초록 ▼

Normally feathered propeller blades of a wind power generating system unfeather in response to the actuation of a power cylinder that responds to actuating signals. Once operational, the propellers generate power over a large range of wind velocities. A maximum power generation design point signals

Normally feathered propeller blades of a wind power generating system unfeather in response to the actuation of a power cylinder that responds to actuating signals. Once operational, the propellers generate power over a large range of wind velocities. A maximum power generation design point signals a feather response of the propellers so that once the design point is reached no increase in power results, but the system still generates power. At wind speeds below this maximum point, propeller speed and power output optimize to preset values. The propellers drive a positive displacement pump that in turn drives a positive displacement motor of the swash plate type. The displacement of the motor varies depending on the load on the system, with increasing displacement resulting in increasing propeller speeds, and the converse. In the event of dangerous but not clandestine problems developing in the system, a control circuit dumps hydraulic pressure from the unfeathering cylinder resulting in a predetermined, lower operating pressure produced by the pump. In the event that a problem of potentially clandestine consequence arises, the propeller unfeathering cylinder immediately unloads. Upon startup, a bypass around the motor is blocked, applying a pressure across the motor. The motor drives the generator until the generator reaches a predetermined speed whereupon the generator is placed in circuit with a utility grid and permitted to motor up to synchronous speed.

대표청구항 ▼

A wind power generator of the type that varies propeller speed with wind speed comprising: (a) a tower having a base and a propeller mount above the base; (b) a propeller mounted on the propeller mount of the tower for being driven in rotation by the wind; (c) a positive displacement hydrauIic pump;

A wind power generator of the type that varies propeller speed with wind speed comprising: (a) a tower having a base and a propeller mount above the base; (b) a propeller mounted on the propeller mount of the tower for being driven in rotation by the wind; (c) a positive displacement hydrauIic pump; (d) a positive displacement hydraulic motor; (e) load means driven by the motor and operable to maintain the speed of the motor constant; (f) hydraulic circuit means coupling the pump and the motor to drive the motor by the output of the pump; (g) means coupling the propeller to the pump to drive the pump; and (h) means to vary the displacement of the positive displacement motor and the pressure in the hydraulic circuit in response to a change in pressure in the hydraulic circuit produced by the propeller while the propeller rotates at constant speed, the displacement of the motor and the pressure in the hydraulic circuit being changed in accordance with a predetermined schedule that corresponds the pressure in the hydraulic circuit with wind speed so that the displacement of the motor, the pressure in the hydraulic circuit, and propeller speed increase with increasing wind speed and decrease with decreasing wind speed and the power produced by the wind power generator varies accordingly, the hydraulic circuit and the constant speed of the motor preventing a change in propeller speed until the displacement of the motor changes.