GB2453937A - Wind energy system for use in fluctuating airflow - Google Patents

Wind energy system for use in fluctuating airflow Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2453937A
GB2453937A GB0720594A GB0720594A GB2453937A GB 2453937 A GB2453937 A GB 2453937A GB 0720594 A GB0720594 A GB 0720594A GB 0720594 A GB0720594 A GB 0720594A GB 2453937 A GB2453937 A GB 2453937A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
energy
wind
membrane
utilises
planar
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0720594A
Other versions
GB0720594D0 (en
Inventor
Phillip David Sheppard
Michael Graham Reid
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
CT FOR SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING
Original Assignee
CT FOR SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by CT FOR SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING filed Critical CT FOR SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING
Priority to GB0720594A priority Critical patent/GB2453937A/en
Publication of GB0720594D0 publication Critical patent/GB0720594D0/en
Publication of GB2453937A publication Critical patent/GB2453937A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D5/00—Other wind motors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D5/00—Other wind motors
    • F03D5/06—Other wind motors the wind-engaging parts swinging to-and-fro and not rotating
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/91—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure
    • F05B2240/911—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure already existing for a prior purpose
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2250/00—Geometry
    • F05B2250/10—Geometry two-dimensional
    • F05B2250/14—Geometry two-dimensional elliptical
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
    • Y02B10/30—Wind power
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/728—Onshore wind turbines

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Wind Motors (AREA)

Abstract

A wind energy system for generating power from unsteady airflows, such as in an urban environment, comprises a planar element a, j which can move in sympathy with the air currents. An electric generator g, q is connected to the element and is subjected to linear movement which is converted into electrical energy. The element may be a membrane a attached to the wall of a building, or a 'leaf' j attached to a rigid rod k.

Description

Wind Generator Using Fluctuating Airflow
Introduction
Wind consists of two components, steady and fluctuating. Prior art wind generators are only able to generate useful energy from the steady component of the wind. This invention allows energy to be generated from the fluctuating component. The analogy can be drawn between airflow and electrical current. In this analogy, prior art turbines can be equated to DC motors and this invention to an AC motor. The energy in the airflow in urban environments, in particular, can be embodied mostly in the fluctuating component, rendering prior art generators ineffective in capturing wind energy. A wind catching element capable of movement is suspended in such a way as to be exposed to the wind. As fluctuating airflow impinges upon the element it responds to the fluctuations by moving in sympathy with the airflow. Linear generators, attached to the wind catching element, produce electrical or mechanical power from the movements of the element.
Description
Objects upwind of a conventional wind turbine disrupt the airflow producing fluctuations in wiridspeed and wind direction. In urban locations such obstructions are many and relatively large. Therefore, urban wind is a very disturbed airflow. Much of the energy of urban wind is in the form of fluctuating flows and the steady flow component of the wind is greatly reduced.
Prior art wind generators are efficient at extracting energy from steady wind but not from these fluctuating currents, moreover the power extractable from wind is greatly reduced at lower windspeeds. For the foregoing reasons, prior art wind turbines are able to generate much less power in urban locations than they are in rural locations and are therefore uneconomic to install in cities and towns. This invention discloses means by which energy can be extracted from fluctuating airflows at low cost.
One embodiment of this invention consists of a membrane (a) fixed around its periphery to the exterior of a building (b). See figure 1 and aerial view 2. Fluctuating air currents (c) impinge upon the membrane causing sympathetic movements in the membrane between state (d) and state (e). A linear connecting rod (f) is fixed to the membrane and moves according to the movements of the membrane. The movements of the rod are converted to electrical energy in generator (g). The electrical energy would be converted to a useful voltage and current by the conditioning unit (h) and could be used by the building or exported to the grid.
Advantageously, the membrane and generator are very simple and the cost of production would be low. The membrane can be made of a waterproof material and thus form part of the weatherproofing of the building thus cutting the cost of construction.
A second embodiment of this invention consists of a wind catching leaf' that moves in sympathy with the fluctuating airfiows.
Figure 3 shows the planar element (j) which is fixably attached to rigid stem rod (k) which in turn is able to move about joint (I). The opposite end of the stem rod is fixed rotatably by joint (m) to connecting rod (n). The connecting rod is fixed rotatably by joint (o) to the generator rod (p). The generator rod is constrained to move only axially. The generator rod passes through the generator (q) and is fixably attached to one end of a spring (r). When the leaf is moved by the wind, the stem rod rotates about the joint (I) and causes the connecting rod to move. The movement of the connecting rod is transferred to the generator rod through the joint (o).
When the pressure of the wind on the planar element is removed the mechanism is returned to its former position by the spring. Movement of the generator rod causes electrical energy to be generated by the generator. Such power is then processed in the same way as in the first embodiment of this invention.
L

Claims (11)

  1. Claims 1. A device for capturing energy from uneven air flows.
  2. 2. A device for capturing energy from both uneven and even air flows
  3. 3. A device according to claims 1 and 2 that utilises a membrane upon which the airftows impinge.
  4. 4. A device according to claims 1 and 2 mounted onto the side of a building
  5. 5. A device according to claim 4 with a weatherproof membrane
  6. 6. A device according to claims 3, 4 or 5 where the membrane is transparent or translucent.
  7. 7. A device according to claims 3 to 6 having a graphic image on the surface.
  8. 8. A device according to claims 3 to 7 where on the membrane has lithographicaUy printed photovoltaic semiconductor circuits which convert solar energy to electricity.
  9. 9. A device according to claims 1 to 8 mounted in an array of separate units.
  10. 10. A device according to claims 1-4, 7 and 8 which utilises multiple membranes at different orientations upon which the airf lows impinge.
  11. 11. A device according to claims 1 to 10 that utilises a gas filled hollow structure as the wind catching element.
    11. A device according to claims 3 to 10 with an elliptical membrane.
    12. A device according to claims 3 to 11 with a multiplicity of linear connecting rods.
    13. A device according to claims 1 to 12 that extracts electrical energy 14. A device according to claims 1 to 12 that extracts mechanical energy 15. A device according to claims 1 to 12 that extracts energy in the form of a fluid under pressure.
    16. A device according to claims 1 and 2 that utilises a cantilevered planar element as the wind catching element.
    17. A device according to claim 16 that has photovoltaic material on the surface of the planar element 18. A device according to claimsi and 2 that utilises a gas filled hollow structure as the wind catching element.
    19. A device according to claims 1 and 2 that utilises an aerofoil section as the wind catching element, mounted on the roof of a building.
    20. A device according to claims 1 to 19 where the reciprocating motion is rotational.
    21. A device according to claims 16 to 21 where the cantilevered element is designed so that it is able to reciprocate in steady wind conditions as well as unsteady wind conditions.
    AMENDED CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS:-Capture of wind energy by planar and lamellar elements Claims 1. A device for capturing energy from uneven air flows comprising a large, flexible, planar element fixed at its edges to a building or other structure that moves in sympathy with the airflows impinging upon its surface, which movement is captured by a linear generator and converted to electrical energy.
    2. A device for capturing energy from both uneven and even air flows comprising a leaf-like element that is able to capture both wind energy and solar energy by incorporating an electro-mechanical generating component and a photovoltaic layer on the surface, both of which are able to generate electrical energy.
    3. A device according to claim 1 where the planar element is a weatherproof membrane.
    4. A device according to claims 1 and 3 where the planar element incorporates a photovoltaic layer.
    5. A device according to claims 1, 3, 4 or 5 where the membrane is transparent or translucent.
    6. A device according to claims 1 to 6 having a graphic image on the surface. * *
    7. A device according to claims 1 to 7 where on the element is lithographically printed photovoltaic semiconductor circuits which convert solar energy to electricity.
    8. A device according to claims 1 to 8 mounted in an array of separate units.
    9. A device according to claims 1 to 8 that extracts energy in the form of a fluid under pressure.
    *. 10. A device according to claim 2 that utilises a cantilevered planar element as the wind catching element.
GB0720594A 2007-10-22 2007-10-22 Wind energy system for use in fluctuating airflow Withdrawn GB2453937A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0720594A GB2453937A (en) 2007-10-22 2007-10-22 Wind energy system for use in fluctuating airflow

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0720594A GB2453937A (en) 2007-10-22 2007-10-22 Wind energy system for use in fluctuating airflow

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0720594D0 GB0720594D0 (en) 2007-11-28
GB2453937A true GB2453937A (en) 2009-04-29

Family

ID=38814215

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0720594A Withdrawn GB2453937A (en) 2007-10-22 2007-10-22 Wind energy system for use in fluctuating airflow

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2453937A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2309121A1 (en) 2009-10-02 2011-04-13 Eurocomputer S.A. Method and devices for obtaining electrical energy from the elements of building constructions
RU2707021C1 (en) * 2018-11-02 2019-11-21 Федеральное государственное бюджетное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Оренбургский государственный университет" Bladeless wind-driven power plant

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2073327A (en) * 1980-03-27 1981-10-14 Pipe J Apparatus utilizing wind energy
JPS5720569A (en) * 1980-07-15 1982-02-03 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd Method of converting fluid energy
JPS5759073A (en) * 1980-09-24 1982-04-09 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Wind-power generator
US4348594A (en) * 1980-07-14 1982-09-07 Lipfert Donald E Wind power generator
DE3629804A1 (en) * 1986-09-02 1988-03-03 Heinrich Prof Dr Ing Reents Process with the associated equipment for generating energy with the help of artificial energy plants
JP2002371949A (en) * 2001-06-13 2002-12-26 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Wind power generator
JP2003164136A (en) * 2001-11-22 2003-06-06 Kawasaki Heavy Ind Ltd Fluid power generating apparatus

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2073327A (en) * 1980-03-27 1981-10-14 Pipe J Apparatus utilizing wind energy
US4348594A (en) * 1980-07-14 1982-09-07 Lipfert Donald E Wind power generator
JPS5720569A (en) * 1980-07-15 1982-02-03 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd Method of converting fluid energy
JPS5759073A (en) * 1980-09-24 1982-04-09 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Wind-power generator
DE3629804A1 (en) * 1986-09-02 1988-03-03 Heinrich Prof Dr Ing Reents Process with the associated equipment for generating energy with the help of artificial energy plants
JP2002371949A (en) * 2001-06-13 2002-12-26 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Wind power generator
JP2003164136A (en) * 2001-11-22 2003-06-06 Kawasaki Heavy Ind Ltd Fluid power generating apparatus

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2309121A1 (en) 2009-10-02 2011-04-13 Eurocomputer S.A. Method and devices for obtaining electrical energy from the elements of building constructions
RU2707021C1 (en) * 2018-11-02 2019-11-21 Федеральное государственное бюджетное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Оренбургский государственный университет" Bladeless wind-driven power plant

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0720594D0 (en) 2007-11-28

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)