GB2443637A

GB2443637A - Twisted blade vertical axis wind turbine

Info

Publication number: GB2443637A
Application number: GB0622337A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Howard Julian Matthews
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-09
Filing date: 2006-11-09
Publication date: 2008-05-14
Also published as: GB0622337D0

Abstract

In a first aspect of the invention a vertical axis wind turbine 10 comprises at least one elongated blade 12 twisted (preferably through 90{) along its longitudinal axis 14, each end of the axis 14 being roratably mounted on a support member 28, 30, and the axis 14 being connected to a generator 16. The turbine 10 may comprise two blades 12 and may be mounted on the corner (40, figure 2) of a building (42, figure 2). In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of generating electricity from the movement of air around a structure (42, figure 2), the structure (42) having at least one wall with a vertical axis wind turbine 10 attached thereto.

Description

PfSCRIPTION

WIND TURBINE

The present invention relates to a wind turbine which is attachable to the s wall of a building, so as to harness wind energy from air passing over a wall to generate electricity.

Traditional wind turbines used to produce electricity are cumbersome and require positioning in windy locations. The blades of domestic wind to turbines are often located at the end of tall poles, so as to reduce the drag on the wind force caused by contact with the ground, houses and vegetation etc. Domestic wind turbines are unsightly and can be inefficient in certain circumstances, for example when the wind is buffered between two or more houses, or the direction of the wind flow changes.

Vertical axis turbine blades are known in the art and are often located at the end of a pole or mast and can suffer from buffering. For example, US2006/0198724 disc'oses a vertical axis turbine which can be located at the end of a mast and US2006/0210389 discloses a wind turbine blade rotating about a vertical axis which is located at the end of a support.

It!S an object of the present invention to provide a wind turbine which addresses one or more of the above identified problems. it is also an object of the present invention to provide a wind turbine which can be attached to the side of a building so as to harness wind which is deflected around a building, which in some cases can exceed the speed of the prevailing winds.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a vertical axis wind turbine comprising at least one elongated blade, twisted through substantially 90 degrees extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein each end of the axis is rotatably mounted on a support member and the axis is JO coupled to a generator.

The present invention therefore provides for a vertical axis wind turbine which can be installed in a number of locations, such as walls and corners of a building etc. The term "generator" should be taken to mean any equipment which is capable of turning rotational energy into electrical energy. Preferably, the generator comprises a dynamo.

: In one embodiment the turbine may comprise a spindle extending alona the ongtud!na axis arid upon which the blades are mounted and which s itself mounted to a support member at either end. Wind movement over the blades will cause them to rotate about the spindle.

In another embodiment, each end of the blades may be rotatably mounted on a support member.

An individual support member may be attached either end of the axis.

Preferably, the wind turbine is adapted to be attached to a wall or corner of a building.

Jo The turbine of the present invention is, in one embodiment, a self contained unit, comprising of a structural backbone, bearings, dynamo and a turbine blade. The standard unit with different brackets can be mounted on the face of the building or on the corner at any angle. But it is envisaged that it will generally be fixed on a 90 degree corner at an angle Js of 135 degrees to each face It can be mounted singularly or in multiple units, one above the other, below the roof line. This allows easy access for the power cables from the turbine into the building, connected to storage (batteries), the buildinqs power circuit or sold to the National Grid.

The turbine blade may be curved in opposite directions on both sides and preferably twisted through 90 degrees along its length to catch the wind. It may have plates mounted on the ends to deflect the weather. The blade may have a central spindle that is supported at both ends on light-weight weather proof bearings. The bearings may form part of the support member which itself may be coupled to a backbone support. The backbone support improves the structural rigidity of the device and can enable the device to be mounted on a wall. The bottom bearing can be protected from the elements by a weather poof cover.

Means for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy may be provided, preferably in the form of a dynamo. The dynamo is preferably mounted at the top above the top bearing and can be covered by a Jo weather proof cover.

The turbine of the present invention provides the following advantages: 1. The turbine blade uses the increased wind speed created by the building to generate electricity at wind speeds below the normal cut-in' (the lowest wind speed the dynamo starts to make electricity) speed needed to generate electricity, in clear air. This means that the turbine will generate electricity at a lower wind speed than a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) and generate it more often; 2. The turbJne offers a user a shorter timescale to break even On the Investment as it generates electricity more often and at lower wind speeds c 3. The turbine is easy to install in most domestic and commercial buildings without special equipment, such as cranes, in domestic applications, it can be easily mounted below the roof line of houses, without specialist tools or expertise; 4. When the turbine mounted below the roof line, is easy to maintain as it is easily reached by means of a simple ladder; iO 5. The turbine is quiet and if mounted near to the roof line, it is located a safe distance away from where people are working and sleeping etc; 6. The turbine is not prone to high wind speed damage. The design of any turbine blade is always a compromise between a light weight structure that will turn easily in low wind speeds and a blade that can withstand high winds without damage. This vertical axis wind turbine employed by the present invention spills high speed gusts of wind without structural damage to the blade; 7. It is relatively easy to connect to the buildings electrical building. For example, the power cable can he fed into the loft/roof space and connected to existing infrastructure: and 8. In some countries and in particular, the UK, depending upon the size of the turbine, it is not envisaged that planning permission will be required prior to installation, unlike wind turbines.

s In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of generating electricity from the movement of air around a structure, said structure having at least one side wall, said method comprising the step of mounting a vertical axis wind turbine to a side wall of said structure. I0

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to and as illustrated in the following drawings; is Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a turbine in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the a turbine as shown in Figure 1 attached to the side of a building: and Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention, where two turbines are provided which are attached to the side of a buifdinQ.

With reference to Figure 1, there is provided a vertical axis wind turbine 10 having one blade 12 extending along a vertical axis 14. The top of the axis 14 engages with a dynamo 16 which is located within a dynamo casing 18 and the axis can rotate freely upon or within an upper bearing located at the base of the casing. The bottom of the axis 14 engages with a lower bearing 22, which is partially covered by lower bearing cover 24 that is circular in shape with a downwardly extending lip around its circumference. An elongated structural member 26 is also provided which spans a length greater that the blades of the 12. The structural member has an upper arm 28 extending perpendicularly from one end which is attached to the dynamo casing 18 and a lower arm 30 extending perpendicularly from the other end of the member which is attached to the lower bearing cover 24. The blade 12 has two edges running the length of Is the axis 14. The blade 12 turns by 90 from top to bottom. The lower part 12 terminates on the upper surface of the lower bearing cover 24.

In Figure 2, the wind turbine 10 is attached to the corner 40 of a house 42.

just below the roofline 44 and underneath the guttering. Arrow 48 shows the general direction of electrical cabling (not shown) which connects the dynamo 16 to electrical infrastructure of the house 42.

With reference to Figure 3, two wind turbines 50 is shown to be attached in tandem to the corner 51 of a house 52. The wind turbine 50 is similar in features as to the one shown in Figure 1.

In use, the wind turbine 10,50 is mounted along an edge 40,51 of a house 42,52. It is beneficial to locate the turbines on a corner as the turbines are intended to harness winds which pass quickly over the corners of houses and other buildings. Alternatively, or additionally, the turbines can also be located on walls of bui'dings. The wind turbine 10, 50 are mounted to io along an edge 40,5 1 of a house 42,52 by attaching the structural member 26 to the wall by means of wall bracket (not shown) to suit the angle of the corner of the building 40,51 or on the building face 42,52.

In connection with the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the is dynamo 16 is attached to electrical cabling (not shown), which are fed into the house 42 in direction 48 and connected to the electrical infrastructure of the house and/or national electrical network. If need be, the cabling can pass through the upper arm 28 if it is hollow and this will help seal the cabling from the elements.

When wind passes over the corner 40 of the house 42, the blades 12 rotate about the axis 1.4 within the upper and lower bearings 20 and 30 respect,vev Both bearings can be light-weight weather-proof bearings.

The rotation of the blades 12 powers the dynamo 16, which produces electricity in the usual manner. The dynamo casing 18 helps to prevent the ingress of unwanted material into the dynamo and prolongs its useful lifetime Furthermore, the blade 12 has a downwardly extending lip that fits over the bearing cover 24 to assist in preventing the ingress of unwanted material into the lower bearing 22.

The second embodiment in Figure 3, works in a similar manner to that of the first embodiment. However, there are two wind turbines 50 connected 0 in tandem. Whilst the two turbines are shown with individual dynamos 16, it is also envisaged that a single dynamo may be employed, which is powered by multiple sets of units 50.

The nvention is not restricted to the details of the forgoing embodiment. -10-

Claims

1 A vertical axis wind turbine comprising at least one elongated blade, twisted along its longitudinal axis, wherein each end of the axis is rotatably mounted on a support member and the axis is coupled to a generator.

2. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the blade is twisted through substantially 90 degrees extending along a longitudinal axis.

3. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the generator comprises a dynamo.

4. A wind turbine as claimed in any one of the previous claims further comprising a spindle extending along the longitudinal axis and upon which the blades are mounted

5. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 4 wherein the spindle is mounted to a support member at either end such that wind movement over the blade will cause it to rotate about the spindle.

6 A w!nd turbine as claimed in any one of the previous claims comprising two blades. -11 -

7. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein an individual support member is attached either end of the axis.

8. A wind turbine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the wind turbine is adapted to be attached to a wall or corner of a building.

9. A wind turbine as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the turbine is a self-contained unit comprising a support member, io bearings, dynamo and a turbine blade.

10. A wind turbine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the turbine blade is curved in opposite directions on both faces.

11 A wind turbine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further compnsing means to deflect weather away from the generator.

12. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 11 wherein the means comprises a plates mounted on the ends of the blade

13. A wind turbine as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 12 wherein the centra! spindle is supported at both ends on light-weight weather proof bearings. -12-

14. A wind turbine as claimed in claim 13 wherein the bearings are integrally formed wiLh the support member

15. A wind turbine as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the support members are couple to a structural backbone.

16. A method of generating electricity from the movement of air around a structure, said structure having at least one side wall, said method comprising the step of mounting a vertical axis wind turbine to a side wall of said structure.

17. A kit of parts comprising a wind turbine as claimed in any one of claims ito 15.

18. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 17 comprising two or more wind turbines as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the turbines can be mounted in multiple units, one above the other, below the roof line of a hi.i I Pd I ng.

19. A wind turbine substantially as described herein and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.