WO2018203015A1

WO2018203015A1 - Wind turbine with vertical blades that produces energy continuously or near-continuously

Info

Publication number: WO2018203015A1
Application number: PCT/FR2018/051123
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xavier COULON
Original assignee: Coulon Xavier
Priority date: 2017-05-05
Filing date: 2018-05-04
Publication date: 2018-11-08
Also published as: FR3065997A1; FR3065997B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a wind turbine with vertical blades (1), comprising a fixed mast (2), a rotor (4) comprising a rotary support plate (5) and vertical blades (6), and generating means (7). The wind turbine (1) further comprises electric motor means capable of driving the support plate (5), for example in the event of wind of very low wind strength or in the event of an absence of wind, electrical-energy storage means able to be charged with energy by the generating means (7) and to supply energy to the drive means, and control means designed to, in a first mode of operation, transmit energy from the generating means (7) to the said storage means and not power the drive means, and, in a second mode of operation, power the drive means with energy from the said storage means and interrupt the transmission of energy from the generating means (7) to the said storage means.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of wind turbines and relates, in particular, to a vertical blade wind turbine with continuous or quasi-continuous energy production. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A vertical-blade wind turbine generally comprises a fixed vertical mast, a rotor rotatably mounted relative to the mast and comprising vertical blades, and a generator arranged to convert the rotational kinetic energy of the rotor into electrical energy. The vertical blades may in particular be mounted, fixedly or pivotally, on a support plate itself rotatably mounted relative to the mast.

Vertical wind turbines, also known as vertical axis wind turbines, include Savonius-type wind turbines, which use the wind drag force and whose blades consist of two half-cylinders connected to a vertical axis, wind turbines of the type Darrieus, which use the wind lift force and whose blades are parabolic or helical, and wind turbines of the rotary wing type, whose blades are dynamically steerable depending on the direction of the wind.

The energy produced by a wind turbine, whether vertical axis or not, is dependent on the wind, particularly its intensity: a wind turbine will not produce energy in very low wind, because of the the wind is then not enough to start the rotation of the turbine and thus produce electricity, and in the case of strong winds, It is preferable to avoid an overspeed of the rotor in order to protect the electric generator against overproduction and overheating, and to avoid a major mechanical breakage of the wind turbine itself. As a result, wind turbines produce energy only intermittently, usually at an average of five and a half hours per day.

This is problematic from the point of view of the operation of the wind turbine, because it is preferable to limit its stops to a minimum, in order to produce electric power at all times. Furthermore, stopping a wind turbine can lead to premature wear of some parts of the wind turbine, for example the ball bearings can deteriorate more quickly due to the weight of the moving parts of the wind turbine.

The present invention aims to remedy these irregular and unpredictable energy production areas by proposing a solution allowing the operation of the vertical wind turbine wind even very low intensity, even in the absence of wind, to ensure a continuity or near-continuity of electricity production.

The subject of the present invention is therefore a wind turbine with vertical blades, comprising a fixed mast, a rotor comprising a support plate rotatably mounted relative to the mast and vertical blades mounted on the support plate, and generating means arranged to convert the energy rotational kinetics of the rotor in electrical energy, characterized in that the wind turbine further comprises:

electric motor means arranged to be able, when they are supplied with electrical energy, to rotate the support plate, for example by wind with very low intensity or no wind;

electrical energy storage means arranged to be able to be connected, on the one hand, to the generating means in order to recover electrical energy produced by the generating means and, on the other hand, to the motor means in order to supplying electrical energy for rotating the support plate;

control means arranged for:

in a first mode of operation of the wind turbine, transmitting electrical energy from the generating means to the electrical energy storage means and not supplying electrical energy to the motor means via the electrical energy storage means; and

in a second mode of operation of the wind turbine, supplying the motor means with electrical energy from the electrical energy storage means and interrupting the transmission of energy from the generating means to the electrical energy storage means.

Thus, according to the present invention, when the wind has sufficient intensity to drive the rotor alone (first mode of operation), the generating means generate electrical energy that can be consumed but which can be used in part to charge in energy means for storing electrical energy. When the wind is not strong enough to drive the rotor alone (second mode of operation), the energy that has thus been stored in the electrical energy storage means can be used by the motor means to rotate the rotor and the kinetic energy of the rotor will be transformed into electrical energy by the generating means to be consumed directly, as in the first mode of operation.

The wind turbine according to the present invention thus allows a continuous or quasi-continuous production of electrical energy, for a direct consumption, without requiring more complex means of storage and return of electricity. For this purpose, the electrical energy storage means will advantageously be integrated with the motor means, in particular in the form of one or more rechargeable batteries.

Preferably, the wind turbine further comprises an auxiliary source of electrical energy comprising at least one photovoltaic panel, the auxiliary source of electrical energy being connected to the electrical energy storage means so as to provide them with the energy she collects. It is thus possible to further increase the amount of renewable energy that the wind turbine can collect: not only wind energy, but also solar energy that can be temporarily stored in the electrical energy storage means and then be reinjected into the wind turbine. network via the motor means when they rotate the rotor. One could also provide that the auxiliary source of electrical energy is also connected to the network to inject directly part of the collected energy.

According to a particular embodiment, the generating means and the motor means are integral with the fixed mast and each comprise a mechanical power input / output rotor which is connected to the support plate so as to be able to rotate the latter and be rotated by the latter, said rotors input / output mechanical power not being aligned on the axis of rotation of the rotor.

The wind turbine according to the present invention may comprise a fixed support structure which is integral with the mast and which carries the generating means and the motor means.

Preferably, the generating means comprise three generators and the motor means comprise a motor, the three generators and the motor being all positioned at the same distance from the axis of the rotor and angularly equidistant by 90 °. Such a configuration makes it possible to balance the centrifugal force which is exerted during the rotation of the rotor.

Preferably, there is provided a ring gear which is carried by the support plate and with which mesh the mechanical power input / output rotors generator means and motor means.

According to a first particularly preferred embodiment, each blade is in the form of a plate-like piece of generally constant thickness, thus comprising a first surface, called a lower surface, and a second surface, called an extrados surface, opposed to one another and extending between a first vertical edge, said leading edge, and a second vertical edge, said leakage, respectively outer side and inner side of the rotor, and between lower edges and greater, respectively close and at a distance from the support plate, the blade following an aerodynamic profile whose camber progressively increases from the leading edge until reaching its maximum value at approximately one-third of the rope, starting from the leading edge, then gradually decreases to the trailing edge. Preferably, the upper edge of each blade is inclined so as to be at a maximum distance from the lower edge at the leading edge, and to be in the vicinity of the lower edge at the trailing edge.

According to a particular embodiment, each blade is fixedly mounted on the support plate and is positioned so that its rope does not pass through the axis of rotation of the rotor and thus forms an angle of incidence relative thereto. , preferably an angle of incidence of ten degrees.

According to another particular embodiment, each blade is pivotally mounted on the support plate, about a vertical axis which preferably coincides with the leading edge of the blade, each blade being positioned so that in the absence of wind its rope does not pass through the axis of rotation of the rotor and thus forms an angle of incidence relative thereto, preferably an angle of incidence of ten degrees, the wind turbine comprising in addition, compensating systems interposed each between, on one side, the trailing edge of a respective blade and, on the other side, a support point secured to the support plate, each compensating system being configured to oppose the pivoting of the respective blade when the intensity of the wind is less than or equal to a threshold value, so that the blade retains the initial angle of incidence, and to allow the pivoting of the blade in the direction decreasing its angle incidence, when the intention Wind sity is greater than the threshold value.

Preferably, each compensating system comprises elastic biasing means whose resistance to elastic deformation defines the threshold value. Preferably, the elastic biasing means are linear means configured to exert an action on the respective blade in a direction tangent to the circle described by the trailing edge of the blade when the latter pivots, the elastic biasing means comprising, preferably at least one jack, one of which is secured to the respective blade and the other of which is secured to the fulcrum, in particular two jacks arranged one above the other. . As a variant, the elastic biasing means could, for example, comprise compression springs.

Preferably, the wind turbine comprises a protective fairing of the motor means and the generating means, the fairing is in the form of an annular piece of aerodynamic profile whose camber, preferably, increases progressively from the leading edge to to reach its maximum value approximately one-third of the rope, starting from the leading edge, then gradually decreasing to the trailing edge, the annular piece extending outwardly from the periphery of the support plate and to from the latter, the annular piece having an upper surface which inclines downwardly (angle of incidence) from the periphery of the support plate.

Preferably, so-called vortex-inducing elements are arranged at intervals on the upper surface of the fairing, the vortex-inducing elements being arranged to direct the air flowing into the upper surface of the fairing towards the intrados surface of the blades. and to limit the phenomenon of stalling said air. Also disclosed in the present application is a vertical blade wind turbine comprising a fixed mast, a rotor comprising a support plate rotatably mounted relative to the mast and vertical blades mounted on the support plate, and generating means arranged to convert the energy. kinetic of rotation of the rotor into electrical energy, characterized in that each blade is in the form of a plate-like part of generally constant thickness, thus comprising a first surface, referred to as a lower surface, and a second surface, said extrados, opposed to one another and extending between a first vertical edge, said leading edge, and a second vertical edge, said leakage, respectively outer side and inner side of the rotor, and between the lower and upper edges, respectively close to and away from the support plate, the blade following an aerodynamic profile whose camber progressively increases the leading edge until reaching its maximum value at approximately one-third of the rope, starting from the leading edge, then gradually decreasing to the trailing edge. The upper edge of each blade may be inclined so as to be at a maximum distance from the lower edge at the leading edge, and to be in the vicinity of the lower edge at the trailing edge. The blades can be mounted fixed or pivoting, as described above.

Also disclosed in the present application is a vertical blade wind turbine comprising a fixed mast, a rotor comprising a support plate rotatably mounted relative to the mast and vertical blades mounted on the support plate, and generating means arranged to convert the energy. kinetic of rotation of the rotor into electrical energy, characterized by the fact that comprises a protective fairing of the motor means and the generating means, the fairing being in the form of an annular piece of aerodynamic profile whose camber, preferably, increases progressively from the leading edge until reaching its maximum value approximately one-third of the rope, starting from the leading edge, then gradually decreasing to the trailing edge, extending outwardly from the periphery of the support plate and from the latter, the annular piece having a cross-section according to an aerodynamic profile and having an upper surface which inclines downwards (angle of incidence) starting from the periphery of the support plate. Preferably, so-called vortex-inducing elements are arranged at intervals on the upper surface of the fairing, the vortex-inducing elements being arranged to direct the air flowing into the upper surface of the fairing towards the intrados surface of the blades. and to limit the phenomenon of stalling said air.

To better illustrate the subject of the present invention, a preferred embodiment will be described hereinafter, by way of nonlimiting indication, with reference to the appended drawing.

In this drawing: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a wind turbine according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the wind turbine of Figure 1, passing through the axis of the rotor; Figure 3 is a partial schematic view of the wind turbine of Figure 1, showing the fixed elements of the wind turbine; Figure 4 is a schematic top view of the wind turbine of Figure 1, the top plate and the blades having been omitted and only the ring gear of the lower plate having been shown; Figure 5 is a very schematic view illustrating, in top view, the flow of wind from its entry into the rotor at its outlet, according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the wind turbine according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; - Figure 7 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the wind turbine of Figure 1, passing through the axis of the rotor, specially sized for a seaside installation; Figure 8 is a schematic detail view of the tip of a blade of a wind turbine according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a very diagrammatic view illustrating, in plan view, the wind flow from its entry into the rotor at its outlet according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that there is shown a particular embodiment of the present invention, consisting of a vertical blade wind turbine 1.

Conventionally, the vertical blade turbine comprises a fixed mast 2 provided with a fixed base 3 at the lower end of the mast 2, a rotor 4 comprising a support plate 5 rotatably mounted relative to the mast 2 and vertical blades 6 fixed mountings on the support plate 5, and generating means 7 arranged to convert the rotational kinetic energy of the rotor 4 into electrical energy.

In particular, the blades 6 are mounted between the support plate 5, also referred to as the lower plate, and an upper plate 8 parallel to the lower plate 5, the plates 5 and 8 being respectively in the upper part and in the intermediate part with respect to the mast 2 The plates 5 and 8 are both rotatably mounted with respect to the mast 2, for example using ball bearing plates 9a 9b as shown in FIG.

The trays 5, 8 are each in the form of a disk having an aperture in its center for mounting on the mast 2, and the lower plate 5 comprises in particular a circular outer edge designated by the reference numeral 5a.

The lower plate 5 further comprises recesses 5b whose function will be explained below.

It is understood that the invention is not limited in this regard and that the upper plate 8 may also have recesses, but also that the presence of recesses is optional. The wind turbine 1 also comprises electric motor means arranged to be able, when they are supplied with electrical energy, to rotate the lower plate 5, and thus the rotor 4, for example under the operating conditions which will be explained. below.

The generating means 7 and the motor means 10 are mounted integral with the fixed mast 2 by a fixed support structure 11 welded comprising a rectangular frame consisting of four bars 11a carried by the first ends of four diagonal bars 11b whose other ends are made integral with the fixed mast 2. From each central region of each bar 11a extends a pair of support bars 11c, of shorter length, on which are mounted by any appropriate means, for example here by vertical pins , the generating means 7 and the motor means 10.

The generating means 7 and the motor means 10 each comprise a mechanical power input / output rotor 12 which carries a pinion 13 whose function will be explained below.

It is emphasized here that, as can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 2 to 4, the mechanical power input / output rotors 12 of the generator means 7 and the motor means 10 are not aligned with the axis of rotation of the rotor. 4 of the wind turbine 1, but are deported relative to said axis of rotation.

As can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 4, the lower plate 5 carries, beneath it, a ring gear 14 which, in the example represented, is situated in the vicinity of the outer edge 5a of the lower plate 5. The ring gear 14 on the one hand, and the generator means 7 and the motor means 10 on the other hand, are positioned relative to each other so that the pinions 13 of the generating means 7 and the motor means 10 mesh the teeth of the the ring gear 14.

It will be readily understood that, via the lower plate 5, a rotational movement can be transmitted from the rotor 4 to the generator means 7 and motor means 10, but also can be transmitted from the motor means 10 to the rotor 4.

The generating means 7 are preferably alternators with permanent magnets, which have the advantages of the absence of a speed multiplier, the absence of maintenance, a high mass power in direct drive, a high efficiency, a simple mechanical design and easy installation on the support structure. The alternators with permanent magnets may be chosen according to the diameter of the trays, the desired power range and their nominal speed, which may for example be 80 rpm to 400 rpm.

In the first embodiment shown, there are three alternators with permanent magnets.

The three generating means 7 are all connected to the electrical network in a known manner, in order to inject the electrical energy produced from the rotational movement of the rotor 4.

The motor means 10 may be a permanent magnet motor.

As can best be seen in Figures 1 and

6, the wind turbine 1 also comprises electrical energy storage means (not shown in FIG. 1), for example one or more batteries, and a an auxiliary source of electrical energy which preferably consists of at least one photovoltaic panel 15 disposed on the upper surface of the fairing 16 which will be described hereinafter, with intervals provided between certain photovoltaic panels 15 for the provision of inductive elements vortex 17 which will be described below, and is also provided on the upper side of the upper plate 8 a photocell 18.

A digital voltmeter ammeter measures in real time the state of charge of the electrical energy storage means.

The wind turbine 1 also comprises a computer management system, as can be seen in Figure 6 in the lower part of the flow chart, operating on the basis of an algorithmic program established according to control laws which will be described below. .

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the computer management system is configured to control relays / rockers, for example of the electromechanical relay type, namely a relay / rocker interposed between one of the three generating means 7 and the means storage of electrical energy, and a relay / rocker interposed between the electrical energy storage means and the motor means 10.

The computer management system is in communication with the digital voltmeter ammeter, so as to receive in real time the state of charge of the electrical storage means.

Also provided is an anemometer, in the upper part of the mast 2, also in communication with the computer management system to provide real-time information about the wind speed in the vicinity of 1 wind turbine 1. The algorithmic program of the computer management system leads the latter to control the relays / rockers according to different modes of operation, depending on the wind speed measured by the anemometer:

^1st mode of operation: strong wind

In the event of a strong wind, for example of more than 10 kts (18.52 km / h), the wind enters the rotor 4 and makes it rotate by pushing on the blades 6, thereby rotating the shafts 12 generating means 7, and the electrical energy thus produced is injected into the network, in a conventional manner.

In other words, the wind turbine 1 rotates according to the power of the wind and the energy production of the wind turbine 1 is maximum.

During the day, the photovoltaic panels 15 collect the solar energy and transfer it to the electrical energy storage means for charging them, as can be seen in FIG. 6.

2 ^nd mode of operation: moderate to low wind In moderate to low winds, condition that can for example be considered satisfied if the wind speed is higher at any time at 10 Kts (18.52 km / h) , then the operation is similar to the ^1st mode of operation, unlike the fact that the wind turbine 1 rotates at a lower speed, and the generating means 7 will continue to produce electrical energy. Again, during the day, photovoltaic panels charge the means of storing electrical energy. ^3rd mode of operation: low wind zero

In the case where the upper wind speed condition at any time at 10 Kts (18.52 km / h) is not satisfied, ie the wind speed is less than 10 Kts (18.52 km / h) ), the computer management system, receiving this information from the anemometer, controls the relay / rocker to activate the motor means 10, which are then powered by the electrical energy storage means, as can be seen more clearly on the Figure 6, and in particular by following the arrow from the computer management system to the relay / rocker and the next arrow from said relay / rocker motor.

The shaft 12 of the drive means 10 rotates and rotates, via the pinion 13 and the ring gear 14, the rotor 4, in conjunction with the wind acting on the blades 6.

In particular, the speed of the motor means 10 is controlled so as to obtain a rotational speed of the rotor 4 which is equal to that at which it rotates under the sole action of a wind having a speed of 10 kts (18.52 km / h).

The generating means 7 thus continue to produce electrical energy in an optimal manner, in particular by allowing the wind energy to be collected, although this is not sufficient to turn the rotor 4 alone. The state of charge of the electrical energy storage means, which feed the motor means 10, is communicated in real time to the computer management system.

In parallel with these three modes of operation, the computer management system takes into account the sunshine.

During the day, the sunshine may be sufficient for the photovoltaic panels 15 to recharge the means for storing electrical energy, the power of which nevertheless decreases because of the supply supplied to the motor means 10 if necessary. The reduction of the state of charge is communicated in real time to the computer management system.

When said state of charge falls below a predefined threshold value, which corresponds to a minimum reserve of storage making it possible to ensure optimal operation of the motor means 10, the computer management system controls the relay / rocker suitable for a generator means 7 supplies the storage means with the electrical energy it produces, which makes it possible to continue supplying the motor means 10 correctly, if necessary, as can be seen more clearly in FIG. 6, and in particular following the arrow from the IT management system to the relay / switch to the right of the flowchart and the next arrow from the relay / switch to the electrical storage noting that one of the three alternators is connected to the relay / switch.

When the sun is not sufficient to recharge the means of storing electrical energy via the photovoltaic panels 15, for example during the at night or in low sunlight, this is detected by the photovoltaic cell 18.

If the wind speed is strong enough to allow operation in the first or second operating mode, the computer management system controls the appropriate relay / rocker so that the generating means 7 in question provides the electrical energy it produces. the electrical energy storage means for recharging them if necessary. The computer management system will operate the wind turbine in the first mode or the second mode depending on the wind speed.

When the sun increases, for example when the day comes back, this information is communicated to the computer management system which controls the appropriate relay / rocker so that the generator means 7 injects the electrical energy it produces into the network, and not more in the electrical energy storage means which is recharged by the photovoltaic panels 15, as can be seen in Figure 6.

Thus, the wind turbine 1 according to the present invention produces at all times electrical energy.

Preferably, the wind turbine 1 will be installed on the edge of the sea and / or at sea. This location would then benefit from the phenomena of the earth breeze at night and the sea breeze during the day.

If we refer to Figure 7, we can see that such a wind turbine placed at the seaside or at sea has the same technical elements as the wind turbine of Figures 1 to 5, but with a diameter of the trays well more important and a blade height much less important. Thus, the wind turbine 1 will then have a relatively "flat" shape, namely with a relatively low height. This relatively "flat" shape is particularly advantageous for an installation at sea with respect to environmental nuisances since this form allows it to merge with the horizon.

Additional Means for Improving Efficiency The present invention provides additional means relating to the flow of air into and out of the rotor 4 to improve the efficiency of the wind turbine 1, and will describe below.

Referring again to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the wind turbine 1 also comprises a protective fairing 16 serving not only to protect the generating means 7 and the motor means 10, but also to accelerate the flow. air inlet rotor 4.

The protective shroud 16 is in the form of an annular piece extending outwardly from the outer edge 5a of the support plate 5. This annular piece has a cross section according to an aerodynamic profile and has an upper surface 16a which tilts downward from the outer edge 5a, which terminates in a leading edge 16b that forms the outer circular edge of the annular piece. The aerodynamic profile of the protective fairing 16, of the same shape as the blades (with a maximum camber of one-third of the rope) makes it possible to obtain a depression above the upper surface 16a, and therefore an acceleration of the front air he enters the rotor 4. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, it can be seen that also so-called vortex inductors 17 are provided at intervals on the upper surface 16a of the protective shroud 16. The vortex inducing elements 17 are in the form of small plates Oriented verticals (Figure 5) for both directing the blades 6 into the air that flows into the upper surface 16a and limit the phenomenon of stalling air.

In order to improve the efficiency of the wind turbine 1, according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, each blade 6 is in the form of a plate-like piece of generally constant thickness, comprising a first concave surface, called a intrados 6a, and a second convex surface, said extrados 6b, opposite to one another and extending between a first vertical edge, said attack 6c, and a second vertical edge, said leak 6d , respectively outer side and inner side of the rotor 4, and between a lower edge 6e close to or in contact with the support plate 5 and an upper edge 6f opposite the lower edge 6e.

As can be seen in FIG. 1 and as shown very schematically in FIG. 5, the blade 6 follows an aerodynamic profile whose camber progressively increases from the leading edge 6c until reaching its maximum value at approximately one-third of the rope, starting from the leading edge 6c, then gradually decreases to the trailing edge 6d. In other words, each blade 6 has its profile more curved near the leading edge 6c that near the trailing edge 6d. Thus, each blade 6 has a curved shape like an airplane wing. On the other hand, the upper edge 6f is inclined to approach the lower edge 6e as one approaches the trailing edge 6d starting from the leading edge 6c. The angle of inclination may vary progressively along the upper edge 6f, as can be seen in Figure 2 where the angle of inclination decreases as one approaches the trailing edge 6d. An upper edge 6f is obtained which is slightly curved.

The length of the trailing edge 6d is rather short, so as to give the blade 6, when it is viewed from the front concave surface 6a, a form of boat sail.

As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 5, the blades 6 all have their concave surface 6a oriented in the same anti-trigonometric direction with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotor 4.

Furthermore, each blade 6 is preferably positioned so that its rope does not pass through the axis of rotation of the rotor 4 and thus forms an angle of incidence with respect thereto, even more preferably an angle of incidence of ten degrees.

In operation, the wind is accelerated at the protective fairing 16 and oriented by the vortex inductors 17 as indicated above, so that a part of the wind enters the rotor 4 and presses on the surface of the rotor. intrados 6a of a blade 6, while part of the wind flows around the leading edge 6c of the blade 6.

Because of the aerodynamic profile of the blade 6, a depression is created on the extrados surface surface 6b, which leads to an acceleration of the wind on the extrados surface side 6b, so that the wind that presses on the pressure surface 6a of the next 6 blade in the anti-trigonometric direction does so with greater speed. In other words, the shape of the blade 6 makes it possible to accelerate the part of the wind that will support another blade 6, and thus to transfer more energy from the wind to the other blade 6, thus improving the efficiency of the blade. 1 wind turbine 1.

The fact that the part of greater height of the blade 6 is located on the outside of the rotor 4 makes it possible to obtain a maximum rotational force, and the central space due to the sail shape of the blades 6 facilitates the evacuation of the air through the center of the wind turbine 1, via the recesses 5b of the lower plate 5.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, it can be seen that a second particular embodiment of the present invention has been shown having the same structure as the first particular embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. Figures 1 to 7. This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it provides that each blade 6 is pivotally mounted on the support plate 5 and in that it also provides a compensation system for adjusting the angle of incidence of the blade 6 as a function of the intensity of the wind.

As can be seen more clearly on the structure of the wind turbine 1 shown in FIG. 1, each blade 6 of the wind turbine 1 is pivotally mounted about an axis passing through a vertical tube T1 welded to the blade 6 at the level of its leading edge 6c, which tube T1 is movably mounted on the support plate 5 and the upper plate 8. Of course, the blades 6 may be pivotally mounted by any other appropriate means.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, it can be seen that each blade 6 of wind turbine 1 includes a system compensator with two cylinders disposed at the trailing edge 6d of each blade 6 and inner side of the rotor 4, designated by the reference numeral 19, whose function will be explained below.

As best seen in Figure 8, the compensator system 19 is composed of two jacks 20 arranged one above the other and attached to both a blade 6 and a vertical tube T2 disposed on the inside. of the rotor 4 and fixedly mounted on the support plate 5. The vertical tube T2 thus constitutes a point of support for the cylinders 20. Of course, the fulcrum may be formed by any appropriate means formed by support plate 5 or rendered secured to the support plate 5, such as brackets fixed to the support plate 5.

Still with reference to Figures 8 and 9, it can be seen that the two cylinders 20 are oriented so as to be tangent to the circle described by the trailing edge of the blade 6 in case of pivoting thereof.

As can also be seen in FIG. 8, each jack 20 conventionally comprises a body 20a and, here, two piston rods 20b making it possible to apply a bias to the blade 6. The body 20a is fixed to the blade 6 by any appropriate means, while the two piston rods 20b share a single head 20c which is attached to the tube T2 by any suitable articulated connection, for example of the hinge type, so as to allow a slight pivoting of the elements relative to the others to take account of the fact that the blade 6 pivots while the tube T2 remains fixed. This is valid regardless of the structure of the elastic biasing means.

The combination of the blades 6 pivotally mounted on the support plate 5 and the compensating systems 19 is a safety measure of the rotor 4 in strong wind and allows to improve the efficiency of the wind turbine 1, as will be described below.

Indeed, in strong wind, for example more than 10 Kts (18.52 km / h), the wind enters the rotor 4 and rotates by pushing on the blades 6. Thus the wind turbine 1 turns next the power of the wind. However, the rotation of the wind turbine in strong wind can generate overheating of the electrical components and also accelerate the wear of all the mechanical components of the wind turbine 1.

The compensating system 19 holding each blade 6 of the wind turbine 1 pivotally mounted on the support plate 5, allows strong wind a decrease in the angle of incidence of each blade 6 to reduce the lift.

In the first embodiment, each blade

6 is preferably positioned so that its rope does not pass through the axis of rotation of the rotor 4 and forms an angle of incidence relative thereto.

The compensating system 19 makes it possible to allow a reduction in the initial angle of incidence of each blade 6, which will be, for example, ten degrees, to bring it up to zero degrees, ie in the axis of rotation of the blade. rotor 4, so that the lift of each blade 6 is decreased, and the depression, namely the force accelerating the wind turbine 1.

Indeed, when the blade 6 of the wind turbine 1 has an angle of incidence of ten degrees, the center of thrust is located forward thereof, in particular one-third of it. When the angle of incidence of the blade 6 is reduced, the center of thrust then moves backwards, in particular near the middle of the blade 6. Thus, if the depression moves towards the center of the blade, 6, the "bearing" surface of the blade 6 is less large, so the depression exerted is also less important. The drive speed of the wind turbine 1 then tends to decrease to stabilize towards a maximum constant speed.

In operation in strong wind, for example more than 10 Kts (18.52 km / h), the wind enters the rotor 4 and rotates by pushing on the blades 6, which force on the compensating system 19 fixed to each 6 at the trailing edge 6d, so that each blade 6 moves back towards the axis of rotation of the rotor thus decreasing the angle of incidence of the blades 6, and ultimately reducing the driving speed of the blade 6; wind turbine 1.

Thus, the reduction and stabilization of the driving speed of the wind turbine 1, in strong wind, to a constant maximum speed makes it possible to produce energy in a maximum and constant manner, thereby improving the efficiency of the wind turbine 1 , while avoiding premature wear of all the mechanical components of the wind turbine 1.

Of course, except in case of strong wind, the compensating systems 19 oppose the pivoting of the blades 6, which thus retain the initial angle of incidence.

It is emphasized here that an advantage of providing compensating systems 19 with jacks, namely compensating systems with elastic biasing means, is that they allow a gradual decrease in the angle of incidence as the The intensity of the wind increases, allowing them to safely continue to draw maximum energy from the wind even when its intensity is above a safety threshold value.

The retaining setting of the jacks 20 of the compensating system 19, in other words the definition of the threshold value from which the cylinders 20 allow the pivoting of the blades 6, takes into account the diameter of the wind turbine, knowing that the larger the diameter is greater speed is at a fixed point on the periphery of the plate, for the same number of revolutions per minute, the wind speed, and the maximum operating speed of the alternators, making it possible to determine the number of revolutions / minute with respect to the diameter of the plate. Thus, the retaining pressure of the jacks of the compensating system 19 is calculated so that the system does not exceed the speed of the maximum external point calculated in meters / minute. In practice, it is possible, for example, to determine the threshold value by calculation, from a given force applied to the intrados surface 6a of the blade 6, of the resulting force at the trailing edge 6c, which force resulting will be the one to be resisted by the compensating system 19.

In other words, said threshold value for the intensity of the wind may be that at which the system exceeds said speed of the maximum external point, and the jacks 20 will be sized to withstand the force that the trailing edge 6d exerts on them until this force exceeds that which the trailing edge 6d is supposed to exert when the system rotates at said speed of the maximum external point.

It is understood that the above embodiments of the present invention have been given for information and not limitation and that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1 - Vertical blade wind turbine (1), comprising a fixed mast (2), a rotor

(4) comprising a support plate

(5) rotatably mounted relative to the mast (2) and vertical blades

(6) mounted on the support plate (5), and generating means (7) arranged to convert the rotational kinetic energy of the rotor (4) into electrical energy, characterized in that the wind turbine (1) comprises in outraged :

electric motor means (10) arranged to be adapted, when they are supplied with electrical energy, to drive the support plate (5) in rotation, for example in the event of very low wind speed or in the absence of wind ;

electrical energy storage means arranged to be able to be connected, on the one hand, to the generator means (7) in order to recover electrical energy produced by the generator means (7) and, on the other hand, the motor means (10) for supplying electrical energy for driving the support plate (5) in rotation;

control means arranged for:

in a first mode of operation of the wind turbine (1), transmitting electrical energy generating means (7) to the electrical energy storage means (15) and not supplying electrical energy to the motor means (10) via the electrical energy storage means (15); and

in a second mode of operation of the wind turbine, supplying the motor means (10) with electrical energy from the electrical energy storage means (15) and interrupting the transmission energy generating means (7) to the electrical energy storage means (15).

2 - Wind turbine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an auxiliary source of electrical energy (15) comprising at least one photovoltaic panel (15), the auxiliary source of electrical energy (15). ) being connected to the electrical energy storage means so as to provide them with the energy it collects.

3 - Wind turbine (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the generating means (7) and the motor means (10) are integral with the fixed mast (2) and each comprise an input rotor mechanical power output (12) which is connected to the support plate (5) so as to be able to rotate the latter and to be rotated by the latter, said mechanical power input / output rotors (12) not being aligned with the axis of rotation of the rotor (4).

4 - Wind turbine (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a fixed support structure (11) which is integral with the mast (2) and which carries the generating means (7) and the motor means (10). ).

5 - Wind turbine (1) according to one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the generating means

(7) comprise three generators (7) and the motor means (10) comprise a motor (10), the three generators (7) and the motor (10) being all positioned at the same distance from the axis of the rotor (4). ) and angularly equidistant by 90 °.

6 - Wind turbine (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that there is provided a ring gear (14) which is carried by the support plate (5) and with which mesh the mechanical power input / output rotors (12) generating means (7) and motor means (10).

7 - Wind turbine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each blade (6) is in the form of a plate-like piece of generally constant thickness, thus comprising a first surface, said intrados (6a), and a second surface, said extrados (6b), opposed to one another and extending between a first vertical edge, said attack (6c), and a second vertical edge, said leakage edge (6d), respectively outer side and inner side of the rotor, as well as between the lower (6th) and upper (6f) edges, respectively close to and away from the support plate (5), the blade ( 6) following an aerodynamic profile whose camber progressively increases from the leading edge (6c) until reaching its maximum value at approximately one-third of the rope, starting from the leading edge (6c), then gradually decreases to at the trailing edge (6d).

8 - Wind turbine (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the upper edge (6f) of each blade (6) is inclined so as to be at a maximum distance from the lower edge (6e) at the edge of attack (6c), and to be in the vicinity of the lower edge (6e) at the trailing edge (6d).

9 - Wind turbine (1) according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that each blade (6) is fixedly mounted on the support plate (5) and is positioned in such a way that its rope does not pass through. the axis of rotation of the rotor (4) and thus forms an angle of incidence relative thereto, preferably an angle of incidence of ten degrees. 10 - Wind turbine (1) according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that each blade (6) is pivotally mounted on the support plate (5), about a vertical axis which, preferably, coincides with the leading edge (6c) of the blade (6), each blade (6) being positioned so that in the absence of wind its rope does not pass through the axis of rotation of the rotor (4). ) and thus forms an angle of incidence relative thereto, preferably an angle of incidence of ten degrees, the wind turbine (1) further comprising compensating systems (19) interposed each between, on one side , the trailing edge (6d) of a respective blade (6) and, on the other side, a fulcrum (T2) integral with the support plate (5), each compensating system (19) being configured for opposing the pivoting of the respective blade (6) when the intensity of the wind is less than or equal to a threshold value, so that the blade (6) retains the initial angle of incidence, and p to allow the pivoting of the blade (6) in the direction decreasing its angle of incidence, when the intensity of the wind is greater than the threshold value.

11 - Wind turbine (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that each compensating system (19) comprises resilient biasing means (20) whose resistance to elastic deformation defines the threshold value.

12 - Wind turbine (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the elastic biasing means (20) are linear means configured to exert an action on the blade (6) respectively in a direction tangent to the circle described by the edge leakage (6d) of the blade (6) when the latter pivots, the elastic biasing means (20) comprising, preferably, at least one jack (20), one of the body (20a) and the rod (20b) is secured to the respective blade (6) and the other is secured to the fulcrum (T2 ), in particular two cylinders (20) arranged one above the other.

13 - Wind turbine (1) according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that it comprises a protective fairing (16) of the motor means (10) and the generator means (7), the fairing (16) in the form of an annular airfoil piece whose camber, preferably, progressively increases from the leading edge to its maximum value approximately one third of the rope, starting from the leading edge, then progressively decreases to the trailing edge, the annular piece extending outwardly from the periphery of the support plate (5) and from the latter, the annular piece having an upper surface (16a) which inclines downwards from the periphery of the support plate (5).

14 - Wind turbine (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that said vortex-inducing elements (17) are arranged at intervals on the upper surface (16a) of the shroud (16), the vortex-inducing elements (17) being arranged to direct to the intrados surface (6a) of the blades (6) the air flowing in input on the upper surface (16a) of the fairing (16) and to limit the phenomenon of stalling said air.