Vertical-axis wind turbine equipped with a wind speed tracking mechanism.

Abstract

We provide a vertical-axis wind turbine that can generate electricity stably without causing noise pollution, even in light or strong winds. [Solution] At low wind speeds, the fins 5 are widely extended on the outside of the wing 1, rotating the generator 3 with strong torque to enable power generation even in weak winds. In strong winds, the fins are retracted into the wing to prevent over-rotation, changing the shape to one that is less sensitive to wind force and creating a braking force, thus preventing damage. Furthermore, since the necessary power sources within the wing are replaced by gravity, centrifugal force, and the restoring force of the spring, no special external power source is required.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vertical-axis wind turbine.

Background Art

[0002] The appearance of a general vertical-axis wind turbine is shown in FIG. 1. However, there is FIG. 2 in which the blades of the wind turbine are improved because they do not rotate at low wind speeds. The shape of the said blade is also registered in Design Registration No. 1664759. By the way, although the blade shown in FIG. 2 has fins, the fins are fixed and do not have a movable structure.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0003] Design No. 1664759

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] [[ID=D39]]The wind turbine shown in FIG. 2 has fixed fins extending toward the rear of the blade that is not attached to the blade with a standard airfoil cross-section on the outer blade surface (shown in FIG. 1). The wind turbine shown in FIG. 2 exhibits the effect of the fins in light winds, starts rotating earlier even at lower wind speeds than the airfoil cross-section type shown in FIG. 1, and exhibits amazing power generation. However, in strong winds, it over-rotates and the wind turbine shown in FIG. 2 is likely to be destroyed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention has conducted intensive research and provides the following means.

[0006] As Means 1, A wind turbine comprising a generator, a hub provided on the generator, and blades provided on the spokes of the hub, wherein the generator is mounted on a support column or a steel tower, and the blades are provided with movable fins,

[0007] The system comprises a pendulum provided on the spoke, a vertically movable phase fixing ring provided on the support column, a phase fixing ring lug provided on the phase fixing ring, and a fin connected to the pendulum,

[0008] The present invention provides a vertical-axis wind turbine characterized in that the fins extend in accordance with the rotational speed of the blades, and close when the rotational speed is high.

[0009] As method 2, The present invention provides a vertical-axis wind turbine according to means 1, characterized in that the pendulum is equipped with a mechanism for horizontal movement and the pendulum is connected to a spring.

[0010] By the way, the horizontal direction refers to the direction parallel to the earth.

[0011] By the way, a "spring" can be any mechanism that has elastic properties and returns to its original shape, but a metal spring is preferred. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] Compared to conventional fixed-fin wings, the fins extend outward in light winds, increasing the wind-receiving area and the radius over which wind force acts, thus increasing torque. This allows the turbine to start rotating in weaker winds than conventional wind turbines, and the wind speed required to begin generating electricity is also lower.

[0013] Furthermore, the time when the fin protrudes outward is during a gentle breeze. During a gentle breeze, the rotational speed is low, and the centrifugal force acting on the pendulum is small. Therefore, the pendulum hangs down, and due to this hanging down, it has a mechanism where the fin protrudes outward.

[0014] On the other hand, in the case of the fixed fin type, during strong winds, the rotational speed of the wind turbine becomes high, and there is a high possibility of damaging the wind power generator due to over-rotation. However, in the present invention, during strong winds, the fin is stored inside the blade, which can prevent over-rotation and prevent damage to the wind power generator. Therefore, during gentle breezes, it rotates well to increase the generated power, and during strong winds, it reduces the increase in rotational speed, preventing the destruction of the wind power generator caused by over-rotation.

[0015] And since the phase-fixed ring in the present invention is physically connected to all the fins, the degree of opening and closing of all the fins provided on all the blades is the same. Due to this effect, the balance of all the blades is achieved, and the rotational stability during strong winds is maintained. By the way, if this rotational stability is disrupted, vibrations and noises will occur, leading to the destruction of the wind power generator. By the way, when the wind speed becomes low and it cannot hang down due to gravity when the wind speed is low, it can also be structured to pull the pendulum inward with a spring.

Brief Explanation of Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] External view of a conventional airfoil-section type wind power generator [Figure 2] External view of a wind power generator with a (non-movable) fin fixed to the blade [Figure 3] External view of the present invention of a vertical-axis type wind power generator with a movable fin on the blade [Figure 4] External view of the vicinity of the upper part of the present invention during gentle breezes (the fin is open) [Figure 5] External view of the vicinity of the upper part of the present invention during strong winds (the fin is closed) [Figure 6] Internal structure diagram of the wing of the present invention [Figure 7] Mechanism diagram 1 in the cross-section of the wing of the present invention (with a pendulum that spreads by centrifugal force and returns by gravity) [Figure 8] Mechanism diagram 2 in the cross-section of the wing of the present invention (with a pendulum that spreads by centrifugal force and returns by spring)

Mode for carrying out the invention

[0017] Hereinafter, it is merely an example and an example for carrying out the present invention is shown. FIG. 1 is a generator of a type called a vertical axis wind turbine. Conventionally, it starts to rotate even at a weak wind speed and hardly produces noise, so no pollution occurs. Among vertical axis wind turbines, it is said to have the best performance. Many models that adopt a sophisticated design with wings in the wing cross-section are commercially available around the world.

[0018] Generally, the starting wind speed is about 1.5 to 2 m / s. When the wind becomes strong and the rotation of the windmill becomes too fast, there is a possibility of destroying the wind turbine, and it may have a mechanical brake as well as an electromagnetic brake.

[0019] By the way, in order to convert lift into rotation, many wings adopt a wing type called Clark Y with a wing thickness ratio of 17 to 20% or a cross-section that generates the same high lift as an aircraft wing.

[0020] By the way, the hub is a key part that wraps the spokes that radiate from a single rotation axis and spread in all directions outward. It always keeps the angle and positional relationship of each spoke constant. The hub consists of a hub disc, spokes, and a hub waterproof cover. The hub disc is a disc used to secure the spokes to the generator's input shaft, and is made of a strong material that can withstand high rotations in strong winds and severe load fluctuations in windy conditions.

[0021] Figure 2 shows a vertical-axis wind vane generator with fins positioned on the outer surface of the wing. The wing, with fins extending backward from its outer surface, smoothly directs airflow when receiving wind from the front during rotation, generating lift similar to an airfoil shape. When receiving wind from the rear, it generates strong drag, and the synergistic effect produces high rotational force and power generation.

[0022] Data from a prototype wind turbine with a blade thickness ratio of approximately 32%, created using a simplified test machine, showed that the wind turbine started rotating in light breezes of 1 m / s or less, and at wind speeds of 2-7 m / s (per second), its output was more than three times that of a typical airfoil-type wind turbine that prioritizes lift. This is a vertical-axis wind turbine featuring a hybrid wing design that combines a lift-oriented wing cross-section with a drag-oriented wing that prioritizes wind from the rear.

[0023] Figure 3 shows the external view of this wind turbine, which employs a modified blade with movable fins, similar to the one in Figure 2. The movable mechanism that swings the fins to change the wing's cross-section according to the wind speed combines gravity, centrifugal force, and the principle of leverage, thus requiring no external energy supply. When the wings do not rotate or rotate at a low speed in still or light wind conditions, there is almost no centrifugal force acting on the pendulum, and the fins are fully extended with the weight hanging down, allowing the wings to rotate with high efficiency even in light winds. As the wind speed gradually increases, centrifugal force acts on the pendulum, causing it to swing at an angle inversely proportional to the rotation speed. The force generated by the weight screwed to the pendulum is converted into tension that drives the fins through a linkage mechanism, and the system autonomously controls the swing to a cross-section that matches the wind speed.

[0024] In strong winds, the wings rotate at high speed, causing the pendulum to spring upwards and the fins to close completely, changing the wing thickness ratio to less than 30%. However, the outer surface at this time is different from the smooth surface of an airfoil; the strong curves and the bumps created by the fin joints are arranged like a washboard, generating turbulence. As a result, it is difficult to generate lift like an airfoil, and a braking effect is also generated, making over-rotation less likely.

[0025] Figure 4 shows that when the wing is not rotating or is rotating very slowly in calm to light wind conditions, and there is almost no centrifugal force acting on the pendulum, causing it to hang down, the fins are fully extended and the wing thickness ratio increases to around 40%. In our experiments, when the blade thickness ratio exceeds 30%, the starting wind speed is reduced to less than 1 m / s, and the wind speed at which power generation begins is also reduced accordingly.

[0026] The pendulum, suspended by the weight of the counterweight, swings around its pivot point, while the phase-fixing ring, equipped with a phase-fixing ring connecting lug, rotates freely around the support shaft via an upper and lower connecting rod, moving up and down. The phase-fixing ring restricts the irregular motion of the pendulum, and the combined force from the weight of the pendulum bob and centrifugal force is transformed into a powerful tension through a mechanism that also incorporates the principle of leverage. This tension is transmitted through the pendulum wing connecting rod to the linkage mechanism inside the wing, causing all the fins positioned on the wing to swing at the same timing and angle. The timing of when the fins begin to close and the force with which they close can be changed by removing the screw on the weight fixed to the pendulum and adjusting the weight of the weight.

[0027] Figure 5 shows the pendulum in its widest state when the wind speed increases and centrifugal force acts on it. As the wind speed increases, the pendulum bounces upward, and the weight of the pendulum changes direction at the pivot point, converting into tension that pulls the linkage mechanism inside the wing via the pendulum-wing connecting rod. Because the wing, upon receiving tension, has its displacement restricted via a phase-locking ring, all the fins begin to close at the same time, and when the pendulum swings to its highest point, the fins are fully closed. As wind speeds increase in strong winds, the rotation of the wind turbine increases, and at the same time, the centrifugal force acting on the pendulum also increases. This strengthens the force that closes the fins, and the higher the wind turbine's rotation, the stronger the force that closes the fins.

[0028] Figure 6 shows the inside of the wing. The centrifugal force is transmitted from the pendulum to the fins within the wing as tension, through the pendulum wing connecting rod, fin rotation lever, fin rotation shaft, and fin rotation bell crank. The tension is supported by the main girder frame and the bearings of the bearing subframe perpendicular to it, pushing and pulling the fin rotation lever, which is integrated with the fin rotation shaft.

[0029] The fins, which are fixed to the fin rotation shaft via a connecting bell crank, can swing by pushing and pulling the fin rotation lever. A fin-connecting bell crank is fixed to the fin rotation shaft, and the fins are fixed to the outer surface, so the aligned fins swing in proportion to the angle of the pendulum's movement.

[0030] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the wing. Since the cross-section when fully closed is basically based on an airfoil, the airfoil thickness ratio is 30% or less. The linkage mechanism and moving parts can be almost entirely housed within the wing, providing minimal protection from strong winds, rain, and direct sunlight, allowing for long-term use, although regular inspections and maintenance are necessary.

[0031] Figure 8 is an external view of a generator with a pendulum that moves horizontally, corresponding to a larger diameter generator, in contrast to the standard-sized generator in Figure 3 where the pendulum moves vertically. When mounted on a large-diameter generator, the large difference in diameter with the support shaft results in excessive weight for the lug components, increasing concerns about weight balance and strength. Therefore, a mechanism is designed to operate the pendulum horizontally, moving horizontally together with the phase-fixing ring and connecting rod that move freely around the outer circumference of the hub disc.

[0032] When a pendulum moves vertically, gravity acts on it when it is stationary and no centrifugal force is acting on it, causing the pendulum to hang down. However, when a pendulum moves horizontally, gravity cannot return the pendulum to the center, so a spring pulls it back to the center, producing the same effect as when gravity causes the pendulum to hang down. The spring is preferably a metal coil spring, but it is not limited to that; any spring with elasticity will do. Examples include resin springs, rubber, and dampers.

[0033] The phase fixing ring is positioned on the outer circumference of the hub disc, resulting in a larger diameter. However, the phase fixing ring lugs become unnecessary, and the upper and lower connecting rods are also unnecessary, being replaced by smaller connecting rods, resulting in a weight equivalent to the original. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] 1 wing 2 hubs 201 Hub Disc 202 spokes 203 Hub Waterproof Cover 3 Generators 4. Support shaft 5 fins 6 Phase-fixed ring 7 Phase-fixed ring lug 8 Upper and lower connecting rod 9. Pendulum 10 weights 11. Weight fixing screw 12. Pivot point of a pendulum 13. Pendulum wing connecting rod 14. Fin rotation lever 15 Fin Rotating Shaft 16 Fin-linked bell crank 17 Fin connecting rod 18 Main girder frame 19 Bearing Subframe 20 Ring connecting rods 21 springs

Claims

1. A wind turbine comprising a generator, a hub provided on the generator, and blades provided on the spokes of the hub, wherein the generator is mounted on a support column or a steel tower, and the blades are provided with movable fins, The system comprises a pendulum provided on the spoke, a vertically movable phase fixing ring provided on the support column, a phase fixing ring lug provided on the phase fixing ring, and a fin connected to the pendulum, A vertical-axis wind turbine characterized in that the fins extend in accordance with the rotation speed of the blades, and close when the rotation speed is high.

2. The vertical-axis wind turbine according to means 1, characterized in that the pendulum is equipped with a mechanism for horizontal movement and the pendulum is connected to a spring.

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