WO2006101297A1

WO2006101297A1 - Wind power generator

Info

Publication number: WO2006101297A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/003389
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hyun Kang Heo
Original assignee: Hyun Kang Heo
Priority date: 2005-03-24
Filing date: 2005-10-12
Publication date: 2006-09-28
Also published as: KR20060102575A; CN1938515B; KR100674421B1; CN1938515A

Abstract

A wind turbine. Front and rear rotors are provided to rotate in opposite directions. First and second shafts arranged in a rotator are constructed to rotate in opposite directions and are rotatably connected to a coil and a magnetic element of a generator. A stator having a contact terminal to be brought into sliding contact with an output terminal is formed adjacent to the rear end of the generator. Since the coil and magnetic element of the generator are rotated in opposite directions, power generation efficiency is significantly improved. Because the construction of the wind turbine is simplified, productivity is improved, a fabrication cost is reduced, and operation noise is decreased. Due to the fact that susceptibility to a change in wind direction is remarkably improved, high power generation efficiency can be kept even at a place where a wind direction frequently changes.

Description

Description WIND POWER GENERATOR

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a wind power generator, that is, a wind turbine.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a wind turbine in which a coil and a magnetic element of a generator are rotated in opposite directions due to the presence of front and rear rotors rotated in opposite directions to significantly improve power generation efficiency, of which the construction is simplified so as to improve productivity, reduce a fabrication cost and decrease operation noise, and in which susceptibility to a change in wind direction is remarkably improved to keep high power generation efficiency even at a place where a wind direction frequently changes. Background Art

[2] As generally known in the art, a conventional wind turbine is constructed in a manner such that a casing having arranged therein a magnetic pole is installed on the upper end of a support column secured on the ground, and a rotor is provided to the front end of a rotation shaft to which an armature is fastened to face the center of the magnetic pole.

[3] However, the conventional wind turbine suffers from defects in that, when the rotor rotates the rotation shaft under the influence of wind, since the armature fastened to the rotation shaft rotates while facing the center of the magnetic pole arranged in the casing, to generate electric power, power generation efficiency cannot but be deteriorated.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problem occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wind turbine wherein front and rear rotors are provided to rotate in opposite directions by the wind, first and second shafts arranged in a rotator are constructed to rotate in opposite directions due to the presence of the front and rear rotors and are respectively connected to a coil and a magnetic element of a generator which are rotatable, and a stator which has a contact terminal to be brought into sliding contact with an output terminal arranged at the rear end of the generator is formed adjacent to the rear end of the generator, whereby, since the coil and the magnetic element of the generator are rotated in opposite directions due to the presence of front and rear rotors rotated in opposite directions, power generation efficiency is significantly improved; since the construction of the wind turbine is simplified, productivity of the wind turbine is improved, a fabrication cost of the wind turbine is reduced and operation noise is decreased; and since susceptibility to a change in wind direction is remarkably improved, high power generation efficiency can be kept even at a place where a wind direction frequently changes. Technical Solution

[5] In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a wind turbine comprising a generator arranged in a cover and having a magnetic element and a coil which are disposed in the generator to be rotated independently of each other, with bearings fitted around front and rear ends of the generator; and a front rotor and a rear rotor to be rotated in opposite directions by wind; wherein a rotator in which a first shaft having a large diameter and a second shaft having a small diameter are disposed to be rotated independently of each other is coupled to a front end of the cover, a rear end of the second shaft is connected to a generator shaft which passes through an axial center portion of the generator and around which the coil is wound, and a rear end of the first shaft is connected to the magnetic element of the generator through first and second intermediate journal elements, wherein a rear rotor coupling section which has a plurality of coupling pieces projectedly formed to couple the rear rotor is fastened to a periphery of a front end of the rotator which projects forward, and wherein a forwardly extending part of the second shaft is fitted into an axial hole defined in a front body, and a front rotor coupling section which has a plurality of coupling pieces projectedly formed to couple the front rotor is fastened to a periphery of a front end of the front body. Brief Description of the Drawings

[6] FlG. 1 is a side view illustrating a wind turbine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[7] FlG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the wind turbine according to the present invention;

[8] FlG. 3 is a view illustrating a brake module applied to the present invention;

[9] FlG. 4 is a view illustrating electricity transmission means applied to the present invention;

[10] FlG. 5 is a view illustrating a variation of a tail wing according to the present invention; and

[11] FlG. 6 is views illustrating changeable rotor structures of front and rear rotors applied to the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[12] Hereafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FlGs. 1 through 6. [13] The reference numeral 1 designates a cylindrical cover. A generator 2 is disposed in the cover 1.

[14] The generator 2 has a generator shaft 5 which passes through the axial center portion of the generator 2. A coil 4 is wound on the generator shaft 5, and a magnetic element 4 is installed on the periphery of the generator 2. The periphery of the generator 2 on which the magnetic element 4 is installed is rotatably constructed.

[15] Bearings are fitted around the peripheries of the front and rear ends of the generator

2, and an output terminal 6 is provided to the rear end of the generator shaft 5 to output generated electricity.

[16] That is to say, the generator 2 is constructed in a manner such that the coil 4 wound on the generator shaft 5 and the magnetic element 3 installed on the periphery of the generator 2 can be rotated in opposite directions.

[17] A rotator 10 is coupled to the front end of the cover 1. In the rotator 10, a first shaft

12 having a large diameter and a second shaft 13 having a small diameter are installed such that they can be rotated independently of each other.

[18] A rear rotor coupling section 29 is fastened to the front end 11 of the rotator 10 via a third intermediate journal element 16 by means of pins. A plurality of coupling pieces 30 are projectedly formed on the circumferential outer surface of the rear rotor coupling section 29. A rear rotor 32 is assembled to the coupling pieces 30 by bolts.

[19] The front end of the second shaft 13 projects forward beyond the rotator 10, and a front body 25 having an axial hole 26 is fitted around and coupled to the front end of the second shaft 13. Due to the fact that coupling pins radially inserted from the circumferential outer surface of the front body 25 are locked to the second shaft 13, the front body 25 and the second shaft 13 can be integrally rotated with each other.

[20] A front rotor coupling section 27 is fastened to the periphery of the front end of the front body 25 by way of fourth and fifth intermediate journal elements 17 and 18. A plurality of coupling pieces 28 are projectedly formed on the circumferential outer surface of the front rotor coupling section 27. A front rotor 31 is assembled to the coupling pieces 28 by bolts. A front cap 40 is coupled to the front end of the front body 25.

[21] The front and rear rotors 31 and 32 are formed to be rotated in opposite directions by wind. In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the front rotor 31 has two blades, and the rear rotor 32 has three blades.

[22] In the meanwhile, between the generator 2 and the rotator 10, a first intermediate journal element 14, a brake module 20 and a second intermediate journal element 15 are sequentially and closely positioned and coupled to the periphery of the generator 2, that is, a portion for rotating the magnetic element 3, by coupling pins. The second intermediate journal element 15 is anchored on its circumferential inner surface to the first shaft 12 by separate pins.

[23] Consequently, as the front and rear rotors 31 and 32 are rotated in opposite directions, the first and second shafts 12 and 13 are also rotated in opposite directions. As a result, as rotation force of the first and second shafts 12 and 13 is transmitted to the generator 2, the coil 4 and the magnetic element 3 are rotated in opposite directions to generate electricity, whereby advantages are provided in that power generation efficiency is significantly improved when compared to the convention wind turbine.

[24] The brake module 20 has brake operators 21 which can be biased toward the center of the brake module 20, and brake pads 22 are attached to the periphery of the brake module 20 to bias the brake operators 21 toward the center of the brake module 20.

[25] While power is generated, the brake module 20 is rotated along with the first shaft

12 and the magnetic element 3. As the brake pads 22 are introduced radially inward, the brake pads 22 are brought into contact with the brake operators 21, whereby a rotational velocity of the magnetic element 3 is first reduced. Then, as the brake pads 22 are further introduced radially inward, the brake operators 21 are brought into contact with the generator shaft 5, whereby a rotational velocity of the coil 4 of the generator 2 is second reduced.

[26] If a rotational velocity of the front and rear rotors 31 and 32 extraordinarily increases due to exposure of the front and rear rotors 31 and 32 to strong wind, a rotational velocity of the magnetic body 3 and the coil 4 of the generator 2 also increases simultaneously to apply an excessive load to the generator 2. In consideration of this, the brake module 20 constructed as described above functions to decelerate a rotational velocity of the generator 2 and prevent breakage of the generator 2. The brake module 20 may also be used when it is necessary to stop the front and rear rotors 31 and 32 so as to conduct maintenance and repair work for the entire wind turbine.

[27] Further, in the present invention, in order to ensure reliable transmission of electricity generated from the generator 2 in which both of the magnetic body 3 and the coil 4 are rotated, a stator 7 is provided to the rear end of the generator 2. A plurality of contact terminals 8 are projectedly formed on the front surface of the stator 7 to receive electricity while being brought into contact with the circumferential outer surface of the output terminal 6.

[28] Meanwhile, a rear cap 41 is coupled to the rear end of the cover 1 to allow the mounting of a tail wing 43 which serves as a rudder. A tail rod 42 having a predetermined length is fitted into and coupled to the center portion of the rear cap 41. The tail wing 43 is provided to the rear end of the tail rod 42 so that the body of the cover 1 can be rotated in compliance with a wind direction.

[29] In this regard, in the present invention, since the front and rear wheels 31 and 32 are rotated in opposite directions, a phenomenon in which only a small amount of wind is directed rearward of the front and rear rotors 31 and 32 may occur. In this case, since the tail wing 43 cannot properly perform a function of a rudder, the body of the wind turbine may not be rotated in compliance with a wind direction.

[30] In consideration of this, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, the middle portion of the tail rod 42 is bent upward or downward such that the rear end of the tail rod 42 is positioned out of the radiuses of the front and rear rotors 31 and 32. In this state, the tail wing 43 is provided to the rear end of the tail rod 42.

[31] Therefore, due to the fact that the tail wing 43 is positioned out of the radiuses of the front and rear rotors 31 and 32, since the wind is directed toward the tail wing 43 in an unlimited manner, the body of the cover 1 can be rotated in compliance with a wind direction, to ensure efficient power generation using wind force.

[32] Further, in the present invention, as shown in FTG. 2, the periphery of the stator 7 and the periphery of the bearing fitted around the rear end of the generator 2 are connected with each other by a connection piece 9, and the periphery of the first intermediate journal element 14 and the periphery of the bearing fitted around the front end of the generator 2 are connected with each other by a connection piece 9a, whereby bearing noise can be reduced when the generator 2 operates.

[33] A connection column 63 is coupled to the lower portion of the middle part of the cover 1 with a support flange 64 inwardly projecting from the middle portion of the connection column 63. A support column 60 which is supported on the ground and is defined with a hollow part 62 is inserted into the lower end of the connection column 63. Bearings 65 are placed on the upper and lower surfaces of the support flange 64, and electricity transmission means 70 for transmitting to the outside electricity discharged through the contact terminals 8 of the stator 7 is installed on the upper end of the support column 60. A release prevention clip 66 is placed on the upper bearing 65 to prevent release of the bearing 65.

[34] By this fact, the connection column 63 for supporting the cover 1 can be reliably rotated while being supported by the bearings 65.

[35] In the electricity transmission means 70, a support member 75 is seated on the upper end of the support column 60 with a ring-shaped electrode 76 positioned on the circumferential inner surface of the support member 75. A sliding member 71 is rotatably placed on the support member 75. A thin conductive plate 74 is provided to extend from the side surface to the lower surface of the sliding member 71. A sliding electrode 72 is projectedly formed on the lower surface of the sliding member 71 to be brought into contact with the electrode 76 while being connected with the conductive plate 74. A first connection phi 73 with which an electric wire connected with the contact terminals 8 is connected is provided to the conductive plate 74, and a second connection pin 77 with which an electric wire for outputting electricity is connected is provided on the side surface of the electrode 76.

[36] In other words, the electric wire connected to and extending from the contact terminals 8 of the stator 7 is connected to the first connection pin 73, and the electric wire for discharging the generated electricity to the outside is connected to the second connection pin 77.

[37] By this fact, when the body of the cover 1 rotates in compliance with a wind direction, as the sliding member 71 is rotated, the electric wire is prevented from being twisted. The electricity transmitted to the first connection pin 73 is transmitted to the electrode 76 of the support member 75 through the sliding electrode 72 which is connected with the conductive plate 74, and the electricity transmitted to the electrode 76 is discharged to the outside through the electric wire connected to the second connection pin 77.

[38] Referring to FIG. 6, in order to ensure dissipation of an overload applied to the generator 2 when wind pressure applied to the front and rear rotors exceeds a predetermined level, the front and rear rotors 31 and 32 are constructed to be changed in their angles. To this end, elastic support means 50 is provided on the surface of each of the front and rear rotor coupling sections 27 and 29 to which the front and rear rotors 31 and 32 are respectively coupled, such that, the elastic support means 50 can be compressed to change an angle of the front and rear rotors 31 and 32.

[39] The elastic support means 50 may comprise a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder as shown in FlG. 6(a) or a spring 51 having predetermined elasticity as shown in FlG. 6(b).

[40] Hereafter, operations of the wind turbine constructed as mentioned above will be described.

[41] As the front and rear rotors 31 and 32 are rotated in opposite directions by the wind, the first and second shafts 12 and 13 of the rotator 10 are also rotated in opposite directions. By this fact, the magnetic element 3 of the generator 2 which is connected to the first shaft 12 is rotated in one direction, and the coil 4 of the generator 2 which is connected to the second shaft 13 is rotated in the other opposite direction. As a result, due to the rotation of the magnetic element 3 and the coil 4 in the opposite directions, electricity is generated in the coil 4 and discharged to the output terminal 6. The electricity discharged to the output terminal 6 is discharged to the outside through the contact terminals 8 of the stator 7 and the electricity transmission means 70.

[42] In the wind turbine according to the present invention which operates as described above, since the entire construction is simplified, productivity can be improved, and a manufacturing cost can be remarkably reduced when compared to the conventional wind turbine. Also, because electricity is generated due to opposite rotation of the magnetic element 3 and the coil 4, electricity generation efficiency can be significantly improved.

[43] Further, operation noise of the generator 2 can be reduced, and durability of the entire component elements can be improved by which the lifetime of the wind turbine can be extended. Industrial Applicability

[44] As is apparent from the above descriptions, the wind turbine according to the present invention provides advantages in that front and rear rotors are provided to rotate in opposite directions by the wind, first and second shafts arranged in a rotator are constructed to rotate in opposite directions due to the presence of the front and rear rotors and are respectively connected to a coil and a magnetic element of a generator which are rotatable, and a stator which has a contact terminal to be brought into sliding contact with an output terminal arranged at the rear end of the generator is formed adjacent to the rear end of the generator. Therefore, since the coil and the magnetic element of the generator are rotated in opposite directions due to the presence of front and rear rotors rotated in opposite directions, power generation efficiency is significantly Improved. Also, because the construction of the wind turbine is simplified, productivity of the wind turbine is improved, a fabrication cost of the wind turbine is reduced, and operation noise is decreased. Further, due to the fact that susceptibility to a change in wind direction is remarkably improved, high power generation efficiency can be kept even at a place where a wind direction frequently changes.

Claims

[1] A wind turbine comprising: a generator arranged in a cover and having a magnetic element and a coil which are disposed in the generator with bearings fitted around front and rear ends of the generator, to be rotated independently of each other; and a front rotor and a rear rotor to be rotated in opposite directions by wind; wherein a rotator, in which a first shaft having a large diameter and a second shaft having a small diameter are disposed to be rotated independently of each other, is coupled to a front end of the cover, a rear end of the second shaft is connected to a generator shaft which passes through an axial center portion of the generator and around which the coil is wound, and a rear end of the first shaft is connected to the magnetic element of the generator through first and second intermediate journal elements, wherein a rear rotor coupling section which has a plurality of coupling pieces projectedly formed to couple the rear rotor is fastened to a periphery of a front end of the rotator which projects forward, and wherein a forwardly extending part of the second shaft is fitted into an axial hole defined in a front body, and a front rotor coupling section which has a plurality of coupling pieces projectedly formed to couple the front rotor is fastened to a periphery of a front end of the front body.

[2] The wind turbine as set forth in claim 1, wherein an output terminal for outputting generated electricity is provided on a portion of the generator shaft which projects out of a rear end of the generator, a stator is positioned behind the generator, and a plurality of contact terminals to be brought into contact with a circumferential outer surface of the output terminal are formed on one surface of the stator.

[3] The wind turbine as set forth in claim 1, wherein a brake module is intervened between the first and second intermediate journal elements and comprises brake operators which can be moved toward a center of the brake module, and brake pads are attached to a periphery of the brake module to bias the brake operators toward the center of the brake module and to sequentially brake the magnetic element and the coil of the generator.

[4] The wind turbine as set forth in claim 1, wherein a periphery of the stator and a periphery of the bearing for the generator are connected with each other by a connection piece to reduce operation noise.

[5] The wind turbine as set forth in claim 1, wherein a connection column is coupled to a lower portion of a middle part of the cover with a support flange inwardly projecting from a middle portion of the connection column, a support column which is supported on the ground and defined with a hollow part is inserted into a lower end of the connection column, bearings are placed on upper and lower surfaces of the support flange, and electricity transmission means for transmitting to the outside electricity discharged through the contact terminals of the stator is installed on an upper end of the support column.

[6] The wind turbine as set forth in claim 5, wherein, in the electricity transmission means, a support member is seated on the upper end of the support column with a ring-shaped electrode positioned on a circumferential inner surface of the support member, a sliding member is rotatably placed on the support member, a thin conductive plate is provided to extend from a side surface to a lower surface of the sliding member, a sliding electrode is projectedly formed on the lower surface of the sliding member to be brought into contact with the electrode while being connected with the conductive plate, a first connection pin with which an electric wire connected with the contact terminals is connected is provided to the conductive plate, and a second connection pin with which an electric wire for outputting electricity is connected is provided on a side surface of the electrode.

[7] The wind turbine as set forth in claim 1, wherein a rear cap is coupled to a rear end of the cover, a tail rod which is formed with a tail wing and has a predetermined length is fitted into and coupled to the rear cap, and a rear end of the tail rod is bent upward or downward such that the tail wing is positioned out of radiuses of the front and rear rotors.

[8] The wind turbine as set forth in claim 1, wherein elastic support means is provided on a surface of each of the front and rear rotor coupling sections to which the front and rear rotors are respectively coupled, such that, when wind pressure applied to the front and rear rotors exceeds a predetermined level, the elastic support means is compressed to change an angle of the front and rear rotors.