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Wind turbine with actuating tail and method of operation

A technology of wind turbines and fins, applied in the field of wind turbines, can solve problems such as damage to the blades and AC motors of wind turbines, excessive noise, vibration and pitching force

Inactive Publication Date: 2014-02-19
WEAVER WIND ENERGY
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Improper braking systems can cause the rotor and blades to overspeed in high winds, which can damage the wind turbine's blades and alternator, and induce excessive noise, vibration, and pitching forces during rotation about the pendulum (vertical) axis

Method used

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  • Wind turbine with actuating tail and method of operation
  • Wind turbine with actuating tail and method of operation
  • Wind turbine with actuating tail and method of operation

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 1

[0094] At a typical site, most winds are between 5 and 35mph, rarely higher than 35mph. One exemplary wind turbine (eg, configuration A) according to the present invention may include 8 foot blades and may be fully operational between 5-35 mph. Power production above 35mph suffers due to blade tips moving too fast, but since there is very little wind above 35mph, this is a secondary consideration.

example 2

[0096] At another exemplary site, most winds were between 10 and 45 mph. Left unchanged, the tail fins of the "Configuration A" wind turbine will be actuated at 35mph, which loses a significant amount of captureable wind energy. However, a wind turbine according to another embodiment of the present invention (eg, configuration B) may comprise shorter blades, which may operate adequately between 10-45mph. The rear wing can be programmed to actuate at 45mph. Wind turbines don't perform well below 10mph due to the short blades, but since very few winds are below 10mph, this is a secondary consideration.

example 3

[0098] At another exemplary site, most winds are between 2 and 15 mph. Most prior art wind turbines do not work in this location as they are designed to run optimally in 12-18 mph. Even "configuration A" and "configuration B" wind turbines will perform poorly. Since wind speeds at or above 30 mph are rarely experienced, longer blades (eg, 9 feet) can be installed and yield excellent performance between 4 and 15 mph. Because the blades are longer, the tail needs to be actuated at 20mph, but since there is very little wind above 20mph, this is a secondary consideration. A significant advantage of the disclosed wind turbine is that almost as much energy is generated due to the longer blades in low wind sites therein.

[0099] As can be appreciated with reference to the three examples above, the disclosed wind turbine can operate efficiently over a wide range of wind conditions with minimal reconfiguration. Whereas prior art passively controlled wind turbines must precisely bal...

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PUM

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Abstract

The subject application is directed to a horizontal axis wind turbine with actuating tail and method of operation. The wind turbine assembly is adapted for use atop a tower and includes a frame, a yaw shaft assembly coupling the frame to the tower, an alternator secured to the frame, a shaft coupled to the alternator to produce electrical power, a rotor hub coupled to the shaft, a plurality of blades secured to the rotor hub, and a tail assembly rotatably coupled about a vertical axis to the frame. The tail assembly is operable to move to a first, straight position aligned with the horizontal axis, and a second position rotated an angle [Theta] from the horizontal axis. An actuator is secured to the frame and is adapted to rotate the tail assembly the angle [Theta] from the horizontal axis.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] Reference is made to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 682,998, filed August 14, 2012, entitled "WIND TURBINE WITH ACTUATING TAIL AND METHOD OF OPERATION," and which claims Priority and rights to and from this application, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. technical field [0003] The present invention relates generally to horizontal axis wind turbines, and more particularly to wind turbines with actuated fins for overspeed protection. Background technique [0004] Horizontal axis wind turbines generally include a main body or nacelle pivotally mounted to a tower. A bladed rotor is mounted to the nacelle and the shaft from the rotor is connected to an alternator or generator. Although referred to as a "horizontal axis" wind turbine, it should be noted that the axis of rotation of the blades can vary by as much as 45 degrees from horizontal, but the wind turbine is still referred to as a ho...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): F03D9/00F03D1/00F03D7/04
CPCY02E10/723Y02E10/728Y02E10/72
Inventor 亚历山大·L·哈根格雷·布什亚瑟·J·韦弗凯利·S·弗兰克肯·比尼奥利格温德琳·巴尔
Owner WEAVER WIND ENERGY