DYNAMICALLY RESPONSIVE WIND TURBINE FOR PULSATILE CAPTURE

This invention relates to a dynamically responsive wind turbine for use in more efficient applications to harness wind energy in low and pulsatile wind speed and wind flow situations. It assumes a partial floral like collective concave configuration with torsioned diametrically related fins that are able to dynamically accommodate and utilize irregular winds with a first order dynamic flexing mechanism providing intrinsic fluctuating response properties increasing and sustaining spin rotation.

Background Art

Wind turbines with a colorful history from the classical Dutch smock windmill through to the iconic prairie type of the American midwest and the contemporary wind farm three bladed towers seek to achieve wind energy capture with art and seminal patents dating back to folk lore and settler times. The problem with present turbines is that they don't work too well at low and irregular windspeeds although electrical suppliers are building large examples presently in the windiest locations geographically to overcome this. Turbines often fail to turn and generate less angular momentum with low speed and irregular pulsatile winds which are very common everyday weather conditions globally limiting their usefulness.

The goal of increasing wind energy capture efficiency has resulted in approachs ranging from aerodynamic variants such as blade pitch, axis and length, ducting, gearing, shrouds and to plurality.(Fundamentals of Wind Energy Nicholas P. Cheremisinoff). (NZ Pat.200333 ϊPC|F03Dl/100,NZ Pat.288354 WO96/00349,NZ Pat. 514623 IPC|F03Dl/02 IPC|F03D3/00,NZ Pat.503670 IPC|F03Dl/00 IPCIF03D11/04)

Energy capture efficiency is difficult due to low and variable wind speed conditions and attempting to increase dynamic responsiveness to wind variations can be with blade property adjustments such as length and pitch sometimes from sensor and computational decision making logic whilst in operation.

Disclosure

In a preferred embodiment turbine construction is with cycle componentry of the wheel, hub and chain drive, aerodynamic fins and the dynamic mechanism attached. The low cost windturbine has in this example sixteen light, flexible fins attached through a bicycle wheel and gear entrainment with fins that are profiled, angled and linked within the rim assembly. Radiating outwards the fins can be constructed from aluminum, alloy or acrylic polymer and dense fibre materials such as carbon fibre.

Spokes provide reduced air resistance and a strong structural mount within the rim/hub and rugged bike wheel specifications.

Gearing and chains can be readily obtained and connected via a sprocket (eg for ten speed) transmission and to rotational energy to power a generator or pump etc.

Wind is a pulsatile phenomenon gusting etc rather than a constant flow and the turbine is able to dynamically utilize this. The mechanism which responds dynamically to wind speeds and pulsatile conditions consists of torsion applied by elastic cords diametrically stretched between opposite blade leading edge apex tips of the bladed turbine. It assumes a partial petal like flower configuration with torsioned diametrically related fins that are able to dynamically flex, accommodate and utilize irregular winds. When the wind gusts a bit it opens the turbine up slightly as it rotates thus speeding it up and altering the pitch and the diameter. When the wind relaxes the blades are pulled slightly back into the centre. This effect is magnified by the sixteen blades and is focused mass movement towards the centre similar to a ballerina as she does a pirouette. As she rotates with her arms spread out if she pulls her arms in rotation speeds up and the turbine also with mass transfer. With this recoiling centripetal force the turbine is able to turn at lower windspeed and achieve higher and sustained momentum in irregular winds.

The turbine described herein is able to significantly increase efficiency parameters in wind energy capture compared to existing turbines.

Due to the aerodynamics and responsive dynamics the turbine is able to turn at lower airspeeds and generate and sustain greater momentum than other turbines at the same wind speeds and pulsatile conditions.

It is also more responsive to the fluctuating nature of wind which is predominant in many environments with dynamic accommodation and lower motive threshold from fin properties and aerodynamic interaction.

Useful in a number of locations agricultural/horticultural and marine applications eg water pumping/storage and electrical power generation systems and in tandem and plurality. Trickle charging of batteries in remote locations from a generator/alternator is possible and domestic demand via battery and invertor and relevant reticulation infrastructure. Windfarm and domestic and community electrical generation reticulation applications are also possible with scaleup. A domestic unit with a pole type hoist is disclosed where persons can elevate and direct into the wind as conditions allow in a particular weather situation similar to the hanging out the washing household routine with accompanying sensor data. The turbine is able to supplant existing units in support structures as well as functioning in the novel applications described herein.

Surface area and aerodynamic enhancement is produced by flexing each tensile fin into a spatially collective dynamic responsive concave configuration. Rg 1 shows a cutaway lateral view of the turbine with attitude into the wind and one of the eight elastic cords (2) from one fin (1) under tension spanning to the diametrically opposed fin with the attachment from each leading edge tip apex. Dynamic elastic dynamic responsive flexing is provided by light bungee type elastic cord linking leading edges of each fin pair. This attachment is available in a number of configurations and cat's cradle type radial variations. Collectively it provides a structurally strong bracing and is scalable. In the sixteen fin embodiment eight dynamic elastic bungee type cords are required. Fins are diametrically joined at or near the leading edge tips with the cords presenting negligible air resistance. Fig 2 shows a cutaway lateral view and an anterior view showing the concave nature, of the turbine with structural elements, induced fin pitch and elastic cord configuration with one cord spanning to it's diametrically opposite and the remaining cords in the anterior view showing related spans. Induced pitch is also shown at the end of the tensile fin from the torsion effected attachment of the tensioned elastic cord. Transmission and axle point (3) connects to generator and pump applications.

Dynamic responsiveness is provided with the turbine configuration moving three dimensionally within the collective aerodynamic contact and fins moving, accommodating appropriately and responding favourably with regard to pitch and aerodynamic capture efficiency. The initial blade pitch is provided by the fins passing through the rim angle and radiating outwards with dynamic flexing towards the circumference by the tension mediated through elastic cord connection.

A three dimensional torsion shaped turbine with concave collective profile and fins with dynamic pitch and attitude faces into the wind. It is constructed so that assembly and breakdown is simple and relatively easy with low cost although it is scalable through to windfarm specifications.

Best Mode for Carrying Out

An embodiment is blended with low cost cycle wheel manufacture technology and component manufacturers and assemblers are able to direct resources in this area. Spokes provide minimal air resistance and an element of strength with direct rotational energy translation. Rims with angled slots provide spiraled pitch to the fins circumference. Fig 3. Turbine cutaway componentry views, fin shape , slot and mount in rim flange (4), induction of pitch and the cycle wheel base.

Shaped fins are attached via a hub flange and elastic tension applied from fasteners and distributed radially through the configuration. The turbine is simple,lightweight,easily broken down and reassembled eg for transport as a kitset. Fins can be attached and detached easily threading them through the rim and securing with a fastener eg.wingnuts. Fins can be efficiently produced by computer aided engineering cutting machinery such as a laser and are finely balanced with tight reproduction tolerances.

Dynamic recoiling in operation function contributes towards rotation and gains in efficiency have a number of benefits such as the lesser dependence on height above the ground and towers. There are a number of marginal wind speed situations where this becomes important and currently available types do not work as efficiently. A increase in efficiency is noted with this turbine and fin dynamics are produced in spatial pitch, attitude and collective elements and in the direct responsive torsion effected rotational recoil. The diametrically linked fin pairs relate via the elastic tensioned connection applied collectively in a lashing appearance.

Shaped fins are attached via a hub flange and elastic tension applied from fasteners and distributed radially through the configuration. The turbine is simple,lightweight,easily broken down and reassembled eg for transport as a kitset Fins can be attached and detached easily threading them through the rim and securing with a fastener eg.wingnuts. Fins can be efficiently produced by computer aided engineering cutting machinery such as a laser and are finely balanced with tight reproduction tolerances.

Dynamic recoiling in operation function contributes towards rotation and gains in efficiency have a number of benefits such as the lesser dependence on height above the ground and towers. There are a number of marginal wind speed situations where this becomes important and currently available types do not work as efficiently. A increase in efficiency is noted with this turbine and fin dynamics are produced in spatial pitch, attitude and collective elements and in the direct responsive torsion effected rotational recoil. The diametrically linked fin pairs relate via the elastic tensioned connection applied collectively in a lashing appearance.

Braking can be mediated in the cycle embodiment with eg hub brakes to moderate rpms and lowering the turbine.

An embodiment utilizes a vertical tail to keep the fin configuration facing into the wind. It is not always needed in situations of predictable regular breezes eg. marine niches and microclimates.

Direction can also be set manually with monitor and data collection guidance and weather cognizance sensing. Fig 4 Turbine Application examples, domestic, hoist and direction adjust, generator/pump, reticulation infrastructure

The turbine combines torsion and aerodynamic flow properties relating to surface area and airflow channeling and fin spatiality in it's attitude to the wind. Fins have induced pitch via the angled slots in the rim as they radially pass through the circumference of the wheel. This pitch is accentuated spatially towards the circumference by the elastic torsion provided by rubber bungee type cord attached near to the apex of the leading edge.This provides a significant increase in surface area and geometric aerodynamics to produce gains in efficiency whilst in motion with dynamic recoiling.

Dynamic responsiveness is maintained by elastic flexing of the collective configuration also contributing to efficiency gains.

The relationship between the torsioned diametrically opposed fin pair is a dynamically linked complex reaction. The wind is able to change the attitude, pitch spatially and effect torsion in the flexing. When the wind loses fluctuating flow strength the reactive recoil will bring rotating mass towards the centre inducing rotational increased rpm. The recoil is magnified with sixteen blades and focused towards the centre to produce rotation. The turbine is able to operate in lower and pulsatile wind conditions and achieve greater and sustained momentum.

Brief Drawings Description

Fig 1 Cutaway lateral view of the turbine with attitude into the wind and one of the eight elastic cord spans from one fin under tension spanning to the diametrically opposed fin tip.

Fig 2 Cutaway lateral and anterior views showing the concave collective aerodynamic profile of the turbine with structural elements and elastic cord configuration. Induced pitch is shown at the end of the tensile fin from the torsion effected attachment of the tensioned elastic cord transmission to produce the in use recoiled kinetic induction and the axle point connecting to generator and pump applications.

Fig 3. Turbine cutaway componentry views, fin shape, slot and mount through rim flange, initiated angle of pitch and the cycle wheel base. Fig 4. Application examples, domestic, hoist and direction adjust, reticulation infrastructure and remote generator or pump unit.

References cited l.NZ 200333

Improved turbine

Arthur Benjamin O'Connor IPC|F03Dl/100

2.NZ 288354

The multi-unit rotor blade system integrated wind turbine

Chan Shin

WO96/00349

3.NZ 514623

Wind energy transformation

Armadillo Engineering Limited

IPC|F03Dl/02

IPC|F03Dl/04

IPC|F03Dl/06

IPC|F03D3/02

IPC|F03D3/04

IPC|F03D9/02

4.NZ 332393

Vertical axis windturbine

Owen Garth Williamson

IPC |FO3D11/04

IPC|F03D3/00

5.NZ 503670

Horizontal axis type wind turbine and method of construction thereof

Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha

IPC|F03Dl/00

IPC| F03D11/04

6.

Fundamentals of Wind Energy

Nicholas P. Cheremisinoff

Ann Arbour Science Publishers Inc

ISBN 0-250-40255-6

Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 78-51051