Turbulence reduction around magnus rotors

Abstract

A wind energy conversion machine using a Magnus Rotor to generate force from the wind. A Magnus Rotor is mounted atop special support structure which is far enough away from the surface of the Magnus Rotor to minimize air turbulence around the Rotor. In one embodiment Rotors are mounted on a long horizontal rod supported by a vertical pole on either end. The poles themselves are mounted on a pivot so the Magnus Rotors are faced to the wind. In a second embodiment Magnus Rotors are concentric in their axes with the axis of the supporting pole. The rotors are made to spin in opposite directions and the pole made to swing 5-20 degrees on a fulcrum. First one rotor is shielded from the wind so the pole is swung one way, then the other rotor is shielded so the pole is swung the other way. The movement of the pole in either direction operates an electric generator.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

a. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a wind energy conversion device and more specifically one powered with Magnus Rotors.

b. Description of the Prior Art

Air pressure at the earth's surface is 14.7 lbs./sq. inch. This is about a metric ton/sq. foot. So a cubic foot of air weighs about a metric ton. If this cubic ft. of air is made to move 10 miles/hour the the power developed is over 56 horsepower. So theoretically wind energy can supply all of man's energy needs. There has been some progress in extracting this energy. In order to do so at 100% efficiency a perfect vacuum must be somehow contrasted with normal air pressure in close proximetry to each other. Airfoils are used to cause a mild pressure difference which is enough to lift aircraft, and in the form of a propeller to spin wind turbines to produce electricity. Wind turbine efficiency is severely limited since a great deal of the wind energy blows through the propeller arc without affecting performance. Sails have been tried (see U.S. Pat. No. 7,157,805 to Mooring) and this is a step forward since all the kinetic energy of the wind may be processed by the device. Mooring points out the wind is forever changed in its speed. He mounts a Square rigged sail on a pole which serves as a long lever. as the sail is made to swing back and forth by the wind the lever is made to operate gears and springs to operate an electric generator. But the problem remains to increase as much as possible the coefficient of drag and/or lift so more power can be produced over the same frontal area of whatever shaped energy collector is atop the pole.

A Magnus Rotor is a spinning cylinder. If it is spun so the peripheral velocity is the speed of sound then air pressure next to the cylinder drops to zero. Spun in a wind the air is sped up on one side of the cylinder and retarded on the opposite side so the cylinder is drawn towards the vacuum created by the spinning, which is called lift, and pushed on the cylinder's opposite side towards the vacuum.

According to Flettner (U.S. Pat. No. 1,674,169) and specifically claims 20-24 and FIGS. 27,28 we see a wind machine with airfoil blades replaced by Magnus Rotors. In the Figures we see the plane of the rotors tilted backwards. This is so a rotor does not come too close to the pole as a rotor is made to swing past this supporting pole.

Turning to Hanson (U.S. Pat. No. 4,366,386) We see in FIG. 1 an arrangement where the Magnus Rotors are located behind the pole in relation to wind direction. This feature is to reduce the effect of turbulence from air passing by the pole onto the Magnus Rotors.

In Holland (U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,013 which is based on experiments done by Holland under U.S. Dept. of Energy grant FG46-79R610969 issued June 1981, various relevant conclusions were reached:

1. end plates fixedly attached to the Rotor and larger in diameter Than the Rotor itself and were spun at the same velocity as the Rotor were ineffective in reducing induced drag on the end surfaces of the Rotor. see columns 27,28.

2. Designing a Rotor which is made to spin rapidly and at the same time be made to whirl around a central hub rapidly, produces singular drag problems.

Other problems were recognised in the Holland experiments and dealt with in designing the present invention.

In Mooring (U.S. Pat. No. 7,157,805) we see a sail mounted on an upright pole. This pole is made to swing back and forth according to the gutting of the wind. As the pole is made to swing around a fulcrum at the bottom of the pole, gears and springs cause a generator to be operated, generating electricity. Mooring points out the wind is forever changing its velocity. But the problem remains to increase as much as possible the coefficient of drag and lift so more power can be produced over the same frontal area of whatever shape of energy collector is atop the pole.

Sails have another advantage over a propeller in that solar cells can be spread over them to generate more electricity. See eg. U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,341 to Newman. This extra electricity can be used to operate Magnus Rotors of this invention. Flettner, Hanson, and Holland have their Magnus Rotor's external skin passing close to their supporting poles, cutting down on the possible velocity at which the Magnus Rotor can be revolved. The faster the Rotor is turned the more power can be developed by their inventions.

The lift force developed by a Magnus Rotor is shown by the Kutta-Joukowski Lift Theorem: F=(rho)BU(gamma) in which:

F=the lift force developed, in pounds,(rho)=the specific weight of air,B=the length of the rotor, in feet,U=the wind velocity, in feet/second, and(gamma)=the value of the circulation (2piRn/60) (2piR) in sq.ft./sec. in which 2piR is the rotor circumference and n=revolutions per minute

It is the principal object of this invention to keep the external skin of a Magnus Rotor as far away from the support structure as is practical to maximize power output of an operatively connected wind energy conversion machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Magnus Rotors are mounted atop a pole, with their driving motors. These Rotors, in the First Preferred Embodiment are located so their external skin is made to surround the supporting pole. The pole serves as a lever which is made to operate a mechanical transmission which in turn is made to operate an electric generator. The rotors are made to spin in opposite directions and the pole is allowed to swing only 5 degrees from upright. As the pole's travel is ended in one direction a shield is moved to uncover the other Rotor and shield the first Rotor from the wind, forcing the pole to reverse its direction and further generate more electricity.

In a Second Preferred Embodiment two poles are used, rotateable about a single pivot and standing vertically. On the upper ends of these poles are a shaft suspended between them. This shaft serves as a hub around which are mounted Magnus Rotors. A gear mechanism transmits the energy of the rotating shaft to an electric generator located at ground level.

In both Preferred Embodiments the mass of the pole or poles is aerodynamically eliminated as a cause of turbulence around the surface of the Magnus Rotors used by the invention.

The attainment of the foregoing and related objects, advantages and features of the invention should be more readily apparent to those skilled in the art after review of the following more detailed description of the invention, taken together with the drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Magnus Rotors and basic aerodynamic structures of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the First Preferred Embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the Second Preferred Embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning to FIG. 1 we see a structure common to both Preferred Embodiments. Telescoped around pole 3 are pipes 4,5. To pole 3 are attached aerodynamic fences 6,7,8, and 9. To these fences are fixedly attached tails 6a, 7a and 8a. Fixed to fences 6,7,8 and 9 and pipes 4,5 are thrust bearings 17,17a 17b and 17c to which are affixed Magnus Rotors 1,2 so these Rotors may be revolved with pipes 4,5. These Rotors are activated by motors 11,11a fixedly attached to pole 3 through shafts 13,13a which are operationaly connected to Magnus Rotors 1,2 by pullies 14,14a, belts 15,15a and also pullies 16,16a which are fixedly attached to pipes 4,5. Container 7a is fixedly attached between fences 7,8 and is fit around motors 11,11a to protect them from the weather. It is streamlined in shape in the same direction as tails 6a,8a and fences 6,7,8, and 9.

First Preferred Embodiment

Turning to FIG. 2 we see the structure of FIG. 1 mounted on pole 3. Near the bottom of pole 3 a pivot rod 31 is extended through-pole 3 and is supported by brackets 30 rested on support 32. This support in turn is rested on pivot 33 which is made to lie below ground. The pivot point is made to rest on metal surface 33b and is encased by tube 33a loosly enough so pivot 33, pole 3, fences 6,7,8,9 and tails 6a,7a,8a and fixedly attached support 32 may act as a weathervane.

Gear support 23 is fixedly attached to pole 3 above pivot rod 31. Gear rack 24 is fixedly attached to the underside of gear support 23. Spur gear 26 is made to mesh with gear rack 24 and is connected by shaft 25 to speed changer 27. Electric generator 29 is also connected by shaft 28 to speed changer 27.

Motors 11,11a are fixedly attached to motor support 3c. The assembly of FIG. 1 may be formed to slide up and down pole 3 or poles 3a,b by affixing motors 11,11a to a separate support parallel to pole 3 or poles 3a,b (not shown) by means of a pulley atop the pole or poles with a cable from the separate support run through the pulley and to the ground.

Air shield 18 is restrained by runners 19a,b and is operated by cables 43a,b which suspend air shield 18 and are made to travel through pulleys 21a,b respectively and then to motors 22a,b which are spooled. Pulleys 21a,b are suspended from bar 20 at the top of pole 3.

Within pole 3 is a sealed bubble of hydrogen (not shown) to offset the weight of pole 3 and all the equipment attached to it.

In operation motors 11,11a cause Magnus Rotors 1,2 to spin in Opposite directions. Air shield 18 is raised or lowered to cover the surface of either Rotor. Due to the Magnus Effect, in a wind pole 3 is made to sway one way or the other about pivot rod 31. This motion is restrained by stops 45a,b. When pole 3 touches either of these stops air shield 18 is made to cover the other spinning rotor to reverse the motion of pole 3 about pivot rod 31. Air shield 18 is moved through the agency of cables 43a,b, Pole 3 is turned about pivot 33 as wind blows past tails 6a,7a, and 8a if they are made large enough. Otherwise instruments detecting wind velocity can feed information to a central processing unit which can in turn be made to operate a motor to revolve pole 3 so tails 6a,7a and 8a are downwind. Pole 3 may be thrown 20 degrees out of vertical and the presence of a hydrogen chamber within pole insures that the weight of pole 3 and its attachments will not be a factor in determining the electrical power output of the invention.

As pole 3 is made to swing back and forth about pivot rod 31 the movement of gear rack 24 revolves spur gear 26 and thus electrical generator 29. Pole 3 should be designed to arc slowly, which accounts for the presence of speed changer 27 located between spur gear 26 and generator 29. Torque on spur gear 26 has proven to be high so even several speed changers may be used.

Second Preferred Embodiment

Turning to FIG. 3, those parts of the First Preferred Embodiment which serve the same functions as in this Preferred Embodiment are numbered the same.

Support 32 is formed as a long square pipe resting on pivot 33. Rested on each end of support 32 are square pipes 35a,b placed normal to support 32. Rising vertically from each end of support 32 are poles 3a,b. A round rod 37 is supported by the tops of poles 3a,b by ball bearing mounts 46a,b. Round rod 37 is therefor parallel to support 32. Fixedly attached to round rod 37 is motor support 44a to which are attached Magnus Rotors 1,2 and the fixedly attached tail and fence structures, 6,6a,7,7a,8,8a and 9 so these assemblies will be revolved with round rod 37. Mounted axially on round rod 37 is bevel gear 38. Meshed with bevel gear 38 is a second bevel gear 39. Mounted axially to bevel gear 39 is shaft 40 which is extended to operatively connect with speed changer 27 which is rested and bolted to support 32. Brackets 41,42 restrain movement of shaft 40 and tie shaft 40 to pole 3a. Speed changer 27 is operatively connected to electric generator 29 by shaft 28. Cables 36a,b,c,d restrain movement of poles 3a,b and are connected from the tops of poles 3a,b to the far ends of square pipes 35,35a. Tail 47 serves as a weathervane.

In operation, as wind blows past Magnus Rotors 1,2 and tails 6a,7a, and 8a and these Rotors are spun, round rod 37 is revolved and the presence of speed changer 27 in the power transmission apparatus 38,39,28 insures that this revolving will be at a slow rate to reduce stresses on the Rotor assemblies. Round rod 37 will be long so turbulence from air passing poles 3a,b will have minimal effect on Rotors 1,2. Likewise, in the First Preferred Embodiment the location of pole 3 within Magnus Rotors 1,2 insures a minimum of turbulence about the Rotors.

In both Embodiments the location of tails 6a,8a insures an increase in desired lift force on poles 3,3a and 3b.

From the above description it is apparent that the preferred embodiments acheive the object of the invention. The above embodiments of the invention are provided purely as examples. Many other variations, modifications and applications of the invention may be made. These are considered to be equivalent and within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. a wind energy conversion machine comprising: a. at least one magnus rotor means, andb. structure means for reducing air turbulence around said magnus rotor means selected from the group of(1). a long rod means serving as a hub around which said magnus rotor may spin, said rod means suspended on both ends by vertical poles and pivot means to pivot said rod means so wind may be made to blow along the length of said rod means and against the peripheral surface of said magnus rotor, and(b). pole means located as the axis around which said magnus rotor means may be spun, said pole means mounted on a pivot means, so said pole means cannot create turbulence around the surface of said magnus rotor means,c. an electric generator means, andan energy transmission means operatively connected to said magnus rotor means and said electric generator,so as said magnus rotor means is operated in a wind then electrical energy is produced.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said magnus rotor means further includes aerodynamic tails located on the side of said rotor furthest from oncoming wind and fixedly attached to upper and lower endplates of said magnus rotor, said tails and endplates made to weathervane around the axis of said pole.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said pole means further includes a chamber within said pole means filled with hydrogen so the weight of said pole means and all parts of the invention connected to said pole means is offset whenever said pole means and said connected parts are forced out of a vertical position.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said energy transmission means further includes: a, a first bevel gear mounted concentrically around said rod means,b. a second bevel gear mounted parallel to a pole means so said first and second bevel gears mesh,c. a transmission shaft extended from said second bevel gear to a speed changer so said second bevel gear is operatively connected to said speed changer, andd. a shaft operatively connecting said speed changer and an electrical generator,so as said said rod means is revolved electrical energy is produced.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said energy transmission means further includes: a. a pole mounted on a fulcrum fixedly attached to a pivot around which said pole may be rotated around its axis,b. a gear rack fixedly attached to said pole and located in a position normal to said pole's axis,c. a spur gear made to mesh with said gear rack, andd. a speed changer operatively connected to said spur gear and to an electric generator,said spur gear, speed changer and electrical generator being fixedly attached to said pivotso as said pole is made to rotate about said fulcrum back and forth, electrical energy will be produced.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said magnus rotor means further includes a field of solar cells spread over the peripheral surface of said rotor.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said magnus rotor means further includes a transfer means for raising and lowering said magnus rotor means on said pole means.