Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02481341 2004-10-05
Inventor: Alfred L. Mathieu, PhD
Owner: Alfred L. Mathieu, PhD
Agent: nil
Patent: Twin Vertical Wind Turbines with Integrated Horizontal Propeller
Rotors
"The Siamese Vertical Turbine"
The patent is for a "vertical" wind turbine that has twin horizontal propeller
turbines,
adjacent to each other, each fixed on a vertical rotor so that the "stacked"
horizontal
blades of each integrates one half of their radius, more or less, within each
other when
rotating, one turbine rotating clockwise, the other anti-clockwise.
The twin vertical turbines embodied with their propeller rotor components are
installed
in a framework between a top upper and a bottom lower platform, supported
underneath
by a "pivotal base" and three radial wheels guided by a raised radial track
which
together permits the framework system to rotate in unison, in a full circle. A
tail rudder
system rotates the framework perpendicularly, more or less, to the wind. The
vertical
distance between the two "platforms" is dependent on the length of the
identical
propeller rotor shafts for each turbine. A direct drive AC or DC generator is
fixed
directly over the rotor shaft of each turbine on top of thc~ upper platform,
each
complementing the other but one can function separately in the event of the
malfunction
and repair of the other.
The framework's wind deflector apparatus consists of an aerodynamic bisector
fin and
hull assembly, that is in front of, and between the twin vertical turbines to
deflect the
wind onto the outer positive segment of the rotor blades of each turbine, and
at the same
time shields, and thus minimizes the inner negative power segment of each
rotor blades
when rotating. Thus, while one turbine rotates clockwise and the adjacent
rotates anti-
clockwise together they complement each other with a minimum of negative
resistance.
There is also an outer deflector panel at the two front leading outer edge of
the
framework to gather more wind into the wind input sector of the turbine and is
adjustable.
Moveable rolled doors on the front sector can close the wind input sector of
each turbine
to slow down or stop the turbines. An emergency braking system on each turbine
stops
the system completely.
The design of the structure is "breezy" to captures the maximum wind energy.
The
system functions simply so that it is easy to repair and economical to build
and operate.
It is designed to power a 600-660 kW generator, installed on a Iow tower or on
top of a
"windy" hill, in Canada's rural and northern areas. A smaller turbine can be
customized
to be installed on top of a high rise provided the relevant authorities issue
a permit.
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CA 02481341 2004-10-05
One turbine rotates anti-clockwise and the other rotates clockwise and
together they
complement each other.
A direct drive generator, either AC or DC, customized to the power output of
each rotor
is secured on the upper platform, and is connected directly to the top rotor
shaft of each
turbine. In the event of a malfunction of one generator, or one turbine, the
other
generator/turbine can continue to provide power until it is repaired. The ball
bearing and
collar on each of the rotor shaft on the upper and lower platforms is located
on a plate .
that is attached onto each platform and can be easily removed for repair or
replacement.
A low weight flywheel is fixed at the base of each rotor shaft acts as an
emergency
brake. Brake pads are attached on the outer rim part of the flywheel to slow
down o~r to
stop one or the two turbines by using the emergency lever.
The wind deflector apparatus includes a wind vane with aileron at the rear
above the top
platform that extends a sufficient distance back. The vane can orient the
turbines within
the framework so as to be perpendicular to the wind, and the aileron flap can
be adjusted
to minimize the "yaw" movement of the turbines.
The apparatus also includes two outer front vertical deflector panels that are
semi-
ellipsoidal vertical wings that are parallel to each turbine and can be
pivoted outward or
inward from axle hubs and are secured at the extreme forward part of the
framework in
front of the turbines with an appropriate horizontal space between the edge of
the
turbine and the deflector. The purpose of the deflector is to direct more air
into the
mainstream to the turbines, and they act as a venturi by accelerating the
velocity of the
wind that is deflected. Each vertical deflector can swing parallel to the wind
by a screw
mechanism so that in the event of a high velocity wind, the wind intake can be
controlled accordingly.
The deflector apparatus also consists of horizontal deflectors on the upper
platform
above the "power" side of each turbine: These deflectors direct the flow of
wind into
the top part of each turbine to increase their speed of rotation A central
horizontal
deflector in the center of the "neutral" sector of the turbines directs the
flow of air
downward to "slow down" the turbines.
Two vertical rolled doors, one for each turbine, are separately stored
vertically directly
within the frontal fin and hull assembly. The doors when activated travel on
tracks on
the under side of the upper platform and top side of the lower platform
directly in front
of the turbines, and retract to its storage compartment. 'The doors can thus
shield the
wind input sector of each turbine, as necessary, and when closed each turbine
slows
down to a complete stop, assisted by the emergency brakes on the fly wheel.
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CA 02481341 2004-10-05
The assEmblage of the vertical turbines and support structure can be
transported to the
site a~c~ ~ss~~bled without tl~e use of special trucks or cranes. If a
customized
"5~~~es~ ve~t~cal t~bine" is ~~xstalled on the ~Qof top o:f ~ high rise,
permission must be
ob~~i~nad by tie relevant authprities.
~?t~f:,
CA 02481341 2004-10-05
Twin Vertical Wind Turbines with Integrated Horizontal Propeller Rotors
"The Siamese Vertical Turbine"
DISCL~SURE
a) Field and Background of the Invention
Horizontal turbine systems are the most common type of turbines today. They
vary
from an output of 10 kilo Watt to 3,000 kW, and more, with propeller blade
lengths
from 2 meters to 25 meters, and longer, and from tower heights ranging from 10
meters
to 60 meters, and higher.
The European countries are leaders internationally in technology,
manufacturing and
using the horizontal turbine systems to generate electricity. Denmark is the
dominant
manufacturer internationally of very sophisticated wind. turbine generator
systems,
followed by Spain, Holland, Uermany, France and the UK. The United States is
one of
the pioneer countries using wind technology. As of 1999, in California, the
Tehach<~pi
Wind Resource area in Kern County is the largest wind energy producer in the
world
with over 4,600 wind turbines collectively producing 1.4 billion kilowatt-
hours of
electxicity per year. The Palm Spring Wind Energy project has over 4,000
separate
windmills sufficient for the city of Palm Spring and adjoining Cochella
valley.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) presently has three wind turbines on
Buffalo
Mountain, and each is capable of generating 660 kilowatts of electricity,
sufficient to
provide electricity to 300 typical Tennessee Valley households. The turbines
sit atop
towers that are 213 feet tall and each turbine has 3 blades, each being 75
feet long.
TVA is planning on expanding the wind power project over time.
Australia has 10 energy sites and is expanding its wind energy resources. An
example
is Silcock's hill 100 km southeast of Melbourne, where there are 12 turbines
generating
21 megawatts providing sufficient electricity to the equivalent of 6,600 homes
annually
Vertical turbine systems, as a rule, have lower wind power output compared to
horizontal turbines and are not as popular. The vertical turbine can be
successfully and
economically used in rural areas and do not compete with the huge horizontal
turbines.
In general, all the component parts for fabricating the vertical turbine,
except for the
generator, are available "on the shelf' and it is economical to construct.
Transportation
of the assemblage can be done by ordinary trucks arid no special equipment is
required
to assemble, such as an industrial crane. General repairs to the vertical
turbine are easily
accomplished on site.
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CA 02481341 2004-10-05
They nevertheless have a niche in areas where power is needed but climatic
conditi~5ns
such as cold and snow, in Canada, may not facilitate the installation of
horizontal
turbines as in the rural area.
The vertical turbine can be successfully and economically used in northern
countries
having similar Canadian climate such a.s Norway, Russia, Alaska, Mongolia,
etc.
Developing countries in warmer climates need a robust. and reliable wind
turbine
provided there are "good" wind resources and the vertical wind turbine can
cater to
those needs.
The McKenzie Bay International Ltd, (Brighton, Michigan, & Montreal entity)
purchased on February 13, 2002, of Dermond Inc, a Quebec company developing a
Vertical~Axis Wind Turbine technology. According to their press releases, a
major
advantage of a Dermond Vertical Axis Turbine is that the blades are made in
uniform
cross section to overall length using a rotating wing technology as opposed to
a
propeller technology. Blades are secured at both ends and do not require a
nacelle to
enclose the mechanical devices on top of the tower. It can operate under
extreme
conditions, such as -70 degrees F. temperatures and withstand 135 mph winds.
A customized Siamese Vertical Turbine can be installed effectively and
economically
on the roof top of certain high rises. Naturally, permits would have to be
obtained from
the local relevant authorities in order to ensure safe operation.
The "Wind Powering America" has reported that Illinois now has Wind Resource
Maps
showing that it has at least 3,000 Mega Watts more in potential wind capacity
from
"good" wind resources that earlier estimated. In view of the expansion of wind
enerl;y,
it becomes necessary to develop wind resource maps as for specif c areas, and
the
Canadian Wind Energy Association is promoting a Wind Atlas for Canada. Natural
Resources of Canada is providing good data regarding wind energy development
in
Canada.
In the first phase, Canada has to be able to diagnose scif;ntifically the wind
capacity for
a certain area with a reliable certitude. Natural Resources of Canada has the
basic data
over years of climate analyses to begin with the triage of selecting "good"
wind
resource to be considered for developing wind energy.
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