Patent Application
20080203731
The present invention is applied to the electric power generation through the transformation of the eolical energy in a mechanical energy in a controlled way, working equipments for the electric power generation or hydraulic bombs, as well as rotors in general, with regulated potency exit supplying a stable independently of the wind speed.
The traditional eolical converters are characterized by possess helixes that rotate in the vertical sense in parallel to the equipment sustaining post, and directly connected to the shaft of the generator or shells that rotate in the horizontal sense perpendicularly to the post, connected to a vertical axis.
In the case of the helixes, they just rotate in function of a component (fraction) of the resulting force of the wind, that through the angular variation of the step, it provides in the perpendicular sense to the wind direction. The aerodynamic surfaces of the shovels of the helixes besides they take advantage of only a component of the force of the wind, they possess extremely small area if compared to the circle described by your movement.
The helixes were developed basically to produce the displacement of the mass of air, in other words, to move the wind and not to be moved by the wind, situation in that they are little efficient.
Being known that the wind acts producing force by area, as big is the area of wind reception bigger will be the buoyancy. The helixes, according to its conception, they possess little aerodynamic surface to the wind reception, what is worsened by the impossibility in using several helixes in the same axis, due to the aerodynamic interaction and the great structural limitation, because the helixes are mono supported in the spinner. This support will be supporting the own weight of the helix and more the wind load reaction, as example, a helix with only 37 meters (circle radio) it weighs 7 tons approximately and more 1.47 tons from the wind, what will produce a reaction in the junction of the helix with the spinner of 8.47 tons, which is a limiting factor for the expansion of the wind reception area and it is decisive for the high cost of production of this system that reflect directly in the calculations to makes possible the competitiveness of the eolic energy.
In the case of the shells, the problem is more serious, because they possess the same aerodynamic surface in your front part and in your back just with different resistance coefficients, resulting in a rotational_force extremely small what reduces even more thee efficiency in this method of wind force reception.
Another technical problem with the converters from the state of the art is the fact that the generated rotation is directly proportional with the speed of the incident wind without the possibility of the effective control of the rotation of the propeller axis.
In this way, the energy generated by generators moved by these converters is oscillate, what is not desirable in the generation of energy for consumption in wide scale.
In the state of the art can be found converters endowed with plates, blades, or shovels also fixed to a horizontal shaft that rotate a vertical shaft, as in the document DE8701224. These shovels are fixed to the horizontal shaft so that the shovel is divided in two parts, with different dimensions, a part above the shaft and other below. When the wind beats on the shovel front, this is in the vertical position rotating the main shaft. When the shovel arrives in the position in that the wind beats in your back, this rotates to be in the horizontal position in a way that it does not have resistance to the wind. However, this mechanism is ineffective, because when the shovel is of backs in relation to the wind to be flagged, in other words, to be in the horizontal position, the part of the shovel that is above of the horizontal shaft uses the force of the wind against the flagged position offering resistance to this, being necessary an equal area below the horizontal shaft for the resultant be still in zero kilograms and another more one part of the area will be used to combat the weight and drag in a way to permit the flagging, or, in this conception all this area that uses the wind pressure that beat on the inactive shovel back for the flagging correspond an equal area lost to push the traction shovel of the active side. Similar situation occur to the shovel out of its flagging position, which will reduce the return time to the vertical position happening a new lost in relation of the angulation (180°) total use of the traction side for the buoyancy.
As the shovels are mechanically linked by the same axis delayed in 90° degrees and not always the wind possesses symmetry due to bursts or turbulences, this link between the shovels will grow even more the buoyancy lost because the effort to move one shovel can be added with a asymmetrical wind load from the opposite side by the other shovel.
Such presented problems reduce the use of the wind force considerably for the transformation in rotational force to the main vertical axis, whose resultant for transformation in rotational energy is very small if we compare the total area for buoyancy with the areas that offer resistance for the flagging and unflagging, in other words, this system possesses an inferior performance that the helixes, we esteemed in only 30% the use of the buoyancy obtained by the traction panel, besides having the same limitations to expand considerably the wind reception area for generation of energy in great scale, due to the fact of the shovels horizontal axis be mono supported in the vertical axis, what harms in the structural point of view, functional and cost benefit the size (length) of the shovels or panels to reach significant dimensions, worsened as in the helixes for the high costs for construction in that conception.
The solutions of this state of the art try to compensate such problem making the shovels or panels with materials of different weight, so that the superior part of the shovel is heavier than the inferior part, however, that is irrelevant in relation to the aerodynamic factors where the own wind opposes resistance to the movement.
This system doesn't foresee rotation control, it is not equipped with means for the approach or removal of the shovels, it doesn't foresee a variation system of the shovels area for the complement of the compensation of the wind speed variation, it doesn't foresee brake to stop the system for maintenance, it doesn't allow flagging in case of windstorm, it doesn't present the support_structural part of the rotary_mast_linked to the shovels, as well as this system the is limited only by two plans of shovels interlinked with 90 degrees.
In relation to the system presented in the document WO2003/014565 we found practically the same limitations of the document DE8701224 with difference just with relationship to the positioning of the horizontal axis.
However, it also possesses its horizontal axis mono supported that won't allow the use of this system for the generation of energy in wide scale, and it starts to have a big loss in the use of the buoyancy due the effort for the flagging in function of the weight, not so only by the wind action, but in function of its structural shape, because such blade, in accordance with the drawing, to resist to the wind aerodynamic pressures even it using light materials as aluminum, fiber of carbon, etc, it will possess an important weight for square meter of surface compared to the wind buoyancy that will produce by square meter.
Like this being, by this system do not present counterbalance the necessary wind pressure for the flagging will reduce significantly the result of the buoyancy, mainly in relation to resistant materials to the wind flow accordingly its description.
As the shovels are mechanically interlinked for the same axis by 90 degrees, and the wind doesn't usually possess symmetry due to bursts or turbulences, this interdependence among the shovels will still increase more the buoyancy losses because the effort to move a shovel can be added of an asymmetric wind load on the side opposed by the other shovel, what is worsened as showed in the drawings and the description, by the angle of 90° formed (among the traction panel (active side) and the buoyancy (inactive side)) through the interdependence axis that rotates together with the panels, in such a way that the flagged panel is totally flat, and without any decline angle (what would provide the exit of the natural flagging and free from aerodynamic chuck) that results in the formation of a mattress of air (aerodynamic threads), that generates a sustentation that produces great resistance for that panel to leave of the flagging horizontal position to the vertical position of traction.
Such problems reduce the use of the wind force considerably for the transformation in rotational force to the main vertical axis, whose resultant is very small if we compare the load for buoyancy with the own weight of the areas that it offer resistance for the flagging and unflagging, added of the aerodynamic drag mentioned, in other words, this system possesses an inferior performance compared with the helixes, we esteemed in only 30% the use of traction panel buoyancy, (loss with the flagging and unflagging), besides having the same limitations of the helixes or shovels in the structural and functional point of view for energy generation in wide scale, due to the fact of the horizontal axis of these panels be monosupported to the vertical axis through bearings, resulting in limitation for the size (length) of the panels to reach significant dimensions, in addition for the production of a monosupported panel with this configuration would relapse in high production cost as well as in the helixes.
This system doesn't foresee rotation control, it is not equipped with means for the approach or removal of the panels, it doesn't foresee system of variation of the panels area for the complement of the compensation of the wind speed variation, it doesn't foresee brake to stop the system for maintenance, it doesn't allow flagging in case of windstorm, it doesn't present the structural part of rotating mast support linked to the panels, as well as this system is limited to only two plans of shovels interlinked by 90 degrees. Reporting to the document EP0379626A1 the form of reception of the force of the winds presents several limitations for a good performance between the buoyancy produced on the side in that the wind pushes (it produces traction) and the inactive side.
The system is composed by panels formed by several inter dependents venetian blinds through an axis at 90° between the active side (in front of the wind to produce buoyancy) and the inactive side (back).
The venetian blinds of a same quadrant move simultaneously because they are interlinked through a belt. This belt transmits the rotating movement for the flagging and unflagging of the strips (Venetian) that compose the panels through a mechanical command, that, as the drawings, use the own rotation of the system (through gears, bearings, arms, etc) to make simultaneously (active and inactive side) the flagging and unflagging of the Venetian blinds that composes each panel to complete the course each ½ rotating cycle of 180°, in way to mechanically determine in a synchronized mode with the rotation of the group the position horizontal or vertical of the venetian blinds.
In that case the moment of verticalisation or flagging is not determined directly by the direction or pressure of the wind, because the wind that acts in the aerodynamic panels doesn't have the verticalisation function or to flag the system.
To compensate such problem in the way of the system verticalise and to flag the venetian blinds in function of the direction of the wind (because otherwise it would not work) the illustrations show a small rudder that when being rotated by the wind modifies the mechanical parameters to try synchronize the direction of the wind with the correct moment for the flagging and unflagging.
The rudder presented in the figures will only be capable to redirect the mechanical command for the flagging in a way to compensate changes in the direction of the wind in extremely small systems, in other words, this system would not assist for generation in wide scale and nor on large scale as in the helixes. Observe that a system with helixes of seventy meters of diameter is equal to an approximate load of 23 Tons owed own weight and wind buoyancy, and to be redirected when the wind changes of position, it needs a provided system of motor hydraulic or electric of great load, and never a rudder as this presented in the document EP0379626A1, that would not have capacity of force or load capable to compensate your positioning (correct instant to flag and unflagging) in relation to the change of the direction of the wind.
This system besides presenting the same deficiencies already described in the documents DE8701224 and WO2003/014565 regarding the interdependence among the venetian blinds with angle of 90°, (without declination angle) and aerodynamic chucks, own weigh of the venetian blinds that don't possess counter-balances, everything this is worsened by the attrition and weight of the mechanical system for flagging, and for a larger uncompass among the rotative movement of the venetian blinds for the flagging commanded mechanically, and that would have for the wind action, in addition this system doesn't foresee rotation control, it is not equipped with means for the approach or removal of the panels, it doesn't foresee a panels area variation system to the compensation complement of the wind speed alteration, it doesn't foresee brake to stop the system for maintenance, it doesn't allow flagging in windstorm case and can be esteemed that its acting is compared with the shells systems, with benefit around 18% of the traction force produced by the wind for transformation in rotational mechanical energy.
The solutions of this state of the art try to compensate such problem making the foils with materials of different weight, so that the superior part of the foil is lighter than the inferior part, however, this does with that when the foil has to be in the horizontal position, the inferior part being heavier demands a wind with larger force to leave it in the horizontal position and even altering the weight of the inferior and superior parts of the foils the problem becomes worse, therefore it still hinders more the flagging of the foils once, what determines the flagging are the resultants of the wind against and in favor of the flagging.
Another technical problem of this system for generation of energy in wide scale is given by the non existence of a control that moves away or approximates the boards to the main rotation axis to the effective control of the rotation that compensates the wind speed variations.
Based on the state of the art problems mentioned above, a new eolic converter was invented with unpublished characteristics to impel a system of electric power generation by the wind force, in the little, middle and wide scales versions. This system for its conception allows to expand in a gigantic way the area of winds force capture in a same tower, for possessing a structural resignation that will allow the enlargement almost that limitless of the wind force capture aerodynamic panels, with low construction (investment) cost if compared with the current standards used for generation of eolic energy; what will provide the obtaining of an energy with low production cost turning it competitive and still with smaller cost than in the conventional ways today used as hydroelectric, thermoelectrical, nuclear etc, being inverted like this the unfavorable situation in relation to the cost for the viability of the use of eolic energy that needs to be subsidized in a lot of regions or to obtain protected market. The system of the present invention possesses one index among 90 to 98% of the wind force for the transformation in energy rotational mechanical energy, varying this percentile with the wind speed, at the same time in that they are added to this high efficiency, which is much more relevant, the possibility to amplify in several levels of plates without limit for the size of the referred plates, what provides for an only propeller shaft the use of gigantic areas of reception of the winds force for rotate the same shaft, what will allow the use of this system with low values of winds speed. It is foreseen for embodiments of larger load control to provide an controlled and regulated potency output, as the usual in wide scale, free from variations, oscillations and noises, and, alternatively, in places whose the wind is insufficient in some periods, the project foresees a joining to the eolic system generator to a combustion motor with controlled injection, or in places that it already has offer of energy an electric engine will be bound instead of the combustion engine and this electric engine will always be rotating in the same axis of the energy generator, in way to avoid the energy consumption with the boot of this engine, and when the system no more to compensate the start of the failure of the rotation produced by the wind the electric engine will assume the propulsion of the generator in an imperceptible way for the consumer without any cut or oscillation in the energy, providing a hybrid system.
The present system doesn't need to be directed for the direction of the wind, because it traction in any direction of the wind force always rotating in the sense in that it was programmed to rotate, in addition this system also presents a device of safety against strong winds and storms, through the energizing of the located coils in the superior stoppers of the flagging position, that will maintain all of the panels in horizontal position by the electromagnet force.
The technique used in the reception of the eolic force it provides the rotation of a vertical axis, by the wind force when the wind beats in plane aerodynamic plates, which rotate in the horizontal sense describing circles. The aerodynamic surfaces don't use format of shells or helixes, and they are constituted by plates with plane surface with square or rectangular format, with despicable thickness and that are made with extremely light and resistant material against the wind pressures, or then made of heavier materials, being used in this case counterbalances in the panels so that the relative weight for the flagging continue small resulting in low losses for the flagging.
The rotative system possesses two different sides in relation to the wind direction; traction side where the panels receive the front wind, and they are in the vertical position supported in a stopper, what produces the buoyancy to rotate the vertical axis; and inactive side in which the panels through the wind force are put in horizontal (flagged), in way to oppose a smallest possible resistance to the wind contrary to the rotation sense for the maximum use of the buoyancy obtained in the traction side, and the resulting from this force to rotate the vertical axis will be the buoyancy force obtained in the traction side less the loss of that force for the flagging, what is considered as the efficiency of the traction panels. A small additional loss exists regarding the aerodynamic drag of the attack board of the flagged panel that varies among 1% to 3% depending on the dimensions of the capture aerodynamic panels.
The rotation sense of that system can be hourly or counterclockwise depending on which side (left or right) the stopper is programmed to maintain the panel in the vertical position when in front of the wind direction and flagged when it is back in relation to the sense of the wind direction. When the panel has the stopper in way to be in the vertical position on the left side in relation to the rotative mast the system will rotate in the hourly sense and when inverse it will rotate in the counterclockwise sense.
The plates (aerodynamic panels of wind capture) are supported in a horizontal structure that is part of the rotative set with the main mast through hinges or other device that it allows the plates to move in a quarter circle movement, where the hinges are fixed in the superior part of the plates and in a fixed horizontal shaft (for little scale systems), or threaded (for middle or large scale systems) with your turn controlled by a servo-motor, providing the possibility to move away or to approximate simetrically the aerodynamic plates of reception from the vertical main shaft to the rotational control of the variations of the wind speed. This system allows the aerodynamic plates to be arrested to the horizontal axis for several hinges in several points what provides the possibility to amplify the area of these plates without structural limits and at a manufacturing low cost, different from the systems where the winds capture area is monosupported, that besides the structural limitation request great investments for your production. When receiving the wind force in your front part the plates stay in the vertical position producing traction and when receiving the wind in your back part (back) the plates get up being in the almost horizontal position, (with small decline in way to avoid wind aerodynamic sustentation), that is, flagged, resulting in a minimum aerodynamic resistance. In this system the plates use 100% of the force of the winds for tractioning or to flag depending on the position in relation to the wind sense not having any interdependence axis between the traction and inactive panels (flagged) that can cause aerodynamic resistance produced by bursts, turbulences, or asymmetry of the wind force, reason of the high index of use of the wind force in this conception for the transformation in rotational mechanical energy that depends exclusively of a minimum consumption of this force for the flagging, that can be obtained using light or heavy materials, in the second case, with plates counterbalance system and of the wind speed.
Besides, this conception for the wind force capture, takes advantage of all of the horizontal effects of possible fast variations of the wind sense, as bursts or turbulences, etc, by not needing any setting type or repositioning by variations in the wind direction sense.
The rotational horizontal group is installed on a vertical structural tubular post (small scale system) or vertical structure for the sustentation of the rotative tubular system (large scale system that can be composed by several modules interlinked), which can contain several groups of horizontal aerodynamic plates disposed in the rotational vertical axis in variable angle and in several vertical levels to increase the final potency, whose sizing up of the number of groups by structure and the size of the aerodynamic surfaces of the plates will depend on the capacity of the requested energy what the system will be destined.
The rotational vertical shaft is fixed by bearings or slippery materials on the support structural post (Optionally can be used steel or concrete structures for the establishment of the cylindrical vertical hollow cover or rotative axis) fixed to the ground. In the external rotational vertical shaft (cover) to which the structures are fixed, whose system works on bearings and scouring pads fastened to a sustentation structural post can be elevate and fastened to the soil or to a elevated structures to catch less turbulent wind layers, having in their inferior extremity a gear system or pulleys that will be coupled with an electric power generator or another desirable rotational equipment. The diameter of the gears and/or pulleys with bigger and smaller size will be responsible by the multiplication factor of the number of rotations of the propeller shaft, and they will depend on the specifications and needs of the manufacturers of the generator that it be adopted, in way to obtaining the correct relationship with the wanted rotation medium.
To the generation of larger potency and better range of precision of the medium rotation, servo-motors will be used to move away or to approximate the aerodynamic plates from the rotation vertical shaft automatically, increasing or reducing the angular speed, in way to compensate the variations of the wind speed, as well as adding a inertial disk steering wheel with representative weight integrated to the largest gear in the base of the shaft increasing the inertia of the rotational movement.
When necessary, besides this control, the aerodynamic plates can have your capture areas increased or reduced to compensate the variations of great intensity in the wind speed, being used flexible materials in the plates that can be rolled up with steel guides through servo-engines, or rigid materials that will be able to rotate as Venetians blinds. This system capable to amplify or to reduce the aerodynamic plates areas during the operation doesn't exist in the other wind force capture modalities, helixes, shells and panels.
It will also be able to be used, optionally, an electro-magnetic motor bound to the same ratchet of steering wheel that moves the generator, with design and special reels, to complement the effective control of the rotation opposing resistance to the increase of the wanted rotation while sends a message to a control unit to the reposition, through the servo-motors, of the aerodynamic plates moving away them of the main shaft or inversely in case of fall of the speed of the winds approximating them of the main shaft, and additionally, also through servo-engines to increase or to reduce the capture aerodynamic plates area rolling up them or rotating them, moment in that the motor and the rotation control sensor won't carry out more the resistance function, and yes starting to impel, while the plates approach to the shaft, to avoid the fall of the rotation, using for that pre-loaded batteries, exclusive to assist the rotation control engine (starter electromagnetic motor with electromagnetic brake and accelerator), by the own way system to provide that the combustion motor only enters in operation in situations of longest accentuated failure of the wind force, as for instance above 3 minutes.
The present invention will be better understood through the detailed description of examples of embodiments of the invention and with base in the figures, however, these examples are not limitative of the invention.
FIG. 01—Superior perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 02—Inferior perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 03—Frontal view of the first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 04—Detail view of an aerodynamic plate of the first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 05—Detail view of the lateral of an aerodynamic plate of the first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 06—Top view of the first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 07—Top view of the first embodiment of the invention illustrating only one crossbar;
FIG. 08—Leaked frontal view of the first embodiment of the invention illustrating the displacement sense of the aerodynamic plates and the protect cover of the devices of energy generation linked to the steering wheel ratchet in the converter base of the illustrated in the
FIG. 09—Leaked frontal view of the base of the first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 9A—Detail view of the steering wheel;
FIG. 10—Leaked frontal view of the base of the first embodiment of the invention and the cylindrical vertical post illustrating its top;
FIG. 11—Superior perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 12—Inferior perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 13—Lateral view of the second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 14—Frontal view of the second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 15—Detail view of the aerodynamic plate of the second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 16—Leaked frontal view of the second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 17—Leaked lateral view of the second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 18—Top view of the second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 19—Leaked top view of the second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 20—Top view of one crossbar of the second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 21—Sectional cut frontal view of the second embodiment of the invention;
For better understanding of the present invention will be described below two possible embodiments, however, the invention is not limited to the drawings and embodiments presented below.
This first embodiment of the present invention is destined to the generation of energy in small and big scale, being your structure capable to reach great dimensions. Such configuration is characterized by have a winds pickup system that allows an use above 97% of the wind force for the transformation in rotational mechanical energy, at the same time in that are added to this great output the possibility to add several levels of plates without limit for the size of the referred plates, what provides for an propeller shaft the use of gigantic areas of reception of the winds force where are added the buoyancy produced by the several levels of plates in order to allow a great area of wind reception for rotate a shaft, even with low winds speeds. This system doesn't need to be put in the wind direction because it traction independently of the wind direction always rotating in the sense in that it was programmed to rotate, and it still have a device capable to control the rotation by minute of the cylindrical vertical hollow cover (1) through the approach and removal of the aerodynamic plates. This configuration is characterized by be endowed with a cylindrical vertical hollow cover (1); aerodynamic plates (2) with controlled angular and translational movement; structured horizontal arms (3); structural fastening cables (4); horizontal rotation shafts (5); translation servo-motors of aerodynamic plates (6); servo-motors (7) to roll up the panel reducing the wind capitation area, or then, to rotate the panel, also reducing the wind capitation area; flagging solenoid (8), that, when energized, they maintain the panels in your flagging position; aerodynamic plates shock absorber (9); steering wheel (10) endowed with a ratchet (50); steering wheel rack (11); generator bevel gear (12); RPM multiplier box (13); elastic coupling (14); alternating current generator (15); coupling hydraulic clutch with elastic glove (16); combustion motor (17); starter electromagnetic motor with electromagnetic brake and accelerator (18); rotation sensor (19); control and administration system central (20); surface bearings (21) and support bearings (22); a cylindrical vertical post (23), where the aerodynamic plates (2) are fixed to the horizontal shafts (5) in way to allow the plates to make a quarter of circle part movement and also translates in both senses of the extension of the horizontal shafts (5) maintaining the angular speed of the cover (1) constant, and the horizontal arms (3) are fixed to the cover (1) forming crossbars (24) and on each horizontal plan these crossbars (24) are arranged so that the angle among them is given by the division of the angle of 90° by the number of used crossbars counterbalance (49) used in cases where the plates possesses a significant weight in way to facilitate the flagging of this plates; ratchet (50), that prevents that the system rotates in just one sense; and traction stoppers (51), responsible by maintain the aerodynamic plates in the vertical position when these are being impelled by the force of the wind.
The cover (1) it is inserted in the top of the structural post (23) and sustained by surface bearings and support bearings (22) that allow the cover to rotate freely around the post with little resistance in your angular movement. The post (23) can be fixed directly to the ground through the conventional foundation techniques and infrastructure. As this converter system works with larger efficiency in altitudes where the winds are more uniform, the post of the converter and all your structure can be fixed on a construction, that elevates the converter until the ideal height of operation, in this way, is avoided the need of the construction of a post (23) and a cover (1) with the same size of the ideal height of operation, for example, if a place possesses your homogeneous winds to a height of 100 meters, then, the converter can be fixed in a construction of 50 meters and the post (23) and the cover (1) they can have a height of approximately 50 meters, instead of 100 meters, what would turn the structure of the converter onerous.
The aerodynamic plates (2) are connected to the horizontal rotation shafts (5) through thread supports (25) that allow the translation of the plates (2) in both directions of the shafts (5) through the drive of the translation servo-motors (6) and the rotation of the plates (2), that on receive the wind force in their front part these maintain in the vertical position, sustained by the aerodynamic plates shock absorber (9), producing impulse to the horizontal arms (3) rotating the cover (1), and when the aerodynamic plates (2) receive the wind in your back parts (back) they get up being almost in the horizontal position (flagged), sustained by the stoppers (46), executing a quarter part of circle movement. The aerodynamic plates (2) are plane and laminated facilitating your displacement for the force of the wind in the moment of flagging or coming back to the vertical position to impel the horizontal arms (3) and by consequence to rotate the cover (1), that rotates the inertial load steering wheel (10) that transmits the rotation to the generator bevel gear (12) connected to the steering wheel rack (11). In this way, the horizontal rotation of the plates (2) provoked by the winds is transmitted to the generator (15) that receives this rotation already properly increased by the RPM multiplier box (13) in agreement with the characteristics of the alternating current generator (15). The connection among the RPM multiplier box (13) and the generator (15) happens through an elastic coupling (14) that allows the transmission of the rotation to the generator (15) without causing damages to your rotor shaft of the generator. Linked to the same generator rotor shaft, however, in the other extremity of the generator (15), it is connected to a combustion motor (17) through a coupling hydraulic clutch with elastic glove (16). This clutch (16) is worked by the control and administration system central (20) in moments where there are an absence of winds, very weak winds or moments of way storms to maintain the rotation of the generator (15) constant. However, before the combustion motor (17) be started the system starts a electromagnetic motor (18) in order to maintain the converter rotating constantly. The electromagnetic motor (18) also exercises the brake function when it is necessary to stop the equipment for maintenance. Only if the time in that the situation of the wind is out of the normal, above a pre-determined period, it is that, then, the combustion motor (17) will be started and the electromagnetic motor (18) turned off.
The aerodynamic plates (2) can be made of metallic materials, plastics, synthetic fibers, or woven light, resistant to the water and the weather effects, or any other material with such way characteristics they resist against force of the winds.
The aerodynamic plates (2) possess a made rigid frame of a light material, just as metals, metallic leagues, aluminum, carbon fiber, iron, steel, or plastics to maintain the rigid plates in your form glide when these are under the pressure of the winds.
The frames of the aerodynamic plates (2) can be endowed with an aerodynamic plates rolling up system, where the aerodynamic plates (2), made with flexible material it is collected by a bascule or guard servo-motor of the aerodynamic plates in an axis worked by servo-motors (7). Such system seeks the wind force capture area decrease working as one more device to control the rotation of the eolic converter. Another possible way to reduce the wind capture area of the plates is the confection of this plates with rigid foils in structure with Venetian blades inclinable by servo-motors (7), that when they be worked, rotate the foils reducing the buoyancy when necessary (reduction of the wind capture area) or inversely increasing the buoyancy in the case of failure of the speed of the wind in the aerodynamic plates (2).
The aerodynamic plates (2), belonging to a horizontal arm (3) of sustentation and in moments of windstorm or storm, solenoids (50) fastened in the extremities of the stoppers (46) are energized creating a magnetic field capable to maintain the aerodynamic boards in your flagging position avoiding that the plates (2) and the converter are damaged.
The horizontal shafts (5) possess thread in form of endless screw and they are connected to the translation servo-motors (6) that rotate the horizontal shafts (5) in the hourly and counterclockwise sense moving away or approximating the aerodynamic plates (2) from the cover (1) maintaining the angular speed of the inertial load steering wheel (10), and consequently, the speed of the generator (15) constant.
The horizontal arms (3), pensil type, self-sustained, are tubular and with the structure in trellis and connected to the cover (1). The horizontal arms (3) can also be sustained by steel cables arrested among the extremities of the arms (3) and the cover (1) sparing the trellis structure. The horizontal arms (3) are interlinked to each other through steel cables (4) giving larger rigidity and stability to the group of arms (3) in a same plan that forms crossbars (24).
The traction stoppers (51) and stoppers (46) are endowed with shock absorber (9) that soften the impact of the aerodynamic plates (2) in that stoppers without damaging them.
The cylindrical cover (1) is endowed with a inertial load steering wheel (10) in your inferior extremity. The inertial load steering wheel (10) have a rack (11) for transmission to the generator bevel gear (12) of the RPM multiplier box (13) and to the bevel gear of the electromagnetic motor (18) for control of the rotation and of the departure. This steering wheel (10) is assembled on a ratchet (50) that impedes that the converter is impelled by the combustion or electric emergency engine in the moments that there is fault of the wind.
The alternating current generator (15) generates a constant exit and with absence of flotation of the cycle and, consequently, absence of noises in function of the constant rotation of the cover (1) proportioned by the control of the distance of the aerodynamic plates (2) from the cover (1) and/or by the control of the wind force capture area of the aerodynamic plates (2) and/or of the control of the inclination of the plates (2) and also of the electromagnetic motor (18) controller.
The converter is endowed with a combustion motor (17) to maintain the rotation of the generator (15) constant in cases of weak wind or windstorms and storms, or, in substitution to the combustion motor, being used the energy of the existent electric net.
The electromagnetic motor (18) is responsible for removing the system of the inertia in the moment of giving the departure of the converter in the case that the momentary wind is not strong enough to impel the converter. Such motor (18) also seeks auxiliary too in the control of the constant rotation of the cover (1) when used as magnetic brake increasing or reducing the load on the inertial load steering wheel (10) or traction to not leaving that the rotation suffer reduction. This motor is also used to brakes the converter (simultaneously with the flagging of all aerodynamic plates) until that stops to allow the maintenance.
A rotation sensor (19) monitors the rotation of the inertial load steering wheel (10) serving as parameter for the control of the constant speed of the generator (15) guaranteeing an exit of energy inside with the cycle of the desirable patterns.
The management of the converter is executed by a control and administration system central (20) that administers the energy generated by the generator (15) maintaining your constant exit through the drive of the motors (6), (7), (17) and/or (18) with base in the feedback of the information of the momentary of the rotation sensor (19) of the cycle, of the tension and of the exit current momentary of the generator (15). In spite of not cultured in the FIGURE, they are foreseen sensor of current and tension in the exit of the generator (15), as well as an anemometer with sensors that constantly analyze the wind speed informs to the CPU that manages the whole system.
The located devices in the base of the converter for generation and administration of the generated energy are protected by a covering that impedes that such devices are reached by rain and sun.
On this second embodiment of the eolic converter, destined to the illumination of coastal areas and small communities, it is characterized by possessing a system of pickup of the winds that allows an use among 90 and 98% of this force for the transformation in rotational mechanical energy, at the same time in that they are added to this high efficiency the possibility to add several levels of plates, this system doesn't need to be oriented for the direction of the wind, because the converter traction independent of the direction of the wind, always rotating in the sense in that was programmed to rotate.
This converter is endowed with a cylindrical vertical post (23); plane aerodynamic plates (2); horizontal shafts (26); an rotational vertical shaft (27); rotational group bearings (28) of the group rotational; rotational vertical shaft bearings (29); pulleys (30) (31) (32) (33); continuous current generator (34); control circuit (35); brightness sensor (36); reactor (37; batteries (38); conduit wire (39); lamps (40), fixation post base (41); a fixation post base cover (42); a rotational group (43) where the aerodynamic plates (2) are fixed through hinges (44) to the horizontal shafts (26) so that a side of the hinges (44) it is fixed in the inferior part of the horizontal shafts (26) and the other side of the hinges (44) is fixed in the superior part of the plates (2), and the horizontal shafts (26) are fixed to the rotational group (43) forming crossbars (45) and to each horizontal plan they are willing these crossbars so that the angle among them is given by the division of the angle of 90° by the number of used crossbars.
In the present embodiment the rotational group (43) can be endowed with four or more crossbars (45), what results in an angle of 22.5° among the crossbars, when endowed with four levels of crossbars or smaller when endowed with more than four crossbars, where the angle is given by the division of the angle of 90° by the number of crossbars.
The rotational group (43) is inserted in the top of the post (23) and sustained by rotational group bearings (28) doing in the way that it rotates with freedom around the post.
The horizontal shafts (26) are endowed with stoppers (46) of two pieces that form an angle of 80° to each other, so that one of the pieces form 90° with the horizontal shaft (26) allowing that the plates (2) when receive the front wind they be supported maintaining their vertical position, offering like this the maximum surface contact with the wind taking advantage of the eolic force. The other peace makes an angle of 10° degrees with the horizontal shafts (26) so that when the wind beats in the back of the aerodynamic plate (2) this is in the almost horizontal position, and the angle of 10° allows that when the plate comes back to be reached by the wind, in front, this quickly lower returning to the vertical position impelling the rotational group.
The stoppers (46), in the part in that make contact with the plates (2), are covered with absorbent material in a way to soften the impact among the plates (2) and the stoppers (46) preserving the integrity of the plates (2).
The aerodynamic plates (2) are plane and of despicable thickness, compared to your width and length, and made of metallic materials, plastics, synthetic fibers, or woven resistant to the water and the bad weather to offer great resistance to the wind when it reaches them in their front. By virtue of your low weight the plates (2) are easily lifted up when the wind reaches them behind. The thickness of the plates is despicable.
The aerodynamic plates (2) can have a rigid frame made of a light material, just as aluminum, carbon fiber, plastic or similar materials with characteristics of high resistance and low weight.
The post (2) is fixed in the fixation post base (41) through it welds in the reinforcement ring (47). The fixation post base (41) is formed by four tubular supports and a reinforcement ring (47) that ties the supports to each other making an angle of 90° among them.
The tubular supports have a knee with an angle that can vary between 20° and 45° depending on the base size to be built.
The rotational vertical shaft (27) extends from the top of the post (23) even after the base of the post leaning on in the inferior plate (48), and in each extremity of the rotational vertical shaft (27) is a bearing (29). These bearings are responsible for the free rotation of the rotational vertical shaft (27). A pulley (30) is fixed in the inferior extremity of the rotational vertical shaft (27) that transmits the rotation to the smaller transmission pulley (31). In the same shaft of the pulley (31) is the larger transmission pulley (32) that transmits the rotation to the generator pulley (33). Where exists pulleys, these can be substituted by gears, that have the function of increase of the rotation.
The generator (34) adopted in this configuration it can be of the continuous average type or alternator.
The energy generated by the continuous current generator (34) is administered by a control circuit (35) that is connected with the continuous current generator (34), with the brightness sensor (36), with the reactor (37), and with the batteries (38) sending and receiving energy, and connected with the lamps (40) just sending energy. These batteries are dimensioned in agreement with the characteristics of the regime of the winds of the place where the converter will be installed, could be dimensioned to supply the absence of winds for one hour or more.
A conduit wire (39) is willing in the internal wall of the post (23) linking the reactor (37) to the lamps (40).
Once installed, the eolic CONVERTER begins to work in the presence of wind, that when beats in the plates (2) on the side A (see
The rotational group (43) rotates leaning in the bearings and transmits the rotation to the rotational vertical shaft (27), that through the pulleys (30), (31), (32), and (33) it transmits the rotation to the continuous current generator (34) of continuous current that generates the electric power then. This energy is then last to the control circuit (35) that verifies the status of the brightness sensor (36). If the sensor informs that the brightness expresses it is low, in other words, it is at night or very cloudy, then the control circuit addresses the electric power to the reactor (37) that elevates the tension to be transmitted for the lamps (40). Otherwise, the control circuit (35) it addresses the electric power for the batteries (38) in a way to maintain them loaded. The control circuit (35) monitors the level of load of the batteries (38), and when it verifies that these are loaded, it cuts the supply of energy avoiding overloads and the premature waste of the batteries (38). In case the sensor indicates that the brightness is low, but the generator is not generating energy for wind lack, then the control circuit addresses the energy of the batteries (38) to the reactor (37) that turns on the lamps (40). The generated energy can be used to feed other systems, just as a residences, little communities, etc.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PI0505380-3 | Dec 2005 | BR | national |
| PI0605878-7 | Nov 2006 | BR | national |
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of International Application PCT/BR2006/000260, filed Dec. 5, 2007 and claims priority to said International Application under 35 USC §120. The present application also claims priority through said International Application under 35 USC §119 (a-d) of Brazilian Application No. PI0505380-3 filed Dec. 5, 2005 and PI0605878-7 filed Nov. 28, 2006. The contents of each of the above applications is incorporated in their entirety by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/BR2006/000260 | Dec 2007 | US |
| Child | 12071595 | US |
