WO2014177948A1

WO2014177948A1 - Assembly for collecting wind energy and for transforming same into usable energy

Info

Publication number: WO2014177948A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/060168
Authority: WO
Inventors: Samuel GRANGES; Mathias BAVAUD; Hugues De Turckheim; Alain KULCZYKI-WOLCZKO
Original assignee: Horeos Sàrl
Priority date: 2013-04-30
Filing date: 2014-03-26
Publication date: 2014-11-06
Also published as: CH707974A2

Abstract

The assembly comprises at least one support disposed in a windy location, on which there is mounted at least one elongate wing having a fixed first end rigidly connected to said support and a free second end, this wing being driven in an oscillating movement about a fixed shaft carried by said support, said fixed shaft passing through said fixed first end of the wing, said oscillating movement taking place, alternately, between a first position inclined relative to the vertical and a second position inclined relative to the vertical, angularly offset relative to said first position, and said wing consists of a plurality of separate stacked sections disposed between said fixed first end and said free second end.

Description

ASSEMBLY TO CAPTURE WIND ENERGY AND TRANSFORM IT TO USEFUL ENERGY

Technical area

The present invention relates to an assembly for capturing wind energy and for converting it into energy that can be used directly or that can be stored for later use, in particular in mechanical energy which can then be converted into electrical or hydraulic energy.

Prior art

Devices known as wind turbines are already known, usually comprising a support column carrying, for example at its top, a set of blades mounted on the shaft of an aerogenerator intended to transform the energy of the wind into electrical power. These devices are generally very impressive, unsightly and extremely expensive to purchase and maintain. As a result, their effectiveness is often disputed and there are many oppositions against their location in tourist areas. The obligation to search for alternative energy sources has nevertheless enabled these devices to set up in areas that are strongly windswept, particularly at the seaside or in certain mountainous areas, even if the solution provided by the wind turbines to Rotating blades do not give absolute satisfaction.

Presentation of the invention

The present invention proposes to overcome all of the drawbacks mentioned above by providing an assembly for capturing wind energy and for converting it into usable energy, less cumbersome and less costly both at the time of installation and for maintenance and having a higher performance due to better use of the wind, especially medium or low force winds. This object is achieved by the assembly, according to the invention as defined in the preamble and characterized in that it comprises at least one support disposed in a windy sector, on which is mounted at least one elongated wing having a fixed first end secured to said support and a second free end, this wing being animated with a movement oscillating about a fixed axis carried by said support, this fixed axis passing through said first fixed end of the wing, said oscillating movement s' alternating between a first position inclined relative to the vertical and a second position inclined relative to the vertical, angularly offset from said first position, and in that said wing is composed of a plurality of independent superimposed sections arranged between said first fixed end and said second free end.

According to a preferred embodiment, each of said sections of said plurality of sections consists of an assembly of boxes juxtaposed along a central line, and said boxes are articulated with respect to each other in such a way that each of the axes longitudinals said juxtaposed boxes can rotate angularly relative to the longitudinal axes of each juxtaposed boxes. Advantageously, each of said boxes is closed and has an intermediate partition separating it from an adjacent box.

Said intermediate partition may advantageously consist of two walls respectively belonging to a first box and a second box adjacent to the first.

In this case, said walls can belong respectively to a first box and a second box adjacent to the first and are articulated relative to each other.

Preferably, said support is composed of a base comprising a rotating circular platform by means of rollers supported on a fixed plate. The platform preferably carries a pulley comprising two vertical side walls, mounted parallel to each other and a base plate, said frame carrying an oscillating assembly on which is mounted said at least one wing. Said frame can be arranged to house at least one hydraulic pump whose body is mounted on at least one rod and whose piston is coupled indirectly, respectively to at least one yoke integral with the lower surface of the crossbar. Brief description of the drawings

The present invention and its main advantages will become more apparent in the description of various embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the assembly according to the invention , this assembly comprising a single wing mounted on a support, Figure 1 B shows an enlarged perspective view of the support base of the wing according to Figure 1A, Figure 2A shows a perspective view of a second embodiment. of the assembly according to the invention, this assembly comprising two wings mounted on the same support, Figure 2B shows a side elevational view of the two-wing variant as shown in Figure 2A in perspective, Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view of a wing corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 1A, Figure 3B is a perspective view of a wing corresponding to the embodiment of Figure 1A, Figure 3C is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 1A, illustrating the mechanical control means and hydraulic positioning of the boxes, and FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate in schematic form the operation of a two-wing assembly operating a hydraulic pump, respectively at full power, medium power and low power.

Best ways to achieve the invention

With reference to the figures and in particular to FIG. 1A, the assembly 10 essentially comprises a support in the form of a fixed base 11 which carries at least one vertical or inclined wing 12 relative to said fixed base 11, this wing being composed a plurality of wing sections 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d superimposed. The wing 12 comprises a driving profile 13 which is common to all the sections 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d. The wing sections are angularly movable relative to each other about an axis located inside the driving profile 13, so that they can shift respectively on the height of the wing depending parameters related to the strength of the wind, the position of the set and the local weather conditions instantaneous. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the wing 12 comprises four superimposed sections. This. number is not limited and could be increased depending on the nominal power of the assembly 10. The sections are separated from each other by flanges 14 and the base and the top of the wing 12 are also equipped with a flange 14 closing the wing at both ends. In other words, each wing portion 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d consists of a profiled carcass 15 which is delimited downwards and upwards by a flange 14 substantially planar. The carcass 15 could be made in one piece of a material that gives it rigidity adequate, but it can also be made of several components articulated with respect to each other.

The wing 12 is mounted on the base 11 which is shown in the form of an enlarged perspective view in FIG. 1B and in the form of a view which illustrates the structure in transparency, in FIG. 1C. The base 11 comprises a circular platform 16a rotating by means of rollers 16b with respect to a fixed plate 16c. The platform 16a carries a frame 17 comprising two vertical side walls 17a and 17b, mounted parallel to each other and a base plate 17c. This frame 17 carries two side arms 18a and 18b connected by a cross member 18c connecting the two side arms 18a and 18b. The assembly 19 consists of the two lateral arms 18a and 18b and the cross member 18c is rigid and is mounted oscillating on the vertical side walls 17a and 17b about a substantially horizontal axis, materialized by segments of axis 20a and 20b crossing respectively the vertical side wall 17a and the side arm 18a, on the one hand and the vertical side wall 17b and the side arm 18b, on the other hand. The cross member 18c, which is in this case pivoting, serves as support for the wing 12.

As shown in Figure 1B, the interior of the frame 17 houses two hydraulic pumps 21a and 21b, whose bodies are mounted on two through rods 22a and 22b and whose pistons are coupled indirectly to two stirrups 23a and 23b respectively. secured to the lower surface of the cross member 18c. The hydraulic fluid pumped by these hydraulic cylinders circulates in a suitable hydraulic circuit for feeding a hydraulic motor for example.

FIGS. 2A and 2B represent, by way of example, a second embodiment of the assembly 10 according to the invention, which in this case comprises two wings 12 mounted side by side on the same support. It will be noted that the axes of the two wings form between them a predetermined acute angle, their position relative to the common support being defined by construction. The support consists, as before, of a base 17 of similar construction to that of FIG. 18, but having larger dimensions so as to accommodate both of them. wings 12. As before, the soc! e 17 is mounted on the platform 16 pivoting, to allow to orient the wings optimally. It is obvious that the invention is not limited to these two embodiments and that it extends to variants with a higher number of wings mounted on the same support, which will of course be dimensioned accordingly, or on juxtaposed supports each carrying one or more similar wings.

The side elevational view of FIG. 2B shows the two wings 12 in the maximum spacing position and the sections 12a, 12b, 12c which make up these wings in different angular positions so as to offer maximum wind resistance. The relative position of the boxes which constitute said sections is adjusted accordingly.

Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show cross-sectional and perspective views of a wing 12 composed for example, as shown in Figure 1A, wing sections 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d superimposed. Each section consists of several boxes 30a, 30b, 30c which are interconnected by a frame comprising intermediate partitions 31a and 31b. These intermediate partitions consist of two walls respectively belonging to a first box and a second box adjacent to the first. Therefore, each box is independent and closed and they can move relative to each other without the airflow flow surface is interrupted along the profile of the wing. The carcass or body of the boxes 30a, 30b, 30c is made of a suitable material, which may be a molded synthetic material or a sheet of light metal or the like. The boxes are constructed such that they are partially movable relative to each other, in particular articulated so that the respective longitudinal axes of the juxtaposed boxes can tilt relative to each other to vary the profile of each other. the wing and in particular the curvature of each wing section, approximately like an airplane wing. This characteristic makes it possible to adapt the profile of the wing, section after section, according to the wind force and its direction. A fin 30d is pivotally mounted at the end of the last box 30c, at the end opposite the attack profile of the wing, which is located at the front, facing the wind of the first box 30a.

Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show that the intermediate partition 31a is formed of two walls 32a and 32b which are coupled by a hinge 33 allowing a relative displacement of the wall 32b, movable relative to the wall 32a which is fixed. Similarly, the intermediate partition 31b is formed of two walls 34a and 34b which are coupled by a hinge 35 which allows a relative displacement of the movable wall 34b with respect to the wall 32a which is fixed. The relative displacement of the different boxes of each wing section is obtained by hydraulic cylinders 36 whose bodies are mounted on said fixed walls 32a and 34a respectively intermediate partitions 31a and 31b and whose pistons are fixed on the movable walls 32b and 34b. The intermediate partition 31a is formed of two walls 32a and 32b which are coupled by a hinge 33 which allows a relative displacement of the movable wall 32b with respect to the wall 32a which is fixed. These means make it possible to move the boxes 30a, 30b and 30c respectively relative to one another by varying the relative angles of their longitudinal axis and consequently to modify the profile of the wing at each of the sections of this section. wing.

The first box 30a of each wing section gives the general orientation of the section, the second box 30b being fixed to the first box 30a and the third box 30c being attached to the second box 30b. The rear wing 30d is fixed to the third box 30e. The general orientation of the section is given by a central control mounted in the first box 30a and which comprises a ring gear 37 cooperating with a pinion 38 driven by a positioning motor 39 arranged to angularly position the first box 30a of each section of wing according to meteorological parameters. The second box 30b and the third box 30c are positioned by the cylinders relative to the first box 30a. The views of the three figures 4A, 4B and 4C show an installation 10 with two wings 12, mounted as described above. The displacement of the wings causes the reciprocating movement of a piston 40 of a hydraulic pump 41, this piston being attached by its free end to a pivoting arm 42 actuated by the movement of the wings 12. The mounting of the hydraulic pump is illustrated more in detail in Figure 1 B, The assembly of the assembly according to the invention creates a hydraulic "gearbox" which has, on the one hand, the advantage of being able to offer a continuous adjustment over a very wide range of power and thus solve a specific problem of wind turbines that have a power directly dependent on the wind speed, and secondly to decoupling between the instantaneous angular speed of the wing and the linear speed of the cylinder. This allows the wing to proceed freely to the acceleration phase of its cycle and to pump the hydraulic fluid during the deceleration phase of the cycle. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but extends to all obvious variations for those skilled in the art, which arise directly from the elements described. These variants may concern both the wing or wings, their general shape, the derived forms, their number and their relative arrangement as the mechanical part responsible for converting the force of the wind pressure into hydraulic energy that can be used instantly or that can be stored. . One of the advantages of the assembly described with respect to rotary wind turbines, considered today as conventional, is their relatively small size, their ease of installation, the possibility of adapting their dimensions to the beautiful needs, for example private, the weak cost of their construction and installation, the modest level of management fees, so that this facility is able to bring to the problem of alternative energy generation an economical and user-friendly solution allowing it to leave the closed circle of very big structures and open to particular users.

Claims

claims

1. A set (10) for capturing wind energy and for converting it into energy that can be used directly or that can be stored for later use, in particular mechanical energy which can then be converted into electrical energy or hydraulic energy, characterized in that it comprises at least one support disposed in a windy sector, on which is mounted at least one elongated wing (12) having a fixed first end secured to said support and a second free end, this wing (12) being driven by a oscillating movement about a fixed axis carried by said support, this fixed axis passing through said fixed first end of the wing, said oscillating movement alternately occurring between a first position inclined relative to there vertical and a second position inclined relative to the vertical, angularly offset from said first position, and in that said wing is composed of a plurality sections (12a, 12b, 12c and 12d) independent bunk disposed between said first fixed end and said second free end.

2. A set for capturing wind energy according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said sections of said plurality of sections (12a, 12b, 12c and 12d) consists of an assembly of boxes (30a, 30b, 30c ) juxtaposed along a central line, and in that said boxes (30a, 30b, 30c) are articulated with respect to each other so that each of the longitudinal axes: said juxtaposed boxes can rotate angularly one by relative to the longitudinal axes of each of the juxtaposed caissons.

3. The assembly for capturing wind energy according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said boxes (30a, 30b, 30c) is closed and has an intermediate partition (31a and 31b) separating it from an adjacent box.

4. An assembly for capturing wind energy according to claim 3, characterized in that said intermediate partition (31a and 31b) consists of two walls (32a and 32b; 34a, 34b) respectively belonging to a first box and a second box adjacent to the first.

5. An assembly for capturing wind energy according to claim 4, characterized in that said walls (32a and 32b, 34a, 34b) respectively belonging to a first caisson and a second caisson adjacent to the first are articulated one by report to the other.

6. A set for capturing wind energy according to claim 1, characterized in that said support is composed of a base (11) having a circular platform (16a) rotatable by means of rollers (16b) supported on a fixed plate (16c).

7. A set for capturing wind energy according to claim 6. characterized in that the platform (16a) carries a frame (17) comprising two vertical side walls (17a and 17b); mounted parallel to each other and a base plate (17c), said frame carrying an oscillating assembly on which is mounted said at least one wing (12).

8. assembly for capturing wind energy according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said frame (17) houses at least one hydraulic pump (21a or 21b), whose body is mounted on at least one rod through (22a or 22b) and whose piston is coupled indirectly, respectively to at least one yoke (23a or 23b) integral with the lower surface of the cross member (18c).