DE29821050U1 - Wind and solar power plant - Google Patents

Description

LE/fr 580187G 25.11.1998

allO3844

Alfred Wilhelm
Hippolytusstrasse 11
D-53840 Troisdorf

Wind and solar power plant

The present invention relates to a device having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Combined wind and solar power plants are known, for example, from the field of power supplies for sailing boats. In these systems, both a wind generator and a solar generator are used to charge the batteries on board, independent of the drive engine, which charge the batteries individually or together, depending on the wind and solar radiation. In order to obtain usable mechanical power from this, the wind energy must first be converted into electrical energy, which is then converted back into mechanical drive power. The efficiency of this double conversion is correspondingly poor.

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There are no known wind and solar power plants that combine to deliver mechanical energy and achieve particularly high levels of efficiency.

Based on this, it is the object of the present invention to create a device for the combined use of wind and solar energy, which has a good efficiency in the conversion into mechanical drive power.

This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1.

Because the wind rotor and the electric motor act on a common output shaft, if one part predominates, the drive power can be delivered in the conventional way via the wind rotor alone or via the electric motor alone. However, if both primary energy sources are relatively weak, they can act together on the output shaft, with a good overall efficiency. When there is little wind and little solar radiation, the electric motor can deliver just enough power to overcome the starting resistance and mechanical friction of the wind rotor, and thus even phases of low wind can be used to generate drive energy.

It is advantageous if the electric motor and/or the wind rotor are coupled to the drive shaft via at least one freewheel. In this embodiment, if only one primary energy is available, the corresponding generator does not have to drive the idle of the non-operating generator. In this case, a

Roller freewheel is advantageous because its internal friction is relatively low.

If the solar generator is connected to the wind rotor for joint rotation, the surface of the wind rotor can be used to power the solar generator. The advantageous effect of the combination is also achieved when the output of the solar generator is relatively low compared to the output of the wind rotor, since the two outputs generated essentially act on each other. The solar generator can be arranged essentially horizontally on the top of the wind rotor. With this arrangement, the solar generator has a constant, if not optimal, angle of incidence for sunlight, regardless of the angle of rotation of the vertically running wind rotor. It can also be provided that the solar generator is arranged tiltably on the top of the wind rotor, with the solar generator preferably being made from at least one module and each module being assigned at least one tilt axis. Solar generators can then be provided which, for example, consist of three modules and are arranged in a star shape in the case of a triangular wind rotor. When the rotor is stationary, the respective solar cells can be tilted and thus placed at an optimal angle to the sun's rays. The solar generator can also consist of just one module that has a tilt axis on two sides. The module can then be tilted to one side or the other depending on the sun's rays.

One application for this device is the combination of the output shaft with a conveying device for fluids. In the

Agriculture, in remote areas in pond farming and in desert regions there is a need for grid-independent and cost-effective generators that can be used to pump or circulate water with a long time availability. In pond farming, a special application is the continuous aeration of ponds in order to ensure sufficient oxygen input during management. The conveying device is advantageously designed as a conveyor screw with an inclined axis, for example as an Archimedean screw with a fixed outer shell or a rotating outer shell (the latter in the case of the conveying of thin fluids). A particularly simple conveying device comprises a pipe or hose screw wound in a helical shape around the inclined axis. The advantage here is that a volume of water pumped upwards in the screw during the conveying process does not flow back into the water under the influence of gravity when the generator is at a standstill. Rather, the already achieved delivery volume remains in the tube screw and is conveyed further when the drive energy is applied without any loss of delivery head.

If the drive shaft is fitted with a

If the device is coupled to a water purification device, in particular a filter device or an aeration device, the device can be used to improve the water quality in bodies of water.

For use in pond farming, it is advantageous if a support structure is provided that rests on floating bodies. The dimensions should be such that when applied to a body of water, the

The conveying device or water purification device associated with the drive shaft has a free end located below the surface of the water and can either suck in water or release air.

When pumping groundwater from greater depths (up to about 100 m), it is advantageous if the conveying device includes a lifting rod that is driven by the drive shaft via an angle gear. In this way, the vertical rotary movement of the wind rotor is converted into a rotary movement with a horizontal axis in a simple and efficient manner, which in turn can serve as an eccentric drive for a piston pump. In order to adapt to the average wind strengths or the average solar radiation available at any given time, it is advantageous if the stroke of the conveying device can be selected.

A simple embodiment of this device is created if the angle gear comprises a ring gear with a horizontal axis of rotation, wherein the lifting rod can be articulated at at least two different radial distances from the axis of rotation.

In the following, embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawing. They show:

Figure 1: The upper part of an inventive

Device with a wind rotor and solar generator modules mounted on its surface;

Figure 2: the device according to Figure 1 in a plan view;

Figure 3: another embodiment with a

Wind rotor arranged in an external support frame and in which the support frame carries the solar generator;

Figure 4: a device for improving water quality;

Figure 5: a movable device for pumping water to a higher level;

Figure 6: a device according to the invention for cleaning and aerating water;

Figure 7: a section of a conveyor screw in the form of a tubular screw wound around the output shaft; and

Figure 8: an angle drive for operating a piston pump.

Figure 1 shows a device according to the invention with a vertically running wind rotor 1, which directly drives a drive shaft 2. The drive shaft runs in a vertically standing hollow mast 3, which carries a support structure 4 and anchoring cables 5 running at an angle to the ground. The wind rotor 1 is rotatably mounted in the support structure 4. Solar cell modules 6 are provided on the top of the wind rotor 1, which lie horizontally during operation, so that only one narrow side is visible in the side view according to Figure 1.

An electric motor 7 is firmly connected to the wind rotor 1, the drive shaft of which has a pinion which is mounted on a shaft firmly connected to the support structure 4.

Ring gear 8 acts. The pinion of the electric motor 7 is in turn provided with a freewheel, so that when the wind rotor 1 rotates, the electric motor 7 does not necessarily rotate.

Figure 2 shows a top view of the wind rotor 1 according to Figure 1. It can be seen that three solar cell modules 6 are arranged on the top of the wind rotor 1. Electrical connection lines 10 lead to the electric motor 7, which is not visible in this figure.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention with a stationary solar generator 11. The angle of the solar generator 11 can be adjusted via a strut 12 and thus adapted to the average angle of incidence of the solar radiation. The wind rotor 1 with its drive shaft 2 in a frame 13, which has a bearing 16 on both an upper side 14 and a lower side 15. The bearings 16 are used to absorb transverse forces that can act on the drive shaft 2 in the case of large wind rotors 1, in the case of static or dynamic imbalances and at high speeds. In this way, a smooth running of the wind rotor 1 is ensured.

The side openings of the basket 13, which has a square cross-section, are provided with wind deflectors 17, which ensure good wind utilization by concentrating the wind flow on the openings of the basket 13. Each wind deflector, in particular the south-facing and downward-pointing wind deflectors 17, can also carry a solar cell module 18. The entire system rests on a vertical mast 19, which is located between the mast flange and

the housing 13 carries a gear housing 20 which surrounds the electric motor with the corresponding gears. The electrical supply lines from the solar generator 11 to the electric motor inside the housing 20 run through the basket 13.

Figure 4 shows a vertically arranged wind rotor 25 with a drive shaft 26 that runs through a short support bearing 27. Below the support bearing 27 there is a universal joint 28 that angles the drive shaft and drives an angled part 29. The part 29 in turn carries a conveyor device in the form of an Archimedean screw 30. The Archimedean screw has a coarse filter 31 at its lower end and a basket 32 at its upper end.

A support mast 33 surrounds an electric motor 34 at its upper end, which in turn acts on the drive shaft 26 via a transmission by means of a flat belt 35 and via a freewheel. The electric motor 34 is fed by solar generators (not shown).

Figure 5 again shows a wind rotor 41 with solar generators 42 arranged on the top, an electric motor 43 and a gear ring 44 which engages with the electric motor and is firmly connected to a mobile frame 45. In this respect, this arrangement corresponds to the embodiment according to Figure 1. A drive shaft 46 is coupled to an Archimedean screw 48 via a universal joint 47. The Archimedean screw 48 is mounted in its area facing away from the universal joint 47 on two rollers 49 which can be moved in the horizontal direction. This varies the angle of inclination of the Archimedean screw 48.

Figure 6 again shows a device with a wind rotor 51, solar generators 52 and an electric motor 53. This device also corresponds to the embodiments according to Figure 1 and Figure 5. Here, an Archimedean screw 54 is also driven by wind or solar energy. The free end of the Archimedean screw 54 lies under a water surface. Floats 55 carry the device. The upper end of the Archimedean screw 54 intended for water delivery lies above a drum known as a biowheel made of parallel disks 56 that can rotate about a horizontal axis. The biowheel is set in rotation by the water pumped by the Archimedean screw 54 and thereby draws air into the water.

Figure 7 illustrates a simple embodiment of an Archimedean screw with a screw tube 60 wound around a drive shaft 61. If the lower end of the screw tube 60 is below a water surface and the drive shaft 61 is rotated, the water screws upwards along the screw tube. When the drive shaft 61 is at a standstill, the water does not flow back.

Finally, Figure 8 shows a drive shaft 70 with a lower bevel gear 71 and a crown gear 72 driven by the bevel gear. The crown gear can be rotated about a horizontal axis in the area of a bearing 73 and has a number of holes 74. A piston rod of a feed pump is to be suspended in the holes at various radial distances.

In practice, the device according to the invention worked as follows:

In medium to strong winds, the wind rotor 1 rotates relatively quickly and produces a certain amount of power on the drive shaft, which should be sufficient to operate the connected units. The freewheel assigned to the electric motor 7 is rotated in its freewheeling direction, so that the electric motor 7 is decoupled from the gear ring 8 and thus from the rotation of the wind rotor 1. Any electrical power generated by the solar generator 6 means that the electric motor initially starts idle up to a certain speed. Only when the idle speed of the electric motor 7 in conjunction with the selected gear ratio reaches the corresponding speed of the wind rotor 1 does it contribute additionally to the drive power on the shaft 2. The wind component will outweigh the solar component in the total power at medium and high wind speeds.

When the wind speed is low and the sun is shining, the drive components from wind energy and solar energy add up, so that a significantly higher drive power is available on the drive shaft 2 than the individual components. When there is no wind and the sun is shining, the electric motor 7 takes over the drive of the drive shaft 2 alone. If the wind rotor 1 is not assigned a separate freewheel, the electric motor 7 also rotates the wind rotor 1. In this way, the wind rotor 1 can serve as a flywheel, for example to overcome high frictional resistance in places in the driven device, which the electric motor without a flywheel cannot overcome alone.

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Due to the relatively low power of the electric motor and the associated low speed of the wind rotor 1, the losses caused by the flow resistance of the wind rotor 1 in pure solar operation will remain acceptable.

The device according to Figure 3 makes better use of the available wind energy with greater structural effort, because the housing 13 with the wind deflectors 17 allows an optimized flow of air to the wind rotor 1. The solar energy is also used advantageously because the stationary solar generator 11 can be arranged at an optimal angle to the incident solar radiation. This embodiment is suitable for larger wind and solar power plants.

The device according to Figure 4 can be used as an autonomous device to improve the water quality in managed ponds. The available wind and solar energy is used to pump the water in the Archimedean screw. The sieve wheel 32 filters or (if the speed is high enough) disperses the pumped water. This enriches the water with oxygen and improves the biological environment in the body of water.

The device according to Figure 5 can be used according to the principles of wind and solar energy utilization already explained in order to transport water from a low-lying water reservoir to a higher level. For example, the transport of water from a river or lake to a higher-lying canal system for irrigating agricultural land can be considered here. This system can also be used autonomously

and works without combustion engines, mains power or the like.

Figure 6 again shows a device for improving the water quality in managed ponds. Here, the water pumped by the Archimedean screw 54 is fed to the biowheel 56, which in turn introduces oxygen into the water in a known manner. This gives aerobic bacteria preference over anaerobic bacteria from rotting processes. The water remains biologically active even with intensive use.

Figure 7 shows a new design of an Archimedean screw that takes the requirements of the wind and solar power plant in question into account. The Archimedean screw is designed as a tube screw that is wound around the drive shaft in a helical shape. If the drive shaft is sufficiently inclined, the water in the lower pipe bend does not flow back when the drive module is at a standstill. Even a standstill in the absence of sunlight and absolute calm does not lead to a loss of the water that has already been pumped. This device also works in both directions of rotation. In one direction of rotation it works as a conventional Archimedean screw to pump water. In the other direction of rotation the enclosed fluid (air) is pressed under the water surface, bubbles out of the opening of the tube screw 60 and thus also serves to aerate the water.

The drive according to Figure 8 is a particularly simple design solution for feed pumps that use a piston rod to pump water from great depths, up to 100 m.

The crown wheel 72 is driven by the bevel gear 71, which in turn is operated by a wind and solar power plant via the output shaft 70. If there is sufficient wind and/or sunlight, the crown wheel 72 is rotated and water is pumped via the eccentrically mounted piston rod. The radial distance of the piston rod and thus the stroke is possible by suspending the piston rod in various holes 74. Here the stroke and thus the load can be adapted to the available wind and solar radiation conditions.

The present invention enables particularly long availability times by combining solar energy and wind energy to directly drive a shaft, since usable drive power is available even at low wind speeds and low solar radiation. In conventional wind turbines, wind power alone is sometimes not enough to overcome the starting friction of the rotor at low wind speeds. Low wind speeds therefore remain unused. Even low solar radiation in conventional solar generators means that any electric motor connected to it will not start. The drive elements in the present invention, which are connected via a freewheel and act directly on a drive shaft, namely the wind rotor and the solar-powered electric motor, can add up to a usable drive power even if each individual primary energy component is only present to a small extent.

Claims (12)

LE/fr 580187G 25.11.1998 allO3844 Protection claims 1. Device for using wind and solar energy, with a wind rotor (1) with a substantially vertical axis of rotation and with a solar generator (6) and an electric motor (7) fed directly or indirectly by the solar generator, characterized in that the wind rotor (1) and the electric motor (7) act on a common output shaft (2). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric motor (7) and/or the wind rotor (1) are coupled to the output shaft (2) via at least one freewheel. 3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the freewheel is a clamping roller freewheel. 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the solar generator (6) is connected for common rotation with the wind rotor (1). 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the solar generator (6) is arranged substantially horizontally on the upper side of the wind rotor (1). 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the solar generator (11) is arranged tiltably on the upper side of the wind rotor (1), wherein preferably the solar generator is made of at least one module and each module is assigned at least one tilt axis. 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the output shaft (2) is coupled to a conveying device (30) for fluids. 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying device (30) comprises a conveyor screw with an inclined axis. 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the output shaft (2) is coupled to a water purification device (31, 32), in particular a filter device or a ventilation device. 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a support structure is provided which rests on floating bodies (55) in such a way that when deployed on a Waters the conveyor device (54) associated with the output shaft or Water purification device with one end below the surface of the water body. 11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying device comprises a lifting rod (75), for example a piston pump, which is driven by the output shaft (70) via an angular gear (71, 72), wherein the stroke is preferably selectable. 12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angular gear comprises a ring gear (72) with a horizontal axis of rotation (73), wherein the lifting rod (75) can be articulated at at least two different radial distances (74) from the axis of rotation (73).