the worm gears along the worm screw.
  • Each worm gear 66 is rotatably connected to the space frame of a different one of the shells at a lower inner corner thereof via a rotatable coupling 67.
  • the worm screw is coupled to an upper end of the sleeve 38 of the main bearing assembly 32 via a gearbox assembly 68.
  • the worm screw is driven by means of a remote-controlled electrical drive motor 70 having a reversible drive for driving the worm screw in different directions.
  • the drive motor 70 is powered by the battery pack 52.
  • a metal locating and locking shoe 72 is fixedly connected to each end of the worm screw. The shoes 72 act as stops for the worm gears 66.
  • the height and horizontal spacing of the shells can be adjusted according to prevailing wind velocities.
  • the shells are furled by displacing the shells into their horizontally and vertically retracted positions wherein the shells define a unitary domed cylindrical structure.
  • the horizontal spacing of the shells and/or the height of the shells can be adjusted for optimal power generation efficiency.

Abstract

Vertical axis wind turbine (10) comprising a blade support assembly (12) having a central hub (13) defining a vertical axis of rotation (A), a power take¬ off shaft which is connected to an electrical power generator and a pair of resistance type blades in the form of shells (16.1, 16.2) which are mounted for rotation to the blade support assembly (12). The shells (16.1, 16.2) are displaceable horizontally relative to one another between a horizontally extended position wherein the blades are radially spaced relatively further outwardly from the vertical axis (A) and a horizontally retracted position wherein the blades are spaced relatively closer to the vertical axis (A). In the horizontally extended position, open faces of the shells (16.1., 16.2) face in opposite directions with inner end regions of the shells (16.1, 16.2) overlapping one another. In the horizontally retracted position, the shells (16.1, 16.2) overlap one another completely, closing off the open faces. In one embodiment the blades (16.1, 16.2) are displaced radially by a worm screw mechanism (62, 64). The blades (16.1, 16.2) can be elongated telescopically in a vertical direction to increase the surface of the blades.

Description

VERTICAL AXIS WIND TURBINE
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a vertical axis wind turbine.
BACKGROUND TO INVENTION A drawback associated with wind power generation is the fluctuation in wind velocity. While vertical axis wind power generators are suited to low wind speed power generation, the power generation efficiency of the blades varies considerably at different wind speeds. At high rotational speeds, resistance-type blades apply a resistance to the wind power generation system against rotation resulting in a significant reduction in power generation efficiency. Furthermore, vertical axis wind power generators having resistance-type blades are prone to being damaged at relatively high wind speeds.
It is an object of the present invention to ameliorate the abovementioned problems associated with vertical axis wind power generators. SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a vertical axis wind turbine including: a blade support assembly including a central hub defining a vertical axis of rotation ; a drive shaft connected to the hub; and at least one pair of resistance-type blades which are mounted to the blade support assembly in an arrangement wherein the blades are displaceable horizontally relative to one another between a horizontally extended position of the blades wherein the blades are spaced relatively further outwardly from the vertical axis of rotation and a horizontally retracted position of the blades wherein the blades are spaced relatively closer to the vertical axis of rotation.
The blades may be in the form of shells. In the horizontally extended position of the shells, open faces of the shells may face in opposite directions relative to one another. The shells may partially overlap one another at inner end regions thereof in the horizontally extended position of the shells. In the horizontally retracted position of the shells, the shells may overlap one another completely in an arrangement closing off the open faces.
Each shell may have a semi-cylindrical configuration defining a longitudinal axis along the length thereof.
The shells may be mounted to the blade support assembly in an arrangement wherein the longitudinal axes thereof are disposed in an orientation parallel to the vertical rotation axis. Each shell may define a semi-cylindrical side wall. Each shell may define a flat base wall at a lower end thereof which extends perpendicularly relative to a lower end of the side wall. Each shell may define a convexly curved upper wall at an upper end thereof which extends contiguously with the side wall.
The wind turbine may include a blade displacement system for displacing the blades between their horizontally extended and retracted positions. More specifically, the blade displacement system may include a worm drive mechanism including a worm screw which is mounted to the blade support assembly and two worm elements which engage the worm screw and which are displaceable along the worm screw, each worm element being mounted to a lower end of a different one of the shells. More specifically, the worm screw may define oppositely threaded screw threads with each worm element being engaged with a differently threaded screw thread of the worm screw thereby providing for oppositely directed linear displacement of the worm elements and thereby the shells, along the worm screw. Each shell may have a construction including at least two shell parts which are displaceable relative to one another between a vertically extended position wherein the shell parts are displaced outwardly relatively to one another along the longitudinal axis thereof so as to increase the length of the shell and thereby the surface area of the shell which is exposed to wind and a vertically retracted position wherein the shell parts are displaced inwardly relatively to one another along the longitudinal axis thereof so as to decrease the length of the shell and thereby the surface area of the shell which is exposed to wind.
The shells may be displaceable relative to one another between the horizontally extended position wherein open faces of the shells face in opposite directions and wherein inner end regions of the shell overlap one another and the retracted position wherein the shells overlap one another completely, closing off the open faces thereof so as to define a unitary closed cylindrical shell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features of the invention are described hereinafter by way of a non-limiting example of the invention, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings:
Figure 1 shows a schematic top plan view of a vertical axis wind turbine in accordance with the invention, in an arrangement wherein the shells thereof are in a horizontally extended position;
Figure 2 shows a top plan view of the wind turbine of Figure 1 , in an arrangement wherein the shells thereof are in a horizontally retracted position;
Figure 3 shows a top plan view of the shells and the blade displacement system of the wind turbine of Figure 1 , in an arrangement wherein the shells are in the horizontally extended position thereof;
Figure 4 shows a top plan view of the shells and the displacement system of the wind turbine of Figure 1 , in an arrangement wherein the shells are in the horizontally retracted position thereof;
Figure 5 shows the displacement system and the shells of the wind turbine of Figure 1 , illustrating the manner in which the shells are displaced from the horizontally extended position thereof into the horizontally retracted position thereof;
Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional view of the shells of the wind turbine of Figure 1 , in an arrangement wherein the shells are in the horizontally retracted position thereof;
Figure 7 shows a three-dimensional view of the shells of the wind turbine of Figure 1 , in an arrangement wherein the shells are in the horizontally extended position thereof; Figure 8 shows the shells of the wind turbine of Figure 1 , in an arrangement wherein the shells are in the horizontally and vertically extended positions thereof;
Figure 9 shows a three-dimensional view of the shells of the wind turbine of Figure 1 , in an arrangement wherein the shells are in partially horizontally and vertically extended positions thereof;
Figure 10 shows a front view of the wind turbine of Figure 1 , in an arrangement wherein the shells thereof are in vertically and horizontally extended positions thereof;
Figure 1 1 shows a side view of one of the shells of the wind turbine shown in Figure 10;
Figure 12 shows a front view of the shells of the wind turbine shown in Figure 10; Figure 13 shows a top plan view of the shell of the wind turbine shown in Figure 10;
Figure 14 shows a top plan view of the wind turbine shown in Figure 10, in an arrangement wherein the shells thereof are in the horizontally retracted position thereof; Figure 15 shows a front view of the wind turbine shown in Figure 10, in an arrangement wherein the shells thereof are in the vertically retracted position thereof;
Figure 16 shows an exploded view of the framework structure of the shells of the wind turbine shown in Figure 10, illustrating a manner in which the shells are displaced between vertically extended and retracted positions thereof;
Figure 17 shows a sectional side view of the blade support assembly of the wind turbine shown in Figure 10; Figure 18 shows an enlarged sectional side view of the main bearing assembly and drive shaft of the blade support assembly shown in Figure 17; Figure 19 shows an enlarged sectional side view of one of the secondary bearing assemblies of the blade support assembly shown in Figure 17; and Figure 20 shows an enlarged fragmentary three-dimensional view of the displacement system of the wind turbine of Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With reference to the drawings, a vertical axis wind turbine in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The wind turbine 10 comprises, broadly, a blade support assembly 12 having a central hub 13 defining a vertical axis of rotation A, a power take-off shaft which is connected to an electrical power generator, motor or the like, and a pair of resistance-type blades in the form of shells 16.1 and 16.2 which are mounted to the blade support assembly.
The shells 16.1 and 16.2 are mounted to the blade support assembly 12 in an arrangement wherein the blades are displaceable horizontally relative to one another between a horizontally extended position of the blades (as is shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings) wherein the blades are spaced relatively further outwardly from the rotation axis A and a horizontally retracted position of the blades (as is shown in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings) wherein the blades are spaced relatively closer to the rotation axis A.
The shells 16.1 and 16.2 have semi-cylindrical sidewalls 18.1 and 18.2, respectively, of a glass-reinforced polymer material. The shells 16.1 and 16.2 define flat base walls 20.1 and 20.2 at lower ends thereof which extend perpendicularly relative to lower ends of the sidewalls. The shells 16.1 and 16.2 further define domed upper walls 22.1 and 22.2, respectively, at upper ends of the shells which extend contiguously with the sidewalls thereof. The shells each define a central longitudinal axis C which extends between the upper and lower ends of the shell. In the horizontally extended position of the shells, open faces of the shells face in opposite directions relative to one another with inner end regions of the shells overlapping one another. In the horizontally retracted position of the shells, the shells overlap one another completely, closing off the open faces thereof so as to define a unitary closed cylindrical shell having a domed upper end and a flat lower end. The surface area of the shells which is exposed to the wind can thus be adjusted depending on ambient wind velocity.
The shell 16.1 comprises two shell parts 16.1 .1 and 16.1 .2 which are telescopically displaceable relative to one another between a vertically extended position (as shown in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 12 of the drawings) wherein the shell parts are displaced outwardly relative to one another along the longitudinal axis C of the shell so as to increase the length of the shell and thereby the surface area of the shell which is exposed to the wind and a vertically retracted position (as shown in Figures 6 and 15 of the drawings) wherein the shell parts are displaced inwardly relative to one another along the longitudinal axis C of the shell so as to decrease the length of the shell and thereby the surface area of the shell which is exposed to wind. Similarly, the shell 16.2 comprises two shell parts 16.2.1 and 16.2.2 which are telescopically displaceable relative to one another between a vertically extended position (as shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, 1 1 and 12 of the drawings) wherein the shell parts are displaced outwardly relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of the shell so as to increase the length of the shell and thereby the surface area of the shell which is exposed to the wind and a vertically retracted position (as shown in Figures 6 and 15 of the drawings) wherein the shell parts are displaced inwardly relative to one another along the longitudinal axis C of the shell so as to decrease the length of the shell and thereby the surface area of the shell which is exposed to wind. The shells are vertically displaceable relative to one another by means of pneumatic rams 24 which act between the two shell parts for displacing them relative to one another between their vertically extended and retracted positions. For enhancing the structural rigidity of the shells, the bottom, side and upper wall of each sheet is supported by a rigid metal space frame structure including a number of frame members 26 which are braced by rigging wires 28.
The blade support assembly 12 comprises a rigid metal space frame structure 30, a central main bearing assembly 32 and a pair of secondary bearing assemblies 34 which are disposed at opposite sides of the main bearing assembly 32. The main bearing assembly 32 provides the central hub 13 and defines the vertical rotation axis A. More specifically, the main bearing assembly 32 comprises a solid central shaft 36 which is fixedly mounted to a substrate and a tubular sleeve 38 fixedly connected to the frame structure 30 and within which the shaft 36 is located, together with suitable bearings in the form of a pair of taper roller bearings 40 and a thrust bearing 42 providing for supported rotation of the sleeve 38 relative to the central shaft 36. A main drive gear 44 is fixedly connected to an outer side of the sleeve 38 to which the power take off 14 is connected via appropriate gearing.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, a compressed air storage vessel 46 is provided together with a compressor 48 which is driven via appropriate gearing coupled to the sleeve 38 for compressing air for storage in the compressed air storage vessel 46. An electricity generator 50 is additionally coupled to the gearing which in turn is electrically connected to a back up battery pack 52.
Each secondary bearing assembly 34 comprises a central shaft 54 and a sleeve 56 which is fixedly connected to the space frame structure 30 and within which the central shaft 54 is rotatably supported by means of a pair of taper roller bearings 40 and a thrust bearing 42. A shell mounting structure 58 is fixedly coupled to an upper end of the rotatable shaft 54. The shell mounting structure 58 includes a base plate 60 which is bolted onto the base wall of a particular one of the shells such that the shell is caused to rotate with rotation of the central shaft 54. The wind turbine includes a blade displacement system for displacing the blades between their horizontally extended and retracted positions. The displacement system includes a worm drive mechanism 62 including a contra-threaded worm screw 64 which is mounted to the frame structure 30 and two worm gears 66 which engage the worm screw and which are displaceable along the worm screw. The worm screw defines oppositely threaded screw threads, with each worm gear being engaged with a differently threaded screw thread of the worm screw thereby providing for oppositely directed linear displacement of the worm gears along the worm screw. Each worm gear 66 is rotatably connected to the space frame of a different one of the shells at a lower inner corner thereof via a rotatable coupling 67.
The worm screw is coupled to an upper end of the sleeve 38 of the main bearing assembly 32 via a gearbox assembly 68. The worm screw is driven by means of a remote-controlled electrical drive motor 70 having a reversible drive for driving the worm screw in different directions. The drive motor 70 is powered by the battery pack 52. A metal locating and locking shoe 72 is fixedly connected to each end of the worm screw. The shoes 72 act as stops for the worm gears 66.
In use, the height and horizontal spacing of the shells can be adjusted according to prevailing wind velocities. For high ambient speeds which may result in low power generation efficiencies or even pose a risk of damage to the wind turbine, the shells are furled by displacing the shells into their horizontally and vertically retracted positions wherein the shells define a unitary domed cylindrical structure. For ambient wind velocities at which useful power generation can be achieved, the horizontal spacing of the shells and/or the height of the shells can be adjusted for optimal power generation efficiency.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1 . A vertical axis wind turbine including: a blade support assembly including a central hub defining a vertical axis of rotation; a drive shaft connected to the hub; and at least one pair of resistance-type blades which are mounted to the blade support assembly in an arrangement wherein the blades are displaceable horizontally relative to one another between a horizontally extended position of the blades wherein the blades are spaced relatively further outwardly from the vertical axis of rotation and a horizontally retracted position of the blades wherein the blades are spaced relatively closer to the vertical axis of rotation.
2. The vertical axis wind turbine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the blades are in the form of shells.
3. The vertical axis wind turbine as claimed in claim 2, wherein, in the horizontally extended position of the shells, open faces of the shells face in opposite directions relative to one another.
4. The vertical axis wind turbine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the shells partially overlap one another at inner end regions of the shells in the horizontally extended position of the shells.
5. The vertical axis wind turbine as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, in the horizontally retracted position of the shells, the shells overlap one another completely in an arrangement closing off the open faces.
6. The vertical axis wind turbine as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein each shell has a semi-cylindrical configuration defining a longitudinal axis along the length thereof.
7. The vertical axis wind turbine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the shells are mounted to the blade support assembly in an arrangement wherein the longitudinal axes thereof are disposed in an orientation parallel to the vertical axis of rotation.
8. The vertical axis wind turbine as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein each shell defines a semi-cylindrical side wall.
9. The vertical axis wind turbine as claimed in claim 8, wherein each shell defines a flat base wall at a lower end thereof which extends perpendicularly relative to a lower end of the side wall.
1 0. The vertical axis wind turbine as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein each shell defines a convexly curved upper wall at an upper end thereof which extends contiguously with the side wall.
1 1 . The vertical axis wind turbine as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the wind turbine includes a blade displacement system for displacing the blades between their horizontally extended and retracted positions.
1 2. The vertical axis wind turbine as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein the blade displacement system includes a worm drive mechanism including a worm screw which is mounted to the blade support assembly and two worm elements which engage the worm screw and which are displaceable along the worm screw, each worm element being mounted to a lower end of a different one of the shells.
1 3. The vertical axis wind turbine as claimed in claim 12, wherein the worm screw defines oppositely threaded screw threads with each worm element being engaged with a differently threaded screw thread of the worm screw thereby providing for oppositely directed linear displacement of the worm elements and thereby the shells, along the worm screw.
14. The vertical axis wind turbine as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 1 3, wherein each shell has a construction including at least two shell parts which are displaceable relative to one another between a vertically extended position wherein the shell parts are displaced outwardly relatively to one another along the longitudinal axis thereof so as to increase the length of the shell and thereby the surface area of the shell which is exposed to wind and a vertically retracted position wherein the shell parts are displaced inwardly relatively to one another along the longitudinal axis thereof so as to decrease the length of the shell and thereby the surface area of the shell which is exposed to wind.
1 5. The vertical axis wind turbine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the shells are displaceable relative to one another between the horizontally extended position wherein open faces of the shells face in opposite directions and wherein inner end regions of the shell overlap one another and the retracted position wherein the shells overlap one another completely, closing off the open faces thereof so as to define a unitary closed cylindrical shell.
PCT/IB2017/050583 2016-02-05 2017-02-03 Vertical axis wind turbine WO2017134608A1 (en)

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2596726A (en) * 1948-05-26 1952-05-13 Josef G A Rydell Wind motor
DE2721450A1 (en) * 1977-05-12 1978-11-16 Erich Herter Wind turbine for operating electrical generator - has crown of blades on vertical rotor which are hollow body curved segments
FR2506851A1 (en) * 1981-05-29 1982-12-03 Foa Michel Wind energy converter for underground water pump - uses vertical axis with radial horizontal arms having concave cups, able to slide along arms
US4718822A (en) * 1986-09-25 1988-01-12 Riezinstein And Malone Industries Vertically oriented wind driven assembly
EP0508790A1 (en) * 1991-04-09 1992-10-14 Tai-Her Yang The principles and structure of variable-inertia flywheels
US20140167414A1 (en) * 2011-07-14 2014-06-19 Flower Turbines LLC Variable diameter and angle vertical axis turbine

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2596726A (en) * 1948-05-26 1952-05-13 Josef G A Rydell Wind motor
DE2721450A1 (en) * 1977-05-12 1978-11-16 Erich Herter Wind turbine for operating electrical generator - has crown of blades on vertical rotor which are hollow body curved segments
FR2506851A1 (en) * 1981-05-29 1982-12-03 Foa Michel Wind energy converter for underground water pump - uses vertical axis with radial horizontal arms having concave cups, able to slide along arms
US4718822A (en) * 1986-09-25 1988-01-12 Riezinstein And Malone Industries Vertically oriented wind driven assembly
EP0508790A1 (en) * 1991-04-09 1992-10-14 Tai-Her Yang The principles and structure of variable-inertia flywheels
US20140167414A1 (en) * 2011-07-14 2014-06-19 Flower Turbines LLC Variable diameter and angle vertical axis turbine

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