U.S. patent application number 10/513890 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-30 for multi-directional wind power generator.
Invention is credited to Joo, Jang-sik.
Application Number | 20050141994 10/513890 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29714404 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050141994 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Joo, Jang-sik |
June 30, 2005 |
Multi-directional wind power generator
Abstract
The present invention relates to a wind power generator, and
more particularly, to a multi-directional wind power generator
capable of maximizing use efficiency of wind as well as enabling
effective power generation regardless of the wind direction. The
multi-directional wind power generator of the invention can
generate electric power regardless of wind direction as well as
minimize the resistance against the wind thereby enhancing its
efficiency.
Inventors: |
Joo, Jang-sik;
(Jeollabuk-do, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LADAS & PARRY LLP
224 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE
SUITE 1200
CHICAGO
IL
60604
US
|
Family ID: |
29714404 |
Appl. No.: |
10/513890 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
January 24, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR03/00168 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
416/132B |
Current CPC
Class: |
F03D 13/10 20160501;
F03D 3/02 20130101; Y02E 10/74 20130101; F03D 3/067 20130101; F03D
9/25 20160501; F03D 15/00 20160501; F05B 2260/72 20130101; F05B
2210/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
416/132.00B |
International
Class: |
B63H 001/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 31, 2002 |
KR |
2002/30582 |
Sep 18, 2002 |
KR |
2002/57952 |
Claims
1. A multi-directional wind power generator comprising: a base
frame having a central shaft and being supported on the ground,
disposed around the central shaft defining a space of a
predetermined radius; a first rotary shaft rotatably fitted around
the central shaft of the base frame; a plurality of first
upper/lower support frames extended from upper and lower outer
peripheries of the first rotary shaft to a predetermined radius;
first rotary blades hinged by their both ends, respectively, on
distal ends of the first upper/lower support frames; first
anti-pivoting bars disposed, respectively, at portions of the first
upper/lower frames to prevent pivoting of the first rotary blades
so that the first rotary blades are oriented parallel with the
first upper/lower support frames; first control means disposed
respectively in the first upper/lower support frames for
controlling pivoting of the first rotary blades; rotation power
transmission means disposed around a lower portion of the central
shaft of the base frame to transmit the rotation power of the first
rotary shaft at a rotation rate changed via gear combination; and a
generator for generating electric power under the rotation power
transmitted from the rotation power transmission means.
2. The multi-directional wind power generator of claim 1, further
comprising: first to third rotation shafts fitted around the first
rotation shaft in the order of the first to third rotation shafts;
a plurality of first to third upper/lower support frames extended,
respectively, from upper and lower outer peripheries of the first
to third rotary shafts to respective predetermined radii of
rotation; first to third rotary blades hinged by their both ends,
respectively, on distal ends of the first to third upper/lower
support frames to rotate in the wind; first to third anti-pivoting
bars disposed, respectively, at portions of the first to third
upper/lower frames to prevent pivoting of the first to third rotary
blades at respective positions; first to third control means
disposed, respectively, on the first to third upper/lower support
frames for controlling pivoting of the first to third rotary
blades; first to third drive gears coupled, respectively, with one
ends of the first to third rotation shafts extended into the gear
housing; and first to third driven gears meshed, respectively, with
the first to third drive gears at respective rotation rates.
3. The multi-directional wind power generator of claim 1 or 2,
wherein the first to fourth pivoting-control means are stopper
protrusions which are formed, respectively, at both sides of one
ends of the first to fourth upper/lower support frames to contact,
respectively, one sides of the first to fourth rotary blades.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a wind power generator, and
more particularly, to a multi-directional wind power generator
capable of maximizing the use of the wind as well as enabling
effective power generation regardless of the wind direction.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In general, electric power generations can be classified
into hydroelectric power generation using head drop of water,
thermal power generation which obtains electric power by means of
combustion of fuel, nuclear power generation using nuclear fission
and wind power generation using wind. A proper power generator is
established considering season and geographic influence to obtain
electric power.
[0003] Among these power generations, wind power generator produces
electric power utilizing wind that is a kind of natural phenomena,
and has advantages in that installation cost is inexpensive unlike
other power generating plants and power generation can be performed
individually in the unit of home or local community.
[0004] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of a conventional wind
power generator.
[0005] As shown in FIG. 8, the conventional wind power generator
includes blades 501 that rotate by wind, a generator 500 for
generating electric power from the rotational force of the blades
501 and a support frame 600 for supporting the generator 500 and
the blades 501.
[0006] The above wind power generator is provided with the radial
blades each having a predetermined length from a rotary shaft
thereof. When wind collides against each rotary blade to rotate the
rotary blade, a portion of the rotary blade obstructs rotation of
the rotary blade resulting from its weight. The rotation distance
of the rotary blade becomes different as it travels from one end of
each of the rotary blades to the other end. Thus, in the integral
rotary blades rotating with an equal angle, the rotation power of
the rotary blades is counterbalanced thereby decreasing the
efficiency of the wind power generator.
[0007] Further, the rotary blades can rotate only when the wind
collides against the front of the rotary blades. However, since the
wind direction is not constant, a separate device is needed to turn
the rotary blades according to the wind direction, causing
inconvenience to manufacture.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing
problems and it is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a multi-directional wind power generator that can generate
electric power regardless of wind direction as well as minimize the
resistance against the wind, thereby enhancing its efficiency.
[0009] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a
multi-directional wind power generator comprising: a base frame
having a central shaft and being supported on the ground, disposed
around the central shaft defining a space of a predetermined
radius; a first rotary shaft rotatably fitted around the central
shaft of the base frame; a plurality of first upper/lower support
frames extended from upper and lower outer peripheries of the first
rotary shaft to a predetermined radius; first rotary blades hinged
by their both ends, respectively, on distal ends of the first
upper/lower support frames; first anti-pivoting bars disposed,
respectively, at portions of the first upper/lower frames to
prevent pivoting of the first rotary blades so that the first
rotary blades are oriented parallel with the first upper/lower
support frames; first control means disposed respectively in the
first upper/lower support frames for controlling pivoting of the
first rotary blades; rotation power transmission means disposed
around a lower portion of the central shaft of the base frame to
transmit the rotation power of the first rotary shaft at a rotation
rate changed via gear combination; and a generator for generating
electric power under the rotation power transmitted from the
rotation power transmission means.
[0010] Preferably, the multi-directional wind power generator of
the invention may further comprise auxiliary rotary blades hinged
by both ends, respectively, on the distal ends of the upper/lower
support frames to rotate in the wind and auxiliary stopper
protrusions formed, respectively, at the distal ends of the
upper/lower frames to contact with one sides of the auxiliary
rotary blades in pivoting of the auxiliary rotary blades.
[0011] In the multi-directional wind power generator of the
invention, the pivoting-control means are wires that are fixed,
respectively with one portion of the anti-pivoting bars and one
portion of the rotary blades to regulate the rotation angle of the
pivoting blades. Also, the pivoting-control means are stopper
protrusions that are formed, respectively, at both sides of the
distal ends of the upper/lower support frames to contact one side
of the rotary blades in pivoting of the auxiliary rotary
blades.
[0012] In the multi-directional wind power generator of the
invention, the rotation power transmission means include a gear
housing disposed around a lower portion of the central shaft and
having an inner space, a female threaded portion projected downward
from an underside of the gear housing to a predetermined height for
receiving an adjustment bolt, a central shaft supporting member
disposed on the adjustment bolt for supporting the central shaft, a
drive gear fitted around one end of the rotary shaft which is
fitted around the central shaft and extended into the gear housing,
a driven gear shaft having a driven gear meshed with the drive gear
and rotating within the gear housing, a transmission gear disposed
at an end of the driven gear shaft and extending through a bottom
of the gear housing, and a generator gear meshed with the
transmission gear for transmitting rotation power to the
generator.
[0013] Preferably, the multi-directional wind power generator of
the invention may further comprise first to third rotation shafts
fitted around the first rotation shaft in the order of the first to
third rotation shafts; a plurality of first to third upper/lower
support frames extended, respectively, from upper and lower outer
peripheries of the first to third rotary shafts to respective
predetermined radii of rotation; first to third rotary blades
hinged by their both ends, respectively, on distal ends of the
first to third upper/lower support frames to rotate in the wind;
first to third anti-pivoting bars disposed, respectively, at
portions of the first to third upper/lower frames to prevent
pivoting of the first to third rotary blades at respective
positions; first to third control means disposed, respectively, on
the first to third upper/lower support frames for controlling
pivoting of the first to third rotary blades; first to third drive
gears coupled, respectively, with one ends of the first to third
rotation shafts extended into the gear housing; and first to third
driven gears meshed, respectively, with the first to third drive
gears at respective rotation rates.
[0014] In the multi-directional wind power generator of the
invention, the upper/lower support frames and the anti-pivoting
bars are preferably made of shape steels having V-shaped cross
sections.
[0015] Further, in the multi-directional wind power generator of
the invention, gear ratios of drive gears in respect to the driven
gears are 2.5, 1.7, 1.25 and 1 in the order of the drive gear to
the driven gear, the second drive gear to the second driven gear,
the third drive gear to the third driven gear and the fourth drive
gear to the fourth driven gear.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The above and other objects, features and other advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-directional wind
power generator of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the
multi-directional wind power generator of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the
multi-directional wind power generator of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the multi-directional
wind power generator of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a part of the
multi-directional wind power generator of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative to rotary
blades in the multi-directional wind power generator of the
invention;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another alternative to
rotary blades in the multi-directional wind power generator of the
invention; and
[0024] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of a conventional wind
power generator.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS IN MAIN PORTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025]
1 10: Base frame 11: Central shaft 20: Gear case 30: Adjustment
bolt 40: Female threaded portion 50: Central shaft supporting
member 60: Rotary shaft 70: Upper/lower support frames 80: Rotary
blades 90: Anti-pivoting bar 100: Wire 110: Drive gear 120: Driven
gear 120 130: Driven gear shaft 140: Transmission gear 150:
Generator gear 160: Generator 170: Stopper protrusion
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0026] The following detailed description will present a
multi-directional wind power generator of the invention in
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-directional wind
power generator of the invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective
view of the multi-directional wind power generator of the
invention, FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the
multi-directional wind power generator of the invention, FIG. 4 is
a cross-sectional view of the multi-directional wind power
generator of the invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a part
of the multi-directional wind power generator of the invention,
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative to rotary blades in
the multi-directional wind power generator of the invention, and
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another alternative to rotary
blades in the multi-directional wind power generator of the
invention.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the multi-directional wind power
generator of the invention comprises a central shaft 11 and a base
frame 10 supported on the ground, disposed around the central shaft
11 defining a space of a predetermined radius.
[0029] A gear housing 20 is disposed in the base frame 10 around a
lower portion of the central shaft 11. A female threaded portion 40
is projected downward from the underside of the gear housing 20 to
a predetermined height, an adjustment bolt 30 is meshed into the
female threaded portion 40, and a central shaft supporting member
50 is seated on the adjustment bolt 30 to perform point-to-point
contact with the bottom of the central shaft 11 thereby supporting
the same.
[0030] A rotary shaft 60 is rotatably fitted around the central
shaft 11 of the base frame 10, and a plurality of upper/lower
support frames 70 are extended from upper and lower outer
peripheries of the rotary shaft 60 to a predetermined radius.
[0031] Their both ends hinge rotary blades 80, respectively, on
distal ends of the upper/lower support frames 70 so that the rotary
blades 80 can rotate in the wind.
[0032] Anti-pivoting bars 70 vertically connect between the upper
and lower frames 70 at predetermined portions of the upper/lower
frames 70 in order to prevent pivoting of the rotary blades 80 at a
predetermined position.
[0033] Preferably, the upper/lower frames 70 and the anti-pivoting
bars 90 are made of shape steel having a V-shaped cross section.
Then, in addition to the rotary blades 80, the wind collides
against the upper/lower frames and the anti-pivoting bars 90 to
enhance torque.
[0034] A wire 100 fixedly connects between each anti-pivoting bar
90 and each rotary blade 80 to regulate the pivoting angle of the
rotary blade 80.
[0035] Alternatively, stopper protrusions 170 are formed at both
sides of distal ends of each upper/lower support frames 70 to
regulate the pivoting angle of each rotary blade 80. During
pivoting of the rotary blade 80, the stopper protrusions 170
contact one side of the rotary blade 80 to block pivoting of the
rotary blade 80.
[0036] In addition to the stopper protrusions 170 blocking the
rotary blade 80, it is preferred that the rotary blade 80 is
extended beyond the distal ends of the upper/lower support frames
70 to enlarge the area of the rotary blade 80 thereby increasing
the effect of the wind.
[0037] Alternatively, an auxiliary rotary blade 80a is hinged by
its both ends on distal ends of each upper/lower frames 70 adjacent
to one end of each rotary blade 80, in which one side of the
auxiliary rotary blade 80a is blocked by one side of the rotary
blade 80 so that pivoting of the auxiliary blade 80a is stopped by
the one side of the rotary blade 80. Also, auxiliary stopper
protrusions 170a are formed at the distal ends of the upper/lower
frames 70 to regulate the pivoting angle of the auxiliary rotary
blade 80a.
[0038] The rotary shaft 60 is fitted around the central shaft 11,
extended into the gear housing 20. A drive gear 110 is coupled with
a lower end of the rotary shaft 60, and a driven gear 120 is meshed
with the drive gear 110 within the gear housing 20.
[0039] A driven gear shaft 130 rotating within the gear housing 20
by the driven gear 120 is extended through the underside of the
gear housing 20. A lower end of the driven gear shaft 130 is
coupled with a transmission gear 140, which is meshed with a
generator gear 150 of a generator 160.
[0040] Preferably, first to third rotary shafts 60a, 60b and 60c
are fitted around the rotary shaft 60 around the central shaft 11,
and first to third upper/lower support frames 70a, 70b, 70c are
extended, respectively, from upper and lower outer peripheries of
the first to third rotary shafts 60a to 60c to predetermined
radii.
[0041] Further, rotary blades 80 are hinged by their both ends,
respectively, on distal ends of the first to third upper/lower
frames 70a to 70c so that the rotary blades 80 can rotate In the
wind. Anti-pivoting bars 90 prevent pivoting of the rotary blades
80, respectively, at predetermined positions. A wire 100 fixedly
connects between each anti-pivoting bar 90 and each rotary blade 80
to regulate the pivoting angle of the rotary blade 80.
[0042] The second upper/lower support frames 70a are extended to a
predetermined length and the rotary blades 80 attached to the
second support frames 70a are placed on the equal height. The third
upper/lower support frames 70b are extended to a predetermined
length larger than that of the second support frames 70a and the
rotary blades 80 attached to the third support frames are placed on
the equal height. The fourth upper/lower support frames 70c are
extended to a predetermined length larger than that of the third
support frames 70b and the rotary blades 80 attached to the fourth
support frames are placed on the equal height. As a result, the
first to third upper/lower support frames 70a to 70c rotate on
respective radii of rotation that are different from one
another.
[0043] The first to third rotary shafts 60a to 60c are extended
into the gear housing 20. First to third driving gears 110a, 110b
and 110c are coupled, respectively, to lower ends of the first to
third rotary shafts 60a to 60c, and the driven gear shaft 130 is
also coupled with first to third driven gears 120a, 120b and 120c
which are meshed, respectively with the first to third driving
gears 110a to 110c.
[0044] With the invention of the above structure, the wind
influences the plurality of blades connected to the wires that are
fixed to the anti-pivoting bars.
[0045] Also, the blades can be influenced by the sea water or tide
and thus the invention can be used for tidal powder generation.
[0046] Where the plurality of rotary blades are under the influence
of the wind or the sea water, as the wind for example collides
against one side of each rotary blade disposed in the outer
periphery of each rotary shaft, the pertinent rotary blade, instead
of pivoting, is supported by a corresponding anti-pivoting bar or
bars.
[0047] As a result, the rotary blade turns the rotary shaft under
the influence of the wind.
[0048] Also, the rotary blade is fixed by one side to a
corresponding wire fixed to the anti-pivoting bar to regulate the
pivoting angle of the rotary blade.
[0049] According to alternatives of the invention, the stopper
protrusions and the auxiliary stopper protrusions are provided to
regulate the pivotal angle of the rotary blades. After the rotary
blade pivot a predetermined angle, one side of a first one of the
rotary blades is stopped by corresponding stopper protrusions
disposed at distal ends of corresponding upper/lower frames. Also,
each auxiliary blade is stopped by corresponding auxiliary stopper
protrusions after pivoting a predetermined angle.
[0050] When the auxiliary rotary blade is under the influence of
the wind, one sides of the corresponding auxiliary stopper
protrusions contact one side of the auxiliary rotary blade
preventing its pivoting so that the auxiliary rotary blade
cooperates with the rotary blade to rotate the rotary shaft.
[0051] When the wind collides into a second one of the auxiliary
rotary blades remote from the first rotary blade, the pertinent
rotary blade pivots to avoid the influence of the wind as a
corresponding anti-pivoting bar is placed in front of the rotary
blade that is in the windward side.
[0052] As a result, in rotation of the rotary shaft where the first
rotary blade rotates under the influence of the wind to add
rotation power to the rotary shaft whereas the second rotary blade
rotates against the wind, the second rotary blade pivots to avoid
the Influence of the wind without decreasing the rotation power of
the rotary shaft so that the rotation power of the rotary shaft can
be enhanced.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, the rotary shaft together with rotary
blades rotates clockwise in the wind, wherein each rotary blade has
a position angle of zero degree as the rotary blade is placed on
the leeward of the rotary shaft. In the position angle of about 0
to 180 degree, the rotary blade is greatly influenced by the wind
and thus adds the rotation power of the rotary shaft. As passing by
the position angle of about 180 degree, the rotary blade pivots by
the wind.
[0054] In the position angle of about 180 to 270 degree, the rotary
blade is inclined in respect to the direction of the wind so that
the wind flows against the inclination of the rotary blade to
reinforce the rotation power of the rotary shaft.
[0055] In the position angle of about 270 to 360 degree, the rotary
blade is oriented parallel with the direction of the wind and thus
free from the influence of the wind without decreasing the rotation
power of the rotary shaft.
[0056] As a result, the rotary blade can generate rotation power
from the wind in a range of about to 0 to 270 degree so as to
enhance the rotation power of the rotary shaft.
[0057] As the rotary shaft rotates under the enhanced rotation
power, the driving gear in the gear housing transmits the rotation
power to the driven gear and then the driven gear shaft transmits
the rotation power via the transmission gear to the generator so
that the generator generates electric power.
[0058] In the meantime, the first to third rotary shafts are fitted
around the rotary shaft to enhance the rotation power of the rotary
shaft.
[0059] Where the rotation power of the first to third rotary shafts
is transmitted to the driven gear shaft within the gear housing,
first to third driving gears are coupled, respectively, with lower
ends of the first to third drive gear shafts. The driven gear shaft
is coupled with the first to third driven gears that are meshed,
respectively, with the first to third drive gears at different
rotation rates.
[0060] Where the drive gears mesh respectively with the driven
gears, the rotary shaft has the smallest radius of rotation whereas
the fourth rotary shaft has the largest radius of rotation.
Preferably, gear ratios of drive gears in respect to the driven
gears are 2.5, 1.7, 1.25 and 1 in the order of the drive gear to
the driven gear, the second drive gear to the second driven gear,
the third drive gear to the third driven gear and the fourth drive
gear to the fourth driven gear.
[0061] Industrial Applicability
[0062] As set forth above, the multi-directional wind power
generator of the invention can generate electric power regardless
of wind direction as well as minimize the resistance against the
wind thereby enhancing its efficiency.
* * * * *