Patent Application
20210262444
Traditional windmills have multiple blades mounted on a center shaft, the shaft is coupled to a gearbox, and the gearbox is coupled to a generator. The blades are turned at an angle to deflect the wind that comes in contact with them. The movement of the wind across the blades forces the shaft to rotate and the generator produces electricity. These windmills are less efficient than wind towers because they only harness the wind that comes in contact with the blades. The wind towers of the present invention are much more efficient than traditional windmills because they have side wind walls attached to one or more generator towers as well as vent structures that serve to funnel wind creating a wind induction effect. In particular, the orientation of the walls and the vents guides the wind into the lower half of the turbines while blocking the wind from the upper half of the turbines allowing them to rotate with less resistance. Funneling the wind creates a high-pressure area at the front of the wind tower, and a low-pressure area behind the wind tower resulting in the air being drawn through the turbines faster than the surrounding wind speed. In certain embodiments, a top wind wall can also be included that further aids in the wind funneling effect.
In larger embodiments, the wind towers are much more efficient than traditional windmills because they are essentially a wall made up of generator towers, vents and turbines. All of the wind that comes in contact with the wind tower is directed by the generator towers and vents into the lower half of the turbines while blocking the upper half of the turbines allowing them to rotate with less resistance.
A wind-powered electrical generation system is disclosed. The system includes a base, a first generator tower having at least one generator bay, a second generator tower having at least one generator bay and a wind tower. The wind tower includes one or more vents, each having a top wall, a bottom wall, a first sloped side wall, a second sloped side wall and a back opening. The sloped side walls are the external walls of the first and second generator towers. A turbine is positioned proximate to the back opening of the vent and is in mechanical communication with a first and second electrical generator. The first electrical generator is located inside the first generator bay and the second electrical generator is located inside the second generator bay. Two wind walls adjacent to the sloped side walls of the vent are also included.
In certain embodiments, a cap vent is also featured. The cap vent has a top wall, sloped side walls and a bottom wall. The cap vent top wall has a downward angular orientation. The cap vent can also include wind walls coupled to its sides. Base can include an inner base and an outer base. In certain embodiments, the inner base includes a cement pad; two base beams coupled to the cement pad; an upward oriented shaft positioned substantially at a central intersection point between the first and second base beams. Above the base beams are an upper side beam pivotally connected to the upward oriented shaft. An upper front beam can also be pivotally connected to the upward oriented shaft and above the base beams. Hydraulic rams connecting the upper side beams to the base beams allows the wind tower to be optimally positioned for receiving wind. Rollers such as casters can be included near the ends of the side beam as well as near the ends of the front and back upper beams such that actuation of the hydraulic rams cause the upper side beam to rotate around to the center shaft.
Referring to
Referring to
Vents 104 generally include a top wall 108, two sloped sidewalls 110 and a sloped bottom wall 112. These surfaces 108, 110, 112 all serve to capture the wind and direct it more effectively toward the turbines 106. As can be seen in the figures, the top wall 108 of one vent 104 is typically also serving as the bottom wall 112 of the vent 104 above it.
Sidewalls 110 in the vents 104 are typically external walls of the generator towers 114. In other words, as illustrated in
Referring now to
Referring again to
The generator bays 116 protect the generators, pulleys, belts, and electrical components from weather damage. The generator bays 116 could incorporate a variety of construction and layout choices as would be apparent to one skilled in the art and that are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. However, in the embodiment illustrated in
In operation, a drive belt 148 travels over the turbine pulley 142 and a generator pulley 150. Because the generator pulley 150 is smaller in diameter than the turbine pulley 142 the generator 152 rotates faster that the turbine thus creating electricity. In the illustrated embodiment, generator 152 is secured to the generator bay floor 154 with a mounting bracket 156 welded to a mounting sleeve 158. Other mechanisms of securing the generator 152 as would be apparent to one skilled in the art could also be utilized. Utilizing the generator-mounting sleeve 158 allows a user to slide in the generator mounting tube 160 to adjust the drive belt tension. The generator mounting tube 160 can similarly be secured to the generator bay floor 154 through known techniques such as welding. Set bolt 162 can be included to allow for adjustment of the generator 152 height.
In the illustrated embodiment, the generator bay floor 154 supports the generator 152 and carrier-bearing pedestal 146 and forms the diamond shape of the generator tower 114. The structural angle iron 140 can be secured to the generator bay floor 154 and supports the weight of the generator towers 114—which can become substantial depending on the height of wind tower 100 and the number of vent assemblies 104 utilized.
The present invention also allows for electrical communication to take place between stacked generator bays 116. In the illustrated embodiment, conduit and junction boxes 164 house the positive and negative wires that run from the generators 152. As discussed further below, the generator towers 114, divided into multiple generator bays 116, can be mounted on a series of beams serving as a foundation but also allowing rotational movement of the towers 100 in certain circumstances.
Hinge 166 for the bay door 118 can be mounted to the frame of the generator tower 114 and the frame of the bay door 118. Air vents 168 can also be included to allow air to flow through each generator bay 116. Generator bay door 118 can also include a latch 170 allowing it to be closed and locked to protect the generator and other components from unwanted access.
Referring again to
It is noted that, in the illustrated embodiment and in other embodiments discussed herein, each stack of vents 104 can include a cap vent 124 having some unique features. Notably, as seen in
As illustrated in
One or more diagonal braces 192, 194 can also be included to provide structural support to the wind tower 100. In the illustrated embodiment, braces 192, 194 can be further connected by one or more supports 202 allowing even greater stability. In the present embodiment, the inner diagonal brace 192 is secured at one end to an upper brace mount 190 and at the other end to a lower brace mount 200. The outer diagonal brace 194 is secured at one end to the upper brace mount 190. The other end is secured to one or more brace casters 204, which are able to roll on an outer base 186. As discussed further below, outer base 186 supports the wind wall casters 188 and the outer diagonal brace casters 204 allowing for rotational movement of both the wind walls 102 and the entire wind tower 100 itself. The inner base 182 supports the weight of the wind tower 100.
Wind tower 100 can also include a beam bracket 196 that can be secured to a back beam 198 with bolts or other known connection mechanisms. When the wind tower 100 is in an upright position the bracket 196 is secured to the back beam 198. However, in certain situations, it would be desirable fold the wind tower 100 down. This feature allows such lowering of the tower 100 by removing the bolts or other mechanisms securing the bracket 196 to the back beam 198. The back beam 198 can also be secured to one or more casters or other suitable rollers 199 that roll on the inner base 182 when the wind tower 100 rotates to face the wind. As used throughout when referring to “beams,” suitable beams for use with the present invention are structural steel I beams. However, other beams suitable for use with the present invention include but are not limited to channel iron, box frame, or square tubing alone or in combination, and can be made of numerous materials including but not limited to steel, or steel alloy alone or in combination.
As best seen in
In the illustrated embodiments, the base structure comprises an inner base 182 and an outer base 186 (
Side beams 215 rotate on the inner base 182 allowing rotation of the wind towers 100 depending on wind direction. In particular, the generator towers 114 are mounted on the side beams 215. Hydraulic hoses 216 transfer the hydraulic fluid from the shuttle valve 212 to the hydraulic rams 218. The hydraulic rams 218 extend thereby moving the side beams 215 rotationally relative to the center pin 226. Similarly, the removal of hydraulic fluid causes the hydraulic rams 218 to retract thereby moving the side beams 215 rotationally in the opposite direction.
Inner base 182 can be made of cement. This cement can be reinforced with rebar to prevent cracking and crumbling. Inner base 182 could similarly be constructed with other materials including but not limited to cast iron and malleable steel alone or in combination as well as other materials with similar weight and structural properties as would be apparent to one skilled in the art.
As seen in
The center pin 226 where the upper beams 215, 214, 198 intersect can be reinforced with gussets. The center pin 226 keeps the wind tower 100 centered on the inner base 182. A center shaft 228 can also be secured where the inner base beams 221 intersect. Center shaft 228 can likewise be further secured with one or more gussets. In the illustrated embodiment, the center shaft 228 rotates around the center pin 226.
Hydraulic ram mounts 176 in the illustrated embodiment are secured on the bottom of the side beams 215. Horizontal side beams 215 and vertical side beams 180 support the weight of the generator towers 114. The inner base 182 supports the weight of the wind tower 100. Horizontal front beams 214 and vertical front beams 178 prevent the wind tower 100 and generator towers 114 from tipping forward. Horizontal rear beams 198 and vertical rear beams 219 prevent the wind tower 100 and generator towers 114 from tipping backward. In certain embodiments, the horizontal side beams 215, front beams 214 and rear beams 198 are further supported by casters or other suitable rollers 199 that roll on the base 182 and are located generally beneath the wind towers 100.
Vertical beams 180, 178, 219 are, in the illustrated embodiment, I-beams. However, other beam configurations as would be apparent to one skilled in the art may also be utilized and are considered within the scope of the present invention.
In certain embodiments, upper front beams 214 cross side beams 215 at a substantially central point and are coupled to a central shaft 228 that surrounds a central pin 226. The connection between beams 214, 215 and the central shaft 228 is typically a weld though other connection mechanisms as would be apparent to one skilled in the art could also be utilized. Central shaft 228 is able to at least partially rotate around central pin 226.
A hydraulic reservoir 206 can be utilized to supply hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic pump 210. An electric motor 208 spins the hydraulic pump shaft. The hydraulic pump 210 sends hydraulic fluid under high pressure to a shuttle valve 212. The shuttle valve 212 is controlled by known telemetry sensors and controls (not shown) that read the wind direction and intermediately instruct the shuttle valve 212 to open appropriate chambers extending or retracting the hydraulic rams 218. In this manner, the wind tower 100 is aligned to the telemetry system's weather vane. Reservoir 206, motor 208, pump 210 and shuttle valve 212 are, in the illustrated embodiment, mounted on one of the inner base beams 221. However, other configurations as would be apparent to one skilled in the art are considered within the scope of the present invention.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The outer turtle deck 250 covers the outer base 186 and prevents foreign materials from collecting on the base 186 and rail 236 that could impede the travel of the casters 188, 204. The turtle deck support casters 242 support the turtle deck 250 at the seams to prevent sagging. The seams 244 of the turtle deck 250 overlap one another to form a weather-tight seal. A sectional turtle deck is also advantageous for shipping and storage purposes. As discussed previously,
To better illustrate the operation of the presently illustrated embodiment, the following description is given regarding its method of operation. However, the method should be regarded as exemplary only and not intended to limit the operation of the present invention in its various embodiments.
In operation, the presently illustrated embodiment would be placed in a high-wind area. The wind walls 102 collect a large amount of wind and funnel it into the turbines 106. As depicted in
As depicted in
Wind funneling, as depicted in
Referring now to
Vents 304 generally include a top wall 308, two sloped sidewalls 310 and a sloped bottom wall 312. These surfaces 308, 310, 312 all serve to capture the wind and direct it more effectively toward the turbines 306. Again, as can be seen in the figures, the top wall 308 of one vent 304 is typically also serving as the bottom wall 312 of the vent 304 above it. However, as noted previously, in this and all embodiments discussed herein, some spatial separation may exist between the top and bottom walls and is considered within the scope of the present invention.
Sidewalls 310 in the vents 304 are again typically external walls of the generator towers 314. In certain embodiments, there may be some spatial separation between the external wall of the generator tower 314 and sidewalls 310.
Each vent 304 and turbine 306 is associated with two generator towers 314—one on each side—made up of a plurality of generator bays 316. Each generator bay 316 can be accessed by a door 318. The generator bays 316 are in communication with the turbine 306 and house the components necessary to convert the wind energy into electrical energy.
Braces 322 can be attached to the generator towers 314 and the wind walls 302 to hold the wind walls 302 in place. Braces 322 can be detached to fold the wind walls in front of the wind turbines. Suitable braces 322 include, but are not limited to those discussed previously herein in connection with other embodiments.
Each stack of vents 304 can include a cap vent 324 having a top wall 326, two sidewalls 328 and a bottom wall 330. Again, these walls 326, 328, 330 function largely the same as walls 308, 310, 312 discussed above. However, in the cap vent 324, the top wall 326 has an angular orientation that allows it to capture wind that would otherwise merely deflect over the wind tower. In particular, the orientation of the top wall 326 is angled downward, which causes it to deflect the wind contacting it toward the turbine 306. Whereas only a small portion of wind contacting a flat top wall would otherwise be directed to the turbine 306. The orientation of the vents 304 in the tower 300 allows the wind wall to collect a large amount of wind and funnel it into the turbines 306 while the vents 304 block the wind from the upper half of the turbines 306 and guide airflow into the lower half of the turbines 306 at the optimal angle. As discussed previously herein in connection with other embodiments, the wind turbines 306 have a close tolerance to the generator towers 300 and vents 304 for greater efficiency. The upward facing vents guide airflow into the turbines 306 as do the side walls 310 formed by the generator towers 314. Rubber seam covers 303 cover the gaps between the wind walls 302 and the generator towers 314 to prevent air from escaping. Because they are flexible, they allow the wind walls to be folded without having to detach them.
The tower 300 can include one or more upper diagonal brace mounts 390. These can be welded or otherwise secured to the generator tower 314. Diagonal braces 392 can also be included. Such braces 392 in the illustrated embodiment are bolted or otherwise secured to the diagonal brace mounts 390, 399 to make the wind tower 300 more ridged. A back beam bracket 396 can be secured to a back beam 398 when the wind tower 300 is standing but can be removed along with the diagonal braces 392 to lay the structure down. As discussed previously in connection with other embodiments, back beam 398 can be bolted or otherwise secured to one or more casters 360 that roll on the base 358 when the wind tower rotates to face the wind as depicted in
As seen in
Referring now to
The guideline mount 350 can be secured on the top of the wind tower 300 structure. Its purpose is to prevent the structure from collapsing in high winds. In the presently illustrated embodiment, cap 362 is in a stationary position on top of a load bearing 372. Eyelets 364 can be welded or otherwise secured to the cap 362 and are attached to the clevis 366. The clevis's 366 connect the eyelets 364 to the guidelines 336. The guidelines 336 connect to the anchors 332 as discussed above. Cable clamps 370 can be included to prevent the loop in the cable from slipping. Load bearing 372 allows the cap 362 to remain stationary while the wind tower 300 is rotating. Bearing support plate 374 can be secured to a pedestal 376 to support the load bearing 372. Pedestal 376 can be secured to the wind tower 300 structure and supports the load bearing 372 and cap 362. Diagonal braces 378 can also be included to provide support for the pedestal 376.
The base for the presently described tower is like the base described in connection with
Referring now to
Wind tower 400 is again a single column of vents 404 flanked by two wind walls 402. Again, wind walls 402 can be made of a variety of materials alone or in combination. Each vent 404 corresponds to a turbine 406 and serves to direct wind currents toward the turbine 406.
Vents 404 include a top wall 408, two sloped sidewalls 410 and a sloped bottom wall 412. These surfaces 408, 410, 412 all serve to capture the wind and direct it more effectively toward the turbines 406. Sidewalls 410 in the vents 404 are again typically external walls of the generator towers 414.
Each vent 404 and turbine 406 is associated with two generator towers 414—one on each side—made up of a plurality of generator bays 416. Each generator bay 416 can be accessed by a door 418. The generator bays 416 are in communication with the turbine 406 and house the components necessary to convert the wind energy into electrical energy.
Braces 422 can be attached to the generator towers 414 and the wind walls 402 to hold the wind walls 402 in place. Braces 422 can be detached to fold the wind walls in front of the wind turbines. Suitable braces 422 can be made of numerous materials alone or in combination as discussed in connection with other embodiments discussed herein.
Each stack of vents 404 can include a cap vent 424 having a top wall 426, two sidewalls 428 and a bottom wall 430. Again, these walls 426, 428, 430 function largely the same as walls 408, 410, 412 discussed above. However, in the cap vent 424, the top wall 426 has an angular orientation that allows it to capture wind that would otherwise merely deflect over the wind tower. Again, the orientation of the vents 404 in the tower 400 allows the wind wall to collect a large amount of wind and funnel it into the turbines 406 while the vents 404 block the wind from the upper half of the turbines 406 and guide airflow into the lower half of the turbines 406 at the optimal angle. Rubber seam covers 403 cover the gaps between the wind walls 402 and the generator towers 414 to prevent air from escaping. Because they are flexible, they allow the wind walls to be folded without having to detach them. Front beam 495 prevents the wind tower 400 from tipping forward. Side beam 496 again support the weight of the generator towers 414.
Referring more particularly to
The lower diagonal brace mounts 420 are welded or otherwise secured to the back beam 419, and are bolted or otherwise secured to the diagonal braces 415. As discussed more below, casters 421 are mounted on the upper beams and travel on the wind tower track 434, which is welded or otherwise secured to roof beams 436 located on the electronics shack 432.
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiment, center shaft 441 receives the center pin 484 from the wind tower 400 thereby centering the wind tower 400 so the casters or other suitable rollers 421 stay on the beam wind tower track 434. Beam base gussets 443 can be utilized to strengthen the connection between the base beams 478. Beam base 478 supports the center shaft 441 and the hydraulic ram mounts 439.
In one embodiment of the electronics shack 432, one or more gussets 438 can be utilized to provide strength and rigidity to the diagonal braces 444 and structural supports 450. In the illustrated embodiment, metal siding 440 can be screwed or otherwise secured to the diagonal braces 444, supports 450, and doorframe to protect against the weather. Insulation board 442 can also be sandwiched between the metal siding 440 and electronics shack framework to help moderate the building's interior temperature. Diagonal braces 437, 444 help to maintain the structural integrity of the electronics shack 432. Floor decking 446 can be a thin layer of deck plate that is attached to the floor joists 448 that are in turn welded or otherwise secured to the structural supports 450. Structural supports 450 can be cemented or otherwise secured into the ground. Element 452 illustrates the ground levels proximity to the electronics shack 432 according to one embodiment. Cement foundation 454 can secure the structural supports 450 and prevent the electronics shack 432 and wind tower 400 from tipping over. Door 456 provides access to the electronics shack 432 when open and a weather barrier and theft protection when closed and locked. Ground cable and clamps 458 can be used to connect the electronics shack 432 to the grounding rod 460, which discharges electrical currents from the electronics shack 432, and wind tower 400 into the ground.
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiment, the beam wind tower track 434 guides the caster assemblies 421. Base beams 478 are welded or otherwise secured to the roof beam 436. As discussed further in
Referring now to
Referring to
Referring to
Vents 504 include a top wall 508, two sloped sidewalls 510 and a sloped bottom wall 512. These surfaces 508, 510, 512 all serve to capture the wind and direct it more effectively toward the turbines 556. Sidewalls 510 in the vents 504 are again typically external walls of the generator towers 514.
Each vent 504 and turbine 556 is associated with two generator towers 514 made up of a plurality of generator bays 516. The generator tower's 514 diamond shape funnels the wind into the turbines 556 and reduces the wind resistance of the tower. Each generator bay 516 can be accessed by a door 518. In certain embodiments, each generator bay 516 has two doors 518 (one for each generator). The generator bays 516 are in communication with the turbine 556 and house the components necessary to convert the wind energy into electrical energy.
Each stack of vents 504 can include a cap vent 524 having a top wall 526, two sidewalls 528 and a bottom wall 530. Again, these walls 526, 528, 530 function largely the same as walls 508, 510, 512 discussed above. However, in the cap vent 524, the top wall 526 has an angular orientation that allows it to capture wind that would otherwise merely deflect over the wind tower. Again, the orientation of the vents 504 in the tower 500 allows the wind wall to collect a large amount of wind and funnel it into the turbines 556 while the vents 504 block the wind from the upper half of the turbines 556 and guide airflow into the lower half of the turbines 556 at the optimal angle.
In the illustrated embodiment, tower 500 includes one or more elevators 532 mounted on the outside generator towers 514. Handrails 534 can be welded or otherwise secured to the generator towers 514. Strobe lights or other tall structure alert mechanisms 536 can be mounted on one or more hoists 538. Hoists 538 in the present embodiment are mounted on top of the generator towers 514. Hoists 538 can extend past the stairs 552 and walkways 554 and can swivel to raise and lower parts to either side of the generator tower on which they are mounted. Hoists 538 can be operated by plugging a controller into a receptacle in one of the generator bays 516 below the hoist 538.
Generator towers 514 support the wind tower structure 500, vents 504, walkways 554, elevators 532, stairs 552 and house the generator bays 516. Upper guidelines 540 prevent the top of the wind tower 500 from over swaying in heavy winds. Lower guidelines 544 are mounted half way up the generator towers 514 to prevent them from buckling in high winds. In one embodiment, guidelines 540, 544 at the front of the wind towers 500 are attached to the front wind tower frame while the guidelines 540, 544 at the rear are attached to the stair frame. In certain embodiments, guidelines 540, 544 attach to offsetting anchors to prevent the wind tower 500 from twisting in high winds.
Base 546 in this embodiment is a solid cement foundation that is larger than the area of the wind tower to prevent settling. The base's 546 depth is determined by soil density, bedrock, water table depth, or other factors that may affect foundation integrity. Guide line anchors 548 are steel rods cemented into the ground with a loop protruding above ground level to which the guide lines 540, 544 are attached. The guideline anchor 548 depth is determined by the same conditions as the base 546 depth.
Base 546 is typically larger than the wind tower's footprint to support the weight of the structure. It is tapered upward to guide the ground wind into the bottom row of turbines.
In one embodiment, stairs 552 begin at ground level and go all the way to the top of the wind tower 500 with landings that join the walkways at every level. Walkways can be attached to the generator towers 514 and extend the width of the wind tower 500.
In the illustrated embodiment, turbine assembly 556 rotates in the wind. Brake linkage 558, as further illustrated in
When stopping the rotation of a single turbine 556, two brakes must be set simultaneously on both sides of the turbine 556 to prevent the turbine 556 from twisting. Referring now to
Referring more specifically to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring now to
Vents 704 include a top wall 708, two sloped sidewalls 710 and a sloped bottom wall 712. These surfaces 708, 710, 712 all serve to capture the wind and direct it more effectively toward the turbines 706. Sidewalls 710 in the vents 704 are again typically external walls of the generator towers 714.
Each vent 704 and turbine 706 is associated with two generator towers 714 made up of a plurality of generator bays 716. The generator tower's 714 diamond shape funnels the wind into the turbines 706 and reduces the wind resistance of the tower. Each generator bay 716 can be accessed by a door 718. In certain embodiments, each generator bay 716 has two doors 718 (one for each generator). The generator bays 716 are in communication with the turbine 706 and house the components necessary to convert the wind energy into electrical energy.
Each stack of vents 704 can include a cap vent 724 having a top wall 726, two sidewalls 728 and a bottom wall 730. Again, these walls 726, 728, 730 function largely the same as walls 708, 710, 712 discussed above. However, in the cap vent 724, the top wall 726 has an angular orientation that allows it to capture wind that would otherwise merely deflect over the wind tower. Again, the orientation of the vents 704 in the tower 700 allows the wind wall to collect a large amount of wind and funnel it into the turbines 706 while the vents 704 block the wind from the upper half of the turbines 706 and guide airflow into the lower half of the turbines 706 at the optimal angle.
In the illustrated embodiment, tower 700 includes one or more elevators 732 mounted on the outside generator towers 714. Hand rails 734 can be welded or otherwise secured to the generator towers 714. The generator towers 714 support the wind tower structure 700, vents 704 walkways 752, elevators 732, stairs 750, and house the generator bays 716. Strobe lights or other tall structure alert mechanisms 736 can be mounted on one or more hoists 738. Hoists 738 in the present embodiment are mounted on top of the generator towers 714. Hoists 738 can extend past the stairs 750 and walkways 752 and can swivel to raise and lower parts to either side of the generator tower on which they are mounted. Hoists 738 can be operated by plugging a controller into a receptacle in one of the generator bays 716 below the hoist 738. Again, in the illustrated embodiment, the cement foundation 746 is larger than the wind tower's 700 footprint to support the weight of the structure. It is tapered upward to guide the ground wind into the bottom row 744 of turbines 706.
Diagonal braces 740 can be included to reduce swaying caused by wind pressure near the middle of the generator towers. The diagonal brace foundations 754 house the anchor suspensions that prevent the diagonal braces 740 from buckling under excessive pressure. FIG. 33 illustrates the portion of the foundation 746 that is below ground level 748. Sway dampers 756, discussed further below, can also be included to reduce the effects of wind pressure causing the towers 700 to sway.
Referring to
Bottom pressure plate anchor bolts 768 are embedded in the cement foundation 746 to hold the bottom pressure plate 780 in place. Guide bolt 770 is embedded in the cement foundation 746 and keeps the springs compressed slightly. Recoil spring retainer rings 772 center the recoil spring 762 on the pressure plates 760, 776. Diagonal brace flange bolts 774 connect the diagonal brace tubes to the middle pressure plate 776. Middle pressure plate 776 is attached to the bottom recoil spring retainer ring 772 and the top compression spring retainer ring 766. Compression spring 778 compresses when the generator tower 714 is pressed back by the wind. Bottom pressure plate 780 is attached to the bottom compression spring retainer ring 766 and is attached to the cement foundation 746 by the anchor bolts 768. Anchor plate gussets 782 are welded to the anchor plate 784 and guide bolt 770 for added strength. Anchor plate 784 prevents the guide bolt 770 from penetrating deeper or pulling out of the cement foundation 746. Cement foundation 746 is partially submerged below ground level to provide a solid base for the diagonal brace suspension. Rubber boots 786 seal to the diagonal brace tubes and cement foundation 746 to keep moisture away from the suspension components.
Referring now to
Again, referring to
Damper 756 in this embodiment includes ram mounts 790 and ram to roof mounts 788. Ram to roof mounts 788 are bolted 792 or otherwise secured to a roof plate. Hydraulic reservoir 794 contains the hydraulic fluid to operate the hydraulic systems. Electric motor 796 rotates the hydraulic pump shaft. Shaft coupling 798 attaches the electric pump shaft to the hydraulic pump shaft. Supply and return hydraulic lines 800 keep a constant supply of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic pump 802. Hydraulic pump 802 supplies high-pressure hydraulic fluid to the shuttle valve 804. Shuttle valve 804 is actuated when an electronic level switch is triggered by excessive swaying of the generator tower 714. This swaying sends a signal to the shuttle valve 804 to send hydraulic fluid to the rams to slide the counter weight 818. Hydraulic ram pins 806 attach the hydraulic rams 808 to the ram mounts. Hydraulic rams 808 work in unison to push one side of the counter weight 818 while pulling the other side at the same time. Stop bracket bolts 810 attach the stop brackets 812 to the roof plate. Stop brackets 812 prevent the counter weight 818 from sliding off the guide track 814. In this embodiment, guide track is a roller bearing guide track. Guide track 814 keeps the roller bearings aligned so the counter weight 818 can roll with the least amount of resistance. Ram to counter weight mounts 816 attach the hydraulic rams 808 to the counter weight 818. Counter weight 818 can be various materials alone or in combination including, but not limited to, a single block of steel, cement, or a stack of steel plates. Hydraulic hoses 820 supply high-pressure hydraulic fluid from the shuttle valve 804 to the rams 808.
An example of a sway damper bay is shown at 822. The bay 822 features an I beam roof frame 824 with angle iron trim 826 to which siding can be mounted. Wall frame 828 is in the illustrated embodiment made of square tubing 828. Bay 822 can include a door 830 fitted to a door frame 832. Frame 832 in the illustrated embodiment is made of angle irons. Door can also include a locking mechanism 834 which in the illustrated embodiment is a latch.
Referring to
