Patent Application
20090102197
This application claims foreign priority based on Spanish Application Serial No. 200702751, filed on Oct. 19, 2007, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric power generator from wind energy by a wind turbine moving an electric generator. More particularly, the turbine is complemented with a series of photovoltaic panels which also generate electric current, such that when there is not enough wind to move the wind turbine the photovoltaic panels are oriented to the sun so that they carry out their function.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are currently several models of wind generators, both horizontal-axis and vertical-axis generators. Horizontal-axis generators are the most known. They have a large mast at the upper part of which the actual generator is assembled, which generator is moved by three large blades or vanes. These type of wind generators have a great environmental impact, especially a visual impact, and do not admit a mixed capturing system since the use of solar panels at this height would not be operative, neither would it be feasible to suitably orient them to the sun.
In the patent literature there are precedents of an attempt to conjugate both technologies in one and the same machine, but the practical results have not come to fruition. It is supposed that the main problem is the necessary change of philosophy in the wind generator so that it can coexist together with photovoltaic plates.
Despite the greater environmental impact, wind generators are more productive than photovoltaic plates. An attempt will therefore be made to give priority to the use of this machine, initially a mixed machine, as a wind generator and to only use it making the maximum use of the solar plates, orienting them to the sun, when there is not enough wind so as to move the wind generator.
This generator is assembled on a concrete base on which a platform is rotated according to a vertical axis, on which there is assembled a support structure for supporting the horizontal shaft of a wind turbine, which moves an electric generator. The rotating platform of the base is oriented by virtue of an electronic control device connected to a wind vane determining the direction of the wind.
This turbine is formed by several blades with a crescent-shaped profile, the cavity of which faces the wind to achieve its rotation. To improve its operation, the placement of respective plates or panels in the direction of entrance or attack of the wind has been provided, a lowerable upper plate or panel and another lower plate or panel which is fixed and inclined in a slope closing the lower area of the turbine, forming between both a funnel orienting the air towards the upper area of the turbine, in which the blades are located in a driving direction, the lower area in which the blades return with the convex face in that direction being protected. The upper plate is articulated in the area located above the turbine, being located in an upwardly open position upwards the air conditions are minimal for the purpose of favoring the operation of the wind turbine. Nevertheless, when the wind conditions are greater and the machine has reached the maximum power regimen, this plate is located horizontally or is downwardly inclined, closing the air inlet to the turbine in order to not force the machine when the wind reaches excessive speeds.
According to the invention, the plates which allow orienting the air into the turbine, both at the lower and the upper part, are formed by photovoltaic plates. The upper plate rotates on an axis and its position, when there is enough wind to drive the wind turbine, as has been explained above, depends on the speed of the wind. However, when the wind does not reach a sufficient speed to drive the turbine, this plate is downwardly or horizontally inclined such that it is located perpendicular to the sun, a task for which a solar tracker which also orients the lower rotating platform, is responsible. When the wind again reaches the pre-calculated minimum force for the correct operation of the wind turbine, the upper plate returns to an open position and the orientation of the platform becomes that in which the turbine faces the wind, as has already been indicated above.
Initially, two photovoltaic plates articulated in a horizontal shaft have been provided: a rear plate and a front plate with respect to the turbine, the front plate acting such that it controls the opening of air towards it as has been explained above and thus, when it is operating, the turbine adopts a horizontal or slightly downwardly inclined upwardly open position, and when the machine operates as a photovoltaic generator it is suitably inclined at an angle marked by the solar tracker of the machine; in such circumstances the rear plate is placed as an extension of the latter, forming as a whole a continuous surface. When the machine adopts a protective position due to excessive wind, the front plate is inclined until abutting against the lower fixed lower plate, thus closing the air inlet duct in the turbine.
To prevent the deterioration of the machine in the event of a gale or strong wind, it has been provided that the mentioned electronic control device orients it with the inlet duct to the turbine in favor of the direction of the wind, but with the upper plates downwardly inclined, such that they close the air inlet duct, deflecting it upwards.
Another possible action to protect the machine in the event of a very strong wind consists of arranging a rear deflector, located at the lower part of the wind turbine, which would face the wind when it reaches a speed greater than an established limit, as in this position the blades of said turbine are located in a position opposite to the wind, it would not have negative effects on it. In these circumstances the solar plates can be horizontally placed so that they do not affect the wind either positively or negatively, or also in a rear position, closing the upper part of the turbine, which in such circumstances would be completely protected from the wind, as in the case set forth in the previous paragraph.
The visual impact of this machine is considerably smaller than that of a conventional wind generator, since it can reach at most ⅓ of its height. The fact that electric power is also obtained from the photovoltaic panels which it incorporates in wind absence conditions, which normally occur in summer, considerably improves the efficiency of this machine with respect to conventional machines.
To complement the description which is being made and with the aim of facilitating the understanding of the features of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to this specification, in which the following has been shown with an illustrative and non-limiting character:
As can be observed in the referenced figures, the generator object of the present invention is assembled on a concrete structure (11), at the upper part of which it has a rotating platform (2) rotating on a vertical axis (1) by virtue of a geared motor (15) which is commanded by an electronic device. This platform (2) has thereon a support structure (3) for supporting a horizontal shaft (4) of a wind turbine (5), formed by several radial blades (6) which are located facing the wind when the platform (2) rotates freely.
The blades (6) forming the turbine (5) are elongated plates with a crescent-shaped profile. All of them are placed in the same position following a rotational direction, such that those located at the upper part face the wind with the concave shape, whereas those located at the lower area show the convex area. To achieve an optimal operation of this turbine, the platform (2) is rotated until locating the blades of the turbine (5) in the direction of entrance or attack of the wind. In this area there are located respective plates or panels: a lower plate or panel (7) which is fixed and inclined in a slope, closing the lower area of the turbine (5) and another upper plate or panel (8) which in an operative position is located upwardly open as shown in
When there is not enough wind to move the wind turbine (5), the machine operates as a photovoltaic generator, for this purpose the plate (8) closing the. turbine above is a solar panel which is articulated in a shaft (9), in which a second solar plate (10) is also articulated, which second solar plate has below a deflector (14) serving as guide to the outlet air of the turbine. These plates (8, 10) are respectively supported by respective ties (12, 13) which allow varying their inclination such that when the machine works as a wind generator (see
Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention as well as a preferred embodiment, it is stated for the relevant purposes that the materials, shape, size and arrangement of the described elements can be modified, provided that this does not involve an alteration of the essential features of the invention which are claimed below.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200702751 | Oct 2007 | ES | national |
