APPARATUS AND METHOD OF GENERATING ENERGY FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Abstract

An electrical energy generator array generates electricity from at least one form of natural flow, the generator having a drive shaft driven by energy from a natural energy flow and connected to a drive mechanism. The generator includes an integrated electric motor and a plurality of individual generators disengageably connected to the drive mechanism. Each generator is connected via a series of ties to form a connected generator array, the array being rotated by the drive mechanism when connected thereto, or by the integrated electric motor when disconnected from the drive mechanism, to generate electricity. The generator may include an electrical storage device arranged to power the integrated electric motor. A method of generating electricity from at least one natural energy flow, for supply to an electrical storage device, for local use or for supply to an electric grid includes using an electrical energy generator array as described.

Claims

1. An electrical energy generator array, arranged to generate electricity from at least one form of natural flow, the generator having a drive shaft driven by energy from a natural energy flow and connected to a drive mechanism, the generator further comprising an integrated electric motor and a plurality of individual generators disengageably connected to the drive mechanism, the individual generators being connected via a series of ties to form a connected generator array, the array being rotated by the drive mechanism when connected to the drive mechanism, or by the integrated electric motor when disconnected from the drive mechanism, to generate electricity.

2. An electrical energy generator array according to claim 1 wherein electricity generated by rotation of the drive mechanism is supplied to an electricity supply grid, used locally or stored in an electrical storage device.

3. An electrical energy generator array according to claim 1 wherein the electrical storage device comprises one or more batteries.

4. An electrical energy generator array according to claim 1 wherein each individual generator comprises a rotor and stator brushless type generator.

5. An electrical energy generator array according to claim 1 wherein the drive shaft of the generator may be driven by wind, solar, tidal or hydro flows or a combination of flows.

6. An electrical energy generator array according to claim 1 wherein each individual generator can be arranged on a central support shaft and connected by ties of a drive mechanism to increase overall capacity of the generator.

7. (canceled)

8. An electrical energy generator array according to claim 1 wherein the generator further comprises an electrical storage device arranged to power the integrated electric motor.

9. An electrical energy generator array according to claim 8 wherein the integrated electric motor is arranged to be engaged with the drive mechanism and is arranged to be able to use energy stored in the electrical storage device to rotate the generator array and drive the individual generators when there the drive shaft is disengaged from the natural flow drive mechanism and wherein optionally rotation of the array drives a further mechanical device.

10. An electrical energy generator array according to claim 9 wherein the generator array is engaged/disengaged with the natural flow drive mechanism by an electromagnetic coupler.

11. An electrical energy generator array according to claim 10 wherein a drive gear located between the central drive shaft and the drive mechanism is arranged to be disengageable.

12. (canceled)

13. An electrical energy generator array according to claim 1, wherein the generator further comprises an electrical storage device arranged to be charged by a natural flow of energy and to be able to power the integrated electric motor to drive the generator array at times when the natural flow cannot be utilised to drive the generator array.

14. An electrical energy generator array according to claim 13 wherein the generator array is further arranged to drive a further mechanical device.

15. An electrical energy generator array according to claim 1, wherein at least three ties are provided.

16. An electrical energy generator array according to claim 1 wherein a flow of electricity from the generator array is monitored and controlled.

17. An electrical energy generator array according to claim 16 wherein the controller is a computer arranged to monitor and control the generator and the controller is preferably able to monitor at least one of generator output; battery charge level; energy demand from the grid; islanding; rotation speed; natural flow speed; motor engagement; generator disengagement from flow drive gear and other sensors housed within the generator.

18. An electrical energy generator according to claim 1 wherein the central drive shaft is driven by a wind, hydro or tidal driven blades that may be horizontally or vertically mounted or wherein the generator array is rotated by means of an integrated electric motor using solar energy generated by a solar panel array.

19. An electrical energy generator according to claim 1 wherein solar energy from a solar panel array mounted on the generator tower is fed directly to the grid or stored in the on-site electrical storage device.

20. An electrical energy generator according to claim 1 wherein each individual generator comprises rotor and a stator and a bearing is provided between the respective rotor and stator and wherein each bearing is a single high life cycle sealed ceramic bearing.

21. (canceled)

22. A generator comprising a rotor and a corresponding stator mounted on a support bracket on a shaft portion, the shaft being connectible to a corresponding shaft portion of another individual generator and wherein the rotor is connectable to a plurality of tie elements to be able to form a generator array.

23. A method of making a generator the method comprising providing a support shaft and a natural flow drive shaft rotatable by at least one natural flow, the method further comprising mounting at least two individual generators on the support shaft, connecting the generators to form an array using a plurality of tie elements and connecting the array to a drive mechanism driven by the natural flow drive shaft.

Description

[0060] The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0061] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a generator array in accordance with the invention and incorporating an electric drive motor;

[0062] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a generator array with vertical drive blades;

[0063] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a generator array with horizontal drive blades;

[0064] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a hybrid wind and tidal generator array with vertical flow gear;

[0065] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a generator array with vertical drive blades and with solar panels attached to a support tower surrounding the generator array;

[0066] FIG. 6A is a schematic side view of a generator array in accordance with the invention;

[0067] FIG. 6B is a schematic perspective view of the generator array of FIG. 6A; and

[0068] FIG. 6C is a schematic side view of the generator array of FIG. 6A.

[0069] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a generator 1 in accordance with the invention and arranged to generate electricity from at least one form of natural flow, the generator having a central drive shaft 2 driven by a natural energy flow and connected to a number of ties 4 which are in-turn connected to a number of individual generators 6 thus forming a drive mechanism of an array 8. Rotation of the drive mechanism in-turn rotates the array and generates electricity. The generator array 8 comprises a plurality of individual generators 6 each of which is also connected to the drive mechanism 2 via the electromagnetic coupler, each individual generator being arranged to use rotation of the drive mechanism or the integrated electric motor to generate electricity.

[0070] The individual generators 6 and integrated electric motor are connected to the ties to form the array. The ties are then connected to a splined drive shaft, which connects to the electromagnetic coupler and then connects directly to the natural flow drive mechanism.

[0071] Each individual generator 6 comprises a rotor 10 and a stator 12. Each of the individual generators is supported on a central support shaft 14 via support brackets 16.

[0072] The support brackets 16 are each attached to the central support shaft 14 and extend outwardly therefrom.

[0073] The central support shaft 14 supports a number of stators 10 which are bolted to the support brackets on the central support shaft. A ceramic bearing is fixed so that it will in use be located between the stator 12 and respective rotor 10. The rotor 10 is then located over or in-line with the stator 12.

[0074] The rotors 10 are connected to each other and to the splined drive shaft 2 by means of a series of ties 4 forming the drive mechanism which comprises a longitudinally extending array of connecting ties 4. As the drive shaft 2 rotates the generator array 8 formed by the series of connecting ties 4 rotates the rotors around the central support shaft 14 and the stators 12.

[0075] Each rotor 10 contains a series of polarised magnets (not shown). As the rotor rotates around the stator 12 which contains a series of energising poles and copper wire the poles are energised by the magnets and electricity is produced.

[0076] The central support shaft 14 is hollow and is arranged to contain all of the wiring 18 required for the connecting the individual generators.

[0077] A brushless electric motor 20 is also provided and mounted on a bracket around the central support shaft and connected to the array ties. The wiring for the motor 20 is also located in the central support shaft.

[0078] In this embodiment the generator comprises four rotors and stators, each rotor-stator pair forming an individual generator 6 and also comprises an electric motor 20. The number of individual generators and integrated motors can be increased or decreased dependant on the scale of generation output required from the generator as a whole. It is envisaged that from 2 to 100 individual generators may be used to form the generator.

[0079] Each of the individual generators 6 can be fabricated off-site and transported to a location of the generator and connected together on site. Each individual generator 6 is much smaller and easier to transport than a large generator required for more conventional wind turbines.

[0080] Electricity generated by the individual generators is either supplied to an electricity supply grid, used locally or stored in an electrical storage device.

[0081] Turning now to FIG. 2 which illustrates a generator array 8 with vertically arranged blades 22 it can be seen that the generator is housed in a structural support tower 24. The blades 22 are connected to the central drive shaft 2 via a flow drive gearbox 26 and the electromagnetic coupler 28. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the blade arrangement can be in either vertical or horizontal drive configurations. The generator array can also be arranged in a horizontal or vertical configuration.

[0082] In the embodiment of FIG. 3 a flow drive gear box 26 is positioned between the vertical natural flow drive shaft 36 and the generator array 8 via the electromagnetic coupler 28. The blades and the natural flow vertical drive shaft 36 are connected to the array drive shaft 2 via the electromagnetic coupler 28 to the flow drive gearbox 26. Connection of the drive shaft 2 to the flow drive gear box can be controlled by means of an electro-magnetic coupler 28 which is most clearly seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The electro-magnetic coupler 28 enables the generator array 8 to be engaged or disengaged from the natural flow drive gearbox 26 when the natural flow is low or if the natural flow is above operational safety limits but energy demand is high. If the natural flow cannot be utilised but the demand is high the drive shaft 2 can be disengaged from the flow drive gear box 26 and the integrated electric motor 20 can be engaged to drive the generator array.

[0083] During engagement and disengagement the natural flow drive gear box 26 is slowed and held in place with a friction brake 30. Disengaging and holding the natural flow drive gear stationary allows the generator array to be driven by the electric motor 20 which is powered by a battery power reserve housed on-site near or in the support tower.

[0084] As the drive gear is disengaged from the natural flow drive gearbox 26 the integrated electric motor 20 can be engaged to drive the generator array.

[0085] Use of the stored energy in the battery to drive the generator array provides a more continuous and controllable supply of electricity to either the grid or off-grid requirements.

[0086] A control circuit is provided which is connected to a controller. The controller monitors the flow of electricity from the generator and is controlled remotely or at the installation site. The controller will monitor the generator output; battery charge level; and energy demand from the grid, islanding, generator array rotation speed, natural flow speed, motor engagement, generator array disengagement and engagement from flow drive gear and other sensors housed within the array.

[0087] FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but illustrates and alternative embodiment in which the blades 34 are arranged to rotate a drive shaft 36 that is horizontally connected to the flow drive gear box 26. The same reference numbers are used for the same elements. The air blades are arranged to rotate like a propeller and the natural flow drive shaft 36 is substantially horizontal. The drive shaft 36 is connected to the flow drive gear box 26 which in this case converts the movement to a vertical rotation. As before an electromagnetic coupler 28 is provided; this can move the drive shaft 36 into or out of communication with the flow drive gear box 26.

[0088] As before the drive from the flow drive gear box is transferred to the drive shaft and which rotates the rotors of a number of rotor relative to a corresponding number of stators. In this embodiment there is an electric motor and nine individual generators.

[0089] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a hybrid wind and tidal configuration which is mounted on a floating platform 38 that can be tethered to other platforms and/or the sea bed or river bed. The hybrid generator array comprises a first generator array 40 arranged to generate electricity from wind power. The hybrid generator comprises a second generator 42 arranged to generate electricity from a tidal water flow. The blade arrangement can be in either vertical or horizontal drive configurations or a combination of both but in this example both blade arrangements are in vertical drive configurations. The support tower 44; 44is connected to the floating platform 38. It will be appreciated that this configuration or a similar configuration could also be utilised as a land based hydro and wind powered flow solution and or a deep sea wind and sea current flow solution. The support tower 44 extends upwardly and is connected to a wind powered flow solution and the support tower 44 for the tidal flow generator extends downwardly from the platform and is arranged to be water proof.

[0090] Turning now to FIG. 5 this illustrates an embodiment with a vertical arrangement of the blades 46 and in which solar panels 48 are attached to an external surface of the support tower 24. The solar panels can be attached 360 degrees around the tower or can be arranged to maximise exposure to sunlight. This configuration would suit all sites but would be especially useful for urban environments, small sites, roof tops, remote locations or mobile or temporary locations and water borne vessels in order to obtain maximum renewable energy capture per square meter of space.

[0091] The solar panel array may feed electricity directly to the grid or to a local electrical energy storage device. The solar panel array can also be arranged to drive the integrated electric motor to operate the generator array.

[0092] FIGS. 6A to 6C show an alternative generator array 61 with five individual generators 66 and one integrated motor 80.

[0093] FIG. 6A is a schematic view of the alternative generator 61 in accordance with the invention and arranged to generate electricity from at least one form of natural flow, the generator having a central drive shaft 62 driven by a natural energy flow and connected to a number of ties 64 which are in-turn connected to a number of individual generators 66 thus forming a drive mechanism of an array 68. Rotation of the drive mechanism in turn rotates the array 68 and generates electricity. The generator array 68 comprises a plurality of individual generators 66 each of which is also connected to the drive mechanism 62 via the electromagnetic coupler, each individual generator being arranged to use rotation of the drive mechanism or the integrated electric motor to generate electricity.

[0094] The individual generators 66 and integrated electric motor 80 are connected to the ties to form the array. The ties are then connected to a splined drive shaft, which connects to the electromagnetic coupler and then connects directly to the natural flow drive mechanism.

[0095] Each individual generator 66 comprises a rotor 70 and a stator 72. Each of the individual generators is supported on a central support shaft 74 via support brackets 76.

[0096] The support brackets 76 are each attached to the central support shaft 74 and extend outwardly therefrom.

[0097] The central support shaft 74 supports a number of stators 70 which are bolted to the support brackets on the central support shaft. A ceramic bearing is fixed so that it will in use be located between the stator 72 and respective rotor 70. The rotor 70 is then located over or in-line with the stator 72.

[0098] The rotors 70 are connected to each other and to the splined drive shaft by means of a series of ties 64 forming the drive mechanism which comprises a longitudinally extending array of connecting ties 64. As the drive shaft 62 rotates the generator array 68 formed by the series of connecting ties 64 rotates the rotors around the central support shaft 64 and the stators 72.

[0099] Tie connecting mounts 65 are provided on each rotor 70, including the rotor of the electric motor 80, to facilitate connection of the ties 64 to each rotor to couple the generators and motor together.

[0100] In alternative embodiments, more than one integrated electric motor 80 may be provided within a single array 68.

[0101] In the example shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, four ties are provided to connect the generator array. The ties are rigid and arranged longitudinally along the array such that each rotor is connected to each tie.

[0102] In alternative embodiments, a different number of ties may be provided, for example 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 ties. In alternative or additional embodiments, not all rotors may be connected to all tiesfor example, each rotor may be connected to alternate ties, or only to a subset of the ties. In alternative or additional embodiments, the ties may not be longitudinal and may instead, for example, curve around the generator array.

[0103] At one end, the ties 64 are connected to a bearing 67. The bearing is retained on, and rotates freely on, the central support shaft 64, so allowing the rotors to rotate with respect to the stators.

[0104] At the other end, the ties 64 are connected to the drive mechanism via an electromagnetic coupler or clutch 62 on the central drive shaft. The array can therefore be decoupled from the natural flow when desired.

[0105] The skilled person would understand that the motor 80 may be located anywhere along the array 68 in alternative examples, and is not limited to being at one end of the array as shown in FIGS. 6A-C.

[0106] Any of the features discussed with respect to the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 can be applied to the example shown in FIGS. 6A-C.

[0107] It will be appreciated that although the generator array in this embodiment has been described as being driven at least in part by natural flows the design of the array lends itself to be utilised in numerous other applications. For example, the array may be utilised to generate sufficient electricity to charge an energy storage device or devices. The electricity stored can be utilised to drive the integrated electric motor and to rotate the array. It will be appreciated that rotation of the array can drive a further mechanical device which may be attached to the array or arrays.