"Wind generator of compressed air and system for the production and storage of compressed air"

[0001 ] The present invention relates to a wind generator of compressed air and a system for the production and storage of compressed air comprising said generator.

[0002] In particular, it is known of in the art to make compressed air generators comprising an air compressor 20 connected to wind devices, such as wind blades, which are driven in rotation by the effect of the wind.

[0003] The compressed air thus generated can be sent directly to the utilities or can be stored for example in compressed air tanks.

[0004] The devices of the prior art are not optimised however and do not permit functioning in scarce wind conditions. In addition, the limited efficiency makes it impossible to achieve adequate pressures of compressed air or to store large quantities of compressed air in the tanks .

[0005] The need is therefore felt to make a wind generator of compressed air which is optimised, simple and inexpensive so as to enable the production and/or storage of compressed air even in scarce wind conditions and ^' to ensure optimised performance at all times.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks and limitations mentioned with reference to the prior art.

[0007] Such drawbacks and limitations are resolved by a wind generator according to claim 1 and by a system according to claim 20.

[0008] Other embodiments of the present invention are described in the subsequent claims.

[0009] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be clearly comprehensible from the description given below of its preferred non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein :

[Q010] - figure 1 is a side view of a wind generator of compressed air according to the invention;

[0011] - figure 2 is a view from above of the generator;

[0012] - figure 3 schematically shows a system for the generation and storage of compressed air;

[0013] - figure 4 is an enlarged cross-section view of a wind blade of the wind generator; and

[0014] - figure 5 shows a diagram of an electro-pneumatic brake of the wind generator.

[0015] The elements or parts of elements common to the embodiments described below will be indicated using the same reference numerals.

[0016] With reference to the aforesaid drawings, reference numeral 4 globally denotes a wind generator of compressed air according to the present invention. The wind generator 4 comprises at least one wind blade 8 joined at one end to a rotation shaft 12 having a rotation axis X-X and suitable to be driven so as to rotate around said rotation axis X-X, under the influence of a flow of air 16. Consequently, the at least one wind blade 8 and the rotation shaft 12 constitute the rotor 5 of the wind generator. Preferably, said rotor 5 comprises three wind blades, angularly distanced by 120° from each other.

[0017] At least one air compressor 20 is operatively connected to said rotation shaft 12 so as to be driven by the rotor 5 to produce compressed air. The air compressor 20 is positioned behind the rotor 5 in relation to the direction which the flow of air acting on the rotor comes from. Consequently, the flow of air acts directly on the wind blade 8, without the interposition of elements of disturbance .

[0018] The generator 4 further comprises an air conveyor 22 which surrounds and contains the air compressor 20 at least partially. Said air conveyor 22 has at least an entrance aperture 23, that is an air intake, suitable to convey on the air compressor 20 part of the flow of air acting on the rotor, and at least one exit aperture 24 suitable to convey the flow of air entering at the rear to the air compressor 20.

[0019] A rear rudder 30 is positioned downstream of the air compressor 20, to direct the rotor 5 perpendicular to the air flow.

[0020] Consequently, the air conveyor 22 performs a dual function: cooling the air compressor 20 and conveying the air flow towards the rear rudder 30 so that it can position itself parallel to the direction of the wind.

[0021 ] In a preferred embodiment, the rotation shaft 12, the air compressor 20, the air conveyor 22 and the rudder 30 are supported by a support arm 40. Said support arm 40 is mounted at the top of a support structure 42, for example of the pylon type. Advantageously, said structure is made for example in aluminium sections, so as to prove particularly resistant and at the same time flexible to withstand even strong winds, economical to produce and easy to assemble.

[0022] Advantageously, the support arm 40 is, further, mounted so as to rotate in relation to the vertical orientation axis Z-Z so as to be able to tilt under the effect of the thrust of the air flow acting on the rear rudder 30. For example, the support arm 40 is vertically pivoted to a post 44 of the support structure 42. In figure 1 note the vertical pin 40' for the directional rotation of the support arm 40 around the orientation axis Z-Z.

[0023] Advantageously, the vertical orientation axis Z-Z intersects the rotation axis of the rotor 5 between it and the air compressor 20. By virtue of the masses of the rotor 5 and of the air compressor 20, such arrangement makes it possible to reduce the oscillations of the support arm 40 and to correctly balance the generator so as to enable, in particular the support arm 40, to tilt, minimising friction and thereby following minimal variations in the wind direction .

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the air conveyor 22 is axial-symmetric in relation to the rotation axis X-X, so as to direct the flow of air symmetrically towards the rear rudder 30.

[0025] According to one advantageous embodiment, the air compressor 20 is of the two opposite pistons type. In fact, such type of air compressor 20 is highly efficient even at a low number of revs, such as 200 revs/minute, and may therefore be directly coupled to the rotation shaft 12 of the wind, blade 8. Consequently, it is possible to avoid the use of intermediate gears, counter gears or other rev multiplier devices between the rotation shaft 12 of the rotor 5 and the air compressor shaft 20, reducing friction and thereby improving efficiency in transmission of the torque to the rotation shaft 12 of the rotor of the air compressor shaft 20. In addition, such air compressor 20 is able to self- lubricate even functioning at a low number of revs.

[0026] More in detail, the air compressor 20 comprises a central body 20' coaxial and coupled to the rotation shaft 12 of the rotor 5 and a pair of lateral expansions 20" which extend radially from opposite sides of said central body 20' . In each of said lateral expansions 20" one piston of the pair of opposite pistons is housed.

[0027] Advantageously, the air conveyor 22 has an outline which adapts to the shape of the air compressor 20. In particular, the air conveyor 22 therefore comprises two lateral portions 22" which surround and contain the lateral expansions 20" of the air compressor 20. Each lateral portion has an entrance aperture 23 of the air flow and exit aperture 24 of the air flow.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the coupling hub 5' of the wind blade 8 to the rotation shaft 12 is covered on the front by an ogive- shaped closed cap 6, with a tip coaxial to the rotation axis X-X.

[0029] In one embodiment, the air compressor 20 is axially distanced from the coupling hub 5' of the wind blade 8 to the rotation shaft 12. Advantageously, the air conveyor 22 comprises a central front portion 22' which connects frontally to the hub 5' . Said central front portion 22' of the air conveyor 22 is a substantially cylindrical shape with a cross-section substantially the same as that of the hub 5', so as to be a continuation of the ogive cap 6.

[0030] Rearwards, said central portion 22' connects to the lateral portions 22" of the air conveyor 22 delimiting with them the air entrance apertures 23.

[0031] Consequently, the ogive cap 6 covering the hub acts as a tapered tip for the air conveyor 22; thanks to such configuration, the air flow which frontally impacts the generator tends therefore to be directed towards the entrance apertures of the air conveyor 22, increasing both the cooling efficiency of the air compressor 20 and, coming out of the air conveyor 22, the pressure on the rear rudder 30.

[0032] Thanks to this configuration of the generator, moreover, which optimises the passage of the air flow in the air conveyor 22, it is possible to reduce the dimensions of the air conveyor 22 itself to the minimum required, especially in a transversal direction. Advantageously, this also entails that the wind blade 8, the active impact portion with the air flow of which extends outside said cap and therefore beyond the dimensions of the air conveyor 22, has no obstruction in front of it or behind it and the air flow which acts on said active portion is not "soiled" by the presence of the air conveyor 22.

[0033] Advantageously, the at least one wind blade 8 is twisted along its main extension axis Y-Y, perpendicular to the rotation axis X-X. More in detail, the wind blade 8 has a twisting axis S-S, which identifies a twisting angle a in relation to the main extension axis Y-Y.

[0034] According to a possible embodiment, the wind blade 8 may be composed of two or more elements fixed in relation to each other, for example with a slotted coupling.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, each wind blade 8 is joined to the rotation shaft 12 so as to rotate in relation to the main extension axis Y-Y and comprises motorised means (not shown) suitable to rotate the blade 8 in relation to said main extension axis Y-Y so as to vary the incidence in relation to the air flow 16.

[0036] Advantageously, moreover, each blade 8 is made from aluminium, extruded aluminium alloy or other lightweight materials. It may have a hollow, box-shaped cross-section provided with strengthening ribs 52. In one embodiment, said cross-section consists of two or more elements joined to each other.

[0037] Consequently, wind blades of considerable length may be used, limiting the weight of the rotor 5.

[0038] In one advantageous embodiment, an electro-pneumatic brake 60 suitable to limit the speed of rotation of the blades within a predefined safety value is operatively connected to the rotation shaft 12 of the rotor 5. Said brake 60 is controlled by a wind speed detector 62, for example an anemometer mounted on the air conveyor 22.

[0039] In one embodiment, the electro-pneumatic brake 60 comprises a pneumatic cylinder 64 acting on a spring 65 of a brake 65' operating directly on the rotation shaft 12 of the rotor 5. The pneumatic cylinder 64 is controlled by a relative solenoid valve 66. For example, the pneumatic cylinder 64 is normally pressurised so as to compress the spring 65 of the brake and leave the rotation shaft 12 free to rotate. In unsafe conditions of use or in the case of air leaks in the brake circuit, the pneumatic cylinder 64 suffers a pressure drop which prevents the compression of the spring and thereby enables the brake 65' to act on the rotation shaft 12.

[0040] In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the rear rudder 30 is hinged to the support arm 40, so as to be rotatable in a position substantially orthogonal to said arm when the wind is excessively strong, so as to prevent the functioning of the generator. Such rotation of the rudder is for example triggered by an electro-pneumatic safety device controlled by a wind speed detector 62, for example the anemometer mounted on the air conveyor 22. [0041 ] In one embodiment, the safety device also comprises a pneumatic cylinder 64 acting on a spring suitable to cause the rudder 30 to rotate, and a solenoid valve 66 commanding said pneumatic cylinder 64. In this case too, advantageously, the pneumatic cylinder 64 is normally kept under pressure so as to compress the spring preventing rotation of the rudder 30; in the presence of excessively strong wind, the pneumatic cylinder 64 is discharged, depressurised, so as to leave the spring free to rotate the rudder.

[0042] Advantageously, the solenoid command valve 66 of the brake cylinder and/or safety device is powered electrically by a dynamo 68. Said dynamo 68 may be fitted with a turbine drivable in rotation by the compressed air produced by the air compressor 20, or, in the case of use of an anemometer 62, can be operatively connected to the rotation shaft of said anemometer 62.

[0043] In one embodiment, the solenoid command valve 66 receives the electric command signal from a dedicated control unit 67, mounted for example on the wind generator, connected to the wind speed detector 62.

[0044] Consequently, even the electro-pneumatic systems controlling the wind generator depending on the wind speed do not need to be electrically or pneumatically powered externally but withdraw energy from the generator itself.

[0045] The wind generator of compressed air according to the invention is part of a system 80 for the production and storage of compressed air. Such system comprises, as well as the wind generator 4 described above, at least one tank of compressed air 84 connected to the air compressor 20 by means of a compressed air duct 88 so as to receive and contain compressed air sent from the generator 4.

[0046] Advantageously, said compressed air duct 88 is connected to the air compressor 20 of the wind generator by means of a low friction swivel joint 90 and comprises specific piping, for example in aluminium. Consequently, the connection of the generator to the compressed air duct does not significantly limit the ability of the generator to tilt in relation to the vertical orientation axis .

[0047] In one embodiment, the system 80 further comprises a distribution line 92 of compressed air which can be connected to other pneumatic utilities and a traditional motor-compressor 94. For example, if the air compressor of the wind generator is scaled to power the pneumatic utilities, said motor compressor 94 may be considered an auxiliary compressor which intervenes to power the pneumatic utilities and/or the tank 84 in the case of prolonged absence of wind and therefore of a prolonged stop of the air compressor 20 of the ^' wind generator. In any case, the compressor 20 of the wind generator can be used in conjunction with a traditional motor compressor 94 to achieve a significant energy saving.

[0048] An electro-pneumatic control panel 96 is positioned between the wind generator, tank, distribution line and the motor compressor programmed to manage the flows of compressed air from the wind generator 4 or from the motor compressor 94 to the distribution line 92 or to the tank 84. The control panel 96, for example comprising a PLC, receives information on the air pressure in the pneumatic utilities and in the tank thanks to respective pressure switches.

[0049] For example, when the wind generator 4 and therefore the relative air compressor 20 are active, the pneumatic utilities are powered exclusively or mainly by the wind generator 4. In the case of excess compressed air produced by the wind generator, the excess air is stored in the tank 84.

[0050] When the wind generator is at a standstill, the pneumatic utilities are powered by the compressed air contained in the tank 84.

[005 1 ] In the case of prolonged standstill of the wind generator, the motor compressor 94 cuts in and powers the pneumatic utilities, if necessary filling the tank 84.

[0052] As may be appreciated from the description, the generator according to the invention makes it possible to overcome the limitations and drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art.

[0053] In particular, the wind generator gives high performance and is able to produce compressed air even in non-optimal wind conditions.

[0054] In fact, the wind generator is mounted on a swivelling support arm 40 able to tilt depending on the effective and instantaneous direction of the wind: this way it optimises the function of the wind blades in that it can self-direct in relation to the effective wind direction.

[0055] In addition, the blades are tilted and, preferably, are mounted on the rotor 5 so as to be able to vary their incidence in real time even during normal functioning of the blades.

[0056] Advantageously, the generator is fitted with a tapered reduced size air conveyor 22 able to both efficiently cool the air compressor mounted on the generator and to direct the flow of air traversing it towards the rear rudder 30.

[0057] Consequently, as regards the efficiency of the wind generator, the air compressor and the conveyor associated with it, as regards how they are positioned, configured and scaled, do not entail a reduction in performance of the generator. On the contrary, thanks to the special configuration of the air conveyor 22 which surrounds the air compressor 20, the generator is able to adapt in real time to minimal changes in the wind direction and/or intensity so as to enable optimal functioning of the wind blades .

[0058] Advantageously, the generator is configured so to perform cooling of the air compressor 20 using the same wind which drives the blades.

[0059] A further characteristic optimising the performance of the generator consists of the fact that the compressed air can be stored in a tank by means of a pipe which connects the air compressor 20 to the tank, fitted with a low friction high performance swivel joint. Such joint limits the pressure drops and resistance to rotation of the support arm 40.

[0060] The generator is particularly safe inasmuch as provided with dedicated systems limiting overload and preventing risks of structural collapse caused by excessively high winds. Advantageously, the compressed air produced by the wind generator is also used to power said safety devices pneumatically and electrically. [0061 ] Consequently, the generator and system provide a plurality of characteristics, making it possible to optimise the production of compressed air both in terms of using wind energy and in terms of reducing loss of head in sending the air to the tank or pneumatic utilities .

[0062] Advantageously, the generator according to the present invention makes it possible to store large quantities of clean, low cost energy, in the form of compressed air.

[0063] Advantageously, the generator has a functioning which immediately adapts to the direction and intensity of the wind.

[0064] The generator is also simple, inexpensive to make and requires little maintenance, ensuring long duration and reliability.

[0065] A person skilled in the art may make numerous modifications and variations to the wind generator described above so as to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, all contained within the sphere of protection as defined by the appended claims.