WO2019001671A1 - A wind turbine - Google Patents

A wind turbine Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019001671A1
WO2019001671A1 PCT/DK2018/050165 DK2018050165W WO2019001671A1 WO 2019001671 A1 WO2019001671 A1 WO 2019001671A1 DK 2018050165 W DK2018050165 W DK 2018050165W WO 2019001671 A1 WO2019001671 A1 WO 2019001671A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
wind
nacelle
wind turbine
wind vane
axle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/DK2018/050165
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Pierre Sebastian LUND PETERSEN
Original Assignee
GADE, Jonas
FRIIS PIHLKJÆR, Nick
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GADE, Jonas, FRIIS PIHLKJÆR, Nick filed Critical GADE, Jonas
Publication of WO2019001671A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019001671A1/en

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D7/00—Controlling wind motors 
    • F03D7/02—Controlling wind motors  the wind motors having rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor
    • F03D7/0204—Controlling wind motors  the wind motors having rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor for orientation in relation to wind direction
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D3/00—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor 
    • F03D3/04—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor  having stationary wind-guiding means, e.g. with shrouds or channels
    • F03D3/0409—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor  having stationary wind-guiding means, e.g. with shrouds or channels surrounding the rotor
    • F03D3/0418—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor  having stationary wind-guiding means, e.g. with shrouds or channels surrounding the rotor comprising controllable elements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2270/00—Control
    • F05B2270/30—Control parameters, e.g. input parameters
    • F05B2270/329—Azimuth or yaw angle
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/74—Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to the field of wind turbines. More specifically, the present invention in a first aspect relates to a wind turbine comprising a special design of a yaw controlling mechanism. In a second aspect the present invention relates to such a yaw controlling mechanism as defined in the first aspect of the invention. In a third aspect the present invention relates to a use of a wind turbine according to the first aspect of the invention for exploration of wind energy.
  • a wind turbine in it most predominant form which is of the horizontal rotor type comprises a wind turbine tower anchored in the ground or in the seabed in a foundation.
  • a nacelle is pivotally arranged in the opposite end of the tower.
  • the nacelle itself carries the rotor comprising typically three rotor blades arranged at a hub on a rotor axle.
  • the nacelle also comprises an electric generator for converting torque of the rotor axle, picked up by the blades from the wind and transformed into rotation, into electric power.
  • the nacelle is able to pivot around an essentially vertical pivot axis. Thereby it is possible to at least attempt to always have the rotor plane defined by the rotor blades aligned in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wind.
  • This alignment is brought about by constant monitoring the wind direction at the nacelle position and, in case the wind direction deviates from the direction perpendicular to the rotor plane, the angle of the nacelle, in a horizontal plane and in relation to the tower, is adjusted so as to align the rotor plane with a direction which is perpendicular to the wind direction.
  • yaw The displacement, in either direction of the nacelle in a horizontal plane, is called yaw.
  • yaw The displacement, in either direction of the nacelle in a horizontal plane, is called yaw.
  • a wind turbine is equipped with a number of control systems comprising sensors and electronic equipment for controlling the yaw of the rotor and the nacelle.
  • Such control systems are capable of monitoring the direction of the wind by one or more sensors and in case the sensed direction of the wind varies from a direction perpendicular to the rotor plane, the yaw angle, viz. the angle of the nacelle, relative to the tower, in a horizontal plane, is adjusted by means of servo motors.
  • US 1757039 A discloses a wind turbine comprising a main turbine, which via a casing is pivotally suspended on a pedestal.
  • An arrangement comprising a wind vane of the Constatin type and comprising two flat vane members are being connected via a number of arms.
  • the arrangement of arms is connected in a way so that, when viewed from above, they form a trapeze form defining variable mutual angles between the arms.
  • the trapeze formed arrangement is arranged on a secondary casing, which in its upper end comprises a horizontally oriented rotor axle and carrying an auxiliary turbine.
  • the arms themselves are suspended in a gearbox which will imply that the auxiliary turbine will orient itself into the wind direction, thereby harvesting wind energy, which in turn will aid in turning the housing in relation to the pedestal so as to rotate the main turbine into the direction of the wind.
  • US 1757039 A does not disclose any clutching mechanism which is being configured for engaging the auxiliary turbine so that wind energy harvested by the auxiliary turbine will be used for rotating the housing relative to the pedestal in case a yaw error exists, and which is being configured for disengaging the auxiliary turbine in case no yaw error exists.
  • CN 205669458 U discloses a wind turbine comprising a main rotor which is arranged on a horizontally axle in a nacelle. On top of the nacelle is arranged a secondary rotor having a vertically arranged rotor axle. The secondary rotor is not employed in the controlling of yaw angle of the nacelle.
  • the problems encountered with the prior art yaw controlling systems inter alia relates to a limit of maximum yaw error which the yaw controlling system can handle.
  • the high number of components in such systems render the prior art yaw controlling system prone to various types of electronic component failure/breakdown or error readings and also requires a not insignificant maintenance. In case of failure, such systems are not capable of performing a self-sustained yaw error correction.
  • the present invention relates in a first aspect to a wind turbine comprising: -a wind turbine tower;
  • -a primary rotor comprising two or more primary rotor blades arranged on a primary rotor axle;
  • said primary rotor axle is being ratably arranged in said nacelle;
  • said yaw controlling mechanism is being coupled to said nacelle and is comprising: -a wind vane configured for being able to pivot around a wind vane pivot axis, thereby defining a wind vane direction of said wind vane;
  • -a secondary rotor comprising two or more secondary rotor blades connected to a secondary rotor axle; -a clutching mechanism; characterized in that wind vane and said secondary rotor axle are mechanically coupled to said clutching mechanism in such a way that: i) in case the wind vane direction deviates, within a first range of a predetermined tolerance, from the direction of the wind, said clutching mechanism is configured in such a way that the force exerted by the wind on the wind vane mechanically engages said clutching mechanism so that kinetic energy of said secondary rotor is being transformed into a rotational energy of the nacelle, relative to said tower, thereby reducing a yaw error of said primary rotor; ii) in case the wind vane direction is aligned with the direction of the wind, within a second range of a predetermined tolerance, said clutching mechanism is configured in such a way that said wind vane mechanically disengages said clutching mechanism so that no transfer of kinetic energy from said secondary rotor into
  • the present invention relates to a yaw controlling mechanism for controlling the yaw of a nacelle relative to a tower of a wind turbine, wherein said yaw controlling mechanism is being coupled to said nacelle and comprising:
  • -a wind vane configured for being able to pivot around a wind vane pivot axis, thereby defining a wind vane direction of said wind vane;
  • -a secondary rotor comprising two or more secondary rotor blades connected to a secondary rotor axle;
  • said clutching mechanism is configured in such a way that the force exerted by the wind on the wind vane mechanically engages said clutching mechanism so that kinetic energy of said secondary rotor is being transformed into a rotational energy of the nacelle, relative to said tower, thereby reducing a yaw error of said primary rotor; ii) in case the wind vane direction is aligned with the direction of the wind, within a second range of a predetermined tolerance, said clutching mechanism is configured in such a way that said wind vane mechanically disengages said clutching mechanism so that no transfer of kinetic energy from said secondary rotor into a rotational energy of the nacelle, relative to said tower, is taken place.
  • the present invention relates to a use of a wind turbine according to the first aspect of the invention for exploiting wind energy.
  • the present invention in its various aspects provides for a fully mechanical self-controlled and self-sustained feed-back system for mechanically controlling the yaw of a wind turbine, thereby eliminating the problems of the prior art electronic system for controlling yaw.
  • the present invention in its various aspects provides for a much larger yaw error range in which yaw error may properly be reduced. Furthermore, all problems associated with electronic component failure/breakdown or error readings are eliminated.
  • Fig. 1 is a partly cut- through perspective view of one embodiment of a wind turbine according to the first aspect of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a partly cut-through side view of the embodiment of the wind turbine illustrated in Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the clutching mechanism of a wind turbine according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a top view of part of the embodiment of the clutching mechanism of a wind turbine as illustrated in Fig. 4.
  • Fig. 5 is a partly cut- through top view of the embodiment of part of the wind turbine illustrated in Fig. 1.
  • the present invention relates to a wind turbine comprising: -a wind turbine tower;
  • -a nacelle pivotally mounted on top of said wind turbine tower;
  • -a primary rotor comprising two or more primary rotor blades arranged on a primary rotor axle;
  • -a wind vane configured for being able to pivot around a wind vane pivot axis, thereby defining a wind vane direction of said wind vane
  • -a secondary rotor comprising two or more secondary rotor blades connected to a secondary rotor axle;
  • said wind vane and said secondary rotor axle are mechanically coupled to said clutching mechanism in such a way that: i) in case the wind vane direction deviates, within a first range of a predetermined tolerance, from the direction of the wind, said clutching mechanism is configured in such a way that the force exerted by the wind on the wind vane mechanically engages said clutching mechanism so that kinetic energy of said secondary rotor is being transformed into a rotational energy of the nacelle, relative to said tower, thereby reducing a yaw error of said primary rotor; ii) in case the wind vane direction is aligned with the direction of the wind, within a second range of a predetermined tolerance, said clutching mechanism is configured in such a way that said wind vane mechanically disengages said clutching mechanism so that no transfer of kinetic energy from said secondary rotor into a rotational energy of the nacelle, relative to said tower, is taken place.
  • the present invention in its first aspect accordingly provides a wind turbine in which the controlling of the yaw is performed mechanically by means of a wind vane and a clutching mechanism and wherein the power needed to turn the nacelle in order to adjust the yaw angle of the nacelle is being provided by the secondary rotor.
  • tilt angle shall be construed to mean the angle of the nacelle, relative to a reference angle, in the horizontal plane.
  • the term "yaw error” shall be construed to mean the angle between a projection of the wind direction onto a horizontal plane and the projection of the primary rotor axle of the primary rotor onto the same plane.
  • downstreamwind direction shall be construed to mean a direction, relative to the wind direction, which comprises a directional component pointing in the wind direction.
  • wind turbine according to the first aspect of the present invention can be used on shore as well as off shore.
  • the primary rotor axle is being essentially horizontally oriented.
  • the energy converter is an electrical generator providing electric power or the energy converter is a pump for fluids providing a hydrostatic and/or hydrodynamic pressure.
  • the energy converter is being arranged in said nacelle.
  • the arrangement of an energy converter in the nacelle has proven especially popular when the energy converter is an electric generator.
  • the energy converter is being arranged in said tower, preferably at a lower portion thereof, and said tower further comprises an essentially vertical axle rotably connecting said primary rotor axle with said energy converter.
  • This embodiment provides an alternative embodiment where the access to the energy converter, for example for maintenance, is easier.
  • the first range of a predetermined tolerance and/or said second range of a predetermined tolerance independently is being selected from the range of + 1 - 20°, such as + 2 - 19°, for example + 3 - 18°, such as + 4 - 17°, such as + 5 - 16°, e.g. + 6 - 15°, for example + 7 - 14°, such as + 8 - 13°, e.g. + 9 - 12° or + 10 - 11°.
  • the yaw controlling mechanism is arranged in relation to said nacelle in a downwind position thereof in a situation of zero yaw error.
  • the wind turbine tower at an upper part thereof, is provided with an annular gear extending 360° around in a horizontal plane; and wherein the provision of rotational energy to the nacelle is provided by a sprocket arranged on said nacelle and being configured into an engaged configuration with said annular gear.
  • the sprocket arranged on said nacelle and being configured into an engaged configuration with said annular gear is being a pinion sprocket or a worm sprocket.
  • sprockets have proven beneficial for the intended purpose of making the nacelle turn around a vertical axis.
  • the sprocket arranged on said nacelle and being configured into an engaged configuration with said annular gear is being powered by said secondary rotor axle.
  • the energy required for turning the nacelle in order to minimize yaw error is conveniently provided mechanically by said secondary rotor and its associated rotor axle.
  • the secondary rotor axle is being vertically arranged.
  • Such an arrangement allows for harvesting wind energy by said secondary rotor, without the need to align the secondary rotor in any particular direction relative to the wind direction.
  • the secondary rotor with its associated blades is of the Savonius type or of the Darrieus type.
  • Such types of secondary rotors will harvest wind energy irrespective of the orientation, relative to the wind, as long as their rotor axle is being essentially vertically arranged.
  • the clutching mechanism comprises a first bevel gear and a second bevel gear, wherein said first bevel gear and said second bevel gear are being oppositely arranged on a common bevel axle suspended in a bracket; wherein a lower end of said secondary rotor axle comprises a third bevel gear which is being arranged between said first bevel gear and said second bevel gear and is being configured to enter into engagement, depending on the position of said bracket relative to said secondary rotary axle, with either the first bevel gear or with the second bevel gear; or to enter into an unengaged position wherein said third bevel gear neither enters into engagement with said first bevel gear nor said second bevel gear; and wherein said wind vane is being configured, by pivoting around its pivot axis, to displace said bracket relative to said third bevel gear, so as to shift said clutching mechanism between an unengaged configuration and an engaged configuration; and vice versa.
  • the common bevel axle is being mechanically connected to said sprocket arranged on said nacelle and being configured to engage with said annular gear, thereby allowing transferring rotational energy from said secondary rotor axle into rotational energy of said nacelle, relative to said tower.
  • said bracket at an outer surface thereof comprises a toothed rack; and wherein said wind vane is comprising a wind vane sprocket, at least partly surrounding said wind vane pivot axis, wherein said wind vane sprocket is configured to enter into engagement with said toothed rack on said bracket.
  • the yaw controlling mechanism is configured for adjusting the yaw angle of said nacelle and said primary rotor solely by mechanical means, wherein the power needed to rotate said nacelle, relative to said tower, originates from said secondary rotor of said yaw controlling mechanism.
  • the present invention relates to a yaw controlling mechanism for controlling the yaw of a nacelle relative to a tower of a wind turbine, wherein said yaw controlling mechanism is being coupled to said nacelle and comprising: -a wind vane configured for being able to pivot around a wind vane pivot axis, thereby defining a wind vane direction of said wind vane;
  • -a secondary rotor comprising two or more secondary rotor blades connected to a secondary rotor axle;
  • said wind vane and said secondary rotor axle are mechanically coupled to said clutching mechanism in such a way that: i) in case the wind vane direction deviates, within a first range of a predetermined tolerance, from the direction of the wind, said clutching mechanism is configured in such a way that the force exerted by the wind on the wind vane mechanically engages said clutching mechanism so that kinetic energy of said secondary rotor is being transformed into a rotational energy of the nacelle, relative to said tower, thereby reducing a yaw error of said primary rotor; ii) in case the wind vane direction is aligned with the direction of the wind, within a second range of a predetermined tolerance, said clutching mechanism is configured in such a way that said wind vane mechanically disengages said clutching mechanism so that no transfer of kinetic energy from said secondary rotor into a rotational energy of the nacelle, relative to said tower, is taken place.
  • the present invention relates
  • the present invention in its various aspects provides for a fully mechanical self -controlled feed-back system for mechanically controlling the yaw of a wind turbine, thereby eliminating the problems of the prior art electronic system for controlling yaw.
  • fig. 1 and 2 illustrate a partly cut-through perspective view of one embodiment of a wind turbine according to the first aspect of the present invention.
  • Fig. 1 and 2 show the wind turbine 100 comprising: a wind turbine tower 2, a nacelle 4 pivotally mounted on top of said wind turbine tower 2, a primary rotor 6 comprising three primary rotor blades 8, 8', 8" arranged on a primary rotor axle 10 which is being ratably arranged in the nacelle 4.
  • the primary rotor axle 10 drives an energy converter 12 which converts mechanical rotational energy of the primary rotor 6 into another energy form.
  • the energy converter 12 is not visible as it is arranged in a lower portion of the tower and being driven by an essentially vertical axle 30 which is ratably connecting the primary rotor axle 10 with the energy converter 12.
  • the wind turbine illustrated in Fig. 1 and 2 also comprises a yaw controlling mechanism 200.
  • the yaw controlling mechanism 200 is being coupled to the nacelle 4 and it comprises a wind vane 14; a secondary rotor 20 comprising three secondary rotor blades 22,22', 22" which are connected to a secondary rotor axle 24; and a clutching mechanism 26.
  • the rotor axle 24 of the secondary rotor 20 of the wind turbine illustrated in Fig. 1 and 2 is being vertically arranged and the secondary rotor itself is being of the Darrieus type.
  • the wind vane 14 is integrated with a wind vane beam 15 and is allowed to pivot around a wind vane pivot axis 16. Thereby the wind vane is defining a wind vane direction 18 of the wind vane.
  • the wind vane 14 and said secondary rotor axle 24 are mechanically coupled to the clutching mechanism 26 in such a way that: i) in a situation in which the wind vane direction 18 deviates from the direction 28 of the wind, the clutching mechanism 26 is configured in such a way that the force exerted by the wind on the wind vane 14 mechanically engages the clutching mechanism 26 so that kinetic energy of said secondary rotor 20 is being transformed into a rotational energy of the nacelle 4, relative to said tower 2, thereby reducing a yaw error of said primary rotor 6; and in such a way that ii) in a situation in which the wind vane direction 18 is aligned with the direction 28 of the wind the clutching mechanism 26 is configured in such a way that said wind vane 14 mechanically disengages the clutching mechanism 26, so that no transfer of kinetic energy from the secondary rotor 20 into a rotational energy of the nacelle 4, relative to said tower 2, is taken place.
  • Fig. 3 and 4 are perspective and top views, respectively, of one embodiment of the clutching mechanism of a wind turbine according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates a clutching mechanism 26 which comprises a first bevel gear 36 and a second bevel gear 38.
  • the first bevel gear 36 and the second bevel gear 38 are being oppositely arranged on a common bevel axle 40 which is suspended in a bracket 42.
  • FIG. 4 the embodiment of Fig. 3 is illustrated in a top view. However, in Fig. 4 the third bevel gear 44 and the secondary rotor axle 24 have been left out for clarification purposes.
  • a lower end of the secondary rotor axle 24 comprises a third bevel gear 44 which is being arranged between the first bevel gear 36 and the second bevel gear 38 (as seen in Fig. 3) and which is being configured to enter into engagement, depending on the position of the bracket 42 relative to the secondary rotary axle 24, with either the first bevel gear 36 or with the second bevel gear 38; or to enter into an unengaged position wherein the third bevel gear 44 neither enters into engagement with the first bevel gear 36 nor with the second bevel gear 38.
  • the bracket 42 at an outer surface thereof comprises a toothed rack 46 and the wind vane 14 at its associated wind vane beam 15 comprises a wind vane sprocket 48, which at least partly surrounds the wind vane pivot axis 16.
  • the wind vane sprocket 48 is configured to enter into engagement with the toothed rack 46 arranged on the outside of the bracket 42.
  • the wind vane 14 is being configured, via its associated wind vane beam 15, to pivot around its pivot axis 16.
  • bracket 42 will be displaced, relative to the third bevel gear 44. This displacement of the bracket 42 will shift the clutching mechanism 26 between an unengaged configuration and an engaged configuration in which one the bevel gears 36 or 38 engages with the thirds bevel gear 44; and vice versa.
  • the clutching mechanism will imply that power will be transformed from the secondary rotor axle 24 to the yaw controlling axle 52 via the common bevel axle 40, the gear 50, and the first bevel gear 36 or the second gear 38.
  • the yaw controlling axle 52 will rotate, either in the one direction or in the other direction, depending on whether the first bevel gear 36 or the second gear 38 is being involved in the power transfer, again depending on the position of the bracket 42 of the clutching mechanism 26, relative to the third bevel gear 44.
  • a rotation of the yaw controlling axle 52 implies that rotational power will be translated into a rotation of the nacelle around a vertical rotational axis of the tower.
  • Fig. 5 is a partly cut- through top view of the embodiment of part of the wind turbine illustrated in Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates the wind turbine 100 as seen from the top.
  • the wind turbine 100 comprises a tower 2 on top of which is rotably arranged a nacelle 4 carrying the primary rotor axle 10 which in turns carries the rotor 6 comprising the blades 8, 8', 8".
  • annular gear 32 which extends 360° around in a horizontal plane.
  • a sprocket 34 is arranged on the nacelle 4. This sprocket 34 is being configured to be into an engaged configuration with the annular gear 32.
  • the sprocket 34 is a worm sprocket but could also have been a pinion sprocket.
  • the sprocket 34 is mechanically and rotably connected to the yaw controlling axle 52 via gear 50'.
  • FIG. 3 it can be seen that the wind vane 14 and its associated wind vane beam 15 due to a misalignment with the wind direction 28 has been pivoted around the pivot axis 16 out of the paper towards the viewer. This has caused the bracket 42 to be displaced into the paper away from the viewer via the sprocket 48 and the toothed rack 46.
  • the secondary rotor axle 24 will turn clockwise or anti-clockwise, irrespective of the direction of the wind.
  • This direction of rotation of the sprocket 34 will cause the nacelle 4 to turn in an anti- clockwise direction, as seen from above, thereby reducing the angle of attack of the wind on the wind vane 14, and thereby reducing yaw error.
  • the bracket 42 When the yaw error has been reduced a certain amount, the bracket 42 will move towards the viewer (referring to Fig. 3), thereby rendering the yaw controlling mechanism enter into a disengaged configuration in which the third bevel gear 44 neither engages with the first bevel gear 36 nor the second bevel gear 38.
  • This situation corresponds to the situation in which the direction of the wind 28 is aligned with the direction 18 of the wind vane 14.
  • the common bevel axle 40 will rotate in anti-clockwise direction, as seen from the gear 50, and the yaw controlling axle 52 to turn in a clockwise direction, as seen from the gear 50.
  • This will make the sprocket 34 engaging with the annular gear 32 turn in a clockwise direction, as seen from the gear 50', and this will cause the nacelle 4 to turn in a clockwise direction, as seen from above, thereby reducing the yaw error, even though the wind now is entering the wind vane from the other side.
  • the wind turbine according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a, fully mechanical, self-controlled servo system for controlling the yaw of the primary rotor of a wind turbine.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
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  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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Abstract

The invention relates to a wind turbine (100) comprising: -a wind turbine tower (2); -a nacelle (4) pivotally mounted on top of said wind turbine tower (2); -a primary rotor (6) comprising two or more primary rotor blades (8, 8', 8'') arranged on a primary rotor axle (10); -an energy converter (12) for converting mechanical rotational energy of said primary rotor (6) into another energy form; -a yaw controlling mechanism (200); -wherein said primary rotor axle (10) is being rotably arranged in said nacelle (4); characterized in that said yaw controlling mechanism (200) is being coupled to said nacelle (4) and is comprising: -a wind vane (14) configured for being able to pivot around a wind vane pivot axis (16), thereby defining a wind vane direction (18) of said wind vane; -a secondary rotor (20) comprising two or more secondary rotor blades (22, 22', 22'', 22''') connected to a secondary rotor axle (24); -a clutching mechanism (26); wherein said wind vane (14) and said secondary rotor axle (24) are mechanically coupled to said clutching mechanism (26) in such a way that said wind vane (14) may engage or disengage said clutching mechanism (26).

Description

A wind turbine
Field of the invention
The present invention generally relates to the field of wind turbines. More specifically, the present invention in a first aspect relates to a wind turbine comprising a special design of a yaw controlling mechanism. In a second aspect the present invention relates to such a yaw controlling mechanism as defined in the first aspect of the invention. In a third aspect the present invention relates to a use of a wind turbine according to the first aspect of the invention for exploration of wind energy.
Background of the invention
Within the latest decades wind energy have gained increasingly popularity as a source of renewable energy and a tremendous number of wind turbines have been manufactured and erected on land sites as well as at sea sites. A wind turbine in it most predominant form which is of the horizontal rotor type comprises a wind turbine tower anchored in the ground or in the seabed in a foundation. A nacelle is pivotally arranged in the opposite end of the tower. The nacelle itself carries the rotor comprising typically three rotor blades arranged at a hub on a rotor axle. Typically the nacelle also comprises an electric generator for converting torque of the rotor axle, picked up by the blades from the wind and transformed into rotation, into electric power.
The nacelle is able to pivot around an essentially vertical pivot axis. Thereby it is possible to at least attempt to always have the rotor plane defined by the rotor blades aligned in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wind.
This alignment is brought about by constant monitoring the wind direction at the nacelle position and, in case the wind direction deviates from the direction perpendicular to the rotor plane, the angle of the nacelle, in a horizontal plane and in relation to the tower, is adjusted so as to align the rotor plane with a direction which is perpendicular to the wind direction.
The displacement, in either direction of the nacelle in a horizontal plane, is called yaw. In case the perpendicular direction to the rotor plane is not accurately aligned with the direction of the wind, a yaw error is present and a situation of non-optimum exploration of the wind power available is encountered.
Accordingly, it is of paramount importance in view of operational economy of a wind turbine, to constantly eliminate or at least minimize yaw error.
In order to minimize or eliminate yaw errors, a wind turbine is equipped with a number of control systems comprising sensors and electronic equipment for controlling the yaw of the rotor and the nacelle.
Such control systems are capable of monitoring the direction of the wind by one or more sensors and in case the sensed direction of the wind varies from a direction perpendicular to the rotor plane, the yaw angle, viz. the angle of the nacelle, relative to the tower, in a horizontal plane, is adjusted by means of servo motors.
However such control systems with its sensors and electronic equipment are prone to case problems leading to an inaccurate or even malfunctioning yaw control of the rotor and the nacelle.
US 1757039 A discloses a wind turbine comprising a main turbine, which via a casing is pivotally suspended on a pedestal. An arrangement comprising a wind vane of the Constatin type and comprising two flat vane members are being connected via a number of arms. The arrangement of arms is connected in a way so that, when viewed from above, they form a trapeze form defining variable mutual angles between the arms. The trapeze formed arrangement is arranged on a secondary casing, which in its upper end comprises a horizontally oriented rotor axle and carrying an auxiliary turbine. The arms themselves are suspended in a gearbox which will imply that the auxiliary turbine will orient itself into the wind direction, thereby harvesting wind energy, which in turn will aid in turning the housing in relation to the pedestal so as to rotate the main turbine into the direction of the wind.
US 1757039 A does not disclose any clutching mechanism which is being configured for engaging the auxiliary turbine so that wind energy harvested by the auxiliary turbine will be used for rotating the housing relative to the pedestal in case a yaw error exists, and which is being configured for disengaging the auxiliary turbine in case no yaw error exists. CN 205669458 U discloses a wind turbine comprising a main rotor which is arranged on a horizontally axle in a nacelle. On top of the nacelle is arranged a secondary rotor having a vertically arranged rotor axle. The secondary rotor is not employed in the controlling of yaw angle of the nacelle.
The problems encountered with the prior art yaw controlling systems inter alia relates to a limit of maximum yaw error which the yaw controlling system can handle. The high number of components in such systems render the prior art yaw controlling system prone to various types of electronic component failure/breakdown or error readings and also requires a not insignificant maintenance. In case of failure, such systems are not capable of performing a self-sustained yaw error correction.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide systems and uses which reduces or even eliminates the problems of the prior art yaw control systems.
Brief description of the invention
This objective is achieved by the present invention in its first, second, and third aspect respectively.
Accordingly, the present invention relates in a first aspect to a wind turbine comprising: -a wind turbine tower;
-a nacelle pivotally mounted on top of said wind turbine tower;
-a primary rotor comprising two or more primary rotor blades arranged on a primary rotor axle;
-an energy converter for converting mechanical rotational energy of said primary rotor into another energy form;
-a yaw controlling mechanism;
-wherein said primary rotor axle is being ratably arranged in said nacelle; wherein said yaw controlling mechanism is being coupled to said nacelle and is comprising: -a wind vane configured for being able to pivot around a wind vane pivot axis, thereby defining a wind vane direction of said wind vane;
-a secondary rotor comprising two or more secondary rotor blades connected to a secondary rotor axle; -a clutching mechanism; characterized in that wind vane and said secondary rotor axle are mechanically coupled to said clutching mechanism in such a way that: i) in case the wind vane direction deviates, within a first range of a predetermined tolerance, from the direction of the wind, said clutching mechanism is configured in such a way that the force exerted by the wind on the wind vane mechanically engages said clutching mechanism so that kinetic energy of said secondary rotor is being transformed into a rotational energy of the nacelle, relative to said tower, thereby reducing a yaw error of said primary rotor; ii) in case the wind vane direction is aligned with the direction of the wind, within a second range of a predetermined tolerance, said clutching mechanism is configured in such a way that said wind vane mechanically disengages said clutching mechanism so that no transfer of kinetic energy from said secondary rotor into a rotational energy of the nacelle, relative to said tower, is taken place. In a second aspect the present invention relates to a yaw controlling mechanism for controlling the yaw of a nacelle relative to a tower of a wind turbine, wherein said yaw controlling mechanism is being coupled to said nacelle and comprising:
-a wind vane configured for being able to pivot around a wind vane pivot axis, thereby defining a wind vane direction of said wind vane; -a secondary rotor comprising two or more secondary rotor blades connected to a secondary rotor axle;
-a clutching mechanism; wherein said wind vane and said secondary rotor axle are mechanically coupled to said clutching mechanism in such a way that: i) in case the wind vane direction deviates, within a first range of a
predetermined tolerance, from the direction of the wind, said clutching mechanism is configured in such a way that the force exerted by the wind on the wind vane mechanically engages said clutching mechanism so that kinetic energy of said secondary rotor is being transformed into a rotational energy of the nacelle, relative to said tower, thereby reducing a yaw error of said primary rotor; ii) in case the wind vane direction is aligned with the direction of the wind, within a second range of a predetermined tolerance, said clutching mechanism is configured in such a way that said wind vane mechanically disengages said clutching mechanism so that no transfer of kinetic energy from said secondary rotor into a rotational energy of the nacelle, relative to said tower, is taken place.
In a third aspect the present invention relates to a use of a wind turbine according to the first aspect of the invention for exploiting wind energy.
The present invention in its various aspects provides for a fully mechanical self-controlled and self-sustained feed-back system for mechanically controlling the yaw of a wind turbine, thereby eliminating the problems of the prior art electronic system for controlling yaw.
The present invention in its various aspects provides for a much larger yaw error range in which yaw error may properly be reduced. Furthermore, all problems associated with electronic component failure/breakdown or error readings are eliminated.
Brief description of the figures
Fig. 1 is a partly cut- through perspective view of one embodiment of a wind turbine according to the first aspect of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a partly cut-through side view of the embodiment of the wind turbine illustrated in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the clutching mechanism of a wind turbine according to the first aspect of the invention. Fig. 4 is a top view of part of the embodiment of the clutching mechanism of a wind turbine as illustrated in Fig. 4.
Fig. 5 is a partly cut- through top view of the embodiment of part of the wind turbine illustrated in Fig. 1.
Detailed description of the invention
In a first aspect the present invention relates to a wind turbine comprising: -a wind turbine tower;
-a nacelle pivotally mounted on top of said wind turbine tower; -a primary rotor comprising two or more primary rotor blades arranged on a primary rotor axle;
-an energy converter for converting mechanical rotational energy of said primary rotor into another energy form;
-a yaw controlling mechanism; -wherein said primary rotor axle is being ratably arranged in said nacelle; wherein said yaw controlling mechanism is being coupled to said nacelle and is comprising:
-a wind vane configured for being able to pivot around a wind vane pivot axis, thereby defining a wind vane direction of said wind vane;
-a secondary rotor comprising two or more secondary rotor blades connected to a secondary rotor axle;
-a clutching mechanism; characterized in that said wind vane and said secondary rotor axle are mechanically coupled to said clutching mechanism in such a way that: i) in case the wind vane direction deviates, within a first range of a predetermined tolerance, from the direction of the wind, said clutching mechanism is configured in such a way that the force exerted by the wind on the wind vane mechanically engages said clutching mechanism so that kinetic energy of said secondary rotor is being transformed into a rotational energy of the nacelle, relative to said tower, thereby reducing a yaw error of said primary rotor; ii) in case the wind vane direction is aligned with the direction of the wind, within a second range of a predetermined tolerance, said clutching mechanism is configured in such a way that said wind vane mechanically disengages said clutching mechanism so that no transfer of kinetic energy from said secondary rotor into a rotational energy of the nacelle, relative to said tower, is taken place. The present invention in its first aspect accordingly provides a wind turbine in which the controlling of the yaw is performed mechanically by means of a wind vane and a clutching mechanism and wherein the power needed to turn the nacelle in order to adjust the yaw angle of the nacelle is being provided by the secondary rotor.
In the present description and the appended claims the term "yaw angle" shall be construed to mean the angle of the nacelle, relative to a reference angle, in the horizontal plane.
In the present description and the appended claims the term "yaw error" shall be construed to mean the angle between a projection of the wind direction onto a horizontal plane and the projection of the primary rotor axle of the primary rotor onto the same plane.
In the present description and the appended claims the term "downwind direction" shall be construed to mean a direction, relative to the wind direction, which comprises a directional component pointing in the wind direction.
It is clear that the wind turbine according to the first aspect of the present invention can be used on shore as well as off shore.
In one embodiment of the wind turbine according to the first aspect of the present invention the primary rotor axle is being essentially horizontally oriented.
Such types of rotors are the most widely used on single rotor wind turbines and have proven efficient in terms of energy uptake from the wind. In one embodiment of the wind turbine according to the first aspect of the present invention the energy converter is an electrical generator providing electric power or the energy converter is a pump for fluids providing a hydrostatic and/or hydrodynamic pressure.
Both such applications are useful in various technological fields and are suitable with the wind turbine according to the present invention.
In one embodiment of the wind turbine according to the first aspect of the present invention the energy converter is being arranged in said nacelle.
Generally, the arrangement of an energy converter in the nacelle has proven especially popular when the energy converter is an electric generator. In one embodiment of the wind turbine according to the first aspect of the present invention the energy converter is being arranged in said tower, preferably at a lower portion thereof, and said tower further comprises an essentially vertical axle rotably connecting said primary rotor axle with said energy converter.
This embodiment provides an alternative embodiment where the access to the energy converter, for example for maintenance, is easier.
In one embodiment of the wind turbine according to the first aspect of the present invention the first range of a predetermined tolerance and/or said second range of a predetermined tolerance independently is being selected from the range of + 1 - 20°, such as + 2 - 19°, for example + 3 - 18°, such as + 4 - 17°, such as + 5 - 16°, e.g. + 6 - 15°, for example + 7 - 14°, such as + 8 - 13°, e.g. + 9 - 12° or + 10 - 11°.
Such ranges of tolerance have proven suitable for allowing the clutching mechanism to operate properly on the one hand and to minimize yaw errors on the other hand.
In one embodiment of the wind turbine according to the first aspect of the present invention the yaw controlling mechanism is arranged in relation to said nacelle in a downwind position thereof in a situation of zero yaw error.
In one embodiment of the wind turbine according to the first aspect of the present invention the wind turbine tower, at an upper part thereof, is provided with an annular gear extending 360° around in a horizontal plane; and wherein the provision of rotational energy to the nacelle is provided by a sprocket arranged on said nacelle and being configured into an engaged configuration with said annular gear.
Such an arrangement allows in an efficient and easy way to adjust the yaw of the nacelle and rotor. In one embodiment of the wind turbine according to the first aspect of the present invention the sprocket arranged on said nacelle and being configured into an engaged configuration with said annular gear is being a pinion sprocket or a worm sprocket.
Such types of sprockets have proven beneficial for the intended purpose of making the nacelle turn around a vertical axis. In one embodiment of the wind turbine according to the first aspect of the present invention the sprocket arranged on said nacelle and being configured into an engaged configuration with said annular gear is being powered by said secondary rotor axle.
Hereby the energy required for turning the nacelle in order to minimize yaw error is conveniently provided mechanically by said secondary rotor and its associated rotor axle. In one embodiment of the wind turbine according to the first aspect of the present invention the secondary rotor axle is being vertically arranged.
Such an arrangement allows for harvesting wind energy by said secondary rotor, without the need to align the secondary rotor in any particular direction relative to the wind direction.
In one embodiment of the wind turbine according to this embodiment the secondary rotor with its associated blades is of the Savonius type or of the Darrieus type.
Such types of secondary rotors will harvest wind energy irrespective of the orientation, relative to the wind, as long as their rotor axle is being essentially vertically arranged.
In one embodiment of the wind turbine according to the first aspect of the present invention the clutching mechanism comprises a first bevel gear and a second bevel gear, wherein said first bevel gear and said second bevel gear are being oppositely arranged on a common bevel axle suspended in a bracket; wherein a lower end of said secondary rotor axle comprises a third bevel gear which is being arranged between said first bevel gear and said second bevel gear and is being configured to enter into engagement, depending on the position of said bracket relative to said secondary rotary axle, with either the first bevel gear or with the second bevel gear; or to enter into an unengaged position wherein said third bevel gear neither enters into engagement with said first bevel gear nor said second bevel gear; and wherein said wind vane is being configured, by pivoting around its pivot axis, to displace said bracket relative to said third bevel gear, so as to shift said clutching mechanism between an unengaged configuration and an engaged configuration; and vice versa.
In one embodiment of these embodiments the common bevel axle is being mechanically connected to said sprocket arranged on said nacelle and being configured to engage with said annular gear, thereby allowing transferring rotational energy from said secondary rotor axle into rotational energy of said nacelle, relative to said tower. In one embodiment of these embodiments said bracket at an outer surface thereof comprises a toothed rack; and wherein said wind vane is comprising a wind vane sprocket, at least partly surrounding said wind vane pivot axis, wherein said wind vane sprocket is configured to enter into engagement with said toothed rack on said bracket.
These embodiments allow in a very easy and reliant manner to adjust the yaw of the wind turbine by a purely mechanical servo controlled feedback mechanism, without the need for any complicated electronic yaw controlling systems being involved.
In one embodiment of the wind turbine according to the first aspect of the present invention the yaw controlling mechanism is configured for adjusting the yaw angle of said nacelle and said primary rotor solely by mechanical means, wherein the power needed to rotate said nacelle, relative to said tower, originates from said secondary rotor of said yaw controlling mechanism.
In a second aspect the present invention relates to a yaw controlling mechanism for controlling the yaw of a nacelle relative to a tower of a wind turbine, wherein said yaw controlling mechanism is being coupled to said nacelle and comprising: -a wind vane configured for being able to pivot around a wind vane pivot axis, thereby defining a wind vane direction of said wind vane;
-a secondary rotor comprising two or more secondary rotor blades connected to a secondary rotor axle;
-a clutching mechanism; wherein said wind vane and said secondary rotor axle are mechanically coupled to said clutching mechanism in such a way that: i) in case the wind vane direction deviates, within a first range of a predetermined tolerance, from the direction of the wind, said clutching mechanism is configured in such a way that the force exerted by the wind on the wind vane mechanically engages said clutching mechanism so that kinetic energy of said secondary rotor is being transformed into a rotational energy of the nacelle, relative to said tower, thereby reducing a yaw error of said primary rotor; ii) in case the wind vane direction is aligned with the direction of the wind, within a second range of a predetermined tolerance, said clutching mechanism is configured in such a way that said wind vane mechanically disengages said clutching mechanism so that no transfer of kinetic energy from said secondary rotor into a rotational energy of the nacelle, relative to said tower, is taken place. In a third aspect the present invention relates to a use of a wind turbine according to the first aspect of the invention for exploiting wind energy.
The present invention in its various aspects provides for a fully mechanical self -controlled feed-back system for mechanically controlling the yaw of a wind turbine, thereby eliminating the problems of the prior art electronic system for controlling yaw. Referring now to the figures for better illustrating the present invention in its various aspects, fig. 1 and 2 illustrate a partly cut-through perspective view of one embodiment of a wind turbine according to the first aspect of the present invention.
Fig. 1 and 2 show the wind turbine 100 comprising: a wind turbine tower 2, a nacelle 4 pivotally mounted on top of said wind turbine tower 2, a primary rotor 6 comprising three primary rotor blades 8, 8', 8" arranged on a primary rotor axle 10 which is being ratably arranged in the nacelle 4.
The primary rotor axle 10 drives an energy converter 12 which converts mechanical rotational energy of the primary rotor 6 into another energy form. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 and 2 the energy converter 12 is not visible as it is arranged in a lower portion of the tower and being driven by an essentially vertical axle 30 which is ratably connecting the primary rotor axle 10 with the energy converter 12.
The wind turbine illustrated in Fig. 1 and 2 also comprises a yaw controlling mechanism 200.
The yaw controlling mechanism 200 is being coupled to the nacelle 4 and it comprises a wind vane 14; a secondary rotor 20 comprising three secondary rotor blades 22,22', 22" which are connected to a secondary rotor axle 24; and a clutching mechanism 26.
The rotor axle 24 of the secondary rotor 20 of the wind turbine illustrated in Fig. 1 and 2 is being vertically arranged and the secondary rotor itself is being of the Darrieus type.
As it can be seen in Fig 1 and 2, the wind vane 14 is integrated with a wind vane beam 15 and is allowed to pivot around a wind vane pivot axis 16. Thereby the wind vane is defining a wind vane direction 18 of the wind vane.
The wind vane 14 and said secondary rotor axle 24 are mechanically coupled to the clutching mechanism 26 in such a way that: i) in a situation in which the wind vane direction 18 deviates from the direction 28 of the wind, the clutching mechanism 26 is configured in such a way that the force exerted by the wind on the wind vane 14 mechanically engages the clutching mechanism 26 so that kinetic energy of said secondary rotor 20 is being transformed into a rotational energy of the nacelle 4, relative to said tower 2, thereby reducing a yaw error of said primary rotor 6; and in such a way that ii) in a situation in which the wind vane direction 18 is aligned with the direction 28 of the wind the clutching mechanism 26 is configured in such a way that said wind vane 14 mechanically disengages the clutching mechanism 26, so that no transfer of kinetic energy from the secondary rotor 20 into a rotational energy of the nacelle 4, relative to said tower 2, is taken place.
The working mode of the clutching mechanism is illustrated in further detail below with reference to Fig. 3 and 4.
Fig. 3 and 4 are perspective and top views, respectively, of one embodiment of the clutching mechanism of a wind turbine according to the first aspect of the invention. Fig. 3 illustrates a clutching mechanism 26 which comprises a first bevel gear 36 and a second bevel gear 38. The first bevel gear 36 and the second bevel gear 38 are being oppositely arranged on a common bevel axle 40 which is suspended in a bracket 42.
In Fig. 4 the embodiment of Fig. 3 is illustrated in a top view. However, in Fig. 4 the third bevel gear 44 and the secondary rotor axle 24 have been left out for clarification purposes.
A lower end of the secondary rotor axle 24 comprises a third bevel gear 44 which is being arranged between the first bevel gear 36 and the second bevel gear 38 (as seen in Fig. 3) and which is being configured to enter into engagement, depending on the position of the bracket 42 relative to the secondary rotary axle 24, with either the first bevel gear 36 or with the second bevel gear 38; or to enter into an unengaged position wherein the third bevel gear 44 neither enters into engagement with the first bevel gear 36 nor with the second bevel gear 38.
The bracket 42 at an outer surface thereof comprises a toothed rack 46 and the wind vane 14 at its associated wind vane beam 15 comprises a wind vane sprocket 48, which at least partly surrounds the wind vane pivot axis 16. The wind vane sprocket 48 is configured to enter into engagement with the toothed rack 46 arranged on the outside of the bracket 42.
In the clutching mechanism 26 illustrated in Fig. 3 and 4 the wind vane 14 is being configured, via its associated wind vane beam 15, to pivot around its pivot axis 16.
In doing so, the bracket 42 will be displaced, relative to the third bevel gear 44. This displacement of the bracket 42 will shift the clutching mechanism 26 between an unengaged configuration and an engaged configuration in which one the bevel gears 36 or 38 engages with the thirds bevel gear 44; and vice versa.
In an engaged configuration the clutching mechanism will imply that power will be transformed from the secondary rotor axle 24 to the yaw controlling axle 52 via the common bevel axle 40, the gear 50, and the first bevel gear 36 or the second gear 38. When power in this way is being transferred from the secondary rotor axle 24 to the yaw controlling axle 52, the yaw controlling axle 52 will rotate, either in the one direction or in the other direction, depending on whether the first bevel gear 36 or the second gear 38 is being involved in the power transfer, again depending on the position of the bracket 42 of the clutching mechanism 26, relative to the third bevel gear 44. A rotation of the yaw controlling axle 52 implies that rotational power will be translated into a rotation of the nacelle around a vertical rotational axis of the tower.
This is illustrated further with reference to Fig. 5.
Fig. 5 is a partly cut- through top view of the embodiment of part of the wind turbine illustrated in Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 illustrates the wind turbine 100 as seen from the top. The wind turbine 100 comprises a tower 2 on top of which is rotably arranged a nacelle 4 carrying the primary rotor axle 10 which in turns carries the rotor 6 comprising the blades 8, 8', 8".
Around the tower 2, at a top portion thereof, is arranged an annular gear 32 which extends 360° around in a horizontal plane.
A sprocket 34 is arranged on the nacelle 4. This sprocket 34 is being configured to be into an engaged configuration with the annular gear 32.The sprocket 34 is a worm sprocket but could also have been a pinion sprocket.
The sprocket 34 is mechanically and rotably connected to the yaw controlling axle 52 via gear 50'.
Referring to Fig. 3 it can be seen that the wind vane 14 and its associated wind vane beam 15 due to a misalignment with the wind direction 28 has been pivoted around the pivot axis 16 out of the paper towards the viewer. This has caused the bracket 42 to be displaced into the paper away from the viewer via the sprocket 48 and the toothed rack 46.
However, in Fig. 3, the pressure of the wind on the wind vane 14 will cause the bracket 42 to be displaced out of the paper towards the viewer. This movement of the bracket 42 will cause the third bevel gear 44 to enter into engagement with the second bevel gear 38.
Depending on the design of the secondary rotor blades 22,22',22" of the secondary rotor 20, the secondary rotor axle 24 will turn clockwise or anti-clockwise, irrespective of the direction of the wind.
In this embodiment it is assumed that the secondary rotor 20 and its secondary rotor axle 24 always will turn in a clockwise direction as seen from above, irrespective of the direction of the wind.
When the third bevel gear 44 enters into engagement with the second bevel gear 38, the common bevel axle 40 will turn in a clockwise direction, as seen from gear 50. The yaw controlling axle 52 will turn in an anti-clockwise direction, as seen from the gear 50. Now referring to Fig. 5, when the yaw controlling axle 52 turns in an anti-clockwise direction, as seen from the gear 50, the sprocket 34 engaging with the annular gear 32 turns in an anticlockwise direction, as seen from the gear 50' .
This direction of rotation of the sprocket 34 will cause the nacelle 4 to turn in an anti- clockwise direction, as seen from above, thereby reducing the angle of attack of the wind on the wind vane 14, and thereby reducing yaw error.
When the yaw error has been reduced a certain amount, the bracket 42 will move towards the viewer (referring to Fig. 3), thereby rendering the yaw controlling mechanism enter into a disengaged configuration in which the third bevel gear 44 neither engages with the first bevel gear 36 nor the second bevel gear 38.
This situation corresponds to the situation in which the direction of the wind 28 is aligned with the direction 18 of the wind vane 14.
In a case where the wind enters the other side of the wind vane 14 (upper side of item 14 when referring to fig. 5), the bracket 42 will be displaced in an upwards direction, with reference to fig. 5. This causes the third bevel gear 44 to enter into engagement with the first bevel gear 36.
Thereby the common bevel axle 40 will rotate in anti-clockwise direction, as seen from the gear 50, and the yaw controlling axle 52 to turn in a clockwise direction, as seen from the gear 50. This will make the sprocket 34 engaging with the annular gear 32 turn in a clockwise direction, as seen from the gear 50', and this will cause the nacelle 4 to turn in a clockwise direction, as seen from above, thereby reducing the yaw error, even though the wind now is entering the wind vane from the other side.
Accordingly, the wind turbine according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a, fully mechanical, self-controlled servo system for controlling the yaw of the primary rotor of a wind turbine.
List of reference numerals
2 Wind turbine tower
4 Nacelle
6 Primary rotor of wind turbine
8, 8', 8" Primary rotor blades
10 Primary rotor axle
12 Energy converter
14 Wind vane
15 Wind vane beam
16 Wind vane pivot axis
18 Wind vane direction
20 Secondary rotor
22,22', 22' ' Secondary rotor blades
24 Secondary rotor axle
26 Clutching mechanism
28 Direction of wind
30 Vertical axle within tower
32 Annular gear
34 Sprocket engaging with annular gear 36 First bevel gear of clutching mechanism
38 Second bevel gear of clutching mechanism
40 Common bevel axle
42 Bracket of clutching mechanism Third bevel gear arranged on secondary rotor axle Toothed rack arranged at outer surface of bracket Wind vane sprocket
,50' Gear mechanism
Yaw controlling axle
0 Wind turbine
0 Yaw controlling mechanism

Claims

Claims
1. A wind turbine (100) comprising:
-a wind turbine tower (2);
-a nacelle (4) pivotally mounted on top of said wind turbine tower (2);
-a primary rotor (6) comprising two or more primary rotor blades (8, 8', 8") arranged on a primary rotor axle (10);
-an energy converter (12) for converting mechanical rotational energy of said primary rotor (6) into another energy form;
-a yaw controlling mechanism (200);
-wherein said primary rotor axle (10) is being rotably arranged in said nacelle (4); wherein said yaw controlling mechanism (200) is being coupled to said nacelle (4) and is comprising:
-a wind vane (14) configured for being able to pivot around a wind vane pivot axis (16), thereby defining a wind vane direction (18) of said wind vane;
-a secondary rotor (20) comprising two or more secondary rotor blades
(22,22',22",22"') connected to a secondary rotor axle (24);
-a clutching mechanism (26); characterized in that said wind vane (14) and said secondary rotor axle (24) are mechanically coupled to said clutching mechanism (26) in such a way that: i) in case the wind vane direction (18) deviates, within a first range of a predetermined tolerance, from the direction (28) of the wind, said clutching mechanism (26) is configured in such a way that the force exerted by the wind on the wind vane (14) mechanically engages said clutching mechanism (26) so that kinetic energy of said secondary rotor (20) is being transformed into a rotational energy of the nacelle (4), relative to said tower (2), thereby reducing a yaw error of said primary rotor (6); ii) in case the wind vane direction (18) is aligned with the direction (26) of the wind, within a second range of a predetermined tolerance, said clutching mechanism (26) is configured in such a way that said wind vane (14) mechanically disengages said clutching mechanism (26) so that no transfer of kinetic energy from said secondary rotor (20) into a rotational energy of the nacelle (4), relative to said tower (2), is taken place.
2. A wind turbine (100) according to claim 1, wherein said primary rotor axle (10) is being essentially horizontally oriented.
3. A wind turbine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said energy converter (12) is an electrical generator providing electric power or wherein said energy converter (12) is a pump for fluids providing a hydrostatic and/or hydrodynamic pressure.
4. A wind turbine (100) according to any of the claims 1 - 3, wherein said energy converter (12) is being arranged in said nacelle (4).
5. A wind turbine (100) according to any of the claims 1 - 3, wherein said energy converter (12) is being arranged in said tower (2), preferably at a lower portion thereof, and wherein said tower comprises an essentially vertical axle (30) ratably connecting said primary rotor axle (10) with said energy converter (12).
6. A wind turbine (100) according to any of the claims 1 - 5, wherein said first range of a predetermined tolerance and/or said second range of a predetermined tolerance independently is being selected from the range of ± 1 - 20°, such as ± 2 - 19°, for example ± 3 - 18°, such as ± 4 - 17°, such as ± 5 - 16°, e.g. ± 6 - 15°, for example ± 7 - 14°, such as ± 8 - 13°, e.g. ± 9 - 12° or ± 10 - 11°.
7. A wind turbine (100) according to any of the claims 1 - 6, wherein said yaw controlling mechanism (200) is arranged in relation to said nacelle (4) in a downwind position thereof in a situation of zero yaw error.
8. A wind turbine (100) according to any of the claims 1 - 7, wherein said wind turbine tower (2), at an upper part thereof is provided with an annular gear (32) extending 360° around in a horizontal plane; and wherein the provision of rotational energy to the nacelle (4) is provided by a sprocket (34) arranged on said nacelle (4) and being configured into an engaged configuration with said annular gear (32).
9. A wind turbine (100) according to claim 8, wherein said sprocket (34) arranged on said nacelle and being configured into an engaged configuration with said annular gear (32) is being a pinion sprocket or a worm sprocket.
10. A wind turbine (100) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said sprocket (34) arranged on said nacelle and being configured into an engaged configuration with said annular gear (32) is being powered by said secondary rotor axle (24).
11. A wind turbine (100) according to any of the claims 1 - 10, wherein said secondary rotor axle (24) is being vertically arranged.
12. A wind turbine (100) according to claim 11, wherein said secondary rotor (20) with its associated blades is of the Savonius type or of the Darrieus type.
13. A wind turbine (100) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said clutching mechanism (26) comprises a first bevel gear (36) and a second bevel gear (38) , wherein said first bevel gear (36) and said second bevel gear (38) are being oppositely arranged on a common bevel axle (40) suspended in a bracket (42); wherein a lower end of said secondary rotor axle (24) comprises a third bevel gear (44) which is being arranged between said first bevel gear (36) and said second bevel gear (38) and is being configured to enter into engagement, depending on the position of said bracket (42) relative to said secondary rotary axle (24), with either the first bevel gear (36) or with the second bevel gear (38); or to enter into an unengaged position wherein said third bevel gear (44) neither enters into engagement with said first bevel gear (36) nor said second bevel gear (38); and wherein said wind vane (14) is being configured, by pivoting around its pivot axis (16), to displace said bracket (42) relative to said third bevel gear (44), so as to shift said clutching mechanism (26) between an unengaged configuration and an engaged configuration; and vice versa.
14. A wind turbine (100) according to any of the claims 11 - 13, wherein said common bevel axle (40) is being mechanically connected to said sprocket (34) arranged on said nacelle (4) and being configured to engage with said annular gear (32), thereby allowing transferring rotational energy from said secondary rotor axle (24) into rotational energy of said nacelle (4), relative to said tower (2).
15. A wind turbine (100) according to any of the claims 11 - 14, wherein said bracket (42) at an outer surface thereof comprises a toothed rack (46); and wherein said wind vane (14) is comprising a wind vane sprocket (48), at least partly surrounding said wind vane pivot axis (16), wherein said wind vane sprocket (48) is configured to enter into engagement with said toothed rack (46) on said bracket (42).
16. A wind turbine (100) according to any of the claims 1 - 15, wherein said yaw controlling mechanism (200) is configured for adjusting the yaw angle of said nacelle (4) and said primary rotor (6) solely by mechanical means, wherein the power needed to rotate said nacelle (4), relative to said tower (2), originates from said secondary rotor (20) of said yaw
controlling mechanism.
17. A yaw controlling mechanism (200) for controlling the yaw of a nacelle (4) relative to a tower (2) of a wind turbine (100), wherein said yaw controlling mechanism is being coupled to said nacelle and comprising:
-a wind vane (14) configured for being able to pivot around a wind vane pivot axis (16), thereby defining a wind vane direction (18) of said wind vane;
-a secondary rotor (20) comprising two or more secondary rotor blades
(22,22',22",22"') connected to a secondary rotor axle (24);
-a clutching mechanism (26); characterized in that said wind vane (14) and said secondary rotor axle (24) are mechanically coupled to said clutching mechanism (26) in such a way that: i) in case the wind vane direction (18) deviates, within a first range of a predetermined tolerance, from the direction (28) of the wind, said clutching mechanism (26) is configured in such a way that the force exerted by the wind on the wind vane (14) mechanically engages said clutching mechanism (26) so that kinetic energy of said secondary rotor (20) is being transformed into a rotational energy of the nacelle (4), relative to said tower (2), thereby reducing a yaw error of said primary rotor (6); ii) in case the wind vane direction (18) is aligned with the direction (26) of the wind, within a second range of a predetermined tolerance, said clutching mechanism (26) is configured in such a way that said wind vane (14) mechanically disengages said clutching mechanism (26) so that no transfer of kinetic energy from said secondary rotor (20) into a rotational energy of the nacelle (4), relative to said tower (2), is taken place.
18. Use of a wind turbine (100) according to any of the claims 1 - 16 for exploiting wind energy.
PCT/DK2018/050165 2017-06-28 2018-06-25 A wind turbine WO2019001671A1 (en)

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Cited By (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113323794A (en) * 2021-07-15 2021-08-31 信阳师范学院 Automatic wind alignment device of horizontal axis wind turbine suitable for medium-low wind speed area

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL22580C (en) *
GB292917A (en) * 1927-06-25 1928-10-04 Louis Constantin Improvements in or relating to wind motors
FR652209A (en) * 1928-04-04 1929-03-06 Automatic orientation device for wind motors
US1757039A (en) * 1926-12-16 1930-05-06 Paul Fortier Beaulieu Control mechanism for air turbines
DE858530C (en) * 1945-04-17 1952-12-08 Nordwind G M B H Control and safety device for wind turbines
DE896930C (en) * 1943-11-18 1953-11-16 Ulrich Dr-Ing Huetter Device for the automatic adjustment of a wind turbine with a plane of rotation perpendicular to the wind direction
DE926420C (en) * 1951-12-18 1955-04-18 Erich Hesse Control device for wind motors depending on the speed
US8836158B2 (en) * 2012-04-23 2014-09-16 Hanwoo Cho Horizontal axis wind turbine systems and methods

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL22580C (en) *
US1757039A (en) * 1926-12-16 1930-05-06 Paul Fortier Beaulieu Control mechanism for air turbines
GB292917A (en) * 1927-06-25 1928-10-04 Louis Constantin Improvements in or relating to wind motors
FR652209A (en) * 1928-04-04 1929-03-06 Automatic orientation device for wind motors
DE896930C (en) * 1943-11-18 1953-11-16 Ulrich Dr-Ing Huetter Device for the automatic adjustment of a wind turbine with a plane of rotation perpendicular to the wind direction
DE858530C (en) * 1945-04-17 1952-12-08 Nordwind G M B H Control and safety device for wind turbines
DE926420C (en) * 1951-12-18 1955-04-18 Erich Hesse Control device for wind motors depending on the speed
US8836158B2 (en) * 2012-04-23 2014-09-16 Hanwoo Cho Horizontal axis wind turbine systems and methods

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113323794A (en) * 2021-07-15 2021-08-31 信阳师范学院 Automatic wind alignment device of horizontal axis wind turbine suitable for medium-low wind speed area

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DK179459B1 (en) 2018-11-12

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