Wind turbine having a plurality of airfoil rings and counter rotating generators
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
F03D-001/02
F03D-007/02
출원번호
US-0170563
(2014-01-31)
등록번호
US-9803616
(2017-10-31)
발명자
/ 주소
Port, Ryan
Scheib, Laurance Jay
출원인 / 주소
Port, Ryan
대리인 / 주소
Doster Greene, LLC
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
9
초록▼
A wind turbine can include a first rotating ring and a second rotating ring. A first plurality of airfoils is pivotally secured between an interior rim and an exterior rim of the first rotating ring and disposed at a first angle of attack. A second plurality of airfoils is pivotally secured between
A wind turbine can include a first rotating ring and a second rotating ring. A first plurality of airfoils is pivotally secured between an interior rim and an exterior rim of the first rotating ring and disposed at a first angle of attack. A second plurality of airfoils is pivotally secured between an interior rim and an exterior rim of the second rotating ring and disposed at a second angle of attack. A generator is mounted between the first rotating ring and the second rotating ring and generates electricity in response to the first plurality of airfoils capturing the wind with the first angle of attack such that the first rotating ring rotates in a first direction and the second plurality of airfoils captures the wind with the second angle of attack such that the second rotating rings rotate in an opposite direction from the first rotating ring.
대표청구항▼
1. A wind turbine comprising: a first rotating ring having a first interior rim and a first exterior rim;a first plurality of airfoils pivotally secured between the first interior rim and the first exterior rim and disposed at a first angle of attack;a second rotating ring having a second interior r
1. A wind turbine comprising: a first rotating ring having a first interior rim and a first exterior rim;a first plurality of airfoils pivotally secured between the first interior rim and the first exterior rim and disposed at a first angle of attack;a second rotating ring having a second interior rim and a second exterior rim;a second plurality of airfoils pivotally secured between the second interior rim and the second exterior rim and disposed at a second angle of attack;a generator mounted between the first rotating ring and the second rotating ring and generating electricity in response to the first plurality of airfoils capturing the wind with the first angle of attack such that the first rotating ring rotates in a first direction and the second plurality of airfoils capturing the wind with the second angle of attack such that the second rotating rings rotate in an opposite direction from the first rotating ring;a plurality of first rotatable shafts rotatably supported for rotation about a plurality of first shaft axes;a plurality of second rotatable shafts rotatably supported for rotation about a plurality of second shaft axes;each of the first plurality of airfoils secured, respectively, to the plurality of first rotatable shafts;each of the second plurality of airfoils secured, respectively, to the plurality of second rotatable shafts;a first spring having one end connected to a first airfoil of the first plurality of airfoils and having another end connected to the first exterior rim for rotating the first airfoil about a first shaft axis of the plurality of shaft axes from a first position of the first airfoil to a second position of the first airfoil: the first position of the first airfoil at first wind speeds is configured such that: the first airfoil assumes a first initial rest or starting position having an initial angle of the first airfoil of approximately 30 degrees relative to the first shaft axis; andthe first spring is in an initial rest or starting spring position in first wind conditions;the second position of the first airfoil at second wind speeds is configured such that: the first airfoil assumes a first fully open position having a final angle of the first airfoil of approximately 90 degrees substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the first exterior rim and the first interior rim to permit the wind to completely pass without interruption through both the first plurality of airfoils and a first plurality of spokes connected to the first rotating ring and, respectively, to the first plurality of airfoils; andthe first spring is in a fully extended position responsive to second wind conditions;a second spring having one end connected to a second airfoil of the second plurality of airfoils and having another end connected to the second exterior rim for rotating the second airfoil about a second shaft axis of the plurality of second shaft axes from the first position of the second airfoil to a second position of the second airfoil: the first position of the second airfoil at first wind speeds is configured such that: the second airfoil assumes a second initial rest or starting position having an initial angle of the second airfoil of approximately 150 degrees relative to the second shaft axis; andthe second spring is in the initial rest or starting spring position in the first wind conditions;the second position of the second airfoil at second wind speeds is configured such that: the second airfoil assumes the fully open position having a final angle of the second airfoil of approximately 90 degrees substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the second exterior rim and the second interior rim to permit the wind to completely pass without interruption through both the second plurality of airfoils and a second plurality of spokes connected to the second rotating ring and, respectively, to the second plurality of airfoils; andthe second spring is in the fully extended position responsive to the second wind conditions. 2. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the first rotating ring is mounted to a shaft of the generator and the second rotating ring is mounted to the generator. 3. The wind turbine according to claim 2, wherein the generator generates electricity in response to the first rotating ring spinning the shaft in a first direction and the second rotating ring spinning the generator in a direction opposite of the shaft. 4. The wind turbine according to claim 2, wherein the first rotating ring spins on the shaft of the generator at a hub-shaft bearing, and the second rotating ring spins on generator at a hub-generator bearing. 5. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the generator is a counter rotating generator. 6. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of airfoils defines an outside diameter of the first rotating ring and the second plurality of airfoils define an outside diameter of the second rotating ring. 7. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of airfoils is located on an outside 25 percent diameter of said first rotating ring and the second plurality of airfoils is located on an outside 25 percent diameter of the second rotating ring. 8. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of airfoils is located on an outside 25 percent diameter of said first rotating ring and the second plurality of airfoils is located on an outside 25 percent diameter of the second rotating ring such that when the wind flow begins to rotate the first and the second rotating ring the wind impinges the outside 25 percent diameter of the first and second plurality of airfoils, and, when a second wind speed event occurs, the first and the second plurality of airfoils positioned at the outside 25 percent diameter rotate to an open position such that the wind flow passes the first and second plurality of airfoils without increasing revolutions per minutes of the first and second rotating rings. 9. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first plurality of airfoils comprises a variable first angle of attack and the second plurality of airfoils comprises a variable second angle of attack. 10. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein changes in wind forces on at least one of the first plurality of airfoils and the second plurality of airfoils varies at least one of the first angle of attack and the second angle of attack relative to existing wind conditions. 11. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the first angle of attack of the first plurality of airfoils and the second angle of attack of the second plurality of airfoils are operative to generate lift and wherein the first angle of attack is a first angle at which existing wind strikes the first plurality of airfoils and the second angle of attack is a second angle at which the existing wind strikes the second plurality of airfoils. 12. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first plurality of airfoils and the second plurality of airfoils is configured to create a maximum lift at the first wind speeds and create a 0 degree lift at the second wind speeds. 13. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein, during the second wind speeds, the first plurality of airfoils and the second plurality of airfoils rotate to an open position such that no increase in revolutions per minutes is provided to the first rotating ring and the second rotating ring. 14. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein a configuration of at least one of the first plurality of airfoils and the second plurality of airfoils is selected based on wind conditions at a location. 15. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first plurality of airfoils and the second plurality of airfoils include a leading edge and a trailing edge to enable a profile of the at least one of the first plurality of airfoils and the second plurality of airfoils to be customized for different site-specific wind conditions. 16. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first plurality of airfoils and the second plurality of airfoils include a leading edge and a trailing edge to enable at least one of the first angle of attack and the second angle of attack to be customized for different site-specific wind conditions. 17. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of airfoils comprises at least one first spring-loaded airfoil configured such that the first spring encircles the first rotatable shaft to vary the first angle of attack for changing a first lift of at least one of the first plurality of airfoils, and the second plurality of airfoils comprises at least one second spring-loaded airfoil configured such that the second spring encircles the second rotatable shaft to vary the second angle of attack for changing a second lift of at least one of the second plurality of airfoils. 18. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the first spring and the second spring are configured for allowing displacement of the first plurality of airfoils and the second plurality of airfoils, respectively, between a minimum angle of attack position and a maximum angle of attack position. 19. The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of airfoils and the second plurality of airfoils comprise the first spring and the second spring, respectively, for actively controlling the first angle of attack and the second angle of attack relative to existing air flow conditions. 20. The wind turbine according to claim 1, further comprising at least one spring-loaded airfoil that enable a customizable braking system for the first rotating ring and the second rotating ring, wherein a configuration of the spring-loaded airfoils is selected based on site-specific wind conditions. 21. The wind turbine according to claim 20, wherein a spring constant of the at least one spring-loaded airfoil is selected based on the site-specific wind conditions. 22. The wind turbine according to claim 1, further comprising at least one spring-loaded airfoil for actively controlling at least one of the first angle of attack and the second angle of attack such that the at least one spring-loaded airfoil rotates to the fully open position during the second wind event, without need for intervention of an electronic braking device to shut down rotation of the first rotating ring and the second rotating ring during the second wind event. 23. A wind turbine comprising: a housing coupled to a support structure, wherein the housing is divided into sections including a first hub, a second hub, and a nacelle interdisposed between the first hub and the second hub;a plurality of rotating rings mounted to the housing and configured to provide uniform load distribution on the support structure, wherein: at least one of a first pair of rotating rings rotatably mounted along the first hub and at least one of a second pair of rotating rings rotatably mounted along the second hub, wherein each of the at least one of the first pair rotating rings and the second pair of rotating rings includes a first rotating ring and a second rotating ring;a first plurality of airfoils pivotally secured to the first rotating rings and disposed at a first angle of attack;a second plurality of airfoils pivotally secured to the second rotating rings and disposed at a second angle of attack; anda pair of generators mounted to the housing and configured to provide uniform load distribution on the support structure, wherein:a first generator is mounted to the first hub between the at least one first pair of rotating rings and generates electricity in response to the first plurality of airfoils of the at least one first pair of rotating rings capturing the wind with the first angle of attack such that the first rotating ring of the at least one first pair of rotating rings rotate in a first direction and the second plurality of airfoils of the at least one first pair of the rotating rings capturing the wind with the second angle of attack such that the second rotating ring of the at least one first pair of the rotating rings rotate in an opposite direction from the first rotating ring of the first pair of rotating ring;a second generator is mounted to the second hub between the at least one second pair or rotating rings and generates electricity in response to the first plurality of airfoils of the at least one second pair of rotating rings capturing the wind with the first angle of attack such that the first rotating ring of the at least one second pair of rotating rings rotate in the first direction and the second plurality of airfoils of the at least one second pair of the rotating rings capturing the wind with the second angle of attack such that the second rotating ring of the at least one second pair of the rotating rings rotate in the opposite direction from the first rotating ring of the second pair of rotating ring;a plurality of first rotatable shafts rotatably supported for rotation about a plurality of first shaft axes;a plurality of second rotatable shafts rotatably supported for rotation about a plurality of second shaft axes;each of the first plurality of airfoils secured, respectively, to the plurality of first rotatable shafts;each of the second plurality of airfoils secured, respectively, to the plurality of second rotatable shafts;a first spring having one end connected to a first airfoil of the first plurality of airfoils and having another end connected to the first exterior rim for rotating the first airfoil about a first shaft axis of the plurality of shaft axes from a first position of the first airfoil to a second position of the first airfoil: the first position of the first airfoil at first wind speeds is configured such that: the first airfoil assumes a first initial rest or starting position having an initial angle of the first airfoil of approximately 30 degrees relative to the first shaft axis; andthe first spring is in an initial rest or starting spring position in first wind conditions;the second position of the first airfoil at second wind speeds is configured such that: the first airfoil assumes a first fully open position having a final angle of the first airfoil of approximately 90 degrees substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the first exterior rim and the first interior rim to permit the wind to completely pass without interruption through both the first plurality of airfoils and a first plurality of spokes connected to the first rotating ring and, respectively, to the first plurality of airfoils; andthe first spring is in a fully extended position responsive to second wind conditions;a second spring having one end connected to a second airfoil of the second plurality of airfoils and having another end connected to the second exterior rim for rotating the second airfoil about a second shaft axis of the plurality of second shaft axes from the first position of the second airfoil to a second position of the second airfoil: the first position of the second airfoil at first wind speeds is configured such that: the second airfoil assumes a second initial rest or starting position having an initial angle of the second airfoil of approximately 150 degrees relative to the second shaft axis; andthe second spring is in the initial rest or starting spring position in the first wind conditions;the second position of the second airfoil at second wind speeds is configured such that: the second airfoil assumes the fully open position having a final angle of the second airfoil of approximately 90 degrees substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the second exterior rim and the second interior rim to permit the wind to completely pass without interruption through both the second plurality of airfoils and a second plurality of spokes connected to the second rotating ring and, respectively, to the second plurality of airfoils; andthe second spring is in the fully extended position responsive to the second wind conditions. 24. The wind turbine according to claim 23, wherein the first rotating rings of the first pair of the rotating rings is mounted to a shaft of the first generator and first rotating rings of the second pair of the rotating rings is mounted to a shaft of the second generator, the second rotating ring of the first pair of the rotating rings is mounted to the first generator, and the second rotating ring of the second pair of the rotating rings is mounted to the second generator. 25. The wind turbine according to claim 23, wherein the first generator generates electricity in response to the first rotating ring of the first pair of rotating ring spinning a shaft of the first generator in a first direction and the second rotating ring of the first pair of the rotating ring spinning the first generator in a direction opposite of the shaft of the first generator; and wherein the second generator generates electricity in response to the first rotating ring of the second pair of rotating ring spinning a shaft of the second generator in the first direction and the second rotating ring of the second pair of the rotating ring spinning the second generator in the direction opposite of the shaft of the second generator. 26. The wind turbine according to claim 23, wherein the first rotating ring of the first pair of the rotating ring spins on a shaft of the first generator at a first hub-shaft bearing, and the second rotating ring of the second pair of the rotating ring spins on the first generator at a first hub-generator bearing; and wherein the first rotating ring of the second pair of the rotating ring spins on a shaft of the second generator at a second hub-shaft bearing, and the second rotating ring of the second pair of the rotating ring spins on the second generator at a second hub-generator bearing. 27. The wind turbine according to claim 23, wherein the first generator is a first counter rotating generator and the second generator is a second counter rotating generator. 28. The wind turbine according to claim 23, wherein a total number of the plurality of rotating rings mounted to the housing comprises an even number and the plurality of rotating rings are positioned symmetrically on both sides of the nacelle; and wherein the total number of the generators mounted to the housing comprises an even number and the generators are positioned symmetrically on both sides of the nacelle, resulting in the uniform load distribution on the support structure. 29. The wind turbine according to claim 23, wherein the plurality of rotating rings is mounted to the housing such that the plurality rotating rings successively increases or decreases in size from a first end of the housing to an opposite end of the housing. 30. The wind turbine according to claim 23, wherein the first plurality of airfoils is located on an outside 25 percent diameter of said first rotating rings and the second plurality of airfoils is located on an outside 25 percent diameter of the second rotating rings. 31. The wind turbine according to claim 23, wherein the first plurality of airfoils is located on an outside 25 percent diameter of said first rotating rings and the second plurality of airfoils is located on an outside 25 percent diameter of the second rotating rings such that when the wind flow begins to rotate the first and the second rotating rings the wind impinges the outside 25 percent diameter of the first and second plurality of airfoils, and, when a high wind speed event occurs, the first and the second plurality of airfoils positioned at the outside 25 percent diameter rotate to an open position such that the wind flow passes the first and second plurality of airfoils without increasing revolutions per minutes of the first and second rotating rings. 32. The wind turbine according to claim 23, wherein changes in wind forces on at least one of the first plurality of airfoils and the second plurality of airfoils varies at least one of the first angle of attack and the second angle of attack relative to existing wind conditions. 33. The wind turbine according to claim 23, wherein the first angle of attack of the first plurality of airfoils and the second angle of attack of the second plurality of airfoils are operative to generate lift and wherein the first angle of attack is a first angle at which existing wind strikes the first plurality of airfoils and the second angle of attack is a second angle at which the existing wind strikes the second plurality of airfoils. 34. The wind turbine according to claim 23, wherein at least one of the first plurality of airfoils and the second plurality of airfoils is configured to create a maximum lift at the first wind speeds and create a 0 degree lift at the second wind speeds. 35. The wind turbine according to claim 23, wherein, during the second wind speeds, the first plurality of airfoils and the second plurality of airfoils rotate to an open position such that no increase in revolutions per minutes is provided to the first rotating rings and the second rotating rings. 36. The wind turbine according to claim 23, wherein a configuration of at least one of the first plurality of airfoils and the second plurality of airfoils is selected based on wind conditions at a location. 37. The wind turbine according to claim 23, wherein the first plurality of airfoils comprises at least one first spring-loaded airfoil configured such that the first spring encircles the first rotatable shaft to vary the first angle of attack for changing a first lift of at least one of the first plurality of airfoils, and the second plurality of airfoils comprises at least one second spring-loaded airfoil configured such that the second spring encircles the second rotatable shaft to vary the second angle of attack for changing a second lift of at least one of the second plurality of airfoils. 38. The wind turbine according to claim 23, wherein the first spring and the second spring are configured for allowing displacement of the first plurality of airfoils and the second plurality of airfoils, respectively, between a minimum angle of attack position and a maximum angle of attack position. 39. The wind turbine according to claim 23, further comprising at least one spring-loaded airfoil that enable a customizable braking system for the first rotating rings and the second rotating rings, wherein a configuration of the spring-loaded airfoils are selected based on site-specific wind conditions. 40. The wind turbine according to claim 39, wherein a spring constant of the at least one spring-loaded airfoil is selected based on the site-specific wind conditions. 41. The wind turbine according to claim 23, further comprising at least one spring-loaded airfoil for actively controlling at least one of the first angle of attack and the second angle of attack such that the at least one spring-loaded airfoil rotates to the fully open position during the high wind event, without need for intervention of an electronic braking device to shut down rotation of the first rotating rings and the second rotating rings during the high wind event. 42. A method of generating electricity with a wind turbine comprising: rotating a first rotating ring having a first interior rim and a first exterior rim, wherein a first plurality of airfoils is pivotally secured between the first interior rim and the first exterior rim and disposed at a first angle of attack;rotating a second rotating ring having a second interior rim and a second exterior rim, wherein a second plurality of airfoils is pivotally secured between the second interior rim and the second exterior rim and disposed at a second angle of attack; andgenerating electricity, using a generator mounted between the first rotating ring and the second rotating ring, in response to the first plurality of airfoils capturing the wind with the first angle of attack such that the first rotating ring rotates in a first direction and the second plurality of airfoils capturing the wind with the second angle of attack such that the second rotating rings rotate in an opposite direction from the first rotating ring;providing a plurality of first rotatable shafts rotatably that is supported for rotation about a plurality of first shaft axes;providing a plurality of second rotatable shafts rotatably that is supported for rotation about a plurality of second shaft axes;wherein each of the first plurality of airfoils is secured, respectively, to the plurality of first rotatable shafts;wherein each of the second plurality of airfoils is secured, respectively, to the plurality of second rotatable shafts;providing a first spring having one end connected to a first airfoil of the first plurality of airfoils and having another end connected to the first exterior rim for rotating the first airfoil about a first shaft axis of the plurality of shaft axes from a first position of the first airfoil to a second position of the first airfoil: wherein the first position of the first airfoil at first wind speeds is configured such that: the first airfoil assumes a first initial rest or starting position having an initial angle of the first airfoil of approximately 30 degrees relative to the first shaft axis; andthe first spring is in an initial rest or starting spring position in first wind conditions;wherein the second position of the first airfoil at second wind speeds is configured such that: the first airfoil assumes a first fully open position having a final angle of the first airfoil of approximately 90 degrees substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the first exterior rim and the first interior rim to permit the wind to completely pass without interruption through both the first plurality of airfoils and a first plurality of spokes connected to the first rotating ring and, respectively, to the first plurality of airfoils; andthe first spring is in a fully extended position responsive to second wind conditions;providing a second spring having one end connected to a second airfoil of the second plurality of airfoils and having another end connected to the second exterior rim for rotating the second airfoil about a second shaft axis of the plurality of second shaft axes from the first position of the second airfoil to a second position of the second airfoil: wherein the first position of the second airfoil at first wind speeds is configured such that: the second airfoil assumes a second initial rest or starting position having an initial angle of the second airfoil of approximately 150 degrees relative to the second shaft axis; andthe second spring is in the initial rest or starting spring position in the first wind conditions;wherein the second position of the second airfoil at second wind speeds is configured such that: the second airfoil assumes the fully open position having a final angle of the second airfoil of approximately 90 degrees substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the second exterior rim and the second interior rim to permit the wind to completely pass without interruption through both the second plurality of airfoils and a second plurality of spokes connected to the second rotating ring and, respectively, to the second plurality of airfoils; andthe second spring is in the fully extended position responsive to the second wind conditions. 43. The method according to claim 42, wherein generating the electricity further comprises the first rotating ring spinning a shaft of the generator in a first direction and the second rotating ring spinning the generator in a direction opposite of the shaft of the generator. 44. The method according to claim 42, wherein generating the electricity further comprises the first rotating ring spins on a shaft of the generator at a hub-shaft bearing, and the second rotating ring spins on the generator at a hub-generator bearing. 45. The method according to claim 42, wherein generating the electricity further comprises that when the wind flow begins to rotate the first and the second rotating rings the wind impinges an outside 25 percent diameter of the first and second rotating rings, wherein the first and the second plurality of airfoils are positioned, and, when a second wind speed event occurs, the first and the second plurality of airfoils positioned at the outside 25 percent diameter rotate to an open position such that the wind flow passes the first and the second plurality of airfoils without increasing revolutions per minutes of the first and second rotating rings. 46. The method according to claim 42, further comprising operating the first angle of attack of the first plurality of airfoils and the second angle of attack of the second plurality of airfoils to generate lift and wherein the first angle of attack is a first angle at which existing wind strikes the first plurality of airfoils and the second angle of attack is a second angle at which the existing wind strikes the second plurality of airfoils. 47. The method according to claim 42, further comprising modifying at least one of the first plurality of airfoils and the second plurality of airfoils to create a maximum lift at the first wind speeds and create a 0 lift at the second wind speeds. 48. The method according to claim 42, further comprising, during the second wind speeds, rotating the first plurality of airfoils and the second plurality of airfoils to an open position such that no increase in revolutions per minutes is provided to the first rotating ring and the second rotating ring. 49. The method according to claim 42, further comprising selecting a configuration of at least one of the first plurality of airfoils and the second plurality of airfoils based on wind conditions at a location. 50. The method according to claim 42, wherein the first plurality of airfoils comprises at least one first spring-loaded airfoil configured such that the first spring encircles the first rotatable shaft to vary the first angle of attack for changing a first lift of at least one of the first plurality of airfoils, and the second plurality of airfoils comprises at least one second spring-loaded airfoil configured such that the second spring encircles the second rotatable shaft to vary the second angle of attack for changing a second lift of at least one of the second plurality of airfoils. 51. The method according to claim 42, further comprising controlling the first angle of attack and the second angle of attack relative to existing air flow conditions using the first plurality of airfoils comprising the first spring and the second plurality of airfoils comprising the second spring, respectively. 52. The method according to claim 42, further comprising selecting a configuration of at least one spring-loaded airfoil based on site-specific wind conditions to provide a customizable braking system for the first rotating ring and the second rotating ring. 53. The method according to claim 52, further comprising selecting a spring constant of the at least one spring-loaded airfoil based on the site-specific wind conditions. 54. The method according to claim 42, further comprising controlling by at least one spring-loaded airfoil at least one of the first angle of attack and the second angle of attack such that the at least one spring-loaded airfoil rotates to the fully open position during the second wind event, without need for intervention of an electronic braking device to shut down rotation of the first rotating ring and the second rotating ring during the second wind event.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (9)
Steward Richard B. (P.O. Box 15608 Rio Rancho NM 87174-0608), Automatic centrifugal force variable pitch propeller.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.