Energy harvesting system

Abstract

The present invention relates to an energy harvesting system for converting the variable kinetic energy of moving fluids, such as wind and currents, into usable forms of energy. The invention provides an energy harvesting system comprising an array of blades oscillating under the influence of a restoring force in conjunction with a moving fluid, such as air or water. The blades are arranged end to end in such a way that they can move angularly with respect to each other.

Description

[0001] ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEM

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to an energy harvesting system that enables usable energy to be extracted from fluid movements such as wind and currents.

[0004] Prior Art

[0005] Renewable energy is energy obtained from sources that can be renewed faster than the rate of depletion. These resources provide limitation of environmental impacts arising from energy production. Especially compared to fossil energy sources, it can provide great advantages in terms of the emission of harmful gases.

[0006] Water (hydraulic), wind, solar (solar, photovoltaic), natural hot water and water vapour (geothermal), biomass, biogas, wave power, tidal energy and tidal energy, hydrogen are the main renewable energy sources.

[0007] With the development of technology and research on the environmental damage of energy obtained from fossil fuels, the tendency towards renewable energy sources has increased.

[0008] Various developments for obtaining renewable energy sources are known in the art.

[0009] Today, despite the high installation and operating costs of wind energy systems, sufficient efficiency to make them applicable can be achieved by increasing the wind sweep area dimensions (blade length) and tower height. However, the moments acting on the structure also increase with the pallet length and tower height. Due to the centrifugal effect especially on the blades and the high linear velocities reached by the blade endpoints, the turbine may need to be braked under fast wind effect. Turbines cannot be operated efficiently with slow or irregular winds. The narrow wind speed ranges that will provide efficient operating conditions cause the selection of the application area to be determined by long statistical studies. These problems related to wind turbines are also valid for systems based on the current of water bodies. In the document numbered EP3665386A1, a system is described which enables a regular energy output to be obtained from wind and current with irregular speed and direction. The system comprises multiple blades that oscillate under the influence of wind and gravity, and fasteners that transfer the angular motion of the blades to a shaft in one direction, allowing the shaft to be rotated regularly with the irregular oscillation of the blades.

[0010] In the document numbered TR201821246 A2, a system is described in which the oscillation character of the blades can be regulated in a system in which the movement of the blades oscillating under the effect of wind and gravity is transferred to a shaft. This system allows the oscillation character to be regulated by transferring a liquid in tanks located on the blade to tanks at different positions.

[0011] Objects and Brief Description of the Invention

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide an energy harvesting system for converting the variable kinetic energy of moving fluids into usable forms of energy.

[0013] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an energy harvesting system capable of operating over a wide range of velocities or under the influence of flow with irregular velocity.

[0014] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an energy harvesting system having a modular structure, the parts of which can be easily transported to the field and which is easy to install and maintain.

[0015] The invention provides an energy harvesting system comprising a fluid, such as air or water, in motion and a series of blades that oscillate under the influence of a restoring force. The blades are arranged end to end in such a way that they can move angularly with respect to each other.

[0016] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0017] The system for achieving the objects of the present invention is shown in the accompanying figures.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic view of an energy harvesting system according to the invention. Figure 2 A schematic view of an energy harvesting system according to the invention comprising flexible elements.

[0019] Figure 3 A schematic view of an energy harvesting system according to the invention.

[0020] Figure 4 A schematic view of an energy harvesting system according to the invention.

[0021] Figure 5 A schematic view of an energy harvesting system according to the invention comprising parallel blade arrays.

[0022] Figure 6 A schematic view of an energy harvesting system according to the invention comprising parallel blade arrays with common second shafts.

[0023] Figure 7 A schematic view of an energy harvesting system according to the invention comprising parallel blade arrays.

[0024] Figure 8 A schematic detail view of the connection of a blade and a first shaft according to the invention.

[0025] Figure 9 A schematic detail view of a first shaft connection with two blades according to the invention.

[0026] Figure 10 A schematic detail view of two blades and a second shaft connection according to the invention.

[0027] Figure 11 A schematic detail view of a blade and a shaft connection according to the invention, which includes an electromagnetic collection mechanism.

[0028] Figure 12 Side view of the detail shown in Figure 11.

[0029] Figure 13 A schematic detail view of a second shaft connection with two blades comprising stoppers according to the invention.

[0030] Figure 14 Side view of the detail shown in Figure 13.

[0031] The parts in the figures are numbered individually and the corresponding descriptions are given below.

[0032] 1. First shaft

[0033] 2. Second shaft

[0034] 3. Collector shaft

[0035] 4. Blade

[0036] 5. Carrier structure

[0037] 6. Flexible element

[0038] 7. Protrusion

[0039] 8. Winding

[0040] 9. Magnet 10. Alternator

[0041] 11. Lifting material

[0042] 12. Stopper

[0043] The energy harvesting system according to the invention, which converts the kinetic energy of moving fluids into usable forms of energy, essentially comprises more than one shaft, multiple blades connected to the shaft and able to move angularly around the point where it is connected to the shaft under the influence of the fluid acting on its surface (4), multiple collection mechanisms for harvesting energy from the angular motion of the blades (4), including at least one collector shaft (3) parallel to each shaft, connected to the shafts by at least two connection points that transfer the rotational motion in opposite directions, and / or at least one winding (8) and at least one magnet (9) positioned in opposition to each other on the components moving relative to each other.

[0044] The shafts comprise a first shaft (1) connected to a supporting structure (5) and at least one second shaft (2) connected to the free moving sections of the blades (4). The blades (4) are arranged to form at least one blade (4) array, consisting of at least two blades (4) starting from the first shaft (1) and connected to each other by the second shafts (2).

[0045] The shafts extend horizontally and the blade (4) arrays are positioned above or below the first shaft (1).

[0046] The second shafts (2) may extend along the edges of the respective blades (4) facing each other, or may have a discontinuous structure corresponding only to the junction points of the respective blades (4).

[0047] While the blades (4) are driven by the fluid motion, they also oscillate due to the weight acting on them or the buoyant force acting on them depending on the medium in which they are used. The oscillation of the blades (4) can be harvested for use by means of collection mechanisms. The supporting structure (5) can be an independent structure that enables the energy harvesting system to be installed in the desired area, or an existing structure, such as a building on which an energy harvesting system according to the invention is desired to be added, can be used as the supporting structure (5).

[0048] By arranging the blades (4) in the form of arrays of blades (4), a larger number of blades (4) can be positioned in a unit floor area where an energy harvesting system according to the invention is installed, allowing larger sweeping areas to be obtained in locations where installation can be carried out, since only one shaft, i.e. the first shaft (1), connected to a supporting structure (5) is required. The blade (4) arrays also provide the opportunity to effectively utilize wind speeds that increase with height, for example, by utilizing the buoyant force of the blade (4) arrays, which operates by utilizing flow velocities that vary with height.

[0049] The arrangement of the blades (4) in the form of blade (4) arrays allows the blade (4) array to operate in very wide angular ranges depending on the angular position of the successive blades (4) relative to each other, but can also cause chaotic behavior. In order to control the behavior of the blade (4) arrays, the energy harvesting system according to the invention preferably comprises stoppers (12) located on the blades (4) or on the shafts, which limit the movement of the blades (4) relative to each other.

[0050] The blades (4) oscillating under the influence of weight are positioned to hang down from the first shaft (1) with their own weight. The blades (4) oscillating under the effect of buoyancy, on the other hand, contain a lifting material (11) having a density lower than the density of the fluid and in an amount that enables a buoyant force to be generated greater than the weight of the blade (4), and are positioned to remain above the first shaft (1) with the buoyant force.

[0051] Each blade (4) preferably comprises a metal frame of rectangular shape, a tarpaulin connected to the frame tautly and forming a sweeping area, and lugs positioned on the upper and lower edges of the frame for connection to the shafts.

[0052] Preferably, the energy harvesting system according to the invention also comprises at least one restoring mechanism associated with each blade (4) to support the weight and the buoyant force generating the restoring force and exerting a force in the opposite direction to the fluid-actuated moving blade (4). In one embodiment of the invention, the restoring mechanism comprises at least one flexible element (6). The flexible element (6) is positioned between the components moving relative to each other. Preferably, the stiffness and / or effective length of the flexible element (6) is adjustable. Thus, the response of the restoring mechanism to the oscillation of the blade (4) can be regulated. The stiffness and / or effective length of the flexible member (6) can be controlled mechanically or electromechanically, by means of wired or wirelessly transmitted signals.

[0053] In another embodiment of the invention, the restoring mechanism comprises magnets (9) and windings (8) which move relative to each other during the movement of the blade (4) and which act electromagnetically on the blade (4) and can also form an alternator (10). Preferably, the response of the electromagnetically acting restoring mechanism to the oscillation of the blade (4) can be regulated. The response of the electromagnetically acting restoring mechanism may be controlled mechanically, electromechanically or electronically, by wired or wirelessly transmitted signals. Regulation of the response can be achieved by regulating the impedance to create a force against the movement and / or by being active during the movement in the direction against the flow, i.e. by expending energy. Thus, in systems according to the invention utilizing both weight and buoyancy, a restoring force can be generated by expending only a portion of the energy generated.

[0054] The restoring mechanism and / or the collection mechanism may comprise at least one winding (8) and at least one magnet (9) positioned in opposition to each other on the components moving relative to each other. In exemplary embodiments of the invention, it may comprise a series of windings (8) arranged along at least one circular projection (7) surrounding the respective shaft and at least one magnet (9) positioned on the part of the blade (4) facing the projection (7), or it may comprise windings (8) positioned on the shaft and magnets (9) surrounding the shaft, or windings (8) and magnets (9) arranged in another form. The magnets (9) may also be electromagnets (9).

[0055] The restoring mechanism may also comprise a combination of a flexible element (6) and electromagnetically acting components.

[0056] In one embodiment of the invention, the restoring mechanism can be used together with or instead of the stoppers (12) in order to control the behavior of the blade (4) arrays. The restoring force generated by the restoring mechanism can be adjusted to limit the movement of the blade (4) arrays and the individual blades (4) relative to each other.

[0057] The energy harvesting system can also include integrated solar panels on the blade (4) surfaces and other surfaces. Thus, a hybrid energy harvesting system can be obtained. Cables are used to transmit the electrical energy generated by alternators (10) associated with successive blades (4). The cables can be positioned so as to pass through the skeleton forming the blades (4). The energy collected from all the alternators (10) can also be connected to an external grid by means of cables positioned to pass over or through the supporting structure (5).

Claims

CLAIMS1. An energy harvesting system, which converts the kinetic energy of moving fluids into usable forms of energy, comprising more than one shaft, multiple blades connected to the shaft and able to move angularly around the point where it is connected to the shaft under the influence of the fluid acting on its surface (4), multiple collection mechanisms for harvesting energy from the angular motion of the blades (4), including at least one collector shaft (3) parallel to each shaft, connected to the shafts by at least two connection points that transfer the rotational motion in opposite directions, and / or at least one winding (8) and at least one magnet (9) positioned in opposition to each other on the components moving relative to each other and characterized by comprising a first shaft (1) connected to a supporting structure (5) and at least one second shaft (2) connected to the free moving sections of the blades (4) and at least one blade (4) array consisting of at least two blades (4) starting from the first shaft (1) and connected to each other by the second shafts (2).

2. An energy harvesting system according to claim 1, characterized by comprising stoppers (12) located on the blades (4) or shafts and limiting the movement of the blades (4) relative to each other.

3. An energy harvesting system according to claim 1, characterized by comprising a lifting material (11) in the blade (4), having a density lower than the density of the fluid and in an amount that allows the generation of a buoyant force greater than the weight of the blade (4).

4. An energy harvesting system according to claim 1, characterized by comprising at least one flexible element (6) and / or at least one restoring mechanism with at least one winding (8) and at least one magnet (9) positioned in opposition to each other on the components moving relative to each other, which exerts force in the opposite direction on the blade (4) moving with the fluid effect.

5. An energy harvesting system according to claim 4, characterized by comprising at least one restoring mechanism limiting the movement of the blades (4) relative to each other.

6. An energy harvesting system according to claim 1, characterized by comprising solar panels integrated on the blade (4) surfaces.

7. An energy harvesting system according to claim 1, characterized by comprising shafts extending horizontally.

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