Abstract
Modular wind turbine blade designs include a plurality of modular sections that are attached to each other on site. Each section preferably includes a cross member and a plurality of lengthwise members. A plurality of fasteners are used to secure a cross member between end flanges of first and second sets of lengthwise members. The plurality of lengthwise members and cross members are covered with an outer skin. A weight system is preferably retained in an inner perimeter of a plurality of first lengthwise members. The weight system preferably includes a lengthwise frame, a rail structure, a sliding weight and at least one weight motor. A plurality of fins may be attached to a bottom surface of a modular blade assembly. A fin actuation mechanism may be used to move the position of a plurality of fins relative to a bottom surface of the modular blade assembly.
Claims
1. A weight system for a modular blade assembly, comprising: a lengthwise frame which is retained in a length of said modular blade assembly; a rail structure extends along a length of said lengthwise frame; a sliding weight includes a plurality of wheels, said plurality of wheels roll along said rail structure; at least two weight motors are retained by said lengthwise frame; and at least two cables are coupled to an output shaft of said at least one weight motor, wherein said at least one motor moves said weight system from one end of said modular blade assembly to an opposing end of said modular blade assembly.
2. The weight system for a modular blade assembly of claim 1, further comprising: at least two cable pulleys are located on one end of said lengthwise frame and said at least two weight motors are located on an opposing end of said lengthwise frame.
3. The weight system for a modular blade assembly of claim 1, wherein: said sliding weight is located within an inner perimeter of said lengthwise frame.
4. The weight system for a modular blade assembly of claim 1, wherein: said at least two motors are driven by one of electricity, pneumatics or hydraulics.
5. The weight system for a modular blade assembly of claim 1, wherein: said sliding weight is located near a blade hub at start-up, said sliding weight is located at a distal end of said modular blade assembly at full rotation thereof.
6. A weight system for a modular blade assembly, comprising: a lengthwise frame which is retained in a length of said modular blade assembly; a sliding weight includes a plurality of wheels, said plurality of wheels roll along on an inner perimeter of said lengthwise frame; at least two weight motors are retained by said lengthwise frame; and at least two cables are coupled to an output shaft of said at least one weight motor, wherein said at least one motor moves said weight system from one end of said modular blade assembly to an opposing end of said modular blade assembly.
7. The weight system for a modular blade assembly of claim 6, further comprising: at least two cable pulleys are located on one end of said lengthwise frame and said at least two weight motors are located on an opposing end of said lengthwise frame.
8. The weight system for a modular blade assembly of claim 6, wherein: said sliding weight is located within an inner perimeter of said lengthwise frame.
9. The weight system for a modular blade assembly of claim 6, wherein: said at least two motors are driven by one of electricity, pneumatics or hydraulics.
10. The weight system for a modular blade assembly of claim 6, wherein: said sliding weight is located near a blade hub at start-up, said sliding weight is located at a distal end of said modular blade assembly at full rotation thereof.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wind turbine rotating tower in accordance with the present invention.
(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wind turbine rotating tower with a symmetrical biconvex tower in accordance with the present invention.
(3) FIG. 3 is an end view of a blade assembly in accordance with the present invention.
(4) FIG. 4 is an end view of a blade assembly, which includes a plurality of modular blade assemblies in accordance with the present invention.
(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modular blade assembly with an outer skin removed in accordance with the present invention.
(6) FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway perspective view of a modular blade assembly with a portion of an outer skin removed in accordance with the present invention.
(7) FIG. 7 is a right side perspective view of a portion of a modular blade assembly with an outer skin removed in accordance with the present invention.
(8) FIG. 8 is a left side perspective view of a portion of a modular blade assembly with an outer skin removed in accordance with the present invention.
(9) FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a portion of a modular blade assembly with an outer skin removed in accordance with the present invention.
(10) FIG. 10 is a top view of a portion of a modular blade assembly with an outer skin removed in accordance with the present invention.
(11) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of a modular blade assembly with an outer skin removed and revealing a weight system in accordance with the present invention.
(12) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a section of a frame of a modular blade assembly with an outer skin removed and revealing a weight system run by cables and pulleys in accordance with the present invention.
(13) FIG. 13 is an end view of a section of a frame of a modular blade assembly with an outer skin removed and revealing a weight system run by cables and pulleys in accordance with the present invention.
(14) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a modular blade assembly with a frame removed to reveal a frame of a second embodiment of a weight system run by cables and pulleys in accordance with the present invention.
(15) FIG. 15 is a cutaway perspective view of a modular blade assembly revealing an end of a frame of a second embodiment of a weight system run by cables and pulleys in accordance with the present invention.
(16) FIG. 16 is a perspective end view of an inside of a blade hub of a modular blade assembly revealing ends of a frame of a second embodiment of four weight systems run by cables and pulleys for four turbine blades in accordance with the present invention.
(17) FIG. 17 is an end view of an inside of a blade hub of a modular blade assembly revealing ends of a frame of a second embodiment of four weight systems run by cables and pulleys for four turbine blades and an inside of a nacelle with a blade shaft in accordance with the present invention.
(18) FIG. 18 is a partially exploded perspective view of an inside of a blade hub of a modular blade assembly revealing ends of a frame of a second embodiment of four weight systems run by cables and pulleys for four turbine blades and an inside of a nacelle with a blade shaft in accordance with the present invention.
(19) FIG. 19a is a perspective view of a modular blade assembly with a plurality of fins of the same size attached to a bottom surface thereof in accordance with the present invention.
(20) FIG. 19b is a perspective view of a modular blade assembly with a plurality of fins more densely packed than that of FIG. 19a, attached to a bottom surface thereof in accordance with the present invention.
(21) FIG. 19c is a perspective view of a modular blade assembly with a plurality of fins of the varying sizes attached to a bottom surface thereof and more densely packed than that of FIG. 19b in accordance with the present invention.
(22) FIG. 19d is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a modular blade assembly with a plurality of fins of the varying sizes attached to a bottom surface thereof in accordance with the present invention.
(23) FIG. 20 is an end view of a modular blade assembly with a plurality of fins attached to a bottom surface thereof with different angular orientations in accordance with the present invention.
(24) FIG. 21a is an end view of a modular blade assembly with a mechanism for changing a position of a plurality of fins relative to a bottom surface of the modular blade assembly in accordance with the present invention.
(25) FIG. 21b is an end view of a modular blade assembly with a fin mechanism for changing a position of a plurality of fins relative to a bottom surface of the modular blade assembly, after actuating the fin mechanism in accordance with the present invention.
(26) FIG. 22a is an end view of a modular blade assembly with a plurality of fins and a plurality of sub fins attached to each fin, a mechanism is used to change a position of the plurality of sub fins relative to each fin, where the plurality of sub fins are in a first position relative to each fin in accordance with the present invention.
(27) FIG. 22b is an end view of a modular blade assembly with a plurality of fins and a plurality of sub fins attached to each fin, a mechanism is used to change a position of the plurality of sub fins relative to each fin, where the plurality of sub fins are in a second position relative to each fin in accordance with the present invention.
(28) FIG. 22c is an end view of a modular blade assembly with a plurality of fins and a plurality of sub fins attached to each fin, a mechanism is used to change a position of the plurality of sub fins relative to each fin, where the plurality of sub fins are in a third position relative to each fin in accordance with the present invention.
(29) FIG. 23a is an end view of a modular blade assembly having a bottom surface with a plurality of T projections formed thereupon in accordance with the present invention.
(30) FIG. 23b is an end view of a modular blade assembly having a bottom surface with a plurality of convex projections formed thereupon in accordance with the present invention.
(31) FIG. 23c is an end view of a modular blade assembly having a bottom surface with a plurality of convex projections formed thereupon having a different shape than those shown in FIG. 23b in accordance with the present invention.
(32) FIG. 24a is a bottom perspective view of a modular blade assembly having a pattern of a plurality of trapezoidal cavities formed in a bottom surface thereof in accordance with the present invention.
(33) FIG. 24b is a bottom perspective view of a modular blade assembly having a pattern of a plurality of trapezoidal projections formed in a bottom surface thereof in accordance with the present invention.
(34) FIG. 24c is an end view of a modular blade assembly having a pattern of a plurality of trapezoidal cavities formed in a bottom surface thereof in accordance with the present invention.
(35) FIG. 24d is a bottom perspective view of a modular blade assembly having a pattern of a plurality of trapezoidal projections formed in a bottom surface thereof with a trapezoidal cavity formed in each trapezoidal projection in accordance with the present invention.
(36) FIG. 25a is a bottom perspective view of a modular blade assembly having a pattern of a plurality of circular cavities formed in a bottom surface thereof in accordance with the present invention.
(37) FIG. 25b is an end view of a modular blade assembly having a pattern of a plurality of circular cavities formed in a bottom surface thereof in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(38) With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 5-10, there is shown modular wind turbine blade designs.
(39) With reference to FIG. 1, a wind turbine rotating tower 1 preferably includes an adaptive nacelle 100, a stationary base 102, a rotating tower 104, a plurality of motor systems 108 and a blade assembly 110. The rotating tower 104 preferably includes a symmetrical biconvex shape. With reference to FIGS. 2-4, each blade assembly 110 preferably includes a plurality of modular blade assemblies 10 and a blade hub 14. The plurality of modular blade assemblies 10 extend from the blade hub 14. Each modular blade assembly 10 includes a plurality of modular sections 12 that are attached to each other on site.
(40) With reference to FIGS. 5-6, each modular blade assembly 10 preferably includes a plurality of sections 12. Each modular section 12 preferably includes a cross member 16, a first lengthwise member 18, a second lengthwise member 20, a third lengthwise member 22, a fourth lengthwise member 24. The plurality of modular sections 12 are joined to each other to form a blade frame. An outer skin 26 is secured to an outer perimeter of the plurality of sections 12 with any suitable method. Each cross member 16 preferably includes a curved tear drop outer perimeter shape, but other shapes may also be used. The outer perimeter shape is optimized to be driven by the wind. The first, second, third and further lengthwise members 18, 20, 22, 24 are preferably tubular and have a round outer perimeter.
(41) With reference to FIGS. 7-10, the first lengthwise member 18 includes a first end flange 28 and a first opposing end flange 30. The second lengthwise member 20 includes a second end flange 32 and a second opposing end flange 34. The third lengthwise member 22 includes a third end flange 36 and a third opposing end flange 38. The fourth lengthwise member 24 includes a fourth end flange 40 and a fourth opposing end flange 42. A plurality of fasteners 44 are used to secure a cross member 16 between an opposing end flange 30, 34, 38 and 42 of one set of lengthwise members 18, 20, 22, 24 to end flanges 28, 32, 36, 40 of a second set of lengthwise members 18, 20, 22, 24. The fasteners could be threaded bolts, rivets or any other suitable fastener.
(42) With reference to FIGS. 11-13, a first embodiment of a weight system 45 is preferably retained in an inner perimeter of the plurality of first lengthwise members 18. The weight system 45 preferably includes a lengthwise frame 46, a rail structure 48, a sliding weight 50 and at least two weight motors 52. An outer perimeter of the lengthwise frame 46 is sized to be retained in the plurality of first length members 18. The rail structure 48 is retained in the lengthwise frame 46. The sliding weight 50 includes a plurality of wheels 54, which ride along the rail structure 48. The sliding weight 50 is slidably retained in the rail structure 48. One end of a first cable 56 is attached to the sliding weight 50 and other end of the first cable 56 is attached to a motor pulley 58, which is retained on an output shaft 60 of one of the at least two weight motors 52. A cable pulley (not shown) is located, at an opposing end of the lengthwise frame 46. A second cable 56 is looped around the cable pulley. One end of the second cable 56 is attached to the sliding weight 50 and the other end is attached to a second motor pulley 58. The two weight motors 52 always keep the two cables 56 in tension, regardless of the angular position of the modular blade assembly 10. The at least two weight motors 52 are rotated to change a position of the sliding weight 50 relative to the lengthwise frame 46. The at least two weight motors 52 may be driven by electricity, hydraulics or pneumatics. At start-up of rotation of the blade assembly 110, the sliding weight 50 may be located closest to the blade hub 14 to consume less energy. During full rotation of the blade assembly 110, the sliding weight 110 may be located at a distal end of each modular blade 10 to create a flywheel effect.
(43) With reference to FIGS. 14-18, a second embodiment of a weight system 62 is preferably retained in an inner perimeter of the plurality of first lengthwise members 18. The weight system 62 preferably includes a lengthwise frame 64, a sliding weight 66 and at least two weight motors 68. An outer perimeter of the lengthwise frame 64 and at least two weight motors 68 are sized to be retained in the plurality of first length members 18. A rail structure 72 is preferably formed on an inside surface of four lengthwise frame members 70. The sliding weight 66 includes a plurality of wheels 74, which ride along the four lengthwise frame members 70. One end of a first cable 76 is attached to the sliding weight 66 and other end of the cable 76 is attached to a motor pulley 78 retained on an output shaft of one of the at least two weight motors 68. A cable pulley (not shown) is located, at an opposing end of the lengthwise frame 64. A second cable 76 is looped around the cable pulley. One end of the second cable 76 is attached to the sliding weight 66 and the other end is attached to a second motor pulley 78. The two weight motors 68 keep the two cables 76 in tension at all times, regardless of the angular position of the modular blade assembly 10. The at least two weight motors 68 are rotated to change a position of the sliding weight 66 relative to the lengthwise frame 64. The at least two weight motors 68 may be driven by electricity, hydraulics or pneumatics. At start-up of rotation of the blade assembly 110, the sliding weight 66 may be located closest to the blade hub 14 to consume less energy. During full rotation of the blade assembly 110, the sliding weight 110 may be located at a distal end of each modular blade 10 to create a flywheel effect.
(44) With reference to FIGS. 19a-20, a plurality of fins 80 may be attached to a bottom surface of a modular blade assembly 10. The plurality of fins 80 may have the same size or have different sizes and being oriented at different angles. With reference to FIGS. 21a-21b, a fin actuation mechanism 82 may be used to change a position of a plurality of fins 84 relative to a bottom surface of the modular blade assembly 10. The fin actuation mechanism 82 preferably includes a plurality of actuators 86 and a pivoting fin rack 88. With reference to FIGS. 22a-22c, a plurality of sub fins 90 may be attached to each fin 88. A sub fin actuation mechanism may be used to change a position of the plurality of sub fins 90 relative to the fin 88. With reference to FIG. 23a, a plurality of T projections 92 may be formed on a bottom of each modular blade assembly 10 to maximize the use of available wind speed. With reference to FIG. 23b, a plurality of convex projections 94 may be formed on a bottom of each modular blade assembly 10 to maximize the use of available wind speed. With reference to FIG. 23c, a plurality of pointed convex projections 96 may be formed on a bottom of each modular blade assembly 10 to maximize the use of available wind speed. The size of modified bottom surface of the modular blade assembly 10 may range from sandpaper to a molded pattern up to a few inches in height. With reference to FIGS. 24a and 24c, the bottom surface of the modular blade assembly 10 is modified by forming a plurality of trapezoidal cavities 98 therein. With reference to FIG. 24b, the bottom surface of the modular blade assembly 10 is modified by forming a plurality of trapezoidal projections 112 thereupon. With reference to FIG. 24d, the bottom surface of the modular blade assembly 10 is modified by forming a plurality of trapezoidal projections 114 with a trapezoidal indentation 116 formed in each trapezoidal projection 114. With reference to FIGS. 25a-25b, a plurality of circular cavities 118 are formed in a bottom of the modular blade assembly 10.
(45) While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
