CA2481341A1 - The siamese vertical turbine - Google Patents

Abstract

The basic principle is that two vertical wind turbines adjacent to each other having their propellers integrate at the center supplements the wind energy captured by each turbine.
The framework system comprises of an identical lower platform and upper platform, secured firmly and precisely together with the required braces. The vertical distance between the two platforms is according to the required vertical length of each rotor/shaft.
The system is supported under the lower platform in the center by a "pivotal base" and by three wheels located equidistant on the peripheral such that the framework can rotate perpendicular to the wind according to the pressure exerted by the wind vane, in a full circle, when need be. The wheels fit snugly between two circular raised tracks which keep them in a fixed radius from the "pivotal base".
The vertical rotor of each turbine is set so that the distance between the two rotors permits one half of the radius of their propeller blades, more or less, to integrate at the center on rotation. The set of horizontal propeller blades of one rotor is vertically spaced such that when "stacked" there is sufficient space for the adjacent "stacked"
rotor propeller blades to integrate in the vertical space between them and in the middle sector.
For example, each rotor may have 4 horizontal blades, more or less, each blade having a width of 20 cm, more or less, thus each set of rotor blades has a vertical space between them of two thirds of the width of the blade, that is 60 cm, more or less. The height of the rotor of each turbine is calculated so as to make possible 4 or 5, more or less, "stacked" set of propeller blades. The length of each blade is 3 meters long, more or less and that is dependent on the proportion of the interrelated components.
It is only in the central sector that integration of propeller blades occurs while the remaining circumference of the propellers is free and unhampered of movement.
Each propeller blade is supported by an oblique vertical brace from the propeller to the rotor, and also by a horizontal tangential flat brace between each blade. Together the braces provide extra rigidity to the propeller system when under high wind velocity.
The wind deflector apparatus consists of an aerodynamic frontal and hull bisector vertical fin assembly that is centrally set in the middle of the turbines to bisect and deflects the wind energy onto the positive power segment of each rotor while shielding and thus minimizing the negative power segment of each turbine as they are rotating.

Description

Inventor: Alfred L. Mathieu, PhD
Owner: Alfred L. Mathieu, PhD
Agent: nil Patent: Twin Vertical Wind Turbines with Integrated Horizontal Propeller Rotors "The Siamese Vertical Turbine"
The patent is for a "vertical" wind turbine that has twin horizontal propeller turbines, adjacent to each other, each fixed on a vertical rotor so that the "stacked"
horizontal blades of each integrates one half of their radius, more or less, within each other when rotating, one turbine rotating clockwise, the other anti-clockwise.
The twin vertical turbines embodied with their propeller rotor components are installed in a framework between a top upper and a bottom lower platform, supported underneath by a "pivotal base" and three radial wheels guided by a raised radial track which together permits the framework system to rotate in unison, in a full circle. A
tail rudder system rotates the framework perpendicularly, more or less, to the wind. The vertical distance between the two "platforms" is dependent on the length of the identical propeller rotor shafts for each turbine. A direct drive AC or DC generator is fixed directly over the rotor shaft of each turbine on top of thc~ upper platform, each complementing the other but one can function separately in the event of the malfunction and repair of the other.
The framework's wind deflector apparatus consists of an aerodynamic bisector fin and hull assembly, that is in front of, and between the twin vertical turbines to deflect the wind onto the outer positive segment of the rotor blades of each turbine, and at the same time shields, and thus minimizes the inner negative power segment of each rotor blades when rotating. Thus, while one turbine rotates clockwise and the adjacent rotates anti-clockwise together they complement each other with a minimum of negative resistance.
There is also an outer deflector panel at the two front leading outer edge of the framework to gather more wind into the wind input sector of the turbine and is adjustable.
Moveable rolled doors on the front sector can close the wind input sector of each turbine to slow down or stop the turbines. An emergency braking system on each turbine stops the system completely.
The design of the structure is "breezy" to captures the maximum wind energy.
The system functions simply so that it is easy to repair and economical to build and operate.
It is designed to power a 600-660 kW generator, installed on a Iow tower or on top of a "windy" hill, in Canada's rural and northern areas. A smaller turbine can be customized to be installed on top of a high rise provided the relevant authorities issue a permit.

One turbine rotates anti-clockwise and the other rotates clockwise and together they complement each other.
A direct drive generator, either AC or DC, customized to the power output of each rotor is secured on the upper platform, and is connected directly to the top rotor shaft of each turbine. In the event of a malfunction of one generator, or one turbine, the other generator/turbine can continue to provide power until it is repaired. The ball bearing and collar on each of the rotor shaft on the upper and lower platforms is located on a plate .
that is attached onto each platform and can be easily removed for repair or replacement.
A low weight flywheel is fixed at the base of each rotor shaft acts as an emergency brake. Brake pads are attached on the outer rim part of the flywheel to slow down o~r to stop one or the two turbines by using the emergency lever.
The wind deflector apparatus includes a wind vane with aileron at the rear above the top platform that extends a sufficient distance back. The vane can orient the turbines within the framework so as to be perpendicular to the wind, and the aileron flap can be adjusted to minimize the "yaw" movement of the turbines.
The apparatus also includes two outer front vertical deflector panels that are semi-ellipsoidal vertical wings that are parallel to each turbine and can be pivoted outward or inward from axle hubs and are secured at the extreme forward part of the framework in front of the turbines with an appropriate horizontal space between the edge of the turbine and the deflector. The purpose of the deflector is to direct more air into the mainstream to the turbines, and they act as a venturi by accelerating the velocity of the wind that is deflected. Each vertical deflector can swing parallel to the wind by a screw mechanism so that in the event of a high velocity wind, the wind intake can be controlled accordingly.
The deflector apparatus also consists of horizontal deflectors on the upper platform above the "power" side of each turbine: These deflectors direct the flow of wind into the top part of each turbine to increase their speed of rotation A central horizontal deflector in the center of the "neutral" sector of the turbines directs the flow of air downward to "slow down" the turbines.
Two vertical rolled doors, one for each turbine, are separately stored vertically directly within the frontal fin and hull assembly. The doors when activated travel on tracks on the under side of the upper platform and top side of the lower platform directly in front of the turbines, and retract to its storage compartment. 'The doors can thus shield the wind input sector of each turbine, as necessary, and when closed each turbine slows down to a complete stop, assisted by the emergency brakes on the fly wheel.
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The assEmblage of the vertical turbines and support structure can be transported to the site a~c~ ~ss~~bled without tl~e use of special trucks or cranes. If a customized "5~~~es~ ve~t~cal t~bine" is ~~xstalled on the ~Qof top o:f ~ high rise, permission must be ob~~i~nad by tie relevant authprities.
~?t~f:, Twin Vertical Wind Turbines with Integrated Horizontal Propeller Rotors "The Siamese Vertical Turbine"
DISCL~SURE
a) Field and Background of the Invention Horizontal turbine systems are the most common type of turbines today. They vary from an output of 10 kilo Watt to 3,000 kW, and more, with propeller blade lengths from 2 meters to 25 meters, and longer, and from tower heights ranging from 10 meters to 60 meters, and higher.
The European countries are leaders internationally in technology, manufacturing and using the horizontal turbine systems to generate electricity. Denmark is the dominant manufacturer internationally of very sophisticated wind. turbine generator systems, followed by Spain, Holland, Uermany, France and the UK. The United States is one of the pioneer countries using wind technology. As of 1999, in California, the Tehach<~pi Wind Resource area in Kern County is the largest wind energy producer in the world with over 4,600 wind turbines collectively producing 1.4 billion kilowatt-hours of electxicity per year. The Palm Spring Wind Energy project has over 4,000 separate windmills sufficient for the city of Palm Spring and adjoining Cochella valley.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) presently has three wind turbines on Buffalo Mountain, and each is capable of generating 660 kilowatts of electricity, sufficient to provide electricity to 300 typical Tennessee Valley households. The turbines sit atop towers that are 213 feet tall and each turbine has 3 blades, each being 75 feet long.
TVA is planning on expanding the wind power project over time.
Australia has 10 energy sites and is expanding its wind energy resources. An example is Silcock's hill 100 km southeast of Melbourne, where there are 12 turbines generating 21 megawatts providing sufficient electricity to the equivalent of 6,600 homes annually Vertical turbine systems, as a rule, have lower wind power output compared to horizontal turbines and are not as popular. The vertical turbine can be successfully and economically used in rural areas and do not compete with the huge horizontal turbines.
In general, all the component parts for fabricating the vertical turbine, except for the generator, are available "on the shelf' and it is economical to construct.
Transportation of the assemblage can be done by ordinary trucks arid no special equipment is required to assemble, such as an industrial crane. General repairs to the vertical turbine are easily accomplished on site.
Page They nevertheless have a niche in areas where power is needed but climatic conditi~5ns such as cold and snow, in Canada, may not facilitate the installation of horizontal turbines as in the rural area.
The vertical turbine can be successfully and economically used in northern countries having similar Canadian climate such a.s Norway, Russia, Alaska, Mongolia, etc.
Developing countries in warmer climates need a robust. and reliable wind turbine provided there are "good" wind resources and the vertical wind turbine can cater to those needs.
The McKenzie Bay International Ltd, (Brighton, Michigan, & Montreal entity) purchased on February 13, 2002, of Dermond Inc, a Quebec company developing a Vertical~Axis Wind Turbine technology. According to their press releases, a major advantage of a Dermond Vertical Axis Turbine is that the blades are made in uniform cross section to overall length using a rotating wing technology as opposed to a propeller technology. Blades are secured at both ends and do not require a nacelle to enclose the mechanical devices on top of the tower. It can operate under extreme conditions, such as -70 degrees F. temperatures and withstand 135 mph winds.
A customized Siamese Vertical Turbine can be installed effectively and economically on the roof top of certain high rises. Naturally, permits would have to be obtained from the local relevant authorities in order to ensure safe operation.
The "Wind Powering America" has reported that Illinois now has Wind Resource Maps showing that it has at least 3,000 Mega Watts more in potential wind capacity from "good" wind resources that earlier estimated. In view of the expansion of wind enerl;y, it becomes necessary to develop wind resource maps as for specif c areas, and the Canadian Wind Energy Association is promoting a Wind Atlas for Canada. Natural Resources of Canada is providing good data regarding wind energy development in Canada.
In the first phase, Canada has to be able to diagnose scif;ntifically the wind capacity for a certain area with a reliable certitude. Natural Resources of Canada has the basic data over years of climate analyses to begin with the triage of selecting "good"
wind resource to be considered for developing wind energy.
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Claims (8)

1. The twin vertical wind turbines are adjacent to each other within a framework such that the horizontal space between each vertical propeller rotor permits each stack to integrate alternately to at least one half of their blade radius within each other on rotation in a certain spherical segment of their circumference is an exclusive property.
Vertical turbines exist with two turbines that are separate from each other but their horizontal or vertical "blades" are totally independent of each other.

2. An aerodynamic frontal fin and hull assembly bisects the wind so that it is deflected equally onto the outward positive rotating part of the rotor blades of each turbine and neutralizes the inner negative part of the inner half of the blades, one turbine rotating clockwise and the other anti-clockwise and is an exclusive property.

3 Rolled up folding doors are stored vertically behind the frontal fin and hull assembly and move on tracks linked to the lower and upper platform in front of the wind intake sector of each turbine and closes the wind sector of each turbine to stop the rotation of the turbines and assisted by the emergency brake is an exclusive property.

4. A lightweight flywheel is secured to the bottom of each rotor of the turbines to give stability and momentum when rotating, and brake pads are secured on the lower platform, contiguous to the outer rim of each flywheel and with cables to an emergency brake to either slow down or stop, one or both turbines is an exclusive property.

5. The vertical deflector panel on each forward side of the structure is designed to direct more wind into the wind input area of each turbine and is appropriately horizontally spaced between the edge of each turbine to act as a venturi so that the velocity of the wind is accelerated, and can be automatically adjusted and is an exclusive property.

6 Horizontal deflectors on the upper platform, over the "power" side of each turbine, are facing the wind and direct more air downwards to augment the air intake into the turbine, and a central horizontal deflector over the "neutral"
sector where the propellers integrate, to regulate the speed of rotation, and is an exclusive property.

7. Two generators, either AC or DC, are installed directly over the rotor shaft of each turbine on the upper platform to complement each other, and in the event of failure of one generator, the other can still rotate to provide power and is an exclusive property.
There is no wind turbine on the market today with two generators.

8. The system is supported under the lower platform in the center by a "pivotal base" and by three wheels located equidistant on the peripheral such that the framework can rotate perpendicularly to the wind according to the pressure exerted by the wind vane, to a full rotation of 360 degrees, more or less, and the wheels fit snugly between two circular raised tracks which keep them in a fixed.
radius from the "pivotal base", and is an exclusive property.