VERTICAL AXIS WIND TURBINE AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

Abstract

Wind driven apparatus is provided including upright support means and a plurality of wind directing wall members protruding outwardly from the upright support means at spaced apart intervals. The area between two adjacent wind directing wall members creates a wind collection section for collecting and directing wind in use. At least one opening is defined in the upright support means in each wind collection section for allowing wind, air and/or air pressure collected in the wind collection section to pass through said at least one opening and into an inner compartment defined in the upright support means. Drive shaft means provided in the inner compartment of the upright support means and rotatable means provided on and/or associated with the drive shaft means are rotatable as a result of air pressure and/or air flowing into the inner compartment via said at least one opening. Rotation of the drive shaft means can be used to drive electricity generating means, hydraulic pump means and/or drive transmission means in use.

Claims

1. A wind driven apparatus, said wind driven apparatus including upright support means, a plurality of wind directing wall members protruding outwardly from the upright support means at spaced apart intervals, the area between two adjacent wind directing wall members creating a wind collection section for collecting and directing wind in use, at least one opening defined in the upright support means in each wind collection section for allowing wind, air and/or air pressure collected in the wind collection section to pass through said at least one opening and into an inner compartment defined in the upright support means, drive shaft means provided in the inner compartment of the upright support means and rotatable means provided on and/or associated with the drive shaft means, the drive shaft means and rotatable means are rotatable in use as a result of air pressure and/or air flowing into the inner compartment via said at least one opening, and wherein rotation of the drive shaft means can be used to drive electricity generating means, hydraulic pump means and/or drive transmission means in use.

2. The wind driven apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wind directing wall members are fixed, rigid or substantially rigid members that extend radially outwardly from the upright support means.

3. The wind driven apparatus according to claim 1, wherein four wind collection sections or quadrants are defined around the upright support means; and optionally wherein one or more dividing members are provided within each wind collection section or quadrant to divide the wind collection section or quadrant between two adjacent wind directing wall members into sub-sections or levels.

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. The wind driven apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the at least one opening is provided in each sub-section or level of each wind collection section or quadrant; and wherein closure means are provided on and/or associated with the upright means to allow selective closure of the or each of the at least one openings in use.

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. The wind driven apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the closure means are slidably or pivotably movable between open and closed positions in use.

10. The wind driven apparatus according to claim 6, wherein control means are provided to allow automated and/or manual control of the closure means in use; wherein drive means are provided to drive movement of the closure means in use; and/or guide means are provided to guide movement of the closure means between the open and closed positions in use.

11. (canceled)

12. The wind driven apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable means are in the form of one or more blades or fins that are joined to, fixed relative to, or integral with the drive shaft means and extend outwardly from said drive shaft means; and wherein the drive shaft means are arranged to rotate about a central axis or an axis that is parallel or substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the upright support means and/or drive shaft means.

13. (canceled)

14. The wind driven apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drive shaft means comprises a plurality of drive shaft segments arranged in a stacked arrangement, with one drive shaft segment arranged on top of an adjacent drive shaft segment.

15. The wind driven apparatus according to claim 14, wherein each drive shaft segment is connected to an adjacent drive shaft segment via connection means.

16. The wind driven apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wind directing wall members are provided with drive shaft segment support means that extend inwardly of the upright support means into the interior compartment to support at least part of the drive shaft segment in use.

17. The wind driven apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes electricity generating means, hydraulic pump means and/or drive transmission means; and optionally wherein the electricity generating means, hydraulic pump means and/or drive transmission are provided at a base of the apparatus.

18. (canceled)

19. The wind driven apparatus according to claim 1, wherein cooling means or one or more oil cooling radiators are provided to cool one or more components of the drive shaft means, hydraulic pump means, transmission means, hydraulic fluid being driven by the hydraulic pump means and/or other components of the apparatus.

20. (canceled)

21. The wind driven apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or more hydraulic conduits or inlet conduits are connected to the hydraulic pump means and/or transmission means to provide hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic pump means and/or transmission means in use.

22. The wind driven apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes valve means connectable to the hydraulic pump means and/or transmission means; and/or control means are provided to control one or more parameters of the apparatus, valve means, electricity generating means, transmission means and/or hydraulic pump means.

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. A method of using wind driven apparatus, said wind driven apparatus including upright support means, a plurality of wind directing wall members protruding outwardly from the upright support means at spaced apart intervals, the area between two adjacent wind directing wall members creating a wind collection section, and wherein said method includes the steps of collecting and directing wind into the wind collection section, directing the wind, air and/or air pressure collected in the wind collection section through at least one opening defined in the upright support means in each wind collection section and into an inner compartment defined in the upright support means, using the wind, air and/or air pressure to drive rotation of drive shaft means and rotatable means provided on and/or associated with the drive shaft means and located in the inner compartment of the upright support means, and wherein rotation of the drive shaft means can then be used to drive electricity generating means, hydraulic pump means and/or drive transmission means in use.

Description

[0136] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures, wherein:

[0137] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of wind driven apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0138] FIGS. 2a and 2b show detailed views of part of a wind collection section of the apparatus showing the closure means of the upright support means in a closed position and an open position respectively;

[0139] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of part of the wind driven apparatus showing the components within the upright support means, the electricity generating means, hydraulic pump means and the drive transmission means;

[0140] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken through a drive shaft segment with a partial view of an adjacent drive shaft segment to show how they engage together in use according to one embodiment;

[0141] FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view showing the components of a drive shaft segment according to a further embodiment;

[0142] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded view of part of the drive shaft and shows how supporting arms associated with the quadrant walls join to each drive shaft segment bearings in one embodiment;

[0143] FIG. 7 is a more detailed view of a base of the drive shaft showing the connection with hydraulic pump means and/or transmission means according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0144] FIG. 8 is a simplified view of a valve block that can be used with the hydraulic pump means and/or transmission means according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0145] It will be appreciated that any or any combination of features shown in the different figures and embodiments can be combined together and still fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0146] Referring firstly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a perspective view of wind driven electricity generating apparatus 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wind driven apparatus 2 includes an upright central support means in the form of support tower 6. Four wind directing wall members protrude radially outwardly from support tower 6 in the form of quadrant walls 8, 10 (only two of which are shown in FIG. 1 for clarity purposes). Each quadrant wall 8, 10 is planar, fixed and extends outwardly along the whole or substantially the whole length/height of support tower 6. Each quadrant wall 8, 10 is in contact with the ground at or adjacent a base edge 21 thereof. Each quadrant wall 8, 10 can be protruding, or at least partially protruding underground, to provide a secure foundation and structural support of the apparatus in use.

[0147] The four quadrant wall members 8, 10 define four wind collection sections or quadrants 4, 12 (only two of which are shown for clarity purposes). These quadrants are designed to collect and direct wind and air pressure in use towards openings 22 defined along the length of the support tower 6. Since the quadrants in this example are provided 360 degrees around the support tower 6, they will capture the wind irrespective of the direction of the wind.

[0148] In order to contain the air pressure that builds up adjacent the openings 22 within each quadrant 4, 12 to form a pressure chamber, quadrant dividing members 30, 32, 34, 36 are provided to divide each quadrant into four sub-sections or levels. Each dividing member 30-36 protrudes outwardly from the support tower 6 between the adjacent quadrant walls 8, 10 and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support tower 6. The top dividing member 36 of each quadrant forms a ceiling to the quadrant. The lower dividing members 30, 32,34 provide floors or levels within the quadrants which can be used to help access and maintain the quadrants and/or doors 41 in use.

[0149] Frame means in the form of upright frame members 38 are provided to support the dividing members in use. In the illustrated example, a plurality of frame members or stanchions 38 are provided for supporting each of the dividing members 30, 32, 34, 36. The stanchions 38 are arranged parallel to the support tower 6 and a spaced distance apart from each other.

[0150] Each sub-section of each quadrant 4, 12 can have a single opening 22 or can have more than one opening as required.

[0151] Closure means in the form of doors 41 are associated with each opening 22 on the support tower 6 to allow selective closure of the openings in use. More particularly, the doors 41 are movable between a fully open position (FIG. 2b only shows the doors 41 in a partially open position) wherein air can flow through the opening 22, and a fully closed position, as shown in FIG. 2a, wherein air is prevented from flowing through opening 22. The doors 41 can also optionally be controlled to open and close partially in one or more intermediate positions to vary the air flow through the same in use.

[0152] Guide means in the form of upper and lower guide rails 42 are provided at opposing ends of the openings 22 to guide the movement of the doors 41 between the open and closed position in use. The doors 41 are typically movably mounted on the guide rails 42.

[0153] Drive means or a drive mechanism can be provided to drive the movement of the doors 41 between the open and closed position in use. In one example, the drive means allows the doors to slidably move between the open and closed positions. In an alternative example, drive means are provided to allow pivotal movement of the doors between the open and closed positions. The drive means or mechanism can include one or more motors, gearing and/or the like to drive the movement of the doors in use in one example. One or more hydraulic rams could be arranged to move between a relatively extended position and a relatively retracted position in moving the doors 41 between the closed position and the open position respectively in another example.

[0154] The support tower 6 is hollow and defines an interior compartment 46 therein. The interior compartment 46 extends the length of the support tower 6 and houses a drive shaft 48 that also extends the length, or majority of the length, of the support tower 6. The openings 22 open into the interior compartment 46 or drive shaft compartment.

[0155] Rotatable means in the form of a plurality fins or blades 50 are integrally formed, attached or detachably attached to the drive shaft 48 and extend radially outwardly therefrom. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention where the blades 50 are integrally formed with the drive shaft 48 (or drive shaft segment 52). FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the present invention where the blades 50 are detachably attached to a drive shaft segment 52.

[0156] The drive shaft 48 with the blades 50 is capable of rotating about a central axis X, that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support tower 6, in use.

[0157] The drive shaft 48 in one embodiment is divided into a plurality of drive shaft segments 52 that are arranged in a stacked arrangement with one drive shaft segment 52 arranged on top of an adjacent drive shaft segment 52, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0158] More particularly, the blades 50 extend radially outwardly from a body portion 54 of each drive shaft segment 52. More or fewer blades 50 could be provided as required and could be arranged at any spaced apart arrangement around said body portion 54. In one example, two pairs of opposing blades can be provided at equidistant spaces around the body portion 54. In another example, as shown in FIG. 5, six blades 50 are provided at equidistance spaces around the body portion 54.

[0159] Connection means are provided on each drive shaft segment 52 in the form of a male shaft connection 56 provided at a first end 58 of each drive shaft segment and a female shaft connection 60 provided at a second end 62 of each drive shaft segment.

[0160] In FIGS. 4 and 5, the male shaft connection 56 is in the form of a protrusion member and the female shaft connection 60 is in the form of a recess. The drive shaft segments are identical in form and the male shaft connection 56 engages in the female shaft connection 60 of an adjacent drive shaft segment 52.

[0161] In FIG. 4, in one embodiment, each drive shaft segment 52 includes an outwardly protruding flange 70 around the body portion 54. The flange 70 of the drive shaft segment 52 sits on a bearing 66, which in turn is located on a collar 64 provided around the body portion 54 adjacent the male shaft connection 56. The collar 64 houses a bearing 66. A cover 68 can be provided over the bearing 66 to prevent dirt and debris from getting into the bearing in use.

[0162] In one embodiment, the bearing 66 and the collar 64 are each provided in four segments; bearing segments 66 and collar segments 64 respectively, as shown in FIG. 6, that are engaged together when the apparatus is assembled in use.

[0163] Each quadrant wall 8, 10 is indirectly attached to each drive shaft segment 52 to support the weight of the drive shaft segment 52 and to provide strength and rigidity to the apparatus. More particularly, each quadrant wall is provided with a plurality of inwardly protruding support arms 72 that protrude inwardly of the support tower 6 and into the interior compartment 46. These support arms 72 are typically bolted to an inner quadrant wall reinforcement structure or exoskeleton 77 (that is located within each of the quadrant walls 8, 10) by bolts 74 at a first end 73 of the support arm 72. The opposite end 75 of support arm 72 is joined to one of the collar segments 64. The inner quadrant wall reinforcement structure 77 typically extends the width and height of each quadrant wall in one example. The reinforcement structure 77 is typically then encased in concrete to form the quadrant wall structures 8, 10 to provide weight and stability to the structure.

[0164] Each collar segment can be provided as a collar segment pair including part A and Part B. The paired arrangement provides the apparatus with enhanced strength and rigidity.

[0165] In one example, 32 drive shaft segments are provided to form the upright drive shaft running through the support tower 6. However, any number of drive shaft segments can be provided as required to form the upright drive shaft.

[0166] In FIG. 5, in a further embodiment, the body portion 54 is in the form of a collar with slots 53 defined around the external circumference of the same. Each slot 53 is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. An end of each blade is provided with a flange element 55 that slidably engages within the slots 53 to secure the same in position in use. Further securing means, such as nuts and bolts for example, can be used to further secure the blades with the body portion 54. Each drive shaft segment engages with an adjacent drive shaft segment to spread the load of the drive shaft.

[0167] Each drive shaft segment 52 is also provided with a support frame including an annular outer frame 57, and radial bracing members 59 between the male shaft connection 56 and the annular outer frame 57. The support frame provides strength and rigidity to each drive shaft segment. The quadrant walls of the wind collection sections, or a support frame or exoskeleton within each quadrant wall, can be connected to the annular outer frame 57 and/or radial bracing members to increase the strength and rigidity of the structure if required.

[0168] FIGS. 3 and 7 show examples of how the drive shaft 48 can be connected with hydraulic pump 80 and/or a drive transmission provided at the base of the apparatus. The blades 50 in FIG. 8 nearest to the hydraulic pump can be shorter in length compared to the remaining blades 50 if required to allow for accommodation of oil cooling radiators 88. Alternatively, cooling radiators 88 can be located a spaced distance from the central support tower 6. Other cooling means could be provided to cool the hydraulic fluid if required.

[0169] In the embodiment in FIG. 7, a hydraulic inflow pipe 90 is connection to the hydraulic pump 80 to provide hydraulic fluid to the pump 80. A high pressure hydraulic fluid (oil in one example) outlet pipe 92 is connected to hydraulic pump 80 to provide hydraulic fluid to a valve block 94. However, as shown in FIG. 3, conduits 90 can be provided to carry hydraulic fluid in any required direction between the hydraulic pump 80, one or more valve blocks 94, one or more oil or hydraulic fluid supply tanks 98, hydraulic fluid filtration device 97 and/or the like.

[0170] FIG. 8 shows how the hydraulic pump 80 and/or drive transmission can be connected to electricity generating apparatus 100 in one embodiment. More particularly, a valve unit in the form of a valve block 94 is connected to the hydraulic pump 80 and/or drive transmission via high pressure hydraulic fluid pipe 92. The valve block 94 is connectable to one or more electrical generator means or turbines 100 via delivery conduits 96 extending outwardly from valve block 94.

[0171] The valve block 94 is connectable to a hydraulic oil tank 98 via a conduit or an overpressure return conduit 100 to provide hydraulic fluid to the system. A conduit 102 joins the hydraulic oil tank 98 to main hydraulic pump 80 and/or drive transmission to provide hydraulic fluid to the same in use. Conduit 102 can join inflow pipe 90.

[0172] In one example of the wind drive apparatus, the drive shaft 48 is 45.7 m tall (150 feet). Each blade 50 of the drive shaft 48 radiates outwardly by 2.4 m (8 feet). The radius of each quadrant from the central tower 6 is 45.7 m (150 feet), giving the overall diameter of the apparatus at over 90 m (300 feet). Each quadrant provides a wind capture area of 2856.7 square metre (30750 square feet). The captured wind is funneled to the drive shaft chamber, causing a back pressure, since the drive shaft chamber only allows air flow access of 69.68 square metres (750 square feet). The result is that the quadrant becomes a pressure chamber.

[0173] The blade capture capacity is 283.17 square metre (3048 square feet) to the driven shaft 48 and, depending on the wind speed, can achieve 27116.36 Nm (20,000 foot/pounds)135581.8 Nm (100,000 foot/pounds) of torque. The dimensions of the components of the wind drive apparatus can be up sized or downsized depending on the application and requirements of the apparatus as required.

[0174] It will be appreciated that the forces applied to the wind drive apparatus of the present invention will vary significantly depending on the wind available, the location in which the apparatus is placed, the size of the apparatus and/or the like. The components of the apparatus will typically be chosen according to the forces the components will need to withstand in use. For example, the fins could be formed from titanium as it is a strong material which is also very light. However, other materials, such as metal, steel could be used as required.

[0175] In assembling the wind drive apparatus, it will be appreciated that each drive shaft segment can be lowered into place to form a stack to create the complete drive shaft. An overhead crane could be used to perform this task in one example. In addition, the dividing members could be formed of such material and with such strength and rigidity to allow vehicles to drive on the same to help with the assembly work.

[0176] Maintenance means could be provided on and/or associated with the apparatus to allow maintenance, assembly and/or repair of the apparatus in use. In one example, maintenance means in the form of a service cage can be provided. The service cage can be movable within the drive shaft chamber along the length/height of the drive shaft chamber. A winch cable can be attached to the cage via a support bar that can be used to move the same within the drive shaft chamber. An opposite end of the winch cable can be attached to an overhead winch crane provided at the top of the support tower to help with maintenance and assembly of the apparatus in use. The cage can typically be of such shape to fit between adjacent blades 50 in the drive shaft chamber, such as for example, a quadrant shape. Extendable and retractable arm members could be provided on the base of the cage to allow the same to be supported between two adjacent blades 50 in use.

[0177] Movement means, such as for example, one or more stabilising wheels can be provided on an exterior facing peripheral edge of the cage to help stabilise and guide the cage as it moves within the interior drive shaft compartment in use. The wheels can also help to prevent drift of the cage in use.

[0178] Due to the modular nature of the drive shaft segments, it will be appreciated that the components of each segment can be disassembled and reassembled without requiring the entire drive shaft the be taken apart.