U.S. patent application number 10/553454 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-07 for wind turbine with friction drive power take off on outer rim.
This patent application is currently assigned to merswolka paul h/f and meyer charles f. Invention is credited to Paul H. Merswolke, Charles F. Meyer.
Application Number | 20060275121 10/553454 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33300065 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060275121 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Merswolke; Paul H. ; et
al. |
December 7, 2006 |
Wind turbine with friction drive power take off on outer rim
Abstract
A wind turbine has multiple blades (10) that are mounted on a
shaft (19) with a ring around a circumference of the blades. There
are tires (18) that are arranged to be in contact or out of contact
with the ring. The tires draw generators when the tires are in
contact with the ring and the ring is rotating. A controller
monitors the wind conditions and controls the turbine to produce
electricity or other-energy output or to shut down if the wind
falls below a predetermined level.
Inventors: |
Merswolke; Paul H.; (Bogner,
CA) ; Meyer; Charles F.; (Bogner, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARYL W SCHNURR;MILLER THOMSON LLP
PO BOX 578
SUITE 700, 22 FREDERICK STREET
KITCHENER
ON
N2G 4A2
CA
|
Assignee: |
merswolka paul h/f and meyer
charles f
|
Family ID: |
33300065 |
Appl. No.: |
10/553454 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
April 19, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CA04/00589 |
371 Date: |
October 17, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60463329 |
Apr 17, 2003 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
416/132B |
Current CPC
Class: |
F05B 2270/1016 20130101;
F03D 9/28 20160501; Y02E 60/16 20130101; F05B 2260/402 20130101;
F05B 2270/321 20130101; F03D 1/0608 20130101; F05B 2270/3201
20130101; F03D 13/20 20160501; F03D 15/00 20160501; F03D 7/0224
20130101; F03D 9/17 20160501; F03D 9/25 20160501; Y02E 10/72
20130101; F05B 2260/902 20130101; Y02E 70/30 20130101; F03D 7/0264
20130101; F05B 2240/2211 20130101; F03D 7/0212 20130101; Y02E
10/728 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
416/132.00B |
International
Class: |
B63H 1/06 20060101
B63H001/06 |
Claims
1. A wind turbine for producing energy comprises a rotor on a
shaft, said rotor supporting a plurality of blades and being
rotatably mounted on said shaft, said blades each having a tip,
there being a plurality of tips on said turbine, said tips being
connected to support a ring that extends around a circumference
formed by said tips, said ring rotating with said blades, said ring
having a front and rear surface with rotators mounted to removably
contact said ring on said front and rear surfaces, each of said
rotators being connected to energy producing equipment, said
rotators rotating with said ring when said ring rotates, thereby
driving said energy producing equipment, said turbine being
controlled by a controller.
2. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said controller is
connected to continuously monitor wind conditions and to control a
yaw of the turbine, orientation of the blades, number of rotators
in contact with said ring in response to changing wind
conditions.
3. A wind turbine as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein
said turbine is a variable speed turbine.
4. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are brakes
that can be operated to stop or slow down a speed of rotation of
said turbine.
5. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the number of
blades ranges from substantially eight to substantially twenty.
6. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rotators are
at least one of tires, tires made of rubber, steel wheels and metal
wheels.
7. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said front and rear
surfaces have a plurality of projections and indentations thereon
corresponding to indentations and projections respectively on said
rotators.
8. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 7 wherein said tires are
mounted to power a generator that produces electricity.
9. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 7 wherein said ridges and
indentations on said rotators are mounted to drive a generator.
10. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the blades are
constructed so that a longitudinal orientation of said blades can
be adjusted to control a speed of rotation with varying wind
conditions.
11. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said shaft is
supported by a tower.
12. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wind turbine
is mounted on a turntable so that said turbine can be oriented in
response to changes in wind direction.
13. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 12 wherein said turntable
has wheels thereon.
14. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 13 wherein there is a rail
mounted on a base and said wheels ride on said rail.
15. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said blades have
an air foil construction.
16. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 14 wherein there are guides
to guide said wheels on said rail.
17. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 16 wherein there are
retention means to maintain said wheels on said rail.
18. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 14 wherein there are guides
and retention means connected to said wheels beneath said rail to
hold said wheels on said rail and prevent said wheels from running
off said rails.
19. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said energy
producing equipment is one or more selected from the group of
generators, compressors and pumps.
20. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 11 wherein said blades,
rotor, shaft, tower, rotators and energy producing equipment are
mounted on a turntable to enable said turbine to be oriented to
respond to changes in wind direction.
21. A method of operating a wind turbine based on conditions of
said wind, said turbine having a rotor on a shaft, said rotor
supporting a plurality of blades and being rotatably mounted on
said shaft, said blade each having a tip, there being a plurality
of tips on said turbine, said tips being connected to support a
ring that extends around a circumference formed by said tips, said
ring having a front and rear surface with rotators mounted to
removably contact said ring on said front and rear surfaces, each
of said rotators being connected to energy producing equipment,
said rotators rotating with said ring when said ring rotates,
thereby driving said energy producing equipment, said turbine
having a controller, said method comprising operating said turbine
to have said controller monitor wind conditions, said controller:
(a) when said wind conditions are sufficient to generate energy
from said wind turbine; (b) adjusting the yaw, orienting the
blades, placing rotators in varying numbers against said ring or
removing rotators from said ring to have said turbine generate
energy; and (c) when said wind conditions are not sufficient to
generate energy, operating said turbine to stop said blades from
rotating.
22. A method of operating a wind turbine for producing energy, said
turbine having a rotor on a shaft, said rotor supporting a
plurality of blades and being rotatably mounted on said shaft, said
blades each having a tip, there being a plurality of tips on said
turbine, said tips being connected to support a ring that extends
around said tips, said ring rotating with said blades, said ring
having a front and rear surface with rotators mounted to removably
contact said ring on said front and rear surfaces, each of said
rotators being connected to energy producing equipment, said
rotators rotating with said ring when said ring rotates, said
turbine being controlled by a controller, said method comprising
operating said turbine by continuously monitoring wind conditions,
adjusting yaw, blade orientation and pressure and number of
rotators against said ring or removal of rotators from said ring to
produce power output whenever said wind conditions are sufficient.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a wind turbine and method of
operation thereof for producing energy and, more particularly, to a
wind turbine having multi-blades (for example eight to twenty), and
a ring around the circumference thereof, the ring driving energy
producing equipment. The blades are shaped with airfoils to produce
maximum power coefficient.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Wind turbines, including windmills, are known and are used
to power energy production equipment including generators,
compressors or pumps, as well as other devices. It is known to have
the wind turbine connected to a shaft and the rotational energy in
the shaft is then used to drive the energy producing equipment.
Windmills or wind turbines have gearboxes to transfer the energy
from the blades through the shaft to energy producing equipment.
Some wind turbine manufactures are using a large diameter direct
drive generator connected directly to the shaft and running at low
rotational speed. Wind turbines with large rated electrical output
require (<3 MW) large gearboxes and generators. This can result
in heavy and costly power transmission and energy production
equipment. It is known to use wind turbines to produce electrical
energy. Fixed and variable speed wind turbines are used to produce
electricity with the same frequency as the grid. Fixed and variable
speed wind turbines have certain advantages and disadvantages.
Variable speed wind turbines have advantages of reducing the
dynamic loads on the power transmission systems and have higher
power coefficients than fixed speed wind turbines. Variable speed
wind turbine use several methods and systems to obtain the same
frequency as the grid system of an electrical utility. These
systems are more costly than those used in fixed speed wind
turbines. Variable speed operation will allow the wind turbine to
start producing electricity at lower wind speeds and hence collect
more energy. With variable speed wind turbines, there is a
difficulty of producing electricity with the same frequency as the
grid because the wind velocity constantly changes and therefore the
speed of rotation of the blades of the wind turbine varies. With
constant speed wind turbines, the frequency of the electricity
produced can match the frequency of the grid, but difficulty arises
in maintaining a constant speed with variable wind conditions.
Further, electrical energy cannot be produced by any wind turbine
during periods when the wind is not blowing or is not blowing at a
sufficient velocity to rotate the rotor of the wind turbine.
[0005] Wind power is renewable and is a green energy source that is
highly desirable as it does not pollute.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a wind
turbine that can be controlled to operate energy producing
equipment at variable speed rate of speed. It is further object of
the present invention to provide a wind turbine without using a
step up gearbox.
[0007] A wind turbine for producing energy has a rotor on a shaft.
The rotor supports a plurality of blades and is rotatably mounted
on the shaft. The blades each have a tip, there being a plurality
or tips on the turbine. The tips are connected to support a ring
that extends around a circumference formed by the tips. The ring
rotates with the blades, the ring having a front and rear surface
with rotators mounted to removably contact the ring on the front
and rear surfaces. Each of the rotators is connected to energy
producing equipment. The rotators rotate with the ring when the
ring rotates, thereby driving the energy producing equipment. The
turbine is controlled by a controller.
[0008] A wind turbine for producing energy has a rotor on a
stationary shaft. The rotor supports a plurality of blades shaped
with airfoil sections and is rotatably mounted on the stationary
shaft via a hub and a bearing. The blades each have an outer tip,
there being a plurality of outer tips on the wind turbine. The tips
are connected to a ring that extends around a circumference formed
by the tips. The ring has front and rear surface and rotators are
mounted to removably contact the ring on the front and rear
surfaces. Each of the rotators is connected to energy producing
equipment. When the ring rotates and the rotators are in contact
with the ring, the rotators also rotate, thereby driving the energy
producing equipment.
[0009] Preferably, the energy producing equipment is selected from
the group of a generator, a compressor and a pump.
[0010] Still more preferably, the rotators are mounted on a cart
with rails having its center of rotation at the center of the tower
base circle. The cart being rotatable to move with the wind turbine
either toward or away from the wind.
[0011] A method of operating a wind turbine for producing energy,
said turbine having a rotor on a shaft, said rotor supporting a
plurality of blades and being rotatably mounted on said shaft, said
blades each having a tip, there being a plurality of tips on said
turbine, said tips being connected to support a ring that extends
around said tips, said ring rotating with said blades, said ring
having a front and rear surface with rotators mounted to removably
contact said ring on said front and rear surfaces, each of said
rotators being connected to energy producing equipment, said
rotators rotating with said ring when said ring rotates, said
turbine being controlled by a controller, said method comprising
operating said turbine by continuously monitoring wind conditions,
adjusting yaw, blade orientation and pressure and number of
rotators against said ring or removal of rotators from said ring to
produce power output whenever said wind conditions are
sufficient.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a partial sectional side view of a wind
turbine;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of a wind turbine;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a nacelle and bed plate;
[0015] FIG. 4A is a side view of a stationary cone;
[0016] FIG. 4B is an enlarged partial perspective view of a spring
loaded gate;
[0017] FIG. 5A is blade connection to a hub;
[0018] FIG. 5B is a partial schematic sectional view of a
glade;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hub-blade connection;
[0020] FIG. 7 is partial perspective view of spokes and said
hub-blade connection;
[0021] FIG. 8A is a partial perspective view of side view of the
hub;
[0022] FIG. 8B is a partial perspective view along with lines A-A
of FIG. 8A;
[0023] FIG. 8C is a partial perspective view along the lines B-B of
FIG. 8A;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a blade-ring
connection;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a ring section;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a top view of the ring section and part of a
ring;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a side view of the ring section;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a tire connected to a shaft
of a generator;
[0029] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of two opposing tires and
generator;
[0030] FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of a power production
equipment cart;
[0031] FIG. 16 is a side view of a first section of a tower;
[0032] FIG. 17 is a side view of a second section of the tower;
[0033] FIG. 18 is a side view of a third section of the tower;
[0034] FIG. 19 is a partial perspective view of the third section
of the tower on a foundation;
[0035] FIG. 20 is a top view of the tower and foundation shown in
FIG. 19;
[0036] FIG. 21 is a partial sectional side view of the tower and
foundation
[0037] FIG. 22 is a partial perspective view of a ring section with
a brake system mounted thereon;
[0038] FIG. 23 is an enlarged partial perspective view a rail cover
layout; and
[0039] FIG. 24 is a graph of the operation of the yaw system.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0040] In FIGS. 1 and 2, a turbine 2 has a rotor with a hub 6 and a
plurality of blades 10 extending outward from a root 3 to a tip 12.
Preferably, the wind turbine has eight to twenty blades. Connected
to and supported by each of the tips 12 is a ring with a front
surface 14 and a back surface 62. Rotators 18 are located and
mounted to be removably placed into contact with the front surface
14 and back surface 62 as the ring 1 rotates. The rotators each
have a shaft 19 which is connected to energy producing equipment
20. The rotators are preferably tires mounted on a rim 34. The
tires are preferably made of rubber. Steel or metal wheels can also
be used as rotators. The energy producing equipment includes
generators, compressors, pumps and the like. When the energy
producing equipment is a generator, the rotation of the wind
turbine 2 will cause the front surface 14 and back surface 62 of
the ring to rotate. The tires will also rotate when they are in
contact with the ring 1, thereby driving the generators.
Preferably, each tire is connected to a separate generator. Also
preferably, every rotator, shaft and generator on the front surface
14 of the ring 1 has a corresponding rotator, shaft and generator
on the back surface 62. The corresponding rotator is preferably
mounted and controlled to removably contact the back surface
simultaneously with the front surface rotator so that when a
rotator is in contact with the ring on the back surface, the
corresponding rotator on the front surface will also be in contact
with the ring. Similarly, when a rotator on the front surface is
moved out of contact with the ring, the corresponding rotator on
the back surface will also be moved out of contact with the ring.
The corresponding rotator is always located directly behind the
rotator on the front surface. In this way, the pressure on the ring
from front and back is equalized at all times so that the ring is
not unbalanced by force exerted by the rotators 18. The rotator 18,
shaft 19 and energy producing equipment 20 of each mechanism are
mounted on a moving base 21. All the mechanisms are mounted on a
cart 22 having steel wheels 24 allowing the cart 22 to travel on a
rail 26 when required to turn the turbine 2 toward or from a
direction of the wind. A hydraulic supply 33 will provide the
necessary hydraulic pressure to move the mechanisms. The electrical
current produced by the turbine is transmitted by the generator
cables 23 to the transformer 29 via a slip ring 25 and a main
electrical cable 28.
[0041] In FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the blades 10 are
connected to the hub 6 and the hub 6 is mounted on a stationary
shaft 8 via a bearing 5. A stationary cone 4 is mounted on a front
side of the stationary shaft 8. The stationary cone 4 is fixed to
the stationary shaft 8 by spokes 15 and a hollow shaft 16. The cone
is equipped with spring loaded gates 31, which start allowing air
to pass through the cone 4 at high wind speeds.
[0042] The stationary shaft 8 is fixed on a bedplate 13 by a front
mounting 9 and a rear mounting 11. The bedplate 13 is mounted on a
tower 17, which is fixed to a foundation 27. The foundation 27 is
constructed into the ground 30.
[0043] In FIG. 3, an electrical motor 35 will be used to power a
yaw mechanism. The motor 35 will drive a gear reducer 36 with a
shaft 39, two locating bearings 37, 38 and a pinion 40. The pinion
40 will drive a slew bearing 41 mounted to the bedplate 13 by bolts
42 and to a tower flange 43 by bolts 44. The tower flange 43 is
welded to the tower 17.
[0044] FIG. 4A shows an enlarged side view of the cone 4. A hollow
shaft 16 is fixed to the stationary shaft 8 and provides the
necessary support for the radial spokes 15 and outer spokes 45. A
spring loaded gate 31 (as shown in detail in FIG. 4B) has a spring
46 and a hinge 48 keeping the gate closed at low wind speeds. The
gate will start to open under high wind speed allowing air to pass
through the cone. The spring 46 is mounted on a base 47 supported
by the radial spokes 15 of the cone.
[0045] FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the blade to hub
connection 3. The blade 10 has a supporting shaft 49 which extends
from the root of the blade to the tip (not shown in FIG. 5A). The
blade root flange 50 is welded to the support shaft 49 having bolt
holes 51. This design is for a stall regulated operation, which
does not require a pitch mechanism. The blades 10 can be mounted on
a slew bearing and have an electrical motor and a gear reducer
(similar to the mechanism shown in FIG. 3 for the yaw drive) to
provide a pitching mechanism for the blades 10.
[0046] In FIG. 5B, there is shown a schematic sectional view of the
blade 10. It can be seen that the blade 10 has an air foil shape
with an outer wall 110, ribs 112 and a blade shaft 114. The blade
10 has a D-shaped spar section 116 and a trailing edge section
118.
[0047] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the hub blade
connection 54. The blade root flange 50 from FIG. 5A (not shown in
FIG. 6) is mounted on a hub blade mounting flange 52. The hub blade
mounting flange 52 (shown in FIG. 5A, but not shown in FIG. 6) has
bolt holes 53 facing the blade root flange bolt holes 51.
[0048] FIGS. 7, 8A, 8B and 8C show the hub blade connection 54
connected to hub rings 56 via mounting bolts 55. The hub rings 56
are connected to a center of the hub 6 by spokes 57.
[0049] FIGS. 8B and 8C show a partial perspective view of a side
wall 120 of the hub 6 and a cross member 122.
[0050] FIG. 9 shows a blade to ring connection 12. The blade 10 has
a supporting shaft 49 which extends from the root of the blade to
the tip (not shown in FIG. 9). The blade tip flange 58 is welded to
the blade support shaft 49 having bolt holes 59. FIG. 9 shows an
opposite end of the blade 10 from the end shown in FIG. 5A.
[0051] FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 show the front face of the ring section
14 and back face of the ring section 62, the ring section has a
blade mounting flange 60 with bolt holes 59 facing the bolt holes
of the blade tip flange 59. Each ring section is connected to the
adjacent ring section by a mounting 32. Ring sections have holes 61
to reduce the weight. Each ring section 14 has a curvature (FIG.
12) so that the ring sections can form a circle (see FIG. 2). The
portions of the ring sections that the tires contact are flat.
[0052] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a front tire-generator
mechanism 79 consisting of a rotator 18 (preferably a tire) mounted
on a rim 34 which is connected to a shaft 19 that drives the power
generation equipment 20, which in this Figure is an electrical
generator. A brake disc 67 is mounted on the shaft 19 by a flange
66. Brake calipers 68 are located around the brake disc 67 (first
brake option). A power generating equipment mounting 73 is fitted
with rolling elements 75, which are fixed to a mounting base 21. A
spring 69 is mounted around a hydraulic cylinder 70, which is
connected to the shaft 19 and mounted on support structure 64.
Another spring 71 is mounted around a hydraulic cylinder 72, which
is connected to the power generation equipment mount 73 and mounted
on the support structure 64. The springs 69, 71 will provide the
required pressure to connect the rotator 18 to the front face ring
14 to transmit the required power. The hydraulic cylinders 70, 72
provide the required force to disconnect the rotator 18 from the
front face ring 14. A lock 74 locks the power generating equipment
mounting 73 into place when the rotator 18 is fully disconnected
from the front face ring 14, relieving the two hydraulic cylinders
70, 72. A small hydraulic cylinder 76 actuates the lock 74. The
hydraulic cylinder 76 is mounted on a support structure 77. The two
hydraulic cylinders 70, 72 are supplied by hydraulic pressure by
hydraulic lines 78 connected to the hydraulic supply 33. The
hydraulic cylinders 70, 72 are mounted on a support structure 64,
which is supported by an angled structural member 65, to provide
the required stiffness. An electrical cable 23 is used to connect
the power generation equipment 20 (generator in this case) to the
slip ring 25. The whole mechanism is mounted on the cart 22.
[0053] FIGS. 14 and 15 show the front tire-generator mechanism 79
and a back tire-generator mechanism 80, which are mounted on the
cart 22. The mechanisms 79, 80 are identical to one another and are
mirror images of one another. An electrical cable 23 connects the
power generation equipment 20 (generator in this case) to the slip
ring 25, which is connected to the transformer 29 by an electrical
cable 28. The cart 22 has a cover 82 protecting the equipment from
the environment and a brush 81 scraping the front face ring 14 (not
shown in FIGS. 14 and 15) and the back face ring 62. The cart 22 is
mounted on a steel wheels 24, the wheels being connected to a shaft
84 having a bearing 83. Inner steel retention wheels 85 are used to
prevent the cart 22 from tipping to the sides. The steel wheels 24
are rotate on the rail 26.
[0054] FIG. 16 shows a first tower section 86 having a top first
section tower flange 43 that is fitted with bolts holes 44. Several
service station supports 87 are located on the inside of the first
tower section 86. The first tower section 87 is constructed from
hollow steel and is fitted at the bottom with a flange 89 having
bolt holes 88 to connect it to the next tower section.
[0055] FIG. 17 shows a second tower section 90. A top flange 89 is
fitted with bolts holes 88 to connect the section to the first
tower section 86 (not shown in FIG. 17). Several service station
supports 87 are located on the inside of the second tower section
90. The second tower section is constructed from hollow steel and
is fitted at the bottom with a flange 92 having bolts holes 91 to
connect it to the next tower section.
[0056] FIG. 18 shows the third tower section 93. A top flange 92 is
fitted with bolts holes 91. Several service station supports 87 are
located on the inside of the third tower section 93. The third
tower section 93 is constructed of hollow steel and is fitted with
a flange 95 having bolts holes 94 to connect it to the foundation
flange 98 (see FIG. 19).
[0057] FIGS. 19, 20, and 21 show the third tower section 93
connected to the foundation flange 98 having steel support
triangles 96 to prevent bending of the third tower section 93. The
foundation steel flange 98 is connected to a steel shaft 100 and
steel rings 99 embedded into the reinforced concrete foundation
27.
[0058] FIG. 22 is shows the second option for the brake system by
fitting calipers 104 actuated by a hydraulic cylinder 101 having a
hinged mechanism 102 at the front ring side 14 and the back ring
side 62 (not shown) to provide the required braking power to stop
the wind turbine 2 from rotating. Hydraulic cylinders 101 are
supplied with hydraulic fluid through hydraulic supply lines 103,
which are connected to the hydraulic supply 33.
[0059] FIG. 23 shows a rail cover 106 mounted on small wheels 107.
The small wheels 107 move on the rail 26 with the cart 22 to keep
the rail 26 protected from the outside environment. A steel wheel
cover 105 protects the steel cart wheels 24 from the outside
environment. The steel wheel cover 105 can move up and down to
allow access to service the cart steel wheels 24. The same
reference numerals are used in FIG. 23 as those used in FIG. 15 to
refer to those components that are identical.
Operation and Controls
[0060] The wind turbine of the present invention has the capacity
to collect and transmit power in the range of 50 kilowatts to 7.5
megawatts and has a low capital cost when compared to conventional
power wind turbines rated in the same range. The wind turbine will
rotate with relatively low rpm when compared to conventional wind
turbines (rpm will depend on the number of blades, when using 20
blades the rotational speed is between 1 and 5 rpm). This low
rotational speed will provide long service time for the rotating
parts requiring less maintenance, produce less noise than
conventional wind turbines, and the turbine has better control
characteristics than conventional designs. The wind turbine of the
present invention can be designed to compress air and to store that
compressed air for use during peak hours for the electrical system.
The number of compressors used depends on the power delivered by
the wind turbine and the capacity of each compressor. Compressed
air can be stored in underground storage pipes, tanks, caverns or
in the body of the wind turbine tower. Heat exchangers can be used
to extract the heat from the compressed air storage and re-provide
the same heat for the compressed air later for the regeneration
process.
[0061] The wind turbine of the present invention can be used to
drive an air-water engine consisting of several cylinders.
Air-water systems have been previously described. A Pelton wheel is
preferably used with the air-water system to produce electricity as
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,672,054 and 6,718,761.
[0062] A single rotator can be designed to drive different types of
energy production equipment. For example, a rotator could be
alternatively connected to a pump, compressor and generator with a
controller to control which type of energy producing equipment is
being driven at any particular time. The wind turbine can be
constructed to be strong enough to have the rotators contact one
surface of the ring only. Also, the ring can be designed with
projection and indentations thereon corresponding to projections
and indentations on the rotators. The ring could also be designed
in separate parts with the front surface located on a separate
component from the back surface.
A control system for the wind turbine is as follows:
[0063] Operational sequence system. [0064] The system will receive
external signals according to the operating conditions, above all
the wind conditions and operator's intentions, which will determine
the set values for the control system. [0065] Objectives of the
operational sequence system are as follows: [0066] 1--Ensure fully
automatic operation. [0067] 2--Recognize hazards and activate the
corresponding safety systems. [0068] 3--Meet special requirements
of the operator. [0069] Supervisory systems controls. [0070] The
system will take into consideration the following: [0071] 1--Yaw
motion. [0072] 2--Speed and power output. [0073] 3--Mode of
operation. The control system will take into consideration the
following:
[0074] 1--Wind Measurement System: [0075] Operational sequence and
yawing requires measuring the wind speed and direction. [0076]
Electrical motor-driven yawing system is proposed for the multi
blade wind turbine, which requires information about wind
direction. [0077] Operational sequence requires the wind speed
information in order to switch between different modes of
operation. [0078] Measuring of the wind speed could be preformed
indirectly by means of the electrical output. The rotor itself is
the only representative wind measuring instrument of a turbine.
[0079] 2--Yaw Control: [0080] The wind measuring system provides a
mean value of the wind direction over a period of ten seconds. This
value is compared with the instantaneous azimuth position of the
nacelle every two seconds. If the deviation remains below 3
degrees, the yaw system will not be activated. If the determined
yaw angle is above this value, the time for correction is
determined by a pre-programmed function. An operating diagram for
the yaw is shown in FIG. 24. [0081] If the yaw angle is small (0 to
20 degrees), yawing is carried out within 60 seconds. [0082] If the
yaw angle is 20 to 50 degrees, yawing is carried out within 20
seconds. [0083] If the yaw angle is large (exceeds 50 degrees),
yawing is carried out immediately. [0084] The rotor yaw speed is
low and to be determined after taking into consideration the
gyroscopic moments. Since the yaw speed is the same for small and
large yaw movements of the turbine, large movements will take much
longer to complete than small movements. For small movements, the
commencement of yawing is delayed as the wind may change direction
within the delay period. For large movements (exceeding 50
degrees), the yaw movement commences immediately.
[0085] 3--Power and Speed Control by Rotor Blade Pitching when
using a Blade Pitching Mechanism:
[0086] The objective is to obtain a stable operating point by the
following means: [0087] a--Controlling the blade pitch, which will
control the rotor's primary energy. [0088] b--Control of the
generator voltage and reactive power. [0089] c--Loading and
unloading of the generators.
[0090] Extremely brief fluctuations of less than few seconds are
reduced by the rotor blades, friction ring, and actuating elements
mass inertia. Combined speed and power control system is proposed
for the control of the Multi Blade wind turbine.
[0091] 4--Mechanical Drive Train:
[0092] The inertia of the rotating masses including: [0093] a--The
Rotor. [0094] b--The Friction ring. [0095] c--The Rotator and shaft
[0096] d--The Generator Rotor.
[0097] The stiffnesses, the damping behavior, and vibration
behavior are different than those of a conventional wind turbine as
the power transmission system is unconventional using a friction
drive and multi-generator system.
[0098] 5--Full and Partial Load Operation: [0099] In full load
operation the pitch control is active (when using a pitch
mechanism), so that rotational speed and power can be adjusted to
the nominal values. The speed controller can be provided with a
degree of insensitivity to reduce the number of pitching processes.
[0100] When not using a pitch mechanism, the blades will be stall
regulated. Hence, the angle of the blades will be high enough at
high wind speeds to ensure stall to reduce the loads on the blades.
[0101] At partial load, control of the power output and rotor speed
is carried out by variation of the generator torque and loading and
unloading of the Tire-Generator mechanisms (if the mechanisms is
not in contact with the friction ring all the time). [0102] Using
the MPPT (Maximum Point Power Tracking) process approach to control
the rotor speed achieving the optimal rotor power coefficient. This
is achieved by determining the set point for the power maximum by
incremental speed variation, in the form of a scanning process.
[0103] Control System Actions: [0104] 1--Acquisition of the input
data necessary for operational sequence as wind speed and wind
direction. [0105] 2--Automatic operational sequence, with manual
operation for special cases. [0106] 3--Activation of the safety and
emergency systems taldng into consideration shutdown of the rotor
even with out electric control system. [0107] 4--Adaptation to
operation on the grid.
[0108] Operational Cycle:
[0109] Operational cycle includes the following: [0110] System
check at stand still: checking of the operational status of the
most important systems. The rotor is arrested by the parking brake
and pitch angle (when pitch mechanism is used). If no faults are
indicated in the system check, the turbine is ready for further
progress in the operational cycle. [0111] Yawing: if the system
check is positive, the yaw system is activated, the rotor still
being parked. The turbine is yawed to the wind direction (turbine
yawing includes moving the Rotor head and the Tire-Generator
Mechanism Cart at the same time) and it is checked whether the wind
speed is within the operating range of 4 to 25 m/sec. [0112] Start
up: pitching of the rotor blades into the starting position (when
using a pitching mechanism), subsequently the mechanical rotor
brake is released. The rotor stars to turn and accelerates up to
the synchronization speed of the generator, corresponding to 90% of
the nominal speed. Start loading of the Tire-Generator Mechanism
(Tire-Generator mechanisms may be in contact with the friction ring
all the time or may be loaded as the wind speed increase). The
blade pitch angle is controlled according to a preset speed
increase (when using a pitch mechanism). [0113] Normal operation:
if the generator's connection to the grid has been established the
power output into the grid begins (cut-in wind speed). The turbine
operates at partial load if the wind is below rated value. Under
these conditions the pitch angle is set to a predetermined value
(when using a pitch mechanism), which is the angle of the best
compromise close to the optimum in the rotor power characteristics
(variable blade pitch operation under partial load may be
required). When operating at full load, the blade pitch is then
controlled such that the rated power is not exceeded. When using a
stall regulation as the state of pitch mechanism, the blades will
stall to avoid overrating the wind turbine and this will ensure
that the rated power is not exceeded. [0114] Shut-down: if the wind
speed drops below the cut-out wind speed or if loaded operation is
to be interrupted, the rotor will be brought to the standstill.
During the shutdown process the rotor blades are pitched in order
to achieve a defined speed decrease (when using a pitch mechanism).
The generators are taken off the grid, within the range of 92% to
90% of the rated speed. Rotor standstill is achieved by setting the
speed set-point value to zero. The rotor blades pitch to an angle
of approximately 80 degrees (when using a pitch mechanism). This
brakes the rotor aerodynamically to a low idling speed. Complete
standstill is achieved by applying the mechanical brake. When using
stall to regulate the blades, the turbine is yawed out of the wind
direction. This will reduce the rotor speed to idling speed.
Complete standstill is achieved by applying the mechanical brake.
[0115] The method of operating the wind turbine to produce energy
can vary. The turbine is preferably operated as a variable speed
turbine and the controller is used to control the operation of the
turbine in light of the wind conditions. The controller preferably
continually monitors the wind conditions and when the conditions
are sufficient to generate energy from the wind turbine, the
controller automatically adjusts the yaw, orients the blades and
when the blades are rotating at sufficient rpm, places the
appropriate number of rotators with the appropriate pressure
against the ring. In stronger wind conditions, the controller will
place more rotators against the ring and in weaker wind conditions,
the controller will remove some or all of the rotators from the
ring. When wind conditions are not sufficient to generate energy,
the controller will shut the turbine down by applying a mechanical
brake to the turbine to stop the blades from rotating and also
orienting the blades and adjusting the yaw of the turbine to reduce
the effect of the wind. As the wind conditions improve, the
controller will again release the brake, adjust the yaw and orient
the blades to cause the blades to rotate at sufficient speed to
generate energy. The controller will then place the rotators in
varying numbers against the ring and remove rotators as required as
the wind conditions continue to vary. The process will be repeated
as the turbine continues to operate. [0116] Numerous variations can
be made to the invention within the scope of the attached claims.
For example, the front and rear surfaces of the ring can have a
plurality or alternating ridges and indentations thereon
corresponding to alternating indentations and ridges on said
rotators. The wind turbine has a controller that automatically
controls the operation of the turbine.
* * * * *