Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
124~'~L30
~..,
~- Enerav converter
This invention relates to an energy converter,
comprising
- a frame
- a rotor mounted in said frame, said rotor including
-- a rotor shaft
and
-- vanes which each define a main vane plane which extends
through the rotor shaft,
each of sald vanes being comprised of
-- a holder which is fastened to the rotor shaft
-- at least one blade which hinges relatively to the holder
about a hinge pin parallel to the rotor shaft
and
-- a stop for said blade, which is fastened to the holder
and lies substantially in the main vane plane,
at least some of said vanes being disposed in full side-
by-side relatlonship as viewed axially of the motor shaft
and
- an element which can connect the rotor shaft to an energy-
converting mechanism.
The energy converting mechanism is, for example, an
electricity producing mechanism, in particular n alternator or
generator.
The energy converter receives energy through the rotor
thereof from a flow and transmits such energy through the rotor
shaft to the energy converting mechanism comprised, for example,
of an alternator or generator.
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1~4~4~C)
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One object of ~he present invention is to provide an
energy converter of the above-defined ~ype which picks up enough
power from
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-- 2 --
the flow even if said flow has a limited speed.
Another object of this invention is to provide an energy con-
verter of the kind defined above, for which the ratio between the energy
conveyed to the converting mechanism, on the one hand and the energy
available in the flow on the other, is very high.
For this purpose, according to the present invention, the
energy converter further comprises, between the vanes disposed in side-
by-side relationship as viewed axially of the rotor shaft, screen plates
secured to the frame, directed transversely to the rotor shaft and
extending over at least a large part of the half of the rotor where the
vanes are active, that is to say, where the blade of these vanes occupies
the position in which it contacts the stop.
The energy converter according to the present invention is
disposed so that its rotor is fully under water. The screen plates
between the blades or sets of blades located in side-by-side relation-
ship in an axial direction prevent the water from flowing along the
active, i.e. the closed, vane blades.
Effectively, the energy converter according to the invention
includes a similar screen plate also near at least one of the ends
of the rotor next to the extreme vane.
Preferably the screen plates extend substantially over the
half of the rotor where the vanes are active, that is to say, where
the blade of the vanes occupies the position in which it contacts the
stop.
In the other half of the rotor, where the vanes are in-
operative and their blades tilted into an open position, the water is
not stopped by the screen plates.
The screen plates may extend fully over the half of the
rotor where the vanes are active, and effectively the screen plates
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have the form of virtually a semi-circle with a central aperture for the
rotor shaft.
In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the frame
includes a fixed shaft and two supports mounting said shaft at its ends,
the rotor shaft being a hollow shaft surrounding said fixed shaft, and
bearings being mounted between said fixed shaft and said rotor shaft.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following description of an energy converter according
to the invention, which description is given merely by way of example
and is not intended to limit the invention in any way; reference numerals
refer to the accompanying drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a diagramatic front elevational view of an energy
converter according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line II - II of
Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 illustrates on a larger scale, and in greaterdetail, a
portion of the showing of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the lines IV - IV of
Fig. 3.
In the various figures, like reference numerals refer to like
elements.
The energy converter as shown in the accompanying drawings,
mainly comprises a frame 1, a rotor mounted therein, which is comprised
of a hollow shaft 2 and of four sets of vanes 3, and a gear-wheel 4,
which is secured at one end of the hollow rotor shaft and forms part
of a connection between this shaft 2 and an energy converting mechanism.
This connection is known per se and is, for example, a gear-transmission.
For the sake of clarity, only gear-wheel 4 of the connection is shown.
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-- 4
The energy converting mechanism is also known per se. This
mechanism is preferably one which converts rotation into electrical ener-
gy, for example an alternator or generator. For the sake of clarity, this
mechanism is not shown either.
The unit as shown in the drawings is fully immersed in water in
a stream. The shaft 2 journalled in frame 1 is directed transversely
to the direction of flow of the water. The arrangement is preferably
such that shaft 2 is in a horizontal position. This arrangement is
represented in the drawings. However, it is also possible for the shaft
to be disposed in a vertical position, and it may form any angle with
the horizontal plane.
Each set of vanes is comprised of three vanes 3 having the same
axial position relative to shaft 2, but extending in different radial
directions; their main vane planes make an angle of 120 with each
other. The four sets are located fully in side-by-side relationship in
the axial direction of shaft 2. The four sets are off-set through 90
relative to each other in the rotary sense of the rotor which rotary
sense is indicated by arrow 5 in Figures 2 and 4. As each set comprises
three vanes 3, the rotor has twelve vanes 3 in all.
Each vane 3 comprises two spokes 6 which extend substantially
radially relatively to the rotor shaft 2 and are axially spaced apart.
The two spokes 6 accordingly define a main vane plane. The ends of the
two spokes 6 remote from rotor shaft 2, however, are bent over about
45 rearwardly relative to the direction of rotation of rotor shaft 2.
Accordingly, these ends form an angle of 135 with the remaining portion
of spokes 6.
The spokes are joined together by a connecting rod 7. Connect-
ing rod 7 together with the two spokes 6 forms a holder for three blades
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-- 5 --
8.
Each of blades 8 has its side remote from shaft 2 hinged
to spokes 6 by means of two pins 9, journalled in the two spokes 6.
The two pins 9 form a hinge shaft about which blade 8 hinges relatively
to spokes 6. This shaft is parallel to rotor shaft 2.
A support 10 is secured to spokes 6 for each blade 8. This
support 10 is parallel to the rotor shaft 2, lies in front of blade 8,
relative to the direction of rotation of rotor shaft 2 indicated by
arrow 15 and this in opposition to the edge of the blade 8 which is
proximal to rotor shaft 2 when blade 8 is in the main vane plane.
In the operative position, blade 8 is in the main vane
plane in contact with support 10 which support forms a stop for the
blade and lies approximately in the main vane plane.
Blades 8 cannot hinge past spokes 6, which form their
holders, this being prevented by stops 10. In the reverse direction,
i.e., away from stops 10, however, they are free to swing about pins
9, thus lagging relatively to the swinging of the spokes 6, which are
fixedly carried along with the rotor shaft 2. In Fig. 2, the blades 8
of those vanes 3 which lie above the rotor shaft 2 are shown in the
main vane plane, and the blades 8 of the other vanes are shown in a
position in which they lag relative to their holders 6.
It is noted that when a blade 8 lags relatively to the
holder 6 carrying it, this blade 8 hinges about its hinge pin 9 in
the direction of arrow 5, i.e. in the direction in which rotor shaft
2 rotates.
The blade 8 of each vane 3 which is farthest away from
the rotor shaft can only lag relative to its holder 6 by about 120,
as further movement of blade 8 relative to spokes 6 in this lagging
iZ4~30
direction is prevented by connecting rod 7, which forms a second stop
for this blade.
Each blade 8 is comprised of three leaves 11 which are hinged
together. The outermost leaf 11 is secured for rotation to spokes 6 by
pins 9. The middle leaf 11 is provided on its outer edge with two pins
12 supported in projections 13 of the outermost leaf 11, while the
innermost leaf 11 also has two pins 12 at its outer edge, which are
journalled in projections 13 of the middle leaf 11.
Pins 12 of leaves 11 are directed so that the geometrical
axes defined by these pins and about which the leaves 11 hinge relative-
ly to each other,are parallel to the rotor shaft 2.
The relative rotation of the three leaves 11 of each blade
8 is limited, however, on the one hand by stops 14 and on the other
hand by stops 15.
lS Stops 14 and 15 are secured to the middle leaf 11, respectively
on the back and on the front of said leaf as viewed in the direction
of rotation of rotor shaft 2 indicated by arrow 5.
As best shown in Figures 3 and 4, stops 14 are the ends of
two straight strips which are directed transversely to the axes of
rotation of the leaves and secured to the back of the middle leaf 11
so as to project from opposite sides of said leaf.
These stops 14 prevent buckling of blade 8 backwards relative
to the direction of rotation of rotor shaft 2 as indicated by arrow
5, due to a rotation of leaves 11 relative to the position in which
leaves 11 are in alignment with each other.
In the position shown in Fig. 3 and 4, leaves 11 are in
alignment with each other because they are lying in the main vane plane;
blade 8 then has the edge of the innermost leaf located proximal to
124~8 ~30
-- 7 --
rotor shaft 2 in engagement with support 10.
The bending of blade 8 in the reverse direction due to a relative
swinging movement of its leaves 11 is possible to a limited extent. Stops
15 are formed by the ends projecting outside the middle leaf 11 of two
strips which are secured to the front of said middle leaf 11 but these
ends are not parallel to the plane of the middle leaf 11 but are
directed frontwards at an angle of about 45.
The result is that the middle leaf is capable of swinging
approximately through 45 relative to the outermost leaf 11 in the
direction opposite to the direction of rotation of rotor shaft 2 as
indicated by arrow 5, while the innermost leaf 11, in turn, can swing
through about 45 in the same opposite direction relative to the middle
leaf 11.
When vane 3 is above rotor shaft 2, transverse to the
direction of flow of the water, indicated in Fig. 2 and 4 by arrow 16,
~avesll of each blade 8 of this vane 3 are in alig~ment with each other
and in engagement with stops 14. Blades 8 are in the main vane plane
in contact with stops 10.
When, during its downward movement, vane 3 approaches the
position in which it extends in the direction of flow of the water,
blades 8 lag a little relatively to the rotation of rotor shaft 2,
and accordingly relatively to the movement of spokes 6. Blade 8 as a
whole is released from stop 10 and performs a limited swinging movement
about its hinge shaft 9 in the same direction as the direction of
rotation of rotor shaft 2 indicated by arrow 5. At the same time,
the outermost and innermost leaves 11 of each blade 8 are released
from stops 14 on the middle leaf, and leaves ~ hin~erelatively to one
another until the outermost and innermost leaves engage stops 15 on
the middle leaf. As shown in the right-hand part of Fig. 2 at the
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-- 8 --
level of rotor shaft 2, blades 8 still remain directed approximately
oppositely to the direction of flow 16 of the water for some time,
but, as a whole, continue to lag a little behind the main vane plane.
When the vane has come below the level of rotor shaft 2,
blades 8 perform a further swinging movement about their shafts 9,
~ill in the direction of rotation as indicated by arrow 5, until they
extend completely flat in the direction of flow of the water,
designated by arrow 16. The innermost and outermost leaves 11 now
hinge in the opposite direction relative to the middle leaf, so that
they are released from stops 15 and again engage stops 14, and the
three leaves 11 of one and the same blade 3 are again in alignment
with each other.
At a certain moment blades 8 make an angle of considerably
more than 90 with the main plane of vane 3. The outward rotation
of the outermost blade 8 is limited to an angle of about 135~ relative
to the main vane plane by virtue of connecting rod 7, which forms
a stop.
When the vane 3 moves further in the direction opposite
to the direction of flow of the water designated by arrow 16 and
thereafter moves upwards again, blades 8 lag behind the main
vane plane, relative to the direction of rotation of rotor shaft
2.
As soon as vane 3 has returned above shaft 2, the push of
the water will undo the deviation between blades 8 and the main
vane plane, and leaves 11 will be pressed into contact with stops
14 in alignment with each other.
Frame 1 comprises a fixed shaft 17 and two supports 18 in
which the end,of shaft 17 are secured.
g
The hollow rotor shaft 2 is journalled in frame 1 by being mounted for
rotation and coaxially around the fixed shaft 17. Arranged between the
fixed shaft 17 and the hollow rotor shaft 2 are bearingsl9. The hollow
shaft 2 is made of steel and comprises two halves secured together.
The two spokes ~ of each vane 3 are welded to a curved foot plate
21~ Twostrut members 22 support each spoke 6 relatively to foot plate 21.
The foot plates of the three vanes 3 of a set together surround the
hollow shaft 2 and are secured to it.
The perpendicular distance between the sets of vanes 3 is just
a few centimetres.
The diameter of gear 4 secured to one end of the hollow shaft
2 is a few centimetres in excess of the diameter of rotor 2,3
Arranged between two adjacent sets of vanes 3 and next to the
extreme set at the end of rotor 2,3 remote from gear wheel 4 is a
screen plate 20.
These screen plates 20 are directed transversely to rotor shaft
2 and secured by means of a bridge 23 to the support 18 of frame 1.
Screen plates 20 extend over the full half of rotor 2,3
where vanes 3 are operative, that is to say, where their blades are in
the closed pos.ition and in contact with stop 10. Screen plates 20 also
extend exclusively over this half of rotor 1,2. In the arrangement
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, this half is the upper half
of rotor 1,2, and, accordingly, screen plates 20 exclusively extend
in this upper half. They are attached at the top to bridge 23.
Screen plates 20 each have the form of a semi-circle, the
diameter of which is a few centimetres in excess of the diameter of
rotor 2,3, and an ape~ture for rotor shaft 2 is provided in the
centre.
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-- 10 --
Screen plates 20 prevent the uncoming water from flowing along blades
3 where blades 3 can be operative. Where the blades 8 of vanes 3 occupy
the open position, there are no screen plates 20, so that this flow is
impeded to a minimum extent.
If the frame 1 is placed in the stream not in a fixed position
but for rotation around a vertical shaft, screen plates 20 help to place
the energy converter in the correct position relative to the direction
of flow, and they are operative as a rudder.
The energy converter described hereirbefore has a very high
efficiency, for example, at a flow of 2 m/sec.
The invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described
hereinbefore and many changes can be made in the embodiment described
without departing from the scope of the invention, notably as regards
the shape, the composition, the arrangement and the number of the
components used for embodying the invention.
In particular, the number of vanes need not necessarily be
twelve. Also, there need not necessarily be four sets of blades, and
each set need not necessarily comprise three vanes.
The connection between the rotor shaft and the energy
converting mechanism need not necessarily comprise a gear wheel on the
shaft. The element secured to the shaft depends on the connection
proper and, among other devices, may be a chain wheel or a belt pulley.
A plurality of rotors may be placed in juxtaposition to each other,
for example, on one and the same fixed shaft of the frame.
