WIND CHANNELLING AND DIRECTING STRUCTURES

Abstract

A structure (1) for channelling and directing incident wind is described. The structure includes a hollow pipe (2) having a downstream end (2a) that defines at least one outlet and an upstream end (2b). A rotatably mounted intake (4) is positioned at the upstream end (2b) of the pipe (2) and is adapted to direct incident wind into the pipe.

Claims

1. A structure channelling and directing incident wind comprising: a hollow pipe having a downstream end that defines at least one outlet, and an upstream end; and a rotatably mounted intake at the upstream end of the pipe s adapted to direct incident wind into the pipe; wherein the intake includes an opening through which incident wind enters the intake; wherein the intake further comprises a louvre assembly positioned in front of the opening, wherein the louvre assembly comprises: a plurality of individual slats that are pivotally mounted and can be pivoted between a fully open position and a closed position, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angle of the slats and which includes a pivotally mounted wind resistance plate, whose angle varies with wind speed.

2. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the wind resistance plate is biased towards a first position where the slats are in the fully open position and is pivotable towards a second position by the incident wind where the slats are in the closed position.

3. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the wind resistance plate substantially L-shaped and includes a first part, on which the incident wind impinges and a second part that directs the incident wind away from the intake.

4. A structure according to claim 3, wherein the angle between the first and second parts of the wind resistance plate is between about 60 and about 120 degrees.

5. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the intake includes an internal structure that directs the wind from the opening towards the upstream end of the pipe.

6. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the intake further comprise an angled front surface, and wherein the opening is formed in angled front surface of the intake.

7. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the intake is rotatably mounted about a vertical axis.

8. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the intake further comprises an actuator that is adapted to drive the intake to rotate relative to the pipe based on a wind direction.

9. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the intake further comprises a directional vane.

10. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the upstream end of the pipe is substantially vertical, and the downstream end of the pipe is substantially vertical or horizontal.

11. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the pipe is formed from a plurality of pipe sections.

12. A structure according to claim 11, wherein the pipe sections have different internal diameters or cross-sectional areas.

13. A structure according to claim 12, wherein pipe sections with different internal diameters or cross-sectional areas are connected together by intermediate sections with a frusto-conical inner surface or one or more angled or sloping inner surfaces.

14. A structure according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the pipe includes an internal helical flange or groove.

15. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the structure defines a downstream direction extending from the upstream end of the pipe to the downstream end of the pipe, and wherein at least part of the pipe includes an internal helical flange having a width that increases in the downstream direction.

16. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the pipe includes one or more openings or slots.

17. A structure according to claim 1, further comprising at least one filter screen.

18. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the downstream end of the pipe is divided to define two or more outlets.

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. A structure (1) for channelling and directing incident wind comprising: a hollow pipe (2) having a downstream end (2a) that defines at least one outlet, and an upstream end (2b); and a rotatably mounted intake (4) at the upstream end (2b) of the pipe (2) adapted to direct incident wind into the pipe (2); wherein at least part of the pipe (2) includes an internal helical flange (46) or groove.

22. A structure according claim 21, wherein the structure defines a downstream direction extending from the upstream end of the pipe to the downstream end of the pipe, and wherein at least part of the pipe includes an internal helical flange having a width that increases in the downstream direction.

23.-44. (canceled)

Description

DRAWINGS

[0032] FIG. 1 is a side view of a structure according to the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the intake of the structure of FIG. 1;

[0034] FIG. 3 is a side view of the intake of FIG. 2 with the wind resistance plate in a first position and the slats of the louvre assembly in an open position;

[0035] FIG. 4 is a front view of the intake of FIG. 3;

[0036] FIG. 5 is a side view of the intake of FIG. 2 with the wind resistance plate in a second position and the slats of the louvre assembly in a closed position;

[0037] FIG. 6 is a front view of the intake of FIG. 5;

[0038] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative intake;

[0039] FIG. 8 is a front view of the alternative intake of FIG. 7;

[0040] FIG. 9 is a side view of a straight pipe section;

[0041] FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of the straight pipe section of FIG. 9;

[0042] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the straight pipe section of FIGS. 9 and 10;

[0043] FIG. 12 is a side view of a coupler;

[0044] FIG. 13 is a cross-section view the coupler of FIG. 12;

[0045] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a curved pipe section; and

[0046] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of part of a straight pipe section showing slots.

[0047] With reference to FIG. 1, the present invention provides a structure 1 for channelling and directing incident wind comprising a hollow pipe 2 and an intake 4.

[0048] The pipe 2 has a downstream end 2a that defines an outlet, and an upstream end 2b.

[0049] The intake 4 is rotatably mounted at the upstream end 2b of the pipe and is adapted to direct incident wind (which is indicated by arrows labelled “W” in the Figures) into the pipe 2. The intake 4 includes a “head” part 4a and a “neck” part 4b that is formed as a hollow vertical pipe.

[0050] With reference to FIGS. 2 to 6, the head part 4a of the intake 4 includes a housing that defines an opening or vent 6 through which incident wind enters the intake, and an internal structure that directs the wind from the opening into the neck part 4b and towards the upstream end 2b of the pipe 2. The opening 6 shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 is substantially rectangular, but it will be understood that it may have any suitable shape. The opening 6 is formed in an angled front part of the head part 4a as shown. The upper part of the head part 4a of the intake 4 therefore overhangs the louvre assembly 12—see below—to protect it and help prevent rain from entering the neck part 4b.

[0051] The intake 4 is rotatably mounted about a vertical axis.

[0052] The neck part 4b of the intake 4 is rotatably mounted relative to the pipe 2 by a bearing 8.

[0053] A directional vane 10 is formed on an upper part of the head part 4a of the intake 4. The directional vane 10 enables the incident wind to rotate the intake 4 so that the angled front part and the opening 6 faces the wind direction. More particularly, if the wind direction changes, the wind force acting on the directional vane 10 will cause the intake 4 to rotate to face the incident wind. It will be understood that the intake may also be driven to rotate by sensing wind direction (e.g., using wind sensor) and rotating the intake using an actuator such as an electric motor that is controlled by a suitable controller.

[0054] A louvre assembly 12 is used to control the amount of incident wind that is permitted to enter the intake opening 6, and hence the amount of incident wind that is directed by the intake 4 to the upstream end 2b of the pipe 2. The louvre assembly 12 includes a plurality of individual slats 14 that are pivotally mounted so that their angle may be adjusted by an adjustment mechanism 16. The ends of each slat 14 are pivotally mounted in a support or frame formed by opposite side parts of the head part 4a of the intake 4.

[0055] The slats 14 are pivoted between a closed position where the slats lie substantially in the same plane and overlap slightly to form a closed and angled barrier to prevent wind from entering the intake 4, and a fully open position where the slats define a plurality of open channels therebetween to allow substantially all of the incident wind to enter the intake. In the louvre assembly 12 shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the slats 14 do not cover all of the intake opening 6 so some incident wind will enter the intake 4 even when the slats are in the closed position. But it will be understood that the slats can be arranged to cover substantially all of the intake opening so that almost no incident wind enters the intake when the slats are in the closed position.

[0056] The angle of the slats 14 is adjusted based on wind speed—e.g., so that the slats are fully open when the wind speed is below a lower threshold and are closed when the wind speed is above an upper threshold. The angle of the slats 14 is adjusted mechanically based on the wind speed using a L-shaped wind resistance plate 18 that forms part of the adjustment mechanism 16. The wind resistance plate 18 is pivotally mounted on the neck part 4b of the intake 4 by a mounting bracket. The wind resistance plate 18 is positioned below the louvre assembly 12 and the intake opening 6 and its angle relative to the intake varies with wind speed. In particular, the wind resistance plate 18 is designed so that the incident wind impinges on a first (or substantially vertical) part 18a of the plate. The wind force acting on the wind resistance plate 18 may pivot the first part 18a of the plate backwards to the second position where the slats 14 are in the closed position. Consequently, incident wind can be prevented from entering the intake 4 if the wind speed exceeds the upper threshold at which the structure or any downstream components might be damaged.

[0057] The pivoting movement of the wind resistance plate 18 is used to adjust the angle of the slats 14 and the adjustment mechanism 16 includes a lever arm mechanism 20 for translating the pivoting movement of the plate to the slats. The lever arm mechanism 20 is connected between the wind resistance plate 18 and the lowest slat as shown. The slats 14 are connected together such that they pivot in unison with the lowest slat. The wind resistance plate 18 is biased towards a first position shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 where the slats 14 are in the fully open position. The wind resistance plate 18 may be pivoted towards the second position depending on the speed of the incident wind and hence the wind force that acts on the first part 18a of the plate. In the second position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the slats 14 of the louvre assembly 12 are in the closed position. Further pivoting movement of the wind resistance plate 18 is prevented by a stop 22 on the neck part 4b of the intake 4 that is most clearly seen in FIG. 5.

[0058] The wind resistance plate 18 is biased towards the first position by a spring or other suitable biasing means. In the intake 4 shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the biasing means is integrated with the slats 14, but other suitable biasing means would include a spring connected between a second (or substantially horizontal) part 18b of the wind resistance plate and the neck part of the intake, or a biasing means that it is integrated with the mounting bracket that pivotally connects the wind resistance plate to the neck part of the intake or integrated with the adjustment mechanism, for example. The biasing means applies a biasing force to the wind resistance plate 18 that opposes the wind force that acts on the first part 18a of the plate. The biasing force ensures that the default position for the wind resistance plate 18 is the first position where the slats 14 are open to allow incident wind to enter the intake 4.

[0059] Incident wind that impinges on the first part 18a of the wind resistance plate 18 may be guided along the second part 18b of the plate—and is preferably directed in the opposite direction to the wind direction, i.e., back towards the incident wind.

[0060] Incident wind that impinges on the closed slats 14 may also be directed downwardly towards the L-shaped wind resistance plate 18 and then directed in the opposite direction to the wind direction. If the wind speed falls, the wind resistance plate 18 may pivot back to the first position where the slats 14 are fully open under the biasing force applied by the biasing means.

[0061] The interior angle between the first and second parts 18a, 18b of the L-shaped wind resistance plate 18 may be between about 60 and about 120 degrees, for example.

[0062] In the alternative louvre assembly 24 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the slats 26 are mounted in a separate rectangular frame 28 that is positioned in front of the intake opening. The adjustment mechanism includes a gearing mechanism 30 to translate the pivoting movement of the L-shaped wind resistance plate 18 to the slats 26. The gearing mechanism 30 includes a first rack 30a, a first pinion gear 30b and a second pinion gear 30c. The first pinion gear 30b is driven to rotate by the lateral movement of the first rack 30a. The second pinion gear 30c is driven to rotate by the first pinion gear 30b and causes the lowest slat to pivot in response to the pivoting movement of the wind resistance plate 18. A second rack 30d is shown and can be used to drive additional pinion gears (not shown) that cause the other slats 26 to pivot in unison with the lowest slat.

[0063] It will be understood that the adjustment mechanism which adjusts the angle of the slats may include an actuator such as an electric motor that is controlled by a suitable controller based on the wind speed. Other actuators might include pneumatic, hydraulic or electro-mechanical actuators, for example.

[0064] The upstream end 2b of the pipe 2 is vertical and is designed to rotatably mount the intake 4 by means of the bearing 8.

[0065] The downstream end 2a of the pipe 2 is horizontal.

[0066] The pipe 2 is formed from a plurality of individual pipe sections 32a, 32b, . . . , 32d as shown in FIG. 1. It will be understood that the arrangement of pipe sections in FIG. 1 is just for the purposes of illustrating the structure of the present invention and that any suitable number and arrangement of pipe sections may be used.

[0067] The pipe sections 32a, 32b and 32d are straight pipe sections. Pipe section 32c is a curved pipe section.

[0068] The pipe sections 32a, 32b, . . . , 32d have different internal diameters. In particular, the pipe section 32a at the upstream end 2b of the pipe 2 has a larger internal diameter than the pipe section 32b, the pipe section 32b has a larger internal diameter than the pipe section 32c, and so on. In this way, the diameter of the pipe 2 is narrowed gradually along the direction from the upstream end 2b to the downstream end 2a that defines the outlet. Narrowing the internal diameter of the pipe 2 results in an increase in the wind velocity through the pipe in the downstream direction towards the outlet and in a corresponding reduction in pressure.

[0069] The pipe sections 32a, 32b, . . . , 32d are connected together by couplers 34a, 34b and 34c. The couplers 34a, 34b and 34c have a frusto-conical inner surface to channel (or “funnel”) the wind from one pipe section to another. The pipe sections 32a, 32b, . . . , 34d and the couplers 34a, 34b and 34c are mechanically connected together by respective outwardly extending connecting flanges which receive mechanical fixings such as bolts. More particularly, adjacent connecting flanges are positioned in abutment and bolts are passed through aligned openings 48 in the respective connecting flanges to secure the pipe section and the coupler together. The connecting flanges can also be used to connect pipe sections together in the same manner without an interposing coupler.

[0070] With reference to FIGS. 9 to 11, a straight pipe section 32 includes a cylindrical outer surface 36, a first connecting flange 38, and a second connecting flange 40. The straight pipe section 32 has an upstream end 42a and a downstream end 42b. Each connecting flange includes a plurality of spaced openings 48 for receiving the bolts. The pipe section 32 includes a cylindrical inner surface 44. An internal helical flange 46 extends substantially perpendicular to the cylindrical inner surface 44 of the pipe section 32 and may be welded to the inner cylindrical surface, for example. The width of the internal helical flange 46 increases in the downstream direction, i.e., from the upstream end 42a towards the downstream end 42b. (In other words, the internal helical flange 46 extends further into the hollow interior of the pipe section at the downstream end of the flange than it does at the upstream end of the flange.) The internal helical flange 46 promotes helical movement of the wind through the pipe. It is believed that promoting such helical movement, where the wind has both a linear and rotational component of movement from the upstream end of the pipe toward the downstream end, will reduce the turbulence within the hollow pipe 2 and will help to move the incident wind through the pipe as efficiently as possible. It may also help to remove any particulates, debris or liquid droplets that are entrained in the wind, and in particular where the rotational effect of the wind can be used to expel the particulates, debris or liquid droplets through openings or slots in the pipe—see below.

[0071] The internal helical flange may be omitted in some pipe sections, e.g., the curved pipe section 32c.

[0072] The downstream pipe section 32d that defines the outlet may be provided with a helical groove (or “rifling” groove) in its cylindrical inner surface instead of an internal helical flange.

[0073] With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, a coupler 34 includes a frusto-conical outer surface 50, a first connecting flange 52, and a second connecting flange 54. Each connecting flange includes a plurality of spaced openings for receiving the bolts. The coupler 34 includes a frusto-conical inner surface 56.

[0074] As mentioned briefly above, the pipe 2 may include openings or slots through which any entrained particulates, debris or liquid droplets (and a small quantity of wind) may be ejected. FIG. 14 shows the curved pipe section 32c with a first connecting flange 58 and a second connecting flange 60. Openings or slots 62 are provided in the radially outer part of the curved pipe section 32c through which the particulates, debris or liquid droplets may be expelled from the pipe.

[0075] If the pipe section includes an internal helical flange, the openings or slots in the pipe section may be aligned with the helical channel defined by the internal helical flange. This is shown in FIG. 15 where the openings or slots 64 in the straight pipe section 32 are angled and are aligned with the internal helical channel.

[0076] Although not shown, the pipe 2 may be positioned to channel and direct the incident wind on to a turbine assembly or a ventilation or cooling system positioned at the outlet.