F03D15/10

JOINT STRUCTURE AND WIND POWER GENERATION DEVICE
20170248175 · 2017-08-31 · ·

A joint structure includes a clutch unit interposed between a shaft joint and a shaft body which is one of an output shaft of a speed increaser and an input shaft of a power generator. The clutch unit includes: a shaft coupling portion rotating integrally with the shaft body; a joint coupling portion rotating integrally with the shaft joint; and a one-way clutch provided between the shaft coupling portion and the joint coupling portion. The one-way clutch makes a connection integrally rotatably between the shaft coupling portion and the joint coupling portion in a state in which a rotation speed of the output shaft is higher than that of the input shaft, and releases the connection between the shaft coupling portion and the joint coupling portion in a state in which the rotation speed of the output shaft is lower than that of the input shaft.

Power generation architecture using environmental fluid flow
09745960 · 2017-08-29 ·

Architecture that harnesses energy from natural atmospheric wind and water currents and self-generated wind and water currents from moving vehicles and natural fluid flow found in nature for moving or stationary applications. The power generation system harnesses energy from natural atmospheric sources utilizing pneumatic and/or hydraulic turbines with compound nozzles, meteorological sensors, computer controlled harmonic resonance valves, a control system, and other components.

Apparatuses, Systems, and Methods for Extraction and/or Storage of Energy From Moving Fluids

This disclosure includes various embodiments of apparatuses for encapsulating and stopping a flowing mass of fluid (e.g., liquid such as water, or gas such as air) to extract the kinetic energy from the mass, and for exhausting the mass once stopped (spent mass, from which kinetic energy has been extracted). This disclosure also includes various embodiments of systems comprising a plurality of the present apparatuses coupled together and/or one or more of the present apparatuses in combination with one or more flow resistance modifiers (FRMs). This disclosure also includes various embodiments of methods of extracting kinetic energy from a flowing mass of fluid (e.g., liquid such as water, or gas such as air) by stopping the mass, and for exhausting the mass once stopped (spent mass, from which kinetic energy has been extracted). This disclosure also includes embodiments of mechanical energy-storage or accumulation devices.

Apparatuses, Systems, and Methods for Extraction and/or Storage of Energy From Moving Fluids

This disclosure includes various embodiments of apparatuses for encapsulating and stopping a flowing mass of fluid (e.g., liquid such as water, or gas such as air) to extract the kinetic energy from the mass, and for exhausting the mass once stopped (spent mass, from which kinetic energy has been extracted). This disclosure also includes various embodiments of systems comprising a plurality of the present apparatuses coupled together and/or one or more of the present apparatuses in combination with one or more flow resistance modifiers (FRMs). This disclosure also includes various embodiments of methods of extracting kinetic energy from a flowing mass of fluid (e.g., liquid such as water, or gas such as air) by stopping the mass, and for exhausting the mass once stopped (spent mass, from which kinetic energy has been extracted). This disclosure also includes embodiments of mechanical energy-storage or accumulation devices.

Wind turbine system
09732727 · 2017-08-15 ·

A wind turbine system to provide electrical power in areas not connected to the electrical power grid. The wind turbine system includes a frame and a rotatable shaft supported by the frame. A ring and idler gear assembly is coupled to the rotatable shaft. An upper rotor assembly is coupled to the rotatable shaft. The upper rotor assembly is configured to rotate in a first direction and thereby to rotate the rotatable shaft in a first direction. A lower rotor assembly is coupled to the ring and idler gear assembly. The lower rotor assembly is configured to rotate in a second direction which is opposite of the first direction and thereby to rotate the rotatable shaft in the first direction via the ring and idler gear assembly.

Method of load leveling in an energy-generating installation
09728961 · 2017-08-08 ·

The invention relates to an energy generating installation, especially a wind power station, comprising a drive shaft connected to a rotor (1), a generator (8) and a differential transmission (11 to 13) provided with three drives or outputs. A first drive is connected to the drive shaft, an output is connected to a generator (8), and a second drive is connected to an electrical differential drive (6, 14). The differential drive (6, 14) is connected to a network (10) by means of a frequency converter (7, 15) comprising an electrical energy accumulator in the direct-current intermediate circuit.

Spiral bevel gear set for ram air turbine

A ram air turbine (RAT) assembly includes a gearbox that supports a gear set with a ring gear that drives a pinion gear. The gear set provides for the transmission of power from the turbine to a generator, pump or other power conversion device. A turbine shaft supports the ring gear and a pinion shaft that rotates about an axis transverse to the turbine shaft supports the pinion gear. A ratio between a face width and a diametrical pitch of the gear set is within a desired ratio that provides sufficient space for supporting bearing assemblies while providing for operation within the physical constraints and desired performance requirements of the RAT.

Rotation driving mechanism for windmill
09726152 · 2017-08-08 · ·

A rotation driving mechanism for windmill (1) includes an annular track part (2), a rotation driving part (11), and a plurality of swinging parts (15). The annular track part (2) is disposed on one of a base-side structure and a rotation-side structure, and has a circumferential wall part (4) and first teeth (7). The rotation driving part (11) is fixed on the other of the base-side structure and the rotation-side structure. Each swinging part (15) has a swinging part body (16a) and second teeth (16b). When a rotating shaft (13) of the rotation driving part (11) is rotated so that the swinging parts (15) are swung with maintaining a predetermined phase difference thereamong, the swinging parts (15) are relatively moved with respect to the annular track part (2).

Wind turbine rotor

A wind turbine rotor includes a hub, a plurality of blades, and a pitch system for rotating a blade substantially along its longitudinal axis. The pitch system includes a bearing, a motor, and a gear system, wherein the gear system has a driving pinion operationally connected with the motor, an annular gear arranged to mesh with the driving pinion. Additional gear teeth are arranged to mesh with other parts of the gear system in a predefined blade position for wind speeds at or below a nominal wind speed such that upon movement from the predefined blade position, the additional gear teeth come into contact with the other parts of the gear system before the driving pinion comes into contact with the annular gear.

Wind turbine power transmission system

A power transmission system for increasing the rotational speed from a rotor of a wind turbine comprises a main shaft configured to be driven by the rotor, a support structure, and a gearbox. The support structure includes at least one bearing supporting the main shaft for rotation about the main axis, with no other degrees of freedom between the main shaft and support structure. The gearbox includes a gearbox housing rigidly coupled to the support structure and a gearbox input member coupled to the main shaft. The gearbox housing supports the gearbox input member for rotation about the main axis without any other degrees of freedom, and the gearbox input member is coupled to the main shaft with translational degrees of freedom in all directions and rotational degrees of freedom about axes perpendicular to the main axis.