Wind power generation equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a wind power plant (1) comprising: a rotatable track (3) rotatably mounted in an at least substantially horizontal plane; at least one generator (7) associated with the rotatable track such that electrical power from the one or more generators is generated by rotation of the rotatable track; a plurality of elongate airfoil modules (9) rotatably supported on the rotatable track, each of the airfoil modules extending at least substantially transversely from the rotatable track, the rotation of each of the airfoil modules about an elongate axis of the airfoil module being independently controllable, therefore, the power applied to the airfoil module is maximized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a wind power plant for onshore and offshore installations. Background Art

[0002] The following discussion of the background technology of the present invention is intended only to facilitate understanding of the present invention. It should be understood that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art in any jurisdiction before the priority date of the present invention.

[0003] Power generating windmills are now widely used as an alternative energy source for generating electricity. Such power generating windmills typically have a vertical mast at the top of which a generator connected to a propeller assembly is supported. These horizontal axis wind turbines allow electricity to be generated when the propeller assembly is rotated by the power applied to the propeller assembly by the prevailing wind at the location of the windmill. Newer power generating windmills can generate up to 20 megawatts of electricity, and may be about 300 meters in height, and weigh about 130 tons. There are huge challenges and costs in transporting large horizontal axis wind turbines. The blades cannot be folded or bent once they are manufactured. There are limited routes that trucks can take due to the restrictions on the turning radius. Large towers or masts may not be installed under bridges or highway overpasses. This limits the size of traditional wind turbines more than any other factor.

[0004] Windmill farms containing multiple windmills have been installed in relatively sparsely populated land locations with the land area required to accommodate the windmill farms. However, due to the limited availability of domestic land, or the lack of suitable land locations close enough to the densely populated areas of the country, it is not always possible to install windmill farms in onshore locations. Therefore, for this reason, windmill farms have been installed in offshore locations. However, the installation of offshore facilities may be relatively expensive because each windmill needs to be individually supported on a floating or fixed platform of suitable size anchored to the seabed. In addition, this may limit the size of the windmills installed on the floating or fixed platform. This may prevent any upgrade (upscaling) of the windmill to increase the power output because this will require a larger size of windmill. Therefore, it may be unfeasible or impractical to support the upgraded (upscaled) windmill on an existing floating or fixed platform. However, the cost of providing a floating or fixed platform that can support such an upgraded windmill may be too high, or it may not be feasible in practice. This may limit the maximum power that can be generated by the offshore facility.

[0005] Another disadvantage associated with the use of conventional windmills is the high cost of manufacturing and maintaining conventional windmills, as high cost materials and specialized manufacturing facilities are required to produce the components of the windmill, particularly the windmill's propeller blades. This can result in older windmill facilities becoming unviable or economically unfeasible to maintain, requiring the windmill to be completely replaced.

[0006] The present invention aims to alleviate one or more of the above difficulties. Summary of the invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a wind power generation device, comprising:

[0008] a rotatable track rotatably mounted in an at least substantially horizontal plane;

[0009] at least one generator associated with the rotatable track such that rotation of the rotatable track generates electrical power from the one or more generators;

[0010] A plurality of elongated airfoil modules are rotatably supported on the rotatable track, each airfoil module extending at least substantially laterally from the rotatable track, the angular position of each airfoil module about the elongated axis of the airfoil module being independently controllable to maximize power applied to the airfoil module.

[0011] In some embodiments, each airfoil module further comprises a sensor for detecting wind speed and wind direction, and a control mechanism for adjusting the angular position of the airfoil module, wherein the sensor is adapted to send wind speed and wind direction signals to the control mechanism.

[0012] In some embodiments, the sensor is located at an upper end of the airfoil module and the control mechanism is located around a shaft supporting the airfoil module on the rotatable track.

[0013] In some embodiments, the airfoil module includes a plurality of telescopic sections to allow the airfoil module to be extendable in height.

[0014] In some embodiments, the airfoil module includes at least one extendable portion located on one side of the airfoil module to allow the airfoil module to be extendable in width.

[0015] In some embodiments, the extendable side portions are located on both sides of the airfoil module.

[0016] In some embodiments, the generator includes at least one linear generator located on the support track and adjacent to an edge of the rotatable track, and at least one magnet supported on the rotatable track.

[0017] In some embodiments, the rotatable track is supported on the support track by a plurality of roller bearings.

[0018] In some embodiments, the support track includes an inner peripheral lip on which the at least one linear generator is supported, and an outer peripheral lip, with a plurality of roller bearings provided between the rotatable track and the outer peripheral lip.

[0019] In some embodiments, the generator is a rotary generator.

[0020] In some embodiments, the support rail may be mounted on a floating or fixed platform.

[0021] Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following description of specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the invention are shown by way of example only.

[0023] Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a wind power generation device according to the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A front view of a wind power generation device;

[0025] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A detailed front view of an airfoil module, a rotatable track and a support track of a wind power generation device;

[0026] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Detailed cross-sectional view of the airfoil module, rotatable rail and support rail;

[0027] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 Detailed plan views of the airfoil modules, rotatable rails and support rails; and

[0028] Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of an airfoil module of a power generation plant according to the present disclosure, showing the power applied thereto during operation.

[0029] Other arrangements of the invention are possible and, consequently, the accompanying drawings are not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In this document, unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the terms "comprising", "consisting of", "having", etc. should be interpreted as non-exhaustive, or in other words, as "including but not limited to".

[0031] In addition, throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "include" or variations such as "includes" or "including", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0032] Example embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Other definitions of selected terms used herein can be found in the detailed description of the present invention and apply to the entire description. In addition, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Where possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the figures for clarity and consistency.

[0033] Figures 1 to 6 An embodiment of a wind power plant 1 according to the present disclosure is shown. The wind power plant 1 is in the form of a windmill for capturing energy from prevailing winds at onshore and offshore locations. The wind power plant 1 captures power provided by air movement caused by prevailing winds at the installation location of the power plant 1. The installation location may be, for example, high ground on a mountain, unobstructed by buildings and trees. Alternatively, the installation location may be a floating platform at an offshore location, such as a barge moored to the seabed. The device 1 includes a rotatable track 3 in the form of an annular ring, which is supported and rotatably mounted on a support track 5 in at least a substantially horizontal plane. At least one generator 7, which may be in the form of a linear generator, is associated with the rotatable track 3 so that electricity from the one or more generators 7 is generated by the rotation R of the rotatable track 3 relative to the one or more generators 7. The device 1 also includes a plurality of elongated airfoil modules 9, which are rotatably supported in a spaced arrangement along the rotatable track 3, each airfoil module 9 extending at least substantially laterally from the rotatable track 3.

[0034] When used in the described embodiment, the airfoil modules 9 act as "aerofoils" respectively for capturing energy from the prevailing wind at the facility location. Each airfoil module 9 is pivotally supported on an axle 11, which generally extends laterally from the rotatable track 3. This enables each airfoil module 9 to rotate about an elongated axis of the airfoil module 9, which extends coaxially through the axle 11. The rotatable track 3 is itself supported on a support track 5, wherein bearings 15 (which may be in the form of roller bearings) are provided between the rotatable track 3 and the support track 5 to allow the rotatable track 3 to rotate relative to the support track 5 in a rotation direction R, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown. A side bearing 17 may also be provided between the outer edge of the rotatable track 3 and the outer peripheral lip 6 of the support track 5. The generator 7 may be located on the inner peripheral lip 8 of the support track 5, as shown. Figure 4 A series of magnets 12 may be supported on the rotatable track 3, each magnet 12 interacting with the coil of the or each linear generator 7. This allows electricity to be generated by rotational displacement of the rotatable track 3 relative to the generator 7. Alternatively, it is envisaged that the generator takes the form of a rotary generator which generates electricity from the rotational displacement of the rotatable track.

[0035] Each airfoil module 9 can be independently rotated around the elongated axis of the airfoil module 9 mounted on the rotatable track 3. The airfoil modules 9 can be rotated respectively relative to the rotatable track 3 to maximize the power applied to the airfoil module 9. The angular position of each airfoil module 9 relative to the rotatable track 3 can be controlled to take into account the direction W of the prevailing wind relative to the airfoil module 9. Figure 2 In more detail, it is shown that when the prevailing wind direction W is Figure 2 The instantaneous position of each airfoil module 9 on the rotatable track 3 is shown from left to right. The number of airfoil modules 9 installed on the rotatable track 3 can be predetermined according to the site conditions and the size of the wind power plant 1.

[0036] Figure 3 and Figure 4The features of the airfoil module 9, the rotatable rail 3 and the support rail 5 of the wind power generation device 1 according to the present disclosure are shown in more detail. Each airfoil module 9 can be formed by a plurality of telescopic parts 21, and can therefore be extended in height. Each airfoil module 9 can also have an extendable edge portion 23 extending from at least one side thereof or from each side thereof. This allows the airfoil module 9 to be extendable in width as well. The extension of the airfoil module 9 in height and / or width plays a role in changing the amount of power applied to the airfoil module 9 by the prevailing wind. A sensor 22 for detecting wind speed and wind direction can be provided on each airfoil module 9, and the sensor 22 can be located at the top of each airfoil module 9. Each sensor 22 can send a signal to transmit the wind information to an intelligent control mechanism 20. The control mechanism 20 can be located around the airfoil module shaft 11, and can control the rotational position (i.e., "angle") of the airfoil module 9. The rotational position of each airfoil module 9 can be adjusted instantaneously in response to changes in wind speed and wind direction. In addition, the control mechanism 20 can also control the extension and retraction of the height and width of the airfoil module 9 depending on factors such as wind speed and the rotation speed of the rotatable track 3 .

[0037] Figure 6 The figure shows how the wind can exert a force P on the airfoil module 9. The wind direction W is from left to right, as shown on the page. Figure 6 As shown, the airflow A passing through the airfoil module 9 creates a low pressure area "above" the airfoil module 9 and a high pressure area "below" the airfoil module 9 relative to the direction of the airfoil module 9. This results in the direction of the increased pressure on the airfoil module 9 as shown by the arrow P.

[0038] The wind turbines 1 according to the present disclosure have several advantages over conventional windmill designs, namely that they require only commonly available low-cost materials (e.g., mild steel) for manufacture, resulting in lower initial capital costs. This facilitates on-site maintenance of the wind turbines 1, as such maintenance does not require special materials or equipment. Furthermore, since the wind turbines 1 are relatively compact in height and size compared to conventional windmills, they can be more easily upgraded to increase power output as required when located at an offshore location without making any significant changes to the supporting floating platform.

[0039] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above invention is not limited to the described embodiments. It should be understood that various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0040] Those skilled in the art should also understand that one or more of the above modifications or improvements are not mutually exclusive and may be further combined to form yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wind power generation device, comprising: a rotatable track rotatably mounted in an at least substantially horizontal plane; at least one generator associated with the rotatable track such that rotation of the rotatable track generates electrical power from the one or more generators; A plurality of elongated airfoil modules are rotatably supported on the rotatable track, each of the airfoil modules extending at least substantially laterally from the rotatable track, and rotation of each of the airfoil modules about an elongated axis of the airfoil module is independently controllable to maximize power applied to the airfoil modules.

2. The wind power generation equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each airfoil module further comprises a sensor for detecting wind speed and wind direction, and a control mechanism for adjusting the angular position of the airfoil module, wherein the sensor is adapted to send wind speed and wind direction signals to the control mechanism.

3. The wind power generation equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sensor is located at an upper end of the airfoil module, and the control mechanism is located around a shaft supporting the airfoil module on the rotatable track.

4. A wind power plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The airfoil module includes a plurality of telescoping portions to allow the airfoil module to be extendable in height.

5. A wind power plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The airfoil module includes at least one extendable side portion located on one side of the airfoil module to allow the airfoil module to be extendable in width.

6. The wind power generation equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that: The extendable side portions are located on both sides of the airfoil module.

7. A wind power plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The generator includes at least one linear generator located on a support track adjacent to an edge of the rotatable track, and at least one magnet supported on the rotatable track.

8. The wind power generation equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that: The rotatable track is supported on the support track by a plurality of roller bearings.

9. The wind power generation equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that: The support track comprises an inner peripheral lip on which the at least one linear generator is supported, and an outer peripheral lip between which a plurality of roller bearings are provided.

10. The wind power generation equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The generator comprises a rotary generator.

11. A wind power plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The support rail may be mounted on a floating or fixed platform.

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