Wind energy assembly

Abstract

Wind energy assemblies which contain arrays of wind diodes, which arrays are assembled into a wind energy collector assembly.

Claims

1. A wind diode, said wind diode comprising in combination: a. a predetermined weighted air foil having a predetermined width and length, said air foil having a first end, a second end, a back surface, a front surface, a center point of mass unequal to a geometric center of said air foil, located between said first end and said second end, and two outside edges; b. air containment ridges located on each said outside edges on said front surface, said containment ridges extending from said first end to said second end; c. a rod support area located on each said outside edge on said back surface near said mass center point; d. a rod contained in said rod support area which rod extends outwardly from said rod support area; e. at least two stop pins located in each of said rod support areas at a predetermined location.

2. A horizontally oriented array of said wind diodes as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least six such diodes have a pattern of three, side by side wind diodes as an upper layer and three, side by side wind diodes as a lower layer, each said array being contained within a frame, said frame being capable of attachment to a rotating member.

3. A wind collector assembly, said wind collector assembly comprising: a. at least one array as claimed in claim 2, each said array connected to a common rotating member through a connection disposed radially from a man vertical axis of rotation of said rotating member each said array being disposed an equal distance apart from any remaining said array.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a full side view of one side of a wind diode of this invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a full end view of the diode of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a full back view of a diode of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4A is a full back view of an array of this invention made up of wind diodes of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 4B is a full front view of an array of FIG. 2A.

(6) FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of an array of wind diodes making up one level of an assembly of this invention.

(7) FIG. 6 is a full assembly of this invention showing three levels of arrays.

(8) FIG. 7 is a full view in perspective of a diode of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) This invention deals with wind energy assemblies which contain arrays of wind diodes, which arrays are assembled into a wind energy collector assembly.

(10) FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 7 show a wind diode 1 of this invention. The wind diode 1 is of unitary construction. The wind diodes 1 are singular units comprised of two modified air foils, with an inverted air foil in the leading edge 6 which is constructed to hold it stable against retention pins 5 (stop pins) while in the open position, and an overall air foil shape on the flat panel constructed to lift the foil into a low wind drag configuration.

(11) FIG. 1 is a full side view of the diode 1. Each side of the diode 1 is identical to the other. Located in each side is an area which constitutes a support area with an opening 3. The opening 3 receives common rod 4 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Note that the openings 3 and the rod 4 are not are not at the center of mass, but are off-set from center by a small amount to put weight on end 11 of the diode 1. There is also shown stop pins 5 which prevent the diode 1 from making a complete rotation around the rod 4. The pins 5 are also responsible for holding the wind diode flat and stable once the wind diode 1 has moved to a horizontal position. The wind diode 1 has a tendency to vibrate sufficiently strong in the wind such that it creates a drag on the array and thus, the pins 5 can decrease or stop this vibration and provide more efficiency to the array.

(12) With reference to FIG. 1, each diode 1 is constructed of a flat panel 9 (shown in FIG. 3). The flat panel 9 has a back surface 13, (FIG. 3), a front surface 10 (FIG. 2), a first end 6 with the designation <------- W, to designate the direction of the wind to the diode, a second end 11, and two outside edges 12 and 12′ (FIG. 2).

(13) A first end 6 is rounded in the form of an air foil 7. The air foil 7 has a weight that is predetermined such that when wind is not pressing against the diode 1, the weight will draw the diode 1 downward in a vertical position, so that its profile can catch any wind.

(14) FIG. 2 is a full end view of the diode 1 in which there is shown the rod 4, stop pins 5, and containment ridges 8. Air pressure on the air foil 7 is better maintained through containment ridges 8 on both outside edges of the air foil 7 on the back side which wind pushes against 13. This reduces air bleed over the edges of the diode 1.

(15) Turning now to the use of the diodes 1, there is shown in FIG. 4A, a full back surface of an array 25 of wind diodes 1 of this invention, constituting one layer of the entire assembly. Shown in FIG. 4B is a full front side of an array 25 of FIG. 4A. Turning to FIG. 4B, there is shown an outside frame 16 constituted of component end pieces 17 and 18 and upper bar 19 and lower bar 20 that are rigidly fixed together. Situated within the frame 16 are the diodes 1, which are supported in the frame 16 by rods 4. The drawing has depicted the diodes 1 as having a large clearance with regard to the frame, but in use, the diodes 1 have essentially no clearance within the frames, just enough to allow the diodes 1 to rotate on the rod 4. It should be noted that there are two elongations 21 and 22 which are connected to a common rotatable post 23.

(16) As shown in FIG. 2, there are the diodes 1, and the whole of rod 4 supporting the diodes 1 within the frame 16. Again, the diodes 1 are shown with enlarged clearances between the diodes 1 and the frame, when in use, there are no large gaps, just enough of a gap for the diode 1 to rotate on the rod 4.

(17) FIG. 5 shows an elevation of an assembly 30 of the arrays 25 in use. It should be noted that each of the arrays 25 are mounted in rows or layers one on top of the other. Shown in FIG. 6 are three layers 26, 27, and 28, but any number of layers is okay as long as the assembly device holds its efficiency. Maximum placement of the arrays 25 is created through a uniform matrix on each frame of the structure. Power fluctuation is reduced by stacking, offsetting, and configuring arm spacing between multiple layers of the assembly as shown in FIG. 3. Power output fluctuation per rotation is reduced from approximately 85% with a single layer configuration of this assembly, to approximately a three percent power variation by stacking the units and offsetting each layer so that each bank of diodes 1 are engaged at an equidistant relationship relative to the rest of the assembly arms.

(18) Shown in FIG. 5 is the central rotating post 23, diodes 1, frame 16, anchoring point 27 for the central rotating post 23.

(19) FIG. 6 shows the diodes 1 with regard to wind (W------> indicates wind direction).

(20) The assemblies 30 of this invention achieve rated output at low wind speeds, i.e. 12 to 15 miles per hour wherein the industry standard is 27 miles per hour to achieve rated output. Current low speed components create a long construction life i.e. about 20 years estimated.

(21) The devices of this invention eliminate bird kill because the structure turns at wind speed or slower whereas air foil constructions are accelerated far in excess of wind speed and are often deadly to life. (the birds contact the blades while the blades are revolving).

(22) The device of this invention eliminates air foil flutter that would otherwise sap energy, yet it creates accelerated movement through the open/closing cycle. The use of retention pins allows a construction that concentrates the contact area force and allows dissipation of the rotational energy within the diode 1 through the structure in a way that reduces or eliminates noise. The diode 1 allows management of the wind drag through construction manipulation. It is balanced on the center axis with a minimal weight distribution toward the closed positon. Wind drag is balanced between the inverted air foil on the top end of the diode and the weight on the bottom edge.

(23) Wind diodes open and close without interference from rotation forces, thereby increasing efficiency. The horizontal mounting of the diodes 1 concentrates rotational force upon the outside horizontal shaft bearings, where it can be maintained as static pressure.

(24) Examples