GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY WIND POWER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a wind-powered device for generating electricity and a method for generating electricity by wind power.

[0002] Wind turbines for private households and other consumers with low electricity consumption are becoming increasingly popular. However, the efficiency of such systems is often poor.

[0003] From EP3 115 603 A1, a device for generating electric current is known, comprising a rotating device with a lever arm and an unbalanced mass, wherein the rotating device can be acted upon by means of compressed air with a drive torque, the compressed air being drawn from a compressed air reservoir. It is described that the compressed air reservoir can be filled with compressed air beforehand using a separate, wind-powered device. The device for generating electric current itself, however, is not wind-powered. Electricity generation using this device is not dependent on the wind speed of the available wind.

[0004] One object of the present invention is to provide a technique for wind-powered generation of electricity which has an improved efficiency.

[0005] This problem is solved by a device according to claim 1 or by a method according to claim 11. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims or will become apparent from the following description and / or the accompanying figures. The advantages and embodiments explained below in connection with the device according to the invention also apply mutatis mutandis to the method according to the invention and vice versa.

[0006] The wind-powered device according to the invention for generating electric current comprises a vertical rotor, a first drive shaft which can be driven by the vertical rotor, a second drive shaft, an electric generator which can be driven by the second drive shaft and a movable lever device, wherein the first drive shaft is operatively connected to the lever device for driving it, and wherein the lever device is operatively connected to the second drive shaft for driving it.The lever device comprises a lever linkage, which lever linkage is designed in such a way that it can perform a pendulum motion between a first pendulum position and a second pendulum position without losing the operative connection to the first drive shaft and to the second drive shaft, wherein the lever device comprises at least one additional movement element connected to the lever linkage using a connecting element, wherein the at least one additional movement element is designed in such a way that it performs a periodic linear motion when the lever device is moved, and wherein the operative connection between the lever device and the second drive shaft is established using this at least one movement element.

[0007] In the inventive method for generating electric current by wind power, a vertical rotor drives a first drive shaft, a movable lever device connected to the first drive shaft is driven by the first drive shaft, the lever device drives a second drive shaft, for which purpose the lever device is connected to the second drive shaft, and an electric generator connected to the second drive shaft is driven by the second drive shaft.The lever device comprises a lever linkage, which lever linkage is designed such that it performs a pendulum motion between a first pendulum position and a second pendulum position without losing the operative connection to the first drive shaft and to the second drive shaft, wherein the lever device comprises at least one additional movement element connected to the lever linkage using a connecting element, wherein the at least one additional movement element is designed such that it performs a periodic linear motion when the lever device is moved, and wherein the operative connection between the lever device and the second drive shaft is established using this at least one movement element.

[0008] A fundamental aspect of the invention is the use of a force converter between the vertical rotor and the rotary generator, which changes the magnitude of the force. This force converter is designed as a lever mechanism. In this way, even with relatively low torques from the vertical rotor, comparatively high torques can be generated at the second drive shaft for the generator. This enables efficient generator operation for power generation even at low wind speeds when using vertical-axis wind turbines.

[0009] The lever mechanism does not serve as an arbitrarily interchangeable connecting or coupling element between the vertical rotor and the generator. Rather, it defines a fundamental principle of the invention. The advantage of the invention is most pronounced when the ratio of the lengths of the lever arms (power arm, load arm) is appropriately selected and the length of the effective lever arm formed by the lever mechanism is utilized as fully as possible. In preferred embodiments, the effect of the lever mechanism is optimized by additional weights or other means. The result is a structurally simple machine for power conversion that is inexpensive to manufacture compared to other power generation devices and is therefore particularly suitable for wind turbines for private use. Above a certain wind speed, the vertical rotor provides a continuous, permanent drive to the generator.Such operation is possible even at low wind speeds from about 5 km / h, with a first drive shaft speed of about 20 rpm. Designed as a slow-running turbine, the vertical rotor generates comparatively little noise, making the invention particularly suitable for use in residential areas.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the movement of the lever device is a back-and-forth movement (oscillatory movement) around a lever pivot point.

[0011] In order to use the lever device, according to one embodiment of the invention, the mode of movement is changed twice, namely firstly from the rotary movement of the first drive shaft driven by the vertical rotor into the movement of the lever device and secondly from the movement of the lever device into the rotary movement of the second drive shaft, which drives the generator.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lever linkage is designed in the manner of an inverted pendulum, so that it is movable in two directions and enables the oscillatory movement of the lever device around the lever pivot point.

[0013] The lever linkage is preferably designed to include a lever arm, particularly to form a two-sided lever. The power arm is operatively connected to the first drive shaft, and the load arm is operatively connected to the second drive shaft. The lever arm is preferably mounted in a fixed bearing, which forms the pivot point of the lever arm. The ratio of the lengths of the power arm and the load arm is preferably at least 3:1. Length ratios of at least 4:1 are particularly advantageous.

[0014] In particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, the lever mechanism comprises one or more additional weights connected to the lever linkage. These additional weights can be used to assist the pendulum motion of the lever linkage.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, additional weights are attached to one or more points along the lever arm. This allows the mass distribution within the lever arm to be selectively influenced to optimize the pendulum motion. In particular, additional weights can be provided at the free end of the load arm and / or at the free end of the power arm—in other words, at both ends of the lever arm. Alternatively or additionally, additional weights can also be provided at specific distances from the pivot point on the load arm and / or power arm. It is also possible for additional weights to be attached to a support arm rigidly connected to the lever arm, which, like a cantilever, carries the additional weight at a distance from the lever arm.

[0016] To optimize the pendulum motion, additional weights can alternatively or additionally be attached to the lever arm and / or the support arm using connecting elements, and / or additional weights can be attached as pendulum weights to at least one gravity pendulum connected to the lever arm, particularly at or near the free end of the load arm, or to a support arm. This results in a movement that supports the pendulum motion of the lever linkage, or a movement superimposed on the pendulum motion that at least temporarily assists it. In particular, gravitational and centrifugal forces can generate a self-sustaining dynamic that supports the movement of the lever mechanism, contributing to the continuous operation of the generator at the desired or sufficient speed, even with changing wind speeds or directions.

[0017] According to the invention, the lever assembly comprises at least one additional moving element connected to the lever linkage, in particular spaced apart from the pivot point of the lever arm, by means of a connecting element. The at least one additional moving element is designed such that it performs a periodic linear movement when the lever assembly is moved. The operative connection between the lever assembly and the second drive shaft is established using this at least one additional moving element.

[0018] One embodiment of the invention has proven particularly advantageous in which the at least one additional moving element is designed as a weight movable on a track, in particular an inclined plane. Advantageously, the weight is equipped with rollers or other suitable means to minimize the friction occurring during the process. The use of an additional force converter in the form of an inclined plane further improves the efficiency of the wind turbine. Preferably, two opposing moving elements, movable in the direction of the pendulum motion, are provided such that the weights are moved along the track depending on the pendulum position.In particular, the design is such that when the pendulum rod moves into the first pendulum position, one weight is pulled up the inclined plane while the other weight moves down the inclined plane; when the pendulum rod moves in the opposite direction into the second pendulum position, the weights move in exactly the opposite direction.

[0019] According to other embodiments of the invention, the operative connection between the lever device on the one hand and the second drive shaft on the other hand is provided by using or with the aid of alternative or additional lever devices and / or force converters. This is intended to achieve particularly efficient operation of the generator. In particular, this is intended to generate particularly high torques for driving the generator, even at low wind speeds.

[0020] According to the invention, the operative connection between the first drive shaft and the lever device and / or the operative connection between the lever device and the second drive shaft is established using a coupling mechanism that acts as a transmission mechanism with a change in the mode of motion.

[0021] This linkage is preferably designed as a crank loop, in a particularly simple version as a Scotch yoke with a sliding guide. A crank loop mechanism is used to convert the rotary motion of a drive shaft into the linear motion of a reciprocating slide, or vice versa. A pin of the rotating component engages in a slot of a sliding bracket that is directly connected to the slide. The use of other suitable linkages is possible.

[0022] When using the coupling mechanism for the operative connection between the first drive shaft and the lever assembly, the rotary motion of the first drive shaft is converted into a linear motion of the slide. This slide then actuates the lever assembly, setting it into a reciprocating motion. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the operative connection between the first drive shaft and the lever assembly is established using a connecting element that engages the lever assembly. Preferably, the slide is connected to the lever assembly, in particular to the force arm of the lever linkage, via an elastic and / or resilient connecting element, such as an elastic band, rope, or the like.The elasticity of the connection between the lever mechanism and the first drive shaft ensures, on the one hand, that the movement of the lever mechanism does not affect the rotation of the rotor. On the other hand, it also ensures that the lever mechanism can continue to move even when it is not being driven.

[0023] When the linkage is used for the operative connection between the lever assembly and the second drive shaft, a movement of the lever assembly is converted directly or indirectly into a rotary movement. Preferably, a linear movement of the at least one moving element caused by the reciprocating movement of the lever assembly is converted into a rotary movement of the second drive shaft. This rotary movement can be the rotary movement of the second drive shaft itself. Alternatively, another transmission can be arranged between the linkage and the second drive shaft, serving as a transmission for power amplification, for example, a belt drive that transmits the torque to the second drive shaft via two pulleys of different sizes and a belt.

[0024] It has proven particularly advantageous to use a vertical-axis rotor to drive the wind turbine, i.e., a rotor with a vertical axis of rotation. Preferably, a rotor is used whose rotation is independent of the wind direction, since then no wind direction tracking is required.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vertical rotor comprises a number of rotor blades distributed angularly at the same rate around the vertical rotor axis. The rotor blades are designed and attached to a rotating linkage of the rotor using limiting elements, preferably elastically deformable, which restrict the pivoting range of the rotor blades, such that they automatically align themselves individually with the wind or retract from the wind. The number of blades is at least three; preferably five or more blades are used.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotor blades are designed as flexible blades that can pivot independently about vertical pivot axes. Preferably, the blades are designed as sails and consist of sailcloth or another suitable material. The sails and their attachments to the rotor frame are preferably designed such that they automatically align themselves with the wind direction, i.e., the sails align themselves with the airflow and drive the rotor. If sails are used, they can be easily retracted if an upper wind speed limit is exceeded.

[0027] In particular to prevent start-up difficulties at low wind speeds, suitable coupling means are also provided according to preferred embodiments of the invention, which serve to disconnect the operative connection between rotor and drive shaft or lever device or to establish this operative connection depending on the power provided by wind power or the achievable rotational speeds.

[0028] Suitable adjustment devices, in particular transmission, clutch and / or torque or speed control devices, ensure that an optimal operating speed of the second drive shaft is achieved.

[0029] The figures do not show support, bearing, holding and load-bearing structures for individual components of the device.

[0030] Such constructions, as well as the suitable coupling and adjustment devices, are familiar to the person skilled in the art, so that they need not be discussed further here.

[0031] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention in the rest position, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the device according to the invention in a first pendulum position, Fig. 3 an embodiment with alternatively arranged additional weights, Fig. 4 an embodiment with alternatively arranged additional weights, Fig. 5 an embodiment with alternatively arranged additional weights, Fig. 6 a perspective view of the vertical rotor.

[0032] All figures do not show the invention to scale, only schematically and with its essential components. Identical reference numerals correspond to elements with the same or comparable function.

[0033] A device 1 for generating electric current comprises a vertical rotor 2, a first drive shaft 3 which can be driven by the vertical rotor 2, a second drive shaft 4, an electric generator 5 which can be driven by the second drive shaft 4, and a movable lever assembly 6, wherein the first drive shaft 3 is operatively connected to the lever assembly 6 for driving it, and wherein the lever assembly 6 is operatively connected to the second drive shaft 4 for driving it. The rotary motion of the first drive shaft 3, driven by the vertical rotor 2, is thereby converted into a reciprocating motion of the lever assembly 6, and the reciprocating motion of the lever assembly 6 is converted into a rotary motion of the second drive shaft 4, which drives the generator 5.

[0034] The lever assembly 6 comprises a lever linkage 7 that can perform a pendulum motion between a first pendulum position and a second pendulum position without losing the operative connection to the first drive shaft 3 and to the second drive shaft 4. The situation of the first pendulum position is in Fig. 2 The lever linkage 7 is designed in the manner of an inverted pendulum, so that it is movable in two directions and enables the oscillatory pendulum motion 10 of the lever mechanism 6 about a pivot point 9. The lever linkage 7 includes a lever arm 8 to form a two-sided lever, which constitutes an inverted pendulum. The force arm 11 of the lever arm 8 is operatively connected to the first drive shaft 3, and the load arm 12 of the lever arm 8 is operatively connected to the second drive shaft 4. The lever arm 8 is mounted in a fixed bearing, which forms the pivot point 9 of the lever arm 8.

[0035] An additional weight 13, attached to the free end of the load arm 12, is placed in Fig. 1 depicted. In Fig. 1 Only indicated are the additional weights 14, 15, which are attached to the free end of the force arm 11 and at a defined distance from the pivot point 9 on the lever arm 8, respectively. Fig. 3 The illustration shows pairs of additional weights 16, which are attached to support arms 19 rigidly connected to the lever arm 8 and which, like cantilevers, support the additional weights 16 at a distance from the lever arm 8. Fig. 4 Additional weights 17 are shown, which are attached to support arms 19 using spring elements 21. Fig. 5 An additional weight 18 is shown, which is attached as a pendulum weight to a gravity pendulum 22, which gravity pendulum 22 is attached to the free end of the force arm 11.

[0036] The lever mechanism 6 comprises two additional moving elements connected to the lever linkage 7 in the form of weights 23 equipped with rollers and movable on an inclined plane 24. These weights 23 are spaced apart from the pivot point 9 of the lever arm 8, namely at the free end of the load arm 12, and are connected to the lever arm 8 by means of pull ropes 25. The opposing weights 23, which move in the direction of the pendulum motion 10, perform a periodic linear motion 26 when the lever mechanism 6 is moved, by moving each weight 23 along the inclined plane 24 depending on the pendulum position. This occurs such that when the lever linkage 7 moves into the first pendulum position, one weight 23 is pulled up the inclined plane 24, while the other weight 23 moves down the second inclined plane 24, as shown in Fig. 2 As shown; when the lever linkage 7 moves in the opposite direction to the second pendulum position, the weights 23 move in exactly the opposite direction. Instead of the pull ropes 25, rigid connecting elements can also be used between the lever arm 8 and the weights 23, provided that these are sufficiently articulated at the connection points. (This is a variation of...) Fig. 3 - if an additional weight 16 is provided on a support arm on only one side of the lever arm 8, a support arm 19 with such an asymmetrical additional weight 16 is attached in particular between the pivot point 9 and the free end of the force arm 11, the additional moving elements, here in the form of movable weights 23, can also be of different weights.

[0037] As an alternative to weights 23 that can be moved on inclined planes 24, these weights can also be moved on rockers (not shown), which serve as additional lever devices. By using such rockers, large torques can also be generated to drive the power generator 5, especially in combination with additional lever devices and / or force converters actuated by the rockers.

[0038] As an alternative to weights 23 that can be moved on inclined planes 24, additional movement elements can also be provided such that two opposing support arms 19, designed in the manner of cantilevers, are provided at the free end of the load arm 12, weights are attached to the free ends of which weights act on further lever devices during a pendulum movement of the lever arm 8 in order to also generate large torques for the drive of the power generator (not shown).

[0039] In the illustrated example, the operative connection between the first drive shaft 3 and the lever assembly 6 is established using a linkage 27 designed as a crank loop, specifically a Scotch yoke with a sliding guide. This linkage employs a crank loop mechanism that converts the rotary motion 30 of the first drive shaft 3 into a linear motion 31 of a reciprocating slide 28. A pin driven by the first drive shaft engages in a slot of a sliding bracket of the linkage 27, which is connected to the slide 28 (not shown in detail). The lever assembly 6 is actuated via this slide 28 by connecting the slide 28 to the free end of the lever arm 11 via a preferably elastically deformable pull cord 29.Each time the slide 28 moves away from the lever linkage 7, the lever arm 8 is carried along by the pull rope 29 and is thus set into an oscillating-pendulum back-and-forth motion 10.

[0040] Instead of such a one-sided pulling action on the lever linkage 7, a pulling action acting on the lever linkage 7 from both sides, from opposite sides, can also be provided (not shown).

[0041] The operative connection between the lever assembly 6 and the second drive shaft 4 is also established using a coupling mechanism 27. In this mechanism, the linear movement 26 of the two weights 23, which are movable on the inclined planes 24 and are caused by the reciprocating movement of the lever assembly 6, is converted into a rotary movement 30 of the second drive shaft 4. Fig. 2 This second coupling mechanism 27 is only indicated. This can be achieved by interposing a belt drive with differently sized pulleys between the coupling mechanism 27 and the second drive shaft 4 (not shown). In the example sketched here, a current generator 5 is provided only on one working side of the lever arm 8. In other embodiments, two current generators can also be operated simultaneously by assigning a second drive shaft 4 to each movable weight 23.

[0042] The vertical rotor 2, which drives the vertical first drive shaft 3, comprises several rotor blades, in the example shown here four, distributed angularly around the rotor axis at the same angles. These blades are designed as flexible sails 34 made of sailcloth or other suitable material. The sails 34 have an essentially triangular shape, which ensures that even those sails located behind them in the direction of the flow are exposed to the airflow. The sails 34 can pivot independently about vertical pivot axes by being flexibly attached to corresponding masts 36, here exemplified by rubber bands. The sails 34 are attached with their mast-facing sides to the outer edges of a rotating linkage 33 of the rotor 2 using elastically deformable restraint elements, for example in the form of further rubber bands 35 or other suitable means. In this way, the sails 34 can individually and automatically adjust themselves to the wind.take out of the wind, whereby the rubber bands 35 limit the swivel ranges of the sails 34, as in . Fig. 6 sketched.

[0043] When specifying a combination of features defining an invention, individual features from the description of an embodiment do not necessarily have to be combined with one or more or all other features specified in the description of that embodiment; in this respect, any sub-combination of features of one or more embodiments is expressly disclosed.

[0044] Furthermore, tangible features of the device can be reformulated and used as process features, and vice versa. Features reformulated in this way are implicitly disclosed. Reference symbol list

[0045] 1 Device for generating electric current 2 Vertical rotor 3 First drive shaft 4 Second drive shaft 5 Electric generator 6 Lever assembly 7 Lever linkage 8 Lever arm 9 Pivot point 10 Pendulum motion 11 Power arm 12 Load arm 13 Additional weight 14 Additional weight 15 Additional weight 16 Additional weight 17 Additional weight 18 Additional weight 19 Support arm 20 (free) 21 Spring element 22 Gravity pendulum 23 Moving element, weight 24 Inclined plane 25 Pull rope 26 Linear motion of a moving element 27 Linkage 28 Slide 29 Pull rope 30 Rotary motion of the first drive shaft 31 Linear motion of the slide 32 Rotary linkage 33 Rotary motion of the second drive shaft 34 Sail 35 Rubber band 36 Mast

Claims

1. Wind-powered device (1) for generating electric current, - with a vertical rotor (2), - with a first drive shaft (3) that can be driven by the vertical rotor (2), - with a second drive shaft (4), - with an electric generator (5) that can be driven by the second drive shaft (4), and - with a movable lever device (6), wherein the first drive shaft (3) is operatively connected to the lever device (6) for driving the latter, and wherein the lever device (6) is operatively connected to the second drive shaft (4) for driving the latter, and wherein the lever device (6) comprises a lever linkage (7), which lever linkage (7) is designed such that it can perform a pendulum movement (10) between a first pendulum position and a second pendulum position without losing the operative connection to the first drive shaft (3) and to the second drive shaft (4), characterised in that the lever device (6) comprises at least one additional movement element (23) connected to the lever linkage (7) using a connecting element (25), wherein the at least one additional movement element (23) is designed such that it performs a periodic linear movement (26) when the lever device (6) moves, and wherein the operative connection between the lever device (6) and the second drive shaft (4) is established using this at least one movement element (23).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lever linkage (7) comprises a lever arm (8) which is preferably designed in the manner of an inverted pendulum, wherein the force arm (11) is operatively connected to the first drive shaft (3) and wherein the load arm (12) is operatively connected to the second drive shaft (4).

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lever device (6) comprises an additional weight (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) connected to the lever linkage (7).

4. Device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the additional weight (13, 14, 15, 16) is attached at one or more points on the lever arm (8), in particular at the free end of the force arm (11) and / or at the free end of the load arm (12) and / or at a support arm (19) which is rigidly connected to the lever arm (8) and which, in the manner of a cantilever, carries the additional weight (16) at a distance from the lever arm (8).

5. Device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the additional weight (17) is attached to the lever arm (8) and / or the support arm (19) using an elastically deformable connecting element (21).

6. Device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the additional weight (18) is attached to a gravity pendulum (22) as a pendulum weight, which gravity pendulum (22) is connected to the lever arm (8), in particular at the free end of the load arm (12) or in the vicinity of this free end, and / or the support arm (19).

7. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the operative connection between the first drive shaft (3) and the lever device (6) and / or the operative connection between the lever device (6) and the second drive shaft (4) is established using a coupling gear (27) acting as a transmission gear with change of movement form.

8. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the operative connection between the first drive shaft (3) and the lever device (6) is established using a connecting element (29) that engages with the lever device (6) and is preferably elastically deformable.

9. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the vertical rotor (2) comprises a number of rotor blades (34) distributed at equal angles around the rotor axis, wherein the rotor blades (34) are designed and attached to a rotary linkage (33) of the rotor (2) by means of restriction elements (35) limiting the pivoting range of the rotor blades (34), preferably elastically deformable restriction elements (35), in such a way that they automatically turn individually into or out of the wind.

10. Device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the rotor blades (34) are designed as flexible blades, in particular sails, which can pivot independently about vertical pivot axes (36).

11. Method for generating electric current using wind power, wherein a vertical rotor (2) drives a first drive shaft (3), a movable lever device (6) operatively connected to the first drive shaft (3) is driven by the first drive shaft (3), the lever device (6) drives a second drive shaft (4), for which purpose the lever device (6) is operatively connected to the second drive shaft (4), an electric generator (5) operatively connected to the second drive shaft (4) is driven by the second drive shaft (4), wherein the lever device (6) comprises a lever linkage (7), which lever linkage (7) is designed in such a way that it performs a pendulum movement (10) between a first pendulum position and a second pendulum position without losing the operative connection to the first drive shaft (3) and to the second drive shaft (4), characterised in that the lever device (6) comprises at least one additional movement element (23) connected to the lever linkage (7) by means of a connecting element (25), wherein the at least one additional movement element (23) is designed such that it performs a periodic linear movement (26) when the lever device (6) moves, and wherein the operative connection between the lever device (6) and the second drive shaft (4) is established using this at least one movement element (23).