Wind force actuator

Abstract

To provide a wind force actuator using wind force as direct driving force without using other power that allows a wind indicator to make not only a movement of a horizontal rotation, but also a movement reversing from right to left through a space just above, and has a function to transmit the movement to a controlled body and enables an agile response without operational delay, and that provides a high industrial use value with a simple structure at low cost.SOLUTION: A wind force actuator allows a wind indicator to make not only a movement of a horizontal rotation, but also a movement reversing through a space just above, allows the wind indicator to be fluttered nearly parallel to a wind direction by a two-step rotation movement, and makes resistance by wind extremely small. Specifically, the wind force actuator is provided, which can demonstrate an extremely high response speed like changing an angle of attack of a blade of a vertical axis windmill, etc. cyclically according to a wind direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This invention relates to an actuator that detects the relative wind direction on a moving body such as a ship and drives equipment on the moving body using the wind direction and wind force. Due to the necessity of the application, this invention relates to a wind actuator that has a function of reversing in any direction in addition to simple horizontal rotation. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, so-called wind vanes are generally installed on fixed equipment, and changes in wind direction are often limited to rotation on a vertical axis. However, when used on a moving object such as a ship, the wind direction changes more drastically and suddenly changes forward, backward, left, and right on the moving object, and in many cases it is not possible to follow it by rotating on the vertical axis alone. In particular, when trying to physically control equipment on the moving object in response to these changes in wind direction, there is a possibility that malfunctions such as delayed or inaccurate operational response may occur.

[0003] Generally, there are well-known wind vanes that are supported rotatably around an axis perpendicular to the ground surface and that visually indicate the direction of the wind, like a windsock or weather vane. Many wind vanes are also known that obtain the direction as an electrical signal from an encoder or the like attached to the rotating shaft, and control adjacent equipment. The wind actuator of the present invention is different from these and has a function that can physically control adjacent equipment. In the case of a system that converts the signal into an electrical signal for control, the conversion method may induce a delay in the operation of the controlled equipment, causing problems with the function of the equipment. The present invention aims to prevent such problems. An example of the controlled equipment is the blade angle control mechanism of a vertical axis wind turbine, and the delay in operation may greatly affect the performance of the turbine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] Weather vanes have been used for a long time, and there is no intellectual property that remains today. [Patent Document 1] However, in the Netherlands, when wind is blowing from an offset direction relative to the propeller shaft of a windmill device, a mechanism is used in which the offset wind is used to rotate a small windmill, which is then used as a power source to point the propeller shaft directly in the direction of the wind. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates to a wind vane that currently (conventionally) does not have a system in which adjacent equipment is directly driven by the physical movement of the wind's indicating action. However, if the wind's power can be effectively utilized and the mechanism for transmitting it is designed to have little friction loss, this can be fully utilized, and it can be realized as a low-cost actuator that is free of malfunctions and delays, and can be extremely useful in practical applications where operational delays are not permitted, such as the blade angle control mechanism of a vertical axis wind turbine. In such control, the input of external power can further cause instability such as operational delays, and is not suitable as a means to solve the purpose. The present invention provides a wind actuator that is effective and highly practical in solving such problems. [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is a wind actuator that uses wind power directly as a driving force without using other power sources, and is to provide a wind actuator that is unlikely to cause operational delays or instability, enables quick response, has a simple structure, is inexpensive, and has high industrial applicability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The means for solving the above problems of the present invention is to provide a wind actuator that requires extremely high reaction speed, such as cyclically changing the angle of attack of the blades of a vertical axis wind turbine depending on the wind direction. The structure and operation of the actuator will be briefly explained below. The wind actuator, which is installed near a vertical axis wind turbine or the like, has a first U-shaped member at an arbitrary height on the top of a vertical pole. A flat plate member is provided on the horizontal rotation shaft of the first U-shaped member so as to be rotatable at about 45 degrees, and a second rotation shaft perpendicular to the horizontal rotation shaft is provided on the flat plate member, and a second U-shaped member is provided rotatably supported on the second rotation shaft. The second U-shaped member further has a hole perpendicular to the horizontal rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft, and a shaft member that fits loosely into the hole, and a second hole is provided at the tip of the shaft member perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the shaft member, and a rotation shaft is provided so as to pass through the hole and fit loosely into it. A weather vane formed into an H-shape or a cross shape by a plurality of plate-like members is fixed to the rotation shaft. Furthermore, a spherical interlocking sphere portion is formed at both ends of the rotating shaft extending outward from the weather vane. The weather vane rotates further downwind about the axis of rotation until it is almost completely parallel to the wind direction and stabilizes in a position where wind resistance is minimal. In this state, the distance that the interlocking spherical parts located at both ends of the wind vane rotating shaft move downwind is one output of the wind actuator, and the difference in height between the top and bottom of the two interlocking spherical parts is the other output of the wind actuator. By connecting the two interlocking spherical parts to an external controlled device with a rod-shaped member, it is possible to directly physically control the external controlled device. Since there is no external power involved in this movement, malfunctions and time delays do not occur. Effect of the Invention

[0008] As is clear from the above explanation, the wind actuator of the present invention physically transmits the rotation and reversal movement of the weather vane caused by wind force directly to the control of an external device, and can control this, so there is no external intervention and malfunctions and delays in operation can be prevented, making it inexpensive and further increasing safety, and its industrial effects are extremely significant. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An embodiment for simplifying and realizing the wind actuator of the present invention without impairing its function will be described. EXAMPLES

[0011] Fig. 1 is a side view showing one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a front view showing one embodiment of the present invention. The operating state is shown by a two-dot chain line. In Figs. 1 and 2, The wind actuator, which is installed near a vertical axis wind turbine or the like (not shown), is provided with a first U-shaped member 2 attached at an arbitrary height to the top of a vertical pole 1. A flat plate member 4 is provided on a horizontal rotation shaft 3 of the first U-shaped member 2 so as to be rotatable at about 45 degrees, and a second rotation shaft 5 perpendicular to the horizontal rotation shaft 3 is provided on the flat plate member 4, and a second U-shaped member 6 rotatably supported on the second rotation shaft 5 is provided so as to be rotatable at 45 degrees in the same manner as the first U-shaped member 2 and the flat plate member 4. This angle is intended to make it easier to immediately respond to changes in the wind direction when it reverses. The purpose of this restriction on the rotation angle is to quickly respond to changes in the wind direction, and although it is described as about 45 degrees in Figs. 1 and 2 for ease of understanding, it is not necessarily limited to this angle as long as it is less than 90 degrees in practice. Furthermore, the second U-shaped member 6 is provided with a hole 7 perpendicular to the horizontal rotation axis 3 and the second rotation axis 5, and an axis member 8 that fits loosely into the hole 7. A second through hole 9 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the axis member 8 is provided at the tip of the axis member 8, and a rotation axis 10 is provided so as to pass through the through hole 9 and fit loosely into it. Furthermore, on the rotating shaft 10, a weather vane 13 which is formed into an H-shape or a cross-shape using a number of plate-like members 11 and 12 and is shaped so as to flutter downwind is rotatably supported by an axis relative to the through hole 9, and the weather vane further rotates and flutters almost completely parallel to the wind direction, stabilizing in a position where wind resistance is minimal. Furthermore, spherical interlocking spheres 14 are formed on both ends of the rotating shaft 10 that extends outside the weather vane 13. In this state, the downwind movement distance X of the interlocking spheres 14 provided on both ends of the rotating shaft 10 is one output of the wind actuator, and the difference Y in the vertical heights of the two interlocking spheres 14 is the other output of the wind actuator. The two interlocking spheres 14 are connected to an external controlled device by a rod-shaped member, making it possible to directly and physically control the external controlled device. [Operation]

[0012] The operation of the present invention will be further explained with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. Now, in FIG. 1, if the wind from the right side suddenly changes to the left side, the conventional wind vane will rotate half a turn in the horizontal plane to respond. Whether it turns clockwise or counterclockwise depends on delicate timing, but in reality, the wind does not rotate but often switches back and forth. It may not be usually noticed, but it can be strongly felt when sailing on the ocean. In the case of a ship that sails using the rotational force of a vertical axis wind turbine as propulsion, the angle of the wind turbine blades relative to the wind direction, i.e., the angle of attack, greatly affects the running (navigation) performance depending on the wind direction. In the wind actuator of the present invention, the plate-like members 11 and 12 that make up the weather vane 13 are not only capable of horizontal rotation, but also of moving directly above and reversing left and right, so that they correctly follow the change in wind direction and reverse. Therefore, the angle of the blades of the water-based vertical axis wind turbine connected by the interlocking sphere part 14 accurately follows the wind direction, preventing a decrease in navigation performance. Furthermore, the weather vane 13 rotates further downwind around the rotation axis 10, swaying almost completely parallel to the wind direction and stabilizing in a position where wind resistance is minimal. Minimizing the wind resistance that the weather vane itself receives is also an important factor in not impeding the performance of the controlled device. Incidentally, the structure of the interlocking rods is formed into a ladder shape even with relatively thin members, which increases the structural strength and provides sufficient rigidity in the length and torsional directions, while also achieving the purpose with a lightweight and inexpensive structure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0013] As is clear from the above description, the wind actuator of the present invention does not require any external energy assistance such as electricity or hydraulics, and can accurately control the angle of the blades of the vertical axis wind turbine relative to the wind direction using only wind energy without delay, and its industrial effects are extremely remarkable. [Explanation of symbols]

[0014] 1. Paul 2 U-shaped member 3 Horizontal rotation axis 4 Flat plate members 5 Second Rotation Axis 6 Second U-shaped member 7 holes 8 Shaft member 9 Through holes 10 Rotating Axis 11 Plate-shaped member 12 Plate-shaped member 13 Weathervane 14 Interlocking sphere section

Claims

1. A first U-shaped member is provided on the top of a vertical pole. A flat plate member is provided so as to be rotatable less than 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal rotation axis and a second rotation axis provided on the first U-shaped member. A second rotation axis perpendicular to the horizontal rotation axis is provided on the flat plate member, and a second U-shaped member is provided and supported so as to be rotatable less than 90 degrees with respect to the second rotation axis. Furthermore, the second U-shaped member is provided with a hole perpendicular to the second rotating shaft, and a shaft member that fits loosely into the hole, and a second through hole perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the shaft member is provided at the tip of the shaft member, and a rotating shaft is provided so as to pass through the through hole and fit loosely into it. Furthermore, a weather vane shaped to flap downwind is attached to the through hole of the rotating shaft. Furthermore, spherical interlocking spherical parts are formed on both tips of the rotating shaft extending outward from the weather vane. In this state, the distance traveled downwind by the interlocking spherical parts provided at both ends of the rotating shaft is one output of the wind actuator, and the difference in height between the top and bottom of the two interlocking spherical parts is the other output of the wind actuator.

2. 2. A wind actuator according to claim 1, wherein the wind vane is attached to the rotary shaft so that it can rotate further downwind relative to the through hole and bend almost completely parallel to the wind direction, thereby stabilizing at a position where wind resistance is minimum.

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