Improved wind turbine suitable for mounting without a wind turbine tower.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent relates to wind turbines that increase air flow through the use of nozzles and diffusers and that are suitable for mounting without a wind turbine tower.

BACKGROUND

[21 Wind turbines are well known as means of converting the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy by the turning of rotor blades. In turn, the mechanical energy can then be converted into electrical energy by means of an electrical generator.

[3] One type of a wind turbine used for electricity generation is comprised of a rotor with a multiplicity of long slender blades connected to a common spindle situated on the top of a suitably sized tower. An illustration of this type can be found in Figure 1 of 058,6 2,698. Challenges faced in practice with this type of wind turbine are inefficiency at low wind speeds, the height of the towers and blades - required for safety and efficiency ~ and the overall intrusive appearance of such large structures. This patent also illustrates the common wind turbine tower used in practice: a slender, tall single element support.

[4] In part, the efficiency of a wind turbine is predicted by Betz's Law. This law predicts that a wind turbine can only capture less than 16/27 (59.3%) of the kinetic energy of the wind. The limit arises as a result of the collision of air molecules that transfer their energy to the rotor blades.

[5] In practice, wind turbines can only capture about 75 to 80% of the Betz's Law limit. However, a means of achieving higher efficiencies is to collect additional wind flow by the use of nozzles and diffusers before and after the rotor. The challenge is more fully described in US20120175882

[6] Many wind turbines with shrouds or cowlings to create nozzles and

diffusers are known in the art. One example is found at WO2012137008. Another is found at WO2006065248. An earlier type of wind turbine shroud specified for use on a tower structure is found at US4075500. However, in practice, the weight and wind load of the shrouds prove to be difficult to mount on wind turbine towers. [7] Other short-comings of wind turbines are found at paragraph 0014 and following of US2012282092, These include: inefficient operation close to the ground; large dimensions required by towers; expensive maintenance and cyclic stresses and failures.

[8] One type of inefficiency in wind turbines is created by the wind currents which are created at the tips of blades. One means of solving this problem is to enclose the blades in a structure whereby there are no such currents. Such an arrangement is found in CA2590918 (at Figure 3). In this patent, the drum also acts as a part of the electrical generator.

[9] It would be beneficial if a wind turbine could be designed that would be efficient at lower wind speeds, could be installed without the use of the common wind turbine tower and could generally overcome the previously known shortcomings of wind turbines in general.

[10] A challenge with electricity generation is the losses of electricity in the

transmission and distribution system. Significant amounts of electricity are lost in the simple transmission of electricity from one place to another. Because of this challenge, it is desirable that generation systems be placed close to where electricity will be used. The present invention allows generation capacity to be placed in close proximity to or, in suitable cases, on, buildings eliminating transmission losses.

[11] A final challenge with systems related to electricity is the difficulty in

storing excess electricity and smoothing out fluctuations in the electricity source. This challenge is pronounced when using wind to power electricity generators due to natural fluctuations in the wind, One means of solving this problem is by the use of flywheels and clutches as found in US8749083. However, the system proposed therein suffers the challenge of having to mount a heavy flywheel at the top of a wind turbine tower.

[12] Liquids such as water may have flows similar to gasses such as air. A shortcoming of the designs of most wind turbines is the inability to adapt those designs to areas of natural water flow in order to generate electricity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[3.3] It is an object of this invention to overcome limitations of the prior art in increasing the wind speed through the device.

[14] It is another object of this invention to improve the efficiency of electricity generation by providing for a connection between the rotor and one or more electrical generators as appropriate for the velocity through the rotor.

[15] it is another object of this invention to create a means of storing excess electricity by mechanical or other means and to allow such excess capacity to be used as required.

[16] It is another object of this invention to create a compact device which may be easily mounted and used in any location including on the roofs of buildings.

[17] It is another object of this invention to enable the use of one or more

devices according to the present invention in the same installation.

[18] This patent describes a device which, in one embodiment, uses a central drum-style rotor in which the wind-driven blades are affixed. The use of a drum-style rotor allows the blades to be fixed on the outside or

circumference of their motion eliminating the vortices that develop in more conventional wind turbines,

[19] The use of a drum-style rotor also allows many different types and

dispositions of blades to be used. The two principle types of blades that can be used are screw and fan blades.

[20] A screw blade is a helical flange with the width of the fiange being roughly equal to the radius of the rotor. The fiange is connected on its outside end to the rotor following the path of a helix. The central side of the flange can be loose or optionally connected to a spindle co-axial with the rotor. If more than one screw blade is used, the screw blades are proportionally located within and co-axial with the rotor. In the event of an even number of flanges opposite sided-f!anges will trace out a helicoid shape with opposite flanges actually being one piece.

[21] The helix of the screw blade can be right- or left-handed and will have a pitch described as the distance between the points where the helix has made one complete turn. In addition, the flange can be connected to the rotor at various angles. The handedness, the pitch, the rotor-connection angle and the position within the rotor of the screw blade may be determined by experimentation and optimized for a particular combination of rotor sizes and wind speeds.

[22] A fan blade is a plurality of identical blades about a central axis co-axial with the rotor. The blades are connected at their distal ends with the rotor and at their central ends with each other or with an optional spindle. The shape, sizes, angles and design of the fan blades and their location within the rotor may be determined by experimentation and optimized for a particular combination of rotor sizes and wind speeds,

[23J Other types of rotors can be used in the present invention. For example, a central spindle can be provided for to which appropriately sized fans or blades are affixed. Appropriate hubs can be affixed to the central spindle as required.

[24} Nozzles to concentrate the wind can be placed before the rotor to increase the flow of incoming air. In similar fashion, diffusers can be placed behind the rotor in order to drop the pressure of the exiting air. Both techniques are useful in order to increase the ability of the device to generate electricity in low wind velocity situations.

[25] Nozzles and diffusers can be fashioned through the use of appropriately shaped cowlings. Input cowlings concentrate wind to create a nozzle. Exit cowlings create low pressure zones to act as diffusers.

[26] Another means of increasing the wind velocity on the rotor is to use a

reverse conical spindle. Such a spindle will increase the venturi effect present within the rotor- The actual location of such a spindle would take the disposition of the blades to be used into account as well as any nozzle or diffuser being used.

[27] The rotor rotates freely about its axis. Such a free rotation can be

accomplished with traditional bearing rings at two or more places around the rotor. Alternately, less friction-prone bearing systems such as air bearings or magnetic bearings can be used and are well known in the art.

[28] The device can be turned into the wind by a suitably-sized motor driven turntable which is well known in the art. Anemometers to measure direction and speed of wind and control circuitry well known in the art are used to determine the direction required.

[29] The drum-style rotor of the present invention presents a number of

different means by which electrical generators can be mechanically connected. Preferably, a plurality of generators is used with means to mechanically connect each generator individually with the rotor. Because the mechanical connection of a generator creates a load for the rotor, in low wind situations, it is desirable to only have a one or a small number of generators mechanically connected with the rotor to operate at the generator's highest efficiency given the lower wind speed. At high wind loads, more generators can be mechanically connected to the rotor to take advantage of the higher energy present in the system. Means to

mechanically interrupt the connection of generators with the rotor and to control the same are well known in the art.

[30] The device can have a flywheel co-axial with the rotor. The flywheel can be connected to the rotor and generators with clutches and gearing in order to store the motion of the rotor in the flywheel or alternately to have the flywheel power the generators, tt is also possible, at times of electrical energy surplus, to operate the system in reverse by having the generators act as motors which in turn transfer energy to the flywheel.

{31] The means to connect and transfer the motion of the flywheel to and from the rotor and generators and to control the same are well known in the art and include one and two-way clutches, gearboxes and torque converters.

(32] The device as described can be mounted without a tower. The overall size of the device is proportional to the diameter of the rotor and the additional cowling.

[33] The device can also be disposed in a modular fashion allowing multiple units to be used in a common installation on a common turntable rotation system. In a modular installation with multiple units, any one or more units may be easily removed for repair or maintenance while leaving the balance of the units in place for production.

[34] in the event of very high wind speeds expected to be destructive, the

device can be turned to an angle out of the wind protecting the rotor from harm. Unlike traditional tower-mounted wind turbines in such situations, the device's rotor is easily shielded from harm by turning it out of the wind,

[35] The present invention can also be adapted for use in natural water-courses.

Ail of the internal aspects can be waterproofed with the rotor turned into or placed within the direction of water flow, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[36] Embodiments of the present invention are explained, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate only examples of embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, as the invention may have other equally effective embodiments.

[37] Figure 1 illustrates a cutaway perspective view of a wind turbine according to the invention.

[38] Figure 2 illustrates a front- view of a wind turbine according to the

invention.

[39] Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a wind turbine according to the invention across a section A-A from Figure 2.

[40] Figure 4 illustrates a phantom view of the principal interior components of a wind turbine according to the invention in the same orientation as figure

3.

[41] Figure 5 illustrates a phantom view of a wind turbine according to the

invention as in figure 4 with an alternate outer housing and situated on a turntable.

[42] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a wind turbine according to the invention as illustrated in figure S.

[43] Figure 7 illustrates a front view of a wind turbine according to the invention as illustrated in figure 5.

[44] Figure 8 illustrates a detailed schematic view of a generator assembly used in a wind turbine according to the invention.

[45] Figure 9 illustrates a rear view of a wind turbine according to the invention as illustrated in any of the foregoing figures with the exit cowling removed in order to illustrate the disposition of the interior workings.

[46] Figure 10 illustrates a side phantom view of an alternate embodiment of the invention where multiple wind turbines are grouped together in a common housing.

[47] Figure 11 illustrates a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the invention of figure 10.

[48] Figure 12 illustrates a front view of the alternate embodiment of the

invention of figure 10.

[49] Figure 13 illustrates a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the invention where a different grouping of multiple wind turbines are grouped together in a common housing. [50] Figure 14 illustrates a front view of the alternate embodiment of the invention of figure 13,

[51] Figure 15 illustrates a side phantom view of the alternate embodiment of the invention of figure 13 showing that wind turbines can also be grouped in a disposition where the outlet ports of one set of wind-turbines can feed the input ports of additional wind-turbines ail within a common housing.

[52] Figure 16 illustrates the wind-turbine of figures 10, 11 and 12 situated on top of the roof of a building.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[53] Figure 1 shows a cut-away perspective view of the wind turbine 10

according to the invention. The invention has helical blades 20 around a coaxial spindle 25. The housing 30 also shows the intake cowling 35 which concentrates the intake airflow as a nozzle. The cut-away section shows the location of the helical blade support 38 and a co-axial fly wheel 40.

Everything within the helical blade support 38 comprises the rotor of the invention.

[54] Figure 2 shows a front view of the wind turbine 10 according to the

invention. The turbine shows the leading edges 22 of the helical blades 20 around a co-axial spindle 25. The intake cowling 35 concentrates the intake airflow as a nozzle and covers other equipment within the wind-turbine preventing the entry of dirt, animals and other detritus which would interfere with the wind-turbine.

[55] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the wind-turbine 10 across the section A-A from Figure 2. The wind turbine is turned so that the wind enters the wind turbine from the left and exits at the right. This shows the intake cowling 35 which concentrates the intake airflow as a nozzle, the helical blades 20 and the location of the co-axial fly wheel 40. The figure also shows a co-axial spindle 25 designed to provide additional intake airflow concentration by being conical in shape with its largest end in the direction of the helical blades. The helical blades 20 rotate within the blade housing 41 which is, in turn separated from the outer housing 42 by suitably positioned guide rollers 44 or generator assemblies 50. Everything within the blade housing 41 acts as the rotor of the invention.

[56] Figure 4 shows a phantom view of the principal interior components of the wind turbine 10 in the same orientation as figure 3. All parts within the outer housing 42 are shown with dashed lines. The intake cowling 35 together with a co-axial spindle 25 concentrate the incoming airflow as a nozzle. The co-axial spindle 25 in this embodiment is a!so designed to have an exit portion 26 which decreases the air pressure acting as a diffuser from the point of the leading edges 22 of the helical blades 20 to their trailing edges 23. The helical blades 20 are attached to the exit portion 26 of the co-axial spindle 25 and, on their other side, the blade housing 40. The blade housing 41 acting as the rotor of the invention rotates by suitably positioned guide rollers 44 or generator assemblies 50. The blade housing 41 may also be mechanically engaged with a gearbox 60 which allows mechanical energy from the blade housing 41 to the flywheel 40 which is co-axial with and external to the blade housing 40 but within the outer housing 42 and separated from the outer housing 42 with friction reducing means.

Figure 5 is a phantom view of the principal interior components of a different embodiment of the invention. All parts within the alternate outer housing 43 are shown with dashed lines. The alternate embodiment of the invention is the wind turbine 10 with an alternate outer housing 43 which includes an extended input cowling 46 and extended exit cowling 47. The wind turbine is turned on a mechanical turntable 70 so that the wind enters the wind turbine from the left and exits at the right. The mechanical turntable 70 can be powered by motors or other means and controlled by microcontrollers with input signals from vane anemometers and other techniques well known by those skilled in the art The turntable 70 rotates about the centre line 71. The extended input cowling 46 provides additional cross-sectional area to capture greater wind energy and acts as a nozzle. The extended exit cowling 47 lowers the output air pressure increasing the speed of the air through the wind-turbine and acting as a diffuser.

figure 6 shows the device of Figure 5 in perspective view. Also shown is an optional mesh 75 placed at the entrance of the device and sized to prevent the entry of unwanted animals and objects and to act as a safety

mechanism. This figure shows the wind turbine 10 which can be turned on a mechanical turntable 70 in order to place the opening into the wind. Also shown are the extended input cowling 46 and the extended exit cowling 47. Inside the mesh can also be seen the co-axial spindle 25, the intake cowling 35, and the leading edges 22 of the helical blades 20.

Figure 7 shows the device of Figure 6 in frontal view. This figure shows the extended input cowling 46. The co-axial spindle 25, the intake cowling 35, and the helical blades 20 can also be seen. Also shown is the mechanical turntable 70.

Figure 8 shows a schematic detail of a generator assembly. A generator or alternator SO is mounted on a hinged base 84 and is directly connected to a friction wheel or gear 82. The friction wheel or gear 82 can be engaged with a suitable driving source by engaging the actuator 86 which allows the friction wheel or gear 82 to be engaged with a source of rotational energy. The output of the generator or alternator 80 are connected by means well known in the art to enable the production of electricity by engaging the generator assembly with the rotor of the invention.

[61] Figure 9 shows a full rear view of the wind turbine 10 with the exit cowling removed. This figure shows the trailing edges 23 of the helical blades 20 within the blade housing 40 which are, in turn, supported by the guide rollers 44. All of the details within the blade housing 40 act as the rotor of the invention. Generator assemblies 50 can be engaged with the blade housing 40 acting as the rotor on an individual basis in accordance with a controller system which is well known by those who are skilled in the art, The said controller system would allow the engagement of generator assemblies with the blade housing 40 in proportion to the wind available.

(62) Figure 10 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention where

individual wind turbine units can be grouped together in order to maximize wind energy available at specific locations. Each individual wind-turbine unit 11 can be housed in an external housing 90 which has an extended input cowling 91 disposed to concentrate wind energy available to all units in the grouping. The overall assembly is located on an appropriately sized mechanical turntable 70,

[63] Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of a

grouping of individual wind turbine units illustrated in figure 10.

[64] Figure 12 shows a frontal view of the alternate embodiment of a grouping of individual wind turbine units illustrated in figure 10.

[65] Figure 13 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention where multiple wind turbine units according to the invention are grouped together in an alternate external housing 92.

[66] Figure 14 is a frontal view of the alternate embodiment of the invention shown in figure 13,

Figure 15 is a side phantom view of the alternate embodiment of the invention shown in figure 13 where the dashed lines represent the principal components of the invention within the external housing. The figure illustrates that a second set of wind turbine units 95 can be placed behind a first set of wind turbine units 96 in order to ensure all wind energy available is converted within the invention. The space 97 between the two sets of wind turbine units is shaped and provided in a fashion that maximizes the diffuser effects for the first set of wind turbine units 96 and the nozzle effects for the second set of wind turbine units 95. Figure 16 shows the embodiments of the invention illustrated in figures 10, 11 and 12, located on an office building 100. The office building is not shown as part of the invention but only to illustrate how the present invention can be easily located on the top of an office building with suitable mechanical connection and control means well known to those skilled in the art.