BE1013928A6 - Vertical axis windmill includes horizontal sail support arms, with tilting counterweights enabling angle of sails to adjust according to wind speed - Google Patents

Abstract

The windmill includes a vertical mast, and horizontal sail support arms. Each sail may tilt to change its angle of presentation to the wind. Counterweight flaps beneath the sails move according to the wind strength and pressure in order to adjust the configuration of the windmill. The windmill comprises a vertical mast forming the axis of the mechanism. Eight long horizontal arms (2) extend from the vertical mast and these are symmetrically arranged around the mast. These are supported by cables (13). At the end of each arm there is a vertical support for a sail (1), and also a horizontal support for a sail flap hanging beneath the arm. The horizontal flap forms a counterweight and, according to the strength of the wind may either hang down or be raised to a horizontal position. The pivoting of the flap is linked by a cable mechanism to the rotation of a sail about its vertical axis. This enables the windmill to be adjusted automatically according to the strength of the prevailing wind. A smaller windmill may be mounted at the top of the main windmill, turning about the same axis. An anemometer (20) may then be fitted to the top of the vertical mast.

Description

       

  DESCRIPTION:

SAILING CAPSTAN

  
This "Sail Capstan" consists of a "fixed" or "turning" mast fig.

  
 <EMI ID = 1.1> fig.2, to rotate it when there is wind! Fig.

  
After having measured its power, all that remains is to couple its production to it. fig.2

  
When the wind pressure does not exceed a certain speed, defined at

  
the advance by the weight of the counterweight, it remains at the bottom of its housing,

  
it is connected by a cable to the sail to hold it. fig.2,5.

  
When the wind pressure exceeds a certain force, it raises the counterweight: in proportion to its force, automatically feather the sail

  
and lets the gale pass to recover immediately afterwards, like a valve

  
overpressure!

  
The wind turbine does not stop and does not lose rotation speed

  
The counterweight (so that it does not continuously swing under the effect of the wind)

  
was placed in a tube fig.2,5 n [deg.] 27 in which it can slide without noise.

  
A rubber pad is provided in the bottom of the tube for the fall of the

  
counterweight in case of sudden cessation of gale.

  
Description:

SAILING CAPSTAN

  
 <EMI ID = 2.1>

  
However, it will be possible to rotate a wind turbine with 1, or 2, or 3, or 4, arms depending on whether the sails allow it.

  
 <EMI ID = 3.1>

  
too violent, while restoring the situation automatically after the gale, that is to say without interrupting the work of the sail.

  
 <EMI ID = 4.1>

  
&#65533; &#65533; : fig 5 wind direction

  
 <EMI ID = 5.1>

  
sateur. When the wind does not blow stronger than normal allowed by the counterweight. We therefore understand that if the wind is mild: the sail resists, if the wind exceeds a certain force (adjusted in advance by the counterweight) the sail automatically feathered and let the wind pass too strong, to resume its initial position just after the gale.


    

Claims (1)

SAILING CAPSTAN This technique was given to us to enlarge the range of possibilities of capturing this free energy that is the wind, by another means than the wind turbines with horizontal axis. Advantage: This wind turbine should be able to turn in low winds. Security: Withstands strong all-out winds. Two types of airfoil are possible (fig. 1) the upper rectangular or triangular airfoil% of output by <EMI ID = 6.1> safer in high winds. Disadvantage: The noise +/- strong of the sails which flap on the return but this noise could be reduced by stiffening the sails (under study). Technical advantage: With these 2 "propellers" we have 2 powers (fig. 2) fast but lower: for charging batteries by cx. lighting, handling and the other slower but powerful for all electrical and mechanical possibilities. The power depends on the length of the arms for the same wind speed. To overcome the drawback represented by direct current batteries for storing the energy accumulated during the period when electricity is not used and therefore lost, another solution is possible: Compressed air storage: Indeed, the sail capstan is quite capable of driving a compressor To compress and store the air in a large enough cylinder. This compressed air will be used to produce electricity on demand with a compressed air turbine driving an alternator, even when there is no more wind to turn the sail capstan. It would be possible to mount the floating system on a lake or on the sea to relieve the bearings because of the weight of the assembly. If the arms are 100 meters or 200 meters long they will then land on sail floats rotating around a fixed point in concrete planted at the bottom of the water. The cost will be less. By applying the principle of the disc brake (fig. 6) we could produce hot water, that is to say by strongly pressing metal on moving wood, we obtain heat generated by friction. Therefore, if you put cold water in a high pressure box on the wood, hot water comes out. This wooden wheel can be driven by a wind turbine or a water mill, the diameter and the speed of rotation and the pressure increase the heat and therefore the flow of hot water which can pass several times it further increases the temperature of the water. This is a new way to produce hot water without electricity and fire. This friction water heater can also work with an insulated pipe around a metal drum, by tightening the coils +/- hard, heat would be released. The table was made of wood because if it had been otherwise the wood would have burned while in this case the wood has time to cool.