Method and means for mounting wind turbines upon a column

Abstract

A variable level, relatively mobile wind power system consists of small, personal use wind turbines mounted upon an axis without need for a concrete mounting platform. As needed, the axis may be brought to the desired level upon a column and retracted to the ground for servicing. The entire wind power system can also be easily transferred to a different location.

Claims

1. A method for mounting one or more, small personal use wind turbines on a column without need for a concrete base, said method comprising steps of: providing a first pipe segment adapted for inserting into a hole drilled into a ground surface; bolting said first pipe segment to a steel plate to form the column onto which the one or more wind turbines will be mounted; and stabilizing the column with multiple spikes, each spike being inserted through a hole in the steel plate and hammered into the ground surface.

2. The method of claim 1, which further comprises: joining two metal segments to a second pipe segment for building an axle onto which to mount said one or more wind turbines.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the first pipe segment and the second pipe segment have a same diameter.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein each of the two metal segments are joined at a right angle to the second pipe segment.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more wind turbines are adapted for raising and lowering on the column prior to a storm.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the one or more wind turbines are adapted for raising and lowering on the column manually or mechanically.

7. The method of claim 5 which further includes: providing a winch and pulley system for raising and lowering the wind turbines.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said winch and pulley system is built into a top section of the column.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more wind turbines are adapted for raising and lowering on the column for maintenance.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more wind turbines are adapted for raising and lowering on the column for removal and storage.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more wind turbines are adapted for residential use.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more wind turbines are adapted for temporary campground use.

13. A method for safely mounting a small, personal use wind turbine on a column without need of a concrete base for the column, said method comprising the steps of: providing a first pipe segment adapted for inserting into a hole drilled into a ground surface; bolting said first pipe segment to a steel plate to form the column onto which the wind turbine will be mounted; stabilizing the column with multiple spikes, each spike being inserted through a hole in the steel plate and hammered into the ground surface; and joining two metal segments to a second pipe segment for building an axle onto which to mount said wind turbine.

14. The method of claim 13 which further includes: providing a winch and pulley system for raising and lowering the wind turbine.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said winch and pulley system is built into a top section of the column.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] FIG. 1 is a side schematic view of the wind turbine assembly of this invention;

[0037] FIGS. 1A and 1B present enlarged views of the respective circled areas 1A and 1B in FIG. 1, for better detailing aspects of that wind turbine assembly;

[0038] FIG. 2 is a side schematic view illustrating one method of constructing a column for supporting wind turbines according to this invention;

[0039] FIG. 2A shows the connection of the top segment of the column to the lifting rope or cable as per the enlarged circle region 2A in FIG. 2;

[0040] FIG. 2B shows the method of connecting segments to each other, by means of inserts as per the enlarged circle region 2B in FIG. 2;

[0041] FIG. 3 is a side schematic view of the wind turbine assembly illustrating position of the turbines for servicing;

[0042] FIG. 4 is a side schematic view of the turbine assembly in a more stable and solid configuration;

[0043] FIG. 5 is a side schematic view of a four-turbine configuration;

[0044] FIG. 6 is a side schematic view of an alternative embodiment showing how a plurality of lesser diameter columns can be used to create a stronger larger diameter column that will support an axis bearing heavier turbines; and

[0045] FIG. 6A is a front perspective view of the circled region 6A in FIG. 6, showing a top section of that column as seen from a point 30 degrees above horizontal.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1 (page 1 of 8), a side view shows a pipe 1, which was dropped into a hole drilled in the ground. A steel plate 3 with a central round opening is lowered over the part of pipe 1 that remains above ground.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 1A (page 2 of 8), a side view shows a pipe 1 and plate 3 joined by coupling 12, the latter being bolted to 1 and 3 by means of screws 13 and 11. The function of screw 14 is to prevent eventual rotation of column 2 in the wind.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 1 (page 1 of 8), a side view shows the unit of pipe, coupling, and steel plate being stabilized by multiple spikes 10 which were inserted into holes in the steel plate 3 and hammered into the ground.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 1 (page 1 of 8), a side view shows how sections 5 and 5a are welded or bolted at a right angle to collar 4, said sections being formed by a section of pipe whose diameter is similar to that of pipe 1. Hence, this axis is formed by a combination of elements 4, 5, and 5a.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 1B (page 2 of 8), a side view shows how when the axis has been raised to the top of column 2, wedge 15, welded onto collar 4, engages inverted V-shaped configuration 16, welded into the top section of the column. That arrangement should prevent the turbine axis from rotating in the wind.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 2 (page 3 of 8), a side view shows how a light metal or carbon fiber tripod (or similar multi-legged lifting apparatus) 17 that is taller than the intended column can be erected over the work site. It is intended to lift and stabilize the column during construction.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 2 (page 3 of 8), a side view shows how cable 19 passes through a pulley 18.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 2A (page 4 of 8), a side view from 30 degrees above the horizontal shows how the first section 2a of column 2 is held aloft by hook 20.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 2 (page 3 of 8), a side view shows how column section 2a is raised high enough to allow the second section 2b of column 2 to be connected to the first section 2a by means of an internal sleeve 21a. In the same way, further sections can be added thereto until the column has reached its desired height.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 2 (page 3 of 8), a side view shows the bottom section 2x of column 2 already inserted into collar 4 of the axis and into pipe 1 already buried in the ground. The other column sections, still held aloft by the tripod, must now be lowered and be connected to element 2x. Then the column will be complete and unhooked from tripod 17. This column will then be freestanding and able to withstand very high winds so long as it does not carry an additional load or provide a greater wind aspect.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 3 (page 5 of 8), the turbines are safely available for servicing at ground level. This side view shows turbines ready to be raised as required, possibly using a winch and pulley system 7 such as the one built into section 2a or the top section of this column. Such pulleys can be integral to a new column construction or added, after the fact, as an after-market option, in the alternative.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 4 (page 6 of 8), a side view shows another embodiment of the present invention in which set 30 is composed of twin turbines 6 and 6a framed by bars 23a, 24, 23b, 23c, 24a, and 23d. Ball bearing assemblies connect turbines to bars 24 and 24a. Thus the wind turbine is given stability and the wear on its ball bearings decreased.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 5 (page 7 of 8), a side view shows another embodiment of the present invention: set 40, is composed of four framed turbines 6b, 6c, 6d and 6e, installed upon beams 5 and 5a, which are then framed by bars 27a, 27b, 27c, 27d, 28, 28a, 29, and 29a. Wobbling may be further decreased by connecting two horizontal bars 28 and 28a with a circular brace 25.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 6 (page 8 of 8), a side view shows another embodiment of the present invention in which a method to install turbines of a greater weight is disclosed. Using larger diameter pipe to construct the column would disallow the use of a lightweight tripod to raise the column. To avoid the complications and cost of a crane, the required column 50 may be formed by constructing a plurality of columns of lesser diameter.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 6A, a side view as seen from a point at 30 degrees above the horizontal shows a plurality of lesser diameter columns combined to create a single column. Lesser diameter columns 50.1, 50.2, 50.3, 50.4, 50.5, 50.6, and 50.7 may be separately raised and stabilized with tripod 17. These lesser diameter columns may be separately inserted: first into the axis formed by elements 5, 4, and 5a; then into pipe 1.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 6 (and enlarged FIG. 6A), side views shows how each of the columns of lesser diameter (50-1 to 50-6) are bolted to the central lesser diameter column 50-7. Together they form a composite column 50 upon which collar 4 and the attached axis bearing heavier turbines may be raised. Column 50.1 bears pulley 7 and V-shaped slot 16.