WO2017160825A1 - Collecte d'énergie éolienne à l'aide d'un puits d'air et d'hélices centrifuges - Google Patents

Collecte d'énergie éolienne à l'aide d'un puits d'air et d'hélices centrifuges Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017160825A1
WO2017160825A1 PCT/US2017/022287 US2017022287W WO2017160825A1 WO 2017160825 A1 WO2017160825 A1 WO 2017160825A1 US 2017022287 W US2017022287 W US 2017022287W WO 2017160825 A1 WO2017160825 A1 WO 2017160825A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
wind
tower
impellor
wind energy
turbine
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2017/022287
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Franklin Leroy Stebbing
Original Assignee
Accelerated Technologies Corporation
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Publication date
Application filed by Accelerated Technologies Corporation filed Critical Accelerated Technologies Corporation
Publication of WO2017160825A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017160825A1/fr

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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
    • F03D9/00—Adaptations of wind motors for special use; Combinations of wind motors with apparatus driven thereby; Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
    • F03D9/30—Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
    • F03D9/34—Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations on stationary objects or on stationary man-made structures
    • F03D9/35—Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations on stationary objects or on stationary man-made structures within towers, e.g. using chimney effects
    • 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
    • F03D9/00—Adaptations of wind motors for special use; Combinations of wind motors with apparatus driven thereby; Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
    • F03D9/30—Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
    • F03D9/34—Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations on stationary objects or on stationary man-made structures
    • F03D9/35—Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations on stationary objects or on stationary man-made structures within towers, e.g. using chimney effects
    • F03D9/37—Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations on stationary objects or on stationary man-made structures within towers, e.g. using chimney effects with means for enhancing the air flow within the tower, e.g. by heating
    • 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
    • F03D9/00—Adaptations of wind motors for special use; Combinations of wind motors with apparatus driven thereby; Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
    • F03D9/30—Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
    • F03D9/34—Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations on stationary objects or on stationary man-made structures
    • F03D9/43—Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations on stationary objects or on stationary man-made structures using infrastructure primarily used for other purposes, e.g. masts for overhead railway power lines
    • 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
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
    • Y02B10/30—Wind power
    • 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

  • the application relates generally to wind turbines and more specifically to wind turbine generators that utilize wind shafts and impellor wheels to harvest wind energy and convert that energy into electrical energy.
  • Wind turbines provide a valuable and sustainable lower cost electrical energy while also providing a source of "green energy" - a non-polluting energy that does not use fuels to provide useful and desirable electrical power.
  • the major components are very large and mounted high above the ground, they are difficult to build and maintain. They are subject to wind and storm damage.
  • the electrical generators can catch fire and are difficult to extinguish.
  • the blades are flexing as they turn and are subject to fatigue failure and breakage. Because of the very large diameter of the propeller, the velocity of the blade tips is a limiting factor. The blade speed has to be kept low to control centrifugal forces.
  • the wind velocity at the top of the blade path is generally higher than the wind velocity at the bottom. This difference also leads to flexing.
  • the blades can accumulate ice in ice storms and become out of balance and sustain damage. Chunks of ice can be cast off.
  • the support tower usually a tall slender mast, has to endure very large overturning moments because of the wind loads and gusts against the propeller blades. This requires deeply buried, large concrete footings.
  • the turbines are often made as large as practical and multiple units are often required in wind farms. There are size limitations to each unit, mostly because of the limiting large blades and support tower. Larger propellers also necessitate larger and heavier generators.
  • the generators require strong weatherproof and storm proof enclosures.
  • the electrical power generated is mostly needed for urban areas which have greater power requirements.
  • the wind farms are, however, by necessity, located out in the country because of the nuisance and safety factors. It is nearly impossible to blend the wind farms into a city environment.
  • the electrical power generated has to be transported over large distances, from the country, where it is generated, to the urban city areas where it is needed.
  • the transmission lines have to be built because they do not exist where they were not needed before, Agricultural areas do not usually require heavy power transmission lines.
  • the present invention overcomes these and other known drawbacks and disadvantages with existing wind turbines.
  • the invention is generally directed to a ground-level wind shaft and impellor generator system that replaces the large propeller-type turbines, pole/tower mounted generators, and associated equipment, all of which are located at a high elevation location.
  • the wind shaft of the invention is formed as a tower having a top open end and a bottom end. The top open end defines one or more openings that permit wind energy to pass into the wind shaft. Vanes or dampers may be used at the top end to direct the wind energy into the wind shaft.
  • the wind shaft includes a central passageway through which the wind energy will pass to the bottom end. Connected to the bottom end, which is located at ground level, is a duct that is in fluid communication with the central passageway.
  • the wind energy will pass into the impellor generators causing the impellors to rotate thereby driving the generators coupled thereto.
  • the generators will generate electrical power that is then transferred electrically to another location for use as electrical power.
  • the wind shaft and impellor generator system of the invention, and all associated power generating equipment, including all dynamic and sensitive equipment is located at ground level where the equipment is readily accessible making it easier to protect, access and maintain.
  • FIG. 1 depicts an airshaft tower of the invention and an exemplary penthouse on top of the airshaft tower.
  • FIG. 2 depicts another exemplary airshaft tower and penthouse with the penthouse and airshaft tower being approximately the same size in cross-section.
  • FIG. 3 shows a partial view of the structural framing detail of the airshaft.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic showing the airflow entering the penthouse then directed downward through the vertical air shaft to a horizontal air shaft where it is then fed into the impellor turbines and generators which are connected to a power grid.
  • FIG. 5 shows an exemplary option for two centrifugal turbines driving one generator.
  • FIG. 6A shows an exemplary rectangular cross-section of the airshaft with three of the four dampers closed.
  • FIG. 6B shows an exemplary rectangular cross-section of the airshaft with two of the four dampers closed.
  • FIG. 6C shows an exemplary hexagonal cross-section of the airshaft with three of the six dampers closed.
  • FIG. 6D shows an exemplary hexagonal cross-section of the airshaft with four of the six dampers closed.
  • FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of the invention with an exemplary 330 foot airshaft tower.
  • FIG. 8 shows another exemplary embodiment of the invention with an exemplary 200 foot airshaft tower. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
  • the invention includes an air-shaft tower or duct 10 that also functions as the air intake support.
  • the air shaft tower or duct is located at ground level.
  • Located at the top of the tower 10 are openings or windows that permit the flow of wind energy into the tower.
  • the openings or windows may be in the form of a penthouse 12 that serves as the air intake into the tower.
  • the term penthouse is meant to mean a top structure that may be included with or mounted to the top of the tower and that has one or more openings or windows 16 suitable for wind capture.
  • the window openings 16 can be numerous openings located on all sides of the tower and each of which may be independently opened or closed through the use of dampers 22 (Fig. 2).
  • the penthouse may be opened on all sides so that air can enter from any direction that the wind might be blowing from.
  • the downwind and side window dampers can be automatically closed, as illustrated by FIGS 6A-6C.
  • the downwind and side windows are closed so that the wind enters the penthouse and is directed down the air-shaft formed by the tower.
  • the openings 16 typically can have movable doors, shutters or dampered openings 22. They can be air pressure, gravity, or spring actuated, or opened and closed by electric motors.
  • the dampers can also be manually controlled by wire rope cables, pulleys, weights and winches, with the bulk of the mechanism located at the base of the air shaft for easier inspection and maintenance. In areas where the wind is unidirectional, the windows need be open just on the side facing the prevailing wind. This might be the case for units located on the seacoast or on mountain ridges.
  • the openings can be opened or closed by shutters, dampers or other means that allow for shut-off or control of the wind, during storms for example.
  • the tower 10 defines a hollow open shaft that may extend the length of the tower.
  • the tower can extend upwardly from ground level to any number of different tower heights, depending on the location where the tower is installed.
  • the term tower can be any upright, elongated structure that has a first end and a second end and that defines a central passageway.
  • the tower can extend upwardly vertically or non-vertically.
  • the tower can be located on the ground or on water, at an elevated level, on a permanent structure or on a movable structure.
  • the airshaft or central passageway that extends through the tower may have a smaller cross-sectional area than the penthouse open area, with a smooth reducing transition between the two.
  • At the base of the tower there may be one or more horizontal air ducts 14.
  • the horizontal air ducts allow the wind energy to flow through it to the turbines 18 that are located at ground level. Turning vanes can be incorporated in the transitions between the vertical tower and horizontal shafts to aid airflow and reduce turbulence, if needed.
  • the horizontal ducts 14 supply air to the centrifugal impellor wheels of the turbines 18 that drive the electric generators 20.
  • the ducts can lie horizontally or non-horizontally.
  • the ducts can define any cross-sectional shape that provides an air passageway to permit the wind energy to pass through the duct.
  • the one or more horizontal air-ducts may be located at the base of the tower and is used to direct the flow of wind energy to the individual turbines 18.
  • the ducts may have a smaller area than the main vertical duct to increase the velocity and pressure of the wind.
  • the turbines 18, which may define impellor wheels, can be located next to the wall, either inside or outside of these air-duct enclosures.
  • the sizes of the centrifugal turbines can be varied according to their location by the horizontal duct, with the larger ones first.
  • the duct 14 can be tapered, if desired, to compensate for the reduction in airflow volume as the air flows through the duct.
  • the duct may include one or more tapered or defined reduced sections 21, 23 that funnel the wind energy and increase the flow rate of the wind energy.
  • the duct may also use a damper 27 to control the airflow rate to the turbines.
  • the turbines can be selectively throttled or turned off so the air to the other turbines is maintained at a sufficient pressure and volume to drive the rest.
  • Various combinations of large and small turbines can be used.
  • the turbines can be throttled or shut off to adjust for wind energy changes and availability.
  • a similar scheme can be followed to adjust for variations in electrical power requirements or demand.
  • the turbine impellors 18 of the invention may be centrifugal squirrel-cage blowers.
  • turbine impellors 18 can be connected to a given generator to compensate for the large centrifugal forces that could occur in a single larger diameter impellor. If desired, in some cases, impellor turbines 18 can be arranged in series so the air discharge from one is directed into the intake of the next one downstream to capture more of the available wind energy.
  • turbine/generator sets can be used at different times.
  • the turbine is connected to an electric generator.
  • the turbine is equipped with suitable airflow devices, dampers, and inlet and outlet vanes as needed for proper operation.
  • FIG. 4 there is disclosed a schematic showing the airflow entering the penthouse 12 then directed downward through the vertical air shaft 10 to a horizontal air shaft 14 where it is then fed into the wind turbines 18.
  • the turbines are connected to electric generators 20.
  • numerous turbine generator sets can be used at a time. These generators are connected electrically to a power grid 24.
  • Ahead of the turbines is an air flow control device 26 to stop or regulate the amount of air entering the turbine.
  • the air flow control device may be a damper or valve that is in fluid communication with the turbine and that restricts or stops the flow of air entering the impellor of the turbine. This regulation allows for variation in wind availability and also generating capacity requirements.
  • the generator sets when one of the generator sets needs to be serviced it can be isolated and taken off-line while the others are still functional.
  • the number of turbine generator sets connected on-line can also be changed to match the electrical load or wind availability. This is of great advantage when compared to the sometimes all-or-nothing operation of the known, typical wind propeller turbine with a single generator.
  • Optional noise silencers 35 may be coupled to the wind turbines to reduce the noise output from the turbines.
  • a bleed-off damper 25 may also be used to bleed off excessive wind energy to better control the flow of wind through the horizontal air shaft or duct 14.
  • a damper 27 located within the duct 14 may also be used to control the rate at which the wind energy flows through the duct and to the wind turbines.
  • FIG. 5 shows an option for two centrifugal turbines 18 driving one generator 20.
  • turbines can be arranged so that the air enters one turbine and is then directed to a second turbine at a lower pressure. Multiple turbines can be used to drive a single generator for size matching.
  • a clutch coupling 30 may be used between the two turbines 18.
  • the turbine wheels can be nested inside of each other so the flow of air is directed from the first set of vanes through fixed, stationary vanes and then to the second or third set of fixed and rotating vanes, in a manner similar to steam turbines with their fixed and rotating stages.
  • the air shaft can have bleed-off dampers or openings 25 near the bottom, to allow the wind to be vented off or controlled when it is not all needed for the turbines. These bleed-off openings or dampers can be as simple as roll-up doors, similar to garage doors.
  • the air shaft may also include a reducer 33 formed within the air shaft that reduces or constricts the amount of air flow through the shaft to increase the flow rate of the wind energy.
  • the air shaft can be tapered from one end toward the other end to also control the flow rate of the wind energy.
  • FIG. 3 shows exemplary structural framing detail of the wind shaft, with the skin on the interior, if needed.
  • the wind shaft can be constructed using structural steel shapes such as beams, columns, angles, "X" bracing (not shown) and steel siding, typically ribbed or corrugated and painted, with the ribs or corrugations parallel to the air flow direction to minimize air turbulence, if necessary.
  • the sheeting or skin ridges or ribs 13 are arranged so that they are parallel with the airflow for minimal resistance to air flow.
  • Structural braces 15 can be used on the outside of the sheeting to support the sheeting. If the airshaft cross-sectional area is large enough, the velocity will be lower and the smooth siding may not be necessary to prevent turbulence.
  • the shaft building construction can differ because the building siding can be placed on the inside of the structural framework instead of the outside.
  • the purpose is to allow a smooth unobstructed air channel to minimize turbulence and friction for the wind/air flow.
  • the outside can also be enclosed, if desired, for aesthetic appearance or weather conditions.
  • the area of the shaft is made large enough to keep air velocity below reasonable limits, the need for turbulence control will not be necessary, and the sheeting can just be on the outside of the framework.
  • the tower or air shaft 10 can be built by using concrete with slip-form construction methods similar to large grain silos. This will provide a smooth, relatively unobstructed air-flow passage.
  • pre-fabricated grain bin components can be utilized for the tower 10.
  • FIG. 2 depicts an alternative embodiment to the structure depicted in FIG. 1.
  • the penthouse 12 may be the same size as the air shaft 10. This penthouse is taller so that the air intake area can approximate that of the wide penthouse. This embodiment is intended primarily for use in urban areas. Also shown in this figure is the framing on the outside, with skin or siding on the inside, so that the skin encloses the air shaft for smoother air flow if desired.
  • FIG. 2 also shows optional driven piles 32 to reduce the size of a concrete foundation.
  • the height of an exemplary structure can be 200 feet tall (FIG. 8) or more, as needed for particular wind quality at on-site conditions.
  • the structure can be 330 feet tall, as depicted by FIG. 7.
  • Other heights are possible and contemplated by the invention.
  • the structures can also readily double as a cell phone, radar, or other radio or TV towers. In this case, it would be superior to propeller driven generator sites because the blades would not be interrupting the radio signal as they rotated through the path of the signal. The same is true for radar interference.
  • the tower or airshaft 10 can be eliminated.
  • a mountain ridge or other high elevation exposed to high wind conditions, can use an enclosure similar to the penthouse 12 but also enclosing the turbine / generator sets.
  • the penthouse structure would also serve as a building for this equipment. This structure could be mounted on short columns to keep it out of the accumulated snow often found on mountaintops, but the tall shaft would not be needed for additional elevation. Also the upslope of the windward side of the mountain would greatly assist in channeling the wind to the air intakes. [039] Because of the very long propeller blades used on the known, typical wind turbine, the structure is necessarily extremely tall.
  • the embodiments of the invention can be built with no intake shaft or just a short one. This eliminates or greatly reduces the need for a tall structure. If the unit is needed in a location where there are obstructions to the wind such as trees or building, then the appropriate height of tower can be selected. With the embodiments disclosed herein, the height of the tower will no longer be dictated by the long length of the propeller blades.
  • the short tower structure can have a wind opening in an exemplary embodiment starting at 33 feet, with a window opening that in one embodiment is 30 feet by 40 feet, for example, to approximate the size of area that a typical wind turbine propeller uses.
  • a wind turbine propeller typically uses blades that are 100 feet or longer. Since the wind is stronger above 33 feet this means that a considerable portion of the blade path is in lower speed wind. This is not the case using the short towers of this invention.
  • the off-shore units have centrifugal turbines and generators that can be mounted on barges or ships. Because the wind is available a short distance above the sea, the windows for wind capture can be located low on the vessels. The windows are typically wide and not tall, since they do not need to be much above the sea surface.
  • the invention would eliminate the need for tall offshore structures that are now required for propeller blade clearance. The invention also eliminates the need for a sea bed mounted foundation to withstand the overturning moments from the force of the wind on the large propeller blades.
  • the generators of the invention Maintenance of the generators of the invention is much simpler because they are not mounted high above the sea where they are nearly impossible to service.
  • the new vessels sit much lower in the water and are able to withstand damage from much higher winds without the need for special construction.
  • the machinery can be mounted below decks for a low center of gravity and more stability and better protection from the elements.
  • the large rotating machinery has associated gyroscopic forces that also add to stabilizing the vessels.
  • the vessels can have wide beams for added stability.
  • the penthouse or shaft can have openings to allow the leeward wind to generate a suction to provide a greater pressure drop through the turbine. In this case the reduced pressure channel would be connected to the turbine outlets.
  • the turbines and generators may be housed in a building 40 or similar structure. Adjacent to the building 40 may be an electrical room 42. It is contemplated that numerous types of electric generators can be used with the embodiments disclosed herein and housed with the building. The electric generators can be either direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) generators.
  • DC they can be used to power invertors to convert the DC to AC so the power can be used in conventional electrical systems, if desired, or it can be used as DC.
  • the generators can use conventional or solid state controls to adjust for variations in wind or power requirements or to synchronize the phasing to the electrical grid. If AC alternators are used for the generators they can be arranged to provide AC power for direct connection to the electric power grid.
  • the generator is a conventional AC motor, but these motors are used, instead, as the generators.
  • the motor/generators are rotated by the wind powered-turbines until they reach a speed that matches, and is synchronized with the alternating current from the power company's grid. When it is in sync, the motor is connected electrically to the line whereupon it becomes magnetically excited and will then act as a generator when the turbine attempts to rotate it beyond the rated synchronous speed. For example, if a motor is designed to have a synchronous speed of 900 rpm. When that motor is forced to rotate at a speed greater than 900 rpm, say at 950 rpm, the motor will not consume electrical power, as it normally would, but will instead, generate power into the electric system.
  • a conventional AC motor is usually much less expensive than an AC alternator or a DC generator.
  • the motors are more readily available. There are fewer controls and they are simpler to use.
  • the power generated by the AC motor/generator has a leading power factor, which is very desirable to the power company since it helps to correct for the typically lagging power factor, a chronic and expensive utility company problem.
  • the power from the motor is usually a clean and smooth sine wave, free of noise and harmonics.
  • standard 4160 Volt or 15 kV AC motors may be used with the invention because of their relatively small size and weight compared to those of lower voltages. Higher rotational speeds would also be favored for the same size and weight reasons.
  • a speed change, or variable speed transmission could be used between the turbine and generator to match speed requirements. This speed change can be via V-belts, geared timing belts, hydraulic drive or gears, for example.
  • the generator-motor can make use of a high-slip or wound- rotor type to increase the speed range and electrical characteristics.
  • the air shaft and penthouse can define numerous possible cross-sectional shapes to permit the flow of wind energy through the central passageway of the air shaft of the tower.
  • the air shaft and penthouse can be rectangular or hexagonal in cross-section.
  • the air shaft and penthouse can be square, circular, oval, triangular, or any other suitable polygon or shape.
  • the air shaft and penthouse can also have different shapes.
  • the duct 14 may also have any of the same cross-sectional shapes as the air shaft and penthouse.
  • one or more dampers 22 may be closed to direct the wind down and into the central passageway of the air shaft.
  • FIG. 6A depicts a rectangular cross-section tower with three of the four dampers 22 closed. As shown in this Figure, the prevailing wind 29 will be directed into the air shaft and with the three dampers closed the wind energy will be directed into the air shaft.
  • FIG. 6B two of the four dampers 22 are closed because of the direction of the prevailing wind 29. In this embodiment, the two closed dampers will direct the wind energy into the air shaft.
  • FIG. 6C depicts a hexagonal cross-section tower with three of the six dampers 22 closed.
  • the prevailing wind 29 will be directed into the air shaft because of the closed dampers.
  • four of the six dampers in a tower having a hexagonal cross-section may be closed to direct the prevailing wind 29 into the air shaft.
  • other dampers may be opened or closed depending on the wind direction and the desired amount of wind energy to be directed into the wind shaft.
  • the penthouse can also be larger than the airshaft it is mounted on, i.e., the penthouse footprint can be larger than the tower shaft, as depicted in FIG. 1.
  • the penthouse can overhang the tower.
  • the part of the penthouse that is overhanging can have openings so that the wind that is blowing against the upwind side of the tower face can enter through the overhanging floor of the penthouse and add to the wind that is captured by the penthouse openings.
  • These floor openings can also have doors or similar dampers.
  • the tower can have wings or airfoils to help collect and guide the air flow into the openings.
  • each can be equipped with heaters to melt ice or snow accumulations, if the site requires it.
  • the hydrogen gas produced for energy storage can be used as fuel for this deicing equipment, such as radiant heating.
  • the penthouse floor where it is located above the air shaft, is open so that the wind can flow down through it and then down through the hollow air shaft.
  • the opening can have a grid or grille or similar construction to allow for walking on it, while not impeding airflow down the shaft.
  • the shaft enclosure can be equipped with a man- lift or elevator for easier inspections and repairs if needed to the upper structure and openings.
  • the air shaft has a much larger footprint than the support normally used for conventional wind turbines support towers. Therefore it does not need the massive footings required by the slender tower of the conventional wind turbine. Instead, it would use standard building footings or supplemental driven piling.
  • the ratio of foot print size to tower height should be about 10 tol or less according to designs used for tall, narrow urban buildings.
  • the tower has a 40 feet by 40 feet base, so the height is kept below 400 feet.
  • the base dimensions can be much larger for higher capacity generating requirements such as might be needed for a large urban location.
  • Air duct and turbine/generator enclosures are located next to the bottom of the shaft.
  • the ducts supply air to the turbines located within the enclosures.
  • the enclosures may house the turbines, generators and related devices and equipment.
  • the towers of the invention can be made much larger and have a much larger generating capacity than the single conventional wind turbines now in use.
  • Some towers can be comparable in size to a tall commercial factory structure or commercial building except that it will need no interior, just one or more air shafts. It is mostly an open, airtight shell. Conventional buildings could also have multiple uses that would also include incorporating generating capabilities.
  • the conventional large propeller turbines in use today use large propeller blades to capture the wind energy. Because they are large, the rotational speed has to be kept slow. The result is a big area of propeller blades in the wind, but requiring slow rotation.
  • the largest of the centrifugal wheel turbines of this invention are much smaller in diameter. In an exemplary embodiment, they can be up to ten feet in diameter and perhaps ten feet wide, with multiple inlets in a double wide configuration. They use multiple vanes around their circumference to capture the air flow. They are not subject to the same magnitude of centrifugal forces and can rotate much faster than the large propellers. Multiple wheels operating at higher speed means the smaller wheels can match the output or have even greater output than the large propeller turbines. They can do so without the many attendant problems. These wheel impellors are housed out of the weather and protected by comparison.
  • the turbine wheels used with the invention may be made of steel, as compared to composites used in the large diameter propellers, and are much more readily fabricated, transported and maintained.
  • These turbines may be squirrel cage, centrifugal, wheel type blowers that have been designed, adapted or modified for the applications described by the invention. This can result in considerable savings when compared to traditional large propeller turbine blades. There are many more capable suppliers for these centrifugal steel wheels.
  • centrifugal blower fans In some cases, if standard, conventional centrifugal blower fans are desired, they can be forced to rotate in the opposite direction from that normally used. Air can be blown into the discharge opening to drive the fan wheel backward, with the generator/motor connected to take advantage of the reversed rotation.
  • the airflow can be in the conventional direction, from the center to the outside of the wheel. This would allow the use of some conventional fan or blower inlet vanes, cones and inlet bells.
  • the wheel vanes pitch can be made adjustable to compensate for variable air flow or power requirements. The adjustments could be via mechanical, centrifugal force or electrically actuated. These vanes can be straight, forward or backward inclined or airfoil type.
  • multiple bladed propeller type turbines can be used to capture some of the energy in the duct; for example, when the available wind energy is very low but still strong enough to spin these lighter propellers.
  • These propellers can also incorporate variable pitch blades for greater range.
  • Vaneaxial fan turbines with fixed and adjustable blades can also be used for lower wind conditions.
  • the turbine features can be combined with the generators.
  • the wheels are configured with magnets and coils and poles, thus are able to generate electricity, thereby eliminating the need for separate generators.
  • the turbines can be mounted with the rotational axis in the vertical position for better duct installations and bearing configurations.
  • the turbines can also incorporate weights so they act as flywheels to dampen variations in wind velocity and to store energy when the wind speed dies down.
  • this invention is much less susceptible to wind damage, storms, icing, turbulence or the many other attendant problems associated with conventional windmill style generators.
  • wind damage storms, icing, turbulence or the many other attendant problems associated with conventional windmill style generators.
  • When something does need attention it is much easier to get to it and to fix it, usually at or near ground level.
  • the vital components are protected and out of the weather.
  • the design is much simpler and easier to build, and operate, with lower cost components.
  • the velocity and pressure of the wind can be adjusted before entering the centrifugal wheel turbines by utilizing nozzles, orifices, vanes and dampers, both fixed and adjustable. Also, by reducing duct area sizes, and using nozzles and orifices, the energy release into the turbine can be maximized. This will increase the wind velocity and pressure into the impellors beyond that available from an unconditioned wind stream.
  • the inlets to the wheels can be converging nozzles and the discharge can be via one or more diverging nozzles, mounted at the wheel or further downstream, in yet another way to enhance air velocity.
  • the opening into any of the turbines is like an open orifice with a very high flow rate. Therefore the velocity pressure, directed against the turbine blades is very high, much higher than that from the initial wind pressure. This is because of the great difference between the areas at the penthouse opening when compared to the orifice area at the turbine.
  • the wind pressure can be considered as potential energy, with the velocity through the penthouse openings being much lower, while the velocity pressure at the turbine is kinetic energy and much higher.
  • the exemplary method may include providing a tower having a first end and a second end where the tower defines one or more openings and one or more dampers near the first end for directing the flow of wind energy into the tower.
  • a penthouse or similar structure may also be located at the first end.
  • the penthouse may also include one or more openings and one or more dampers for directing the flow of wind energy.
  • the tower defines a central passageway or shaft extending from the one or more openings at the first end toward the second end.
  • the exemplary method further includes providing a duct at the second end that is in fluid communication with the central passageway of the tower.
  • the method also includes providing at least one impellor turbine within the duct and at least one generator coupled to the at least one impellor.
  • the exemplary method further includes receiving the wind energy through the one or more openings, directing the wind energy through the central passageway, directing the wind energy through the duct, and then directing the wind energy to the at least one impellor turbine.
  • the wind energy will cause the impellor turbine to rotate which in turn will drive the generator.
  • the generator will then generate electrical power that may be transferred to a power grid or stored as energy for future use.
  • more than one impellor turbine may be located within the duct.
  • the one or more dampers located at the first end of the tower may be used for directing the wind energy into the central passageway.
  • dampers may be movable from an open position which permits wind energy to pass into the tower, and a closed position that prevents the wind energy from leaving the tower.
  • the central passageway may be tapered from the first end toward the second end to control the flow rate of the wind energy.
  • the duct may also be tapered to control the rate of flow of the wind energy.
  • a bleed-off damper may also be used to control the flow of the wind energy through the tower and duct.
  • a flow control device may be used in fluid communication with the impellor turbine to control the flow of wind energy into the impellor.
  • a silencer may also be connected to the impellor turbine to reduce the noise from the impellor turbine.
  • the penthouse may define numerous cross-sections including rectangular, round or hexagonal shape, to name a few, and the cross- section of the penthouse may be larger than the cross-section of the tower or it may be the same size. Depending on the size of the tower, whether 100 feet, 200 feet, 300 feet or taller, driven piles at the second end of the tower may be used to anchor the tower to the ground. [073] It is desirable that the electrical energy generated by the invention be stored and used at a later time when needed. It is further desirable that any over-abundance of generated energy from the invention be usable and not wasted. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrical energy provided by the invention can be captured and stored as energy through the use of batteries, water reservoirs and flywheels.
  • the electrical energy can be captured and stored using water electrolysis.
  • the electricity can be used to disassociate water and separate it into pure hydrogen and pure oxygen.
  • the separation can take place at atmospheric pressure or even at many times atmospheric pressure to save the cost of pressurizing the gas after it is formed.
  • the gasses can be then stored by conventional means using pressure tanks, cryogenic tanks or bladders or balloons, or sheets or membranes.
  • the Hampson-Linde cycle, and others can be used to liquefy the gasses for storage.
  • These storage vessels can be under atmospheric pressure or submerged in bodies of water for increased pressure and reduced volume, as might be the case for the offshore wind turbine embodiment of the invention.
  • These submerged storage vessels also provide for leak detection and for fire suppression, and for protection from the elements.
  • the stored gasses can then be burned as fuel for driving steam turbines or Stirling heat powered engines or internal combustion engines, or similar heat driven devices such as fuel powered turbine generators.
  • hydrogen also makes and excellent fuel for powering fuel cells.
  • Fuel cells can combine hydrogen and oxygen and produce electricity at very high efficiency, (when dealing with renewable energy, high efficiency is not really a strict requirement because it is an inexhaustible source of free energy).
  • Combining hydrogen and oxygen produces a pure water by-product, which is then returned for reuse in the electrolysis step.
  • the pure water by-product is also valuable as pure water.
  • a pure water by-product is also produced by the steam turbine boilers, internal combustion engines or Stirling Engines when fueled with hydrogen and oxygen or air.
  • the stored oxygen can be used to enrich combustion air, which is then used, in turn, for the combustion of the hydrogen gas, thus requiring less oxygen storage.
  • the hydrogen can also be used as a vehicle fuel, an added bonus from renewable energy.
  • Another method of capturing and storing energy from renewable energy sources, such as the electricity produced by the wind turbines of the present invention, is to use the properties of molecular sieves to exchange external heat energy with the heat of adsorption.
  • molecular sieves When molecular sieves are exposed to water, or to some other suitable molecules, the molecular sieves demonstrate exothermic properties. They emit copious amounts of heat. This heat can be used to drive Stirling Engines, for example. The Stirling Engines would be used to drive electric generators to provide energy when there is little or no wind.
  • the wind-produced electricity would be used to power electric heaters to rejuvenate the molecular sieve beds, while removing the adsorbed water for reuse.
  • the inventor is familiar with the use of molecular sieves where, surprisingly, temperatures in excess of 500 degrees Fahrenheit were needed to strip water from the molecular sieve beads.
  • the electrical energy provided by the invention can be captured and stored for future use through other techniques. It should be understood that the energy storage can take place many miles from the location of the energy production. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the generated energy can be converted to oxygen and hydrogen and then stored at the point of use, instead of transmitting at less than opportune time.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Wind Motors (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un générateur à turbine éolienne, lequel générateur collecte de l'énergie éolienne et comprend un puits de vent au niveau du sol et un système de générateur à hélice qui remplace les grandes turbines du type à hélice, les générateurs montés sur un poteau/une tour et l'équipement associé. Le puits d'air et le système de générateur à hélice, et tout l'équipement générant de l'énergie associé, y compris tout l'équipement dynamique et sensible, sont situés au niveau du sol où l'équipement est facilement accessible, de façon à rendre plus facile de protéger l'accès et la maintenance.
PCT/US2017/022287 2016-03-15 2017-03-14 Collecte d'énergie éolienne à l'aide d'un puits d'air et d'hélices centrifuges WO2017160825A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201662308489P 2016-03-15 2016-03-15
US62/308,489 2016-03-15
US201662340328P 2016-05-23 2016-05-23
US62/340,328 2016-05-23
US201662431182P 2016-12-07 2016-12-07
US62/431,182 2016-12-07

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CN116183840A (zh) * 2023-05-04 2023-05-30 四川交通职业技术学院 一种智慧环保工程用环境监测系统
WO2024016057A1 (fr) * 2022-07-20 2024-01-25 Studman Innovations Pty Ltd Système de production d'énergie éolienne

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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WO2024016057A1 (fr) * 2022-07-20 2024-01-25 Studman Innovations Pty Ltd Système de production d'énergie éolienne
CN116183840A (zh) * 2023-05-04 2023-05-30 四川交通职业技术学院 一种智慧环保工程用环境监测系统
CN116183840B (zh) * 2023-05-04 2023-06-30 四川交通职业技术学院 一种智慧环保工程用环境监测系统

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