Wind Power Devices Field Of Invention

The current invention relates to turbines, particularly to extendible vertical wind and water turbines as well as mechanisms to raise and lower turbines supported on a mast.

Background

Due to concerns regarding climate change and dwindling reserves of fossil fuels combined with concerns over Nuclear Reactors, renewable energy resources are now very attractive. Wind power is especially attractive but wind turbines have one disadvantage due to the efficiency of the turbine is greatest when the rotor diameter is as long as mechanically possible and has an uninterrupted wind from great distances. The smaller household type of turbines are not deemed to be cost effective, as the fixed reduced rotor size reduces the electrical energy generated thereby and the installation and maintenance costs can be prohibitive too, cranes and other expensive machinery are used to lower and raise the turbines on the mast or provide height access.

As wind turbines are sold in a predetermined size, their capacity to generate electricity are limited. Therefore the current user has to replace the purchased wind turbine with a larger one, should the need arise. This is already an expensive product, hence there is a clear need to provide a wind turbine with capacity expansion potential, to easily and cost effectively ensure that the turbine or turbines will harvest the maximum energy possible post installation and allow for adaptation of the turbine according to changing conditions.

A turbine mast is a fixed structure that holds a vertical or horizontal axis turbine for energy collection. For maintenance, the masts commonly have a pivot point to lower the majority of the mast to allow access to the turbine or alternatively plant machinery is used for access on top of the mast. Additionally, lifting aids such as hydraulic systems are required to lower the mast, as well as experienced operators, and a ground clearance equivalent to the height of the mast including the wind turbine-rotor and generator assembly installed on top of the mast. Furthermore masts are constructed to differing heights & other tolerances to suit the site & environment.

The Mast pivoting configuration adds to the cost of initial construction, while the fixed method requires height access equipment for periodical maintenance, adding to the running cost.

Accordingly there exists a need for a simpler & cheaper mechanism to allow access to the turbine for periodical maintenance and storm protection.

Summary Of Invention

According to the first aspect of the current invention there is provided an apparatus for moving a turbine on a mast comprising a movable turbine support connected to a cable interlinking a hoist and a winch.

The turbine support provides an interference free turbine working space adjacent to the mast. Preferably the turbine is a horizontal wind or water turbine or a vertical wind turbine.

Most preferably the turbine is an extendible vertical wind turbine.

Preferably the turbine support comprises holding means that engages with the base of a wind turbine.

When the wind turbine is a Vertical Wind Turbine the turbine support comprises a first holding means that engages with the base of the vertical wind turbine and a second holding means that engages with the top of said vertical wind turbine.

Preferably the holding means comprises one or more brackets.

Even more preferably the brackets are angled frames comprising a first arm substantially right angled to the mast connected to another arm substantially parallel to the mast wherein the first arm comprises a turbine base receiving member.

Preferably the first arm comprises a turbine base receiving member at its end distal to the mast.

Preferably the brackets have a third support arm to form a triangular bracket.

Each holding means is connected to the mast by at least one sleeve member comprising a sliding or roller means.

Preferably the sleeve is integral to the bracket and comprises a roller assembly in contact with the mast surface for movement thereon. The sleeve can allow movement along the mast length as well as around the mast.

Preferably the holding means are interconnected by extendible means, for example rope, cable, telescopic and concertina means.

Most preferably the holding means are only connected by the turbine and the mast.

Most preferably the turbine support means is composed of suitably durable material, for example iron, steel, wood, plastic, composite material or a mixture thereof.

Preferably the hoist is removably attached to the top end of the mast.

Preferably the hoist comprises a ginny wheel and a cable.

Preferably the winching means is removably fixed to the ground near the mast base or to the mast base.

Appropriate fixings such as "U" bolts and check plates may be used to removably fix the winching means to the mast or mast base.

Preferably the ratchet provides movement of the wind turbine support in the upward and downward vertical directions.

Preferably the wind turbine support moves on the mast using sliding means or rolling means. Most preferably the wind turbine support moves on the mast using one or more rolling means.

Preferably the apparatus comprises guide means arranged to guide the cable.

According to a second aspect of the current invention there is provided a modular and extendible turbine.

The turbine may be a wind or water powered turbine. Preferably the turbine is a vertical wind turbine.

Most preferably the vertical axis wind turbine comprises modular units composed of two or more rotatable stackable scoops.

Preferably the scoops are hollow and comprise opposite facing wind entry and exit apertures at each scoop end and an aperture for a vertical wind turbine shaft.

Most preferably the scoops are of Savonius construction comprising a hollow core and oppositely facing wind entry and exist apertures and two central opposing vertical axis apertures.

Preferably the scoops are stacked in a stepped helical or spiral or Archimedes screw configuration.

Preferably a scoop length is 0.75 meters or 1 .0 meters or 1.25 meters or 1 .5 meters or 1 .75 meters or 2.0 meters or 2.25 meters or 2.5 meters or 2.75 meters or 3.0 meters in length. Preferably the scoop height is one of 0.1 meters, 0.2 meters, 0.3 meters, 0.4 meters, 0.5 meters or 0.6 meters.

In another embodiment a module comprises scoops of the same or substantially the same length stacked in a stepped helical or spiral or Archimedes screw configuration.

Most preferably the scoops are made of plastic, fibre glass, carbon composite material or other suitable lightweight, durable and weather resistant and Ultra Violet stable material.

The scoops may also have anti-ice and snow collection means, these may be heat or chemical means.

The turbine support means may also have ground anchoring means to offset wind shear to the mast.

The mast may also have further cables and securing means for wind proofing.

According to another aspect of the current invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising one or more stackable scoops of Savonius construction with a central aperture for a vertical wind turbine axis, a vertical axis and/or a mast and/or a turbine support means and/or a winch and/or a hoist.

According to another aspect of the current invention there is provided a means of manufacture of the turbine support means or the stackable scoops of the current invention and their use in combination. Description

The current invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the Figures.

Figure 1A shows a turbine support mounted on a mast.

Figure 1 B shows a turbine support on a mast and a vertical turbine axis.

Figure 1 C is the same as Figure 1 B except the support is in a raised position.

Figure 1 D shows a standard wind turbine supported on the turbine support, standing proud of the mast.

Figure 2 is a top down view of a Savonius shaped scoop and its component parts.

Figure 3 shows modules with the stacked Savonius shaped scoops.

Figure 4 shows a module with 10 Savonius shaped scoops arranged in a helical step wise manner on an axis.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

In Figures 1 A to 1 D mast 1 has cable 5 running from winch 50 up to hoist 2 down to turbine support 3 and tied to upper support bracket 25. Turbine support 3 also comprises a lower support bracket 35. Both lower support bracket 35 and upper support bracket 25 have roller sleeves 10 and 20 that wrap around the mast 1 and allow movement of the support brackets 25 and 35 up and down the mast 1 . In this configuration, cable 5 is attached to lower support bracket 35 and upper support bracket 25 for assembly and expansion. Upper Support bracket 25 has a top turbine axle attachment 30 with a self-aligning bearing and lower support bracket 35 has a turbine axle base attachment 40. Figure 1 B shows a bare vertical wind turbine axle 100 capable of rotation while attached to turbine attachments 30 and 40. Figure 1 C shows the same as Figure 1 B except the turbine support 3 is raised.

Figure 1 D shows a turbine support 3 having only a lower bracket 35, attached to a support beam 150 at attachment 40. The support beam 150 supports a standard horizontal rotary wind turbine 200.

Figure 2 shows a Savonius shaped scoop 300 with hollow hull shaped forward facing arm 310, central vertical turbine axle 100 receiving aperture 350, rear facing hollow hull shaped arm 320, with turbine support 3 and core plate 360 situated at internal face of aperture 350 and engage with axle 100. 370 is a steel plate that resides under the bottom scoop 440 or on top of the top scoop 400.

Figure 3 shows the arrangement of 3 modules 600, 700 and 800 having Savonius shaped scoops 400, 410, 420, 430 and 440 having the same height and length.

Figure 4 shows the alternative for use in water with ten of the same sized Savoinus shaped scoops 820 arranged on a vertical axle shaft 600 and engagement part 860.

In use hoist 2 is fixed to the highest point of the mast 1 and cable 5 is fed through the winch mechanism 50, through hoist and ginny wheel 2 down to be tied to the upper support bracket 25 of the turbine support 3. A vertical wind turbine axis 100 is rotatably attached to lower support bracket 35 using the attachment means 40 and to the upper bracket 25 attachment means 30. When the winch is operated to pull on the cable 5, this raises the entire turbine support 3. The roller sleeves 10 and 20 allow for this ease of movement.

As can be seen, any height of vertical axis 100 can be accommodated by this support 3, due to the independence of support brackets 25 and 35.

The shaft of axle 100 can be rectangular, square or round. Ideally it is 80mm x 80mm treated box iron for ease of manufacture and affordability.

The turbine support 3 can also accommodate a standard horizontal wind turbine 200 by raising it proud of the mast 200.

A representative Savonius shaped scoop is shown in figure 2 as well as its component parts. Figure 3 shows how these Savonius shaped scoop 400, 410, 420, 430 and 440 can be stacked upon each other in in a helical manner and how these modules themselves can be stacked upon each other to create a vertical wind turbine of the desired length or in the uni-modular mode of Figure 4, using ten Savonius shaped scoops 420 of the same size, also in a helical or Archimedes screw arrangement.

Obvious variations of the current invention are envisaged. For example the winch can be fixed to the base of the mast or to the Ground about the base of the mast. The cable used will also vary according to the weight of the turbine being supported.

The apparatus may comprise an electronic control system operatively coupled to the winch and/or ratchet, arranged to raise or lower the turbine support. Alternatively, the winch may be manually activated.

Operation of the winch may be activated by a remote control system. The remote control system may communicate with the winch using telecommunication means. Mobile applications or Apps may be used to activate or control the winch or ratchet.

The control system may be arranged to activate the winch to lower the wind turbine when environmental or climatic conditions require lowering of the turbine to avoid damage thereto.

The apparatus may comprise locking means arranged to maintain the inner sleeve member in a fixed longitudinal position relative to the support mast.

Surprisingly it has been found that the strength of each scoop is increased in accordance with the number of scoops stacked on the vertical axis.

Clearly the style, dimensions and shape of the scoop can be altered to adapt to prevailing conditions.

It will be appreciated that features of different aspects of the invention may be combined where context allows. Furthermore, features of the aspects of the invention may constitute further independent inventive aspects. Furthermore, methods of providing the functionality of any one or combination of the features of the different aspects of the invention may be provided.