Abstract:
The invention is an energy conversion device driven by wind power, comprising a housing to protect the working components of the device from environmental damage and to insure correct flow of air through the device, at least one directing element, connected to the housing, air exit and entrance openings, one or more separating surfaces inside the housing, inside components forming a carousel, a frame structure surrounding the components inside the housing, set of sails, wherein each sail is comprised of a pair of blades connected by a hinge-like structure, wherein the free end of one of said blades is connected to said separating surface by a rail and the free end of the other of said blades is connected to a fixed point on said frame structure, a transmission system and lifting means for adjustment of the height of the structure above the ground or water.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of wind power. More particularly, the invention relates to the conversion of the kinetic energy of the wind, into another form of energy, by using a wind turbine or a windmill. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Wind energy can be converted in a windmill and used to produce mechanical work. A wind turbine uses that mechanical work to produce electricity by applying said work to rotate a generator. The efficiency of the device is the ratio between the energy produced by the device, and the wind energy that enters the device. To avoid significant energy loses, as much wind energy as possible must be converted to kinetic energy that contributes to the desirable movement of the device. 
         [0003]    Many modern windmills and wind turbines comprise a vertical tower, attached to the ground, which provides a stable base for the device and elevates it up to a height where the velocity of the wind is suitable to operate the device. The velocity of the wind generally increases with elevation. The structure is exposed to the wind and can be damaged by it, if the wind is too powerful compared to the limitation of the material properties of the structure. The structure is exposed not only to the force of the wind, but also to other weather conditions, such as rain, lightning, storm, sunlight, humidity, etc. 
         [0004]    Near the top of the tower there is a device suitable to be driven by the wind. In many cases, said device is a fan-like set of blades, wherein each blade is twisted for the purpose of being aerodynamically fit for smooth movement though the air. That device usually moves in a circular motion, by utilizing the wind and the aerodynamic shape of the surface. The circular motion occurs around an axis, connected to the top of the tower, and the plane in which the circular motion occurs is usually perpendicular to the ground, but can also be horizontal. 
         [0005]    When the wind hits a surface which is at some distance from the central axis, a moment is created. The size of the moment is in direct proportion to the force produced by the wind and the distance between the central axis and the point where the wind hits the blades. To produce greater power, the blades need to be as long as possible, to create a large moment, but as the length of the blades grow, so does their weight, and a large velocity of wind is required to cause motion. On the other hand, if the wind is too strong the device can be damaged. To avoid such damage or low efficiency, the longest length for the blades is determined by the largest moment permitted on the device in order to avoid excessive abrasion or material fatigue, and the shortest length is usually determined by the amount of desired output. 
         [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a device and method that overcome the drawbacks of the prior art. 
         [0007]    It is another object of the invention to provide a device that can be adjusted in order to exploit the wind power to its maximum, at any given time. 
         [0008]    Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The invention is an energy conversion device driven by wind power, comprising the following components: a housing, at least one directing element, air exit openings, one or more separating surfaces inside the housing, a frame structure surrounding the components inside the housing, hinge-like structures connected to said separating surface by a rail and to a fixed point at said frame structure, a transmission system and lifting means. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    In the drawings: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic top view of the housing according to one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 1B  is a schematic perspective view of the housing according to one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  are schematic symmetrical side views of the device, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a schematic back view of the invention, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3B  is a schematic front view of the invention, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates schematically the inner structure according to one embodiment of the invention, without the housing; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrated schematically the structure without the housing, as in  FIG. 6 , but in another positioning of the blades; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  also illustrates schematically the structure without the housing, from a side view; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7B  is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view A-A of  FIG. 7A ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8B  is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view B-B of  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  illustrates schematically the structure without the housing, the blades and the louvers; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  illustrates schematically the structure without the hosing, the blades and the louvers, as in  FIG. 9 , but in another rotational angel; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  illustrates schematically the structure without the blades, from a back view; 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a schematic side view of the of the invention, placed on a tower, according to one embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a schematic perspective view of the invention, placed on a tower, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    The invention is a device and a method for using the wind to produce energy, by using the wind to cause a motion of a mechanical arrangement and transferring the motion into desired form of energy, such as kinetic or electric energy. 
         [0027]    In order to understand the invention, a general description of the device is now presented, followed by a more specific description of each of the parts with number references and reference to the attached drawings herein below. 
       General Description 
       [0028]    The outer cover of the device is a housing, containing all of the parts that are responsible for the movement used to produce the energy. There are several openings to the housing—exit openings and entrance openings, from which the wind enters and exits the housing. Herein, the entrance openings are defined to be at the front of the housing and the exit openings are at the back of the housing. 
         [0029]    The moving parts of the apparatus of the invention are at least one pair of carousel-like structures on which are mounted a set of sails As the wind enters the housing it impacts some of the sails that are located near the entrance openings and causes the the carousels to move around the central axis. The two carrousels are separated by a surface with a changing slope. 
         [0030]    The sails are comprised of two blades that are connected together by a hinge. One end of each sail is slidingly connected to a rail mounted on the sloped surface t and the other end of each sail is fixedly connected to a rail on a cage-like structure, which is the framework of the carrousel. 
         [0031]    More than one surface with the changing slope can be provided thereby allowing for three or more carousels within the housing. 
         [0032]    When the sails move in a circular motion along the rail, they cause a cage-like structure around them to move in a circular motion around the central axis as well. The cage-like structure is connected to a main vertical shaft and therefore causes the rotation of the main shaft. When there is a carrousel on each side of the surface with the changing slope, each carrousel is responsible for the rotation of a different cage-like structure, so that each of the structures will contribute to the rotation of the main shaft. The housing and its entrances and exits are arranged so that the carousel on the top of a sloped surface moves in the opposite direction of the one on the bottom of the surface. 
         [0033]    For maximum entrance of the wind into the housing, the housing is provided with a directing element, at its top, that acts as a sail and allows the wind to rotate the housing in order to position the housing for best wind entrance. The optimal position is when the wind has direct entrance into the housing through the entrance openings. 
         [0034]    It is recommended to place the device upon some kind of elevated structure, such as a tower-shaped structure, hereinafter—a tower. The device is supported by the tower at the desired height, which in some embodiments is adjustable. The tower can contain a mechanical transmission system to transfer the rotational energy of the carousels to a generator, etc. 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 1A  the housing  101  is schematically described in a top view.  FIG. 1B  also illustrates the housing  101 , but in a perspective view. In both drawings the shape of the housing  101  is apparent and so are some of the external features. The external features show: a directing element  102 , wings  103  and louvers  104 . The purpose of each external feature is described in details as the description proceeds. 
         [0036]    The housing  101  rotates around a vertical axis, co-axial with that of the tower. The rotation is caused by a directing element  102  that is attached to the housing  101 . Directing element  102  acts as a long arm on which a moment is induced by the impact of the wind. The housing  101  will rotate until the forces on the directing element  102  are equal on both of its sides, at which time the directing element is aligned with the wind. 
         [0037]    When the directing element  102  is aligned with the direction of the wind, the louvers  104  that are located at the entrance openings are facing the wind and allowing it to enter through them and causing a controlled access of wind inside the housing  101 . Louvers  104  can be adjusted to reduce the openings when the pressure inside the housing is too high or to increase the openings for better passage of wind when the wind velocity is low. The louvers  104  also protect the inside components from rain, sunlight, or any other environmental condition. 
         [0038]    Other air passages are the wings  103   a  and  103   b.  The wings  103   a  and  103   b  allow the wind to enter the housing  101 . The positioning of the wings  103   a  and  103   b  is suitable for an optimal movement of the inside carrousels. Each wing  103   a  and  103   b  allows the passage of the wind at locations where the sails need yet another push to keep the rotation. Another set of wings  103   a  and  103   b  is placed on the bottom side of the housing  101 , on the opposite side from the firm set of wings  103   a  and  103   b,  each set for a different carrousel, where the sails need the additional force. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  illustrate schematically the housing  101  in side views. Those views reveal the exit openings  201  from which the wind exits the housing  101 . Another exit for the wind is the nozzles  202 . Each opening—the exit opening  201  and the nozzles  202 , is positioned with regard to the amount of air that must exit the housing  101  at the specific location of the openings  201  and  202  in order to prevent back pressure that can hinder or even stop the rotation of the carousels. 
         [0040]    Another component revealed in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  is the mechanical transmission  203  which transfers the motion from the cage-like structures to a main shaft that can operate a generator, for example. The transmission as shown in the figures is only an example of a possible transmission, and in no way obligating. 
         [0041]      FIG. 3A  is a back view of the housing  101  wherein can be seen both exit openings  201  and a back portion of the nozzles  202  on both sides. A partial view of the carousel is shown in  FIG. 3A . When the wind enters the housing  101  through the louvers  104  it comes in contact with the inside components and causes their movement around the center. The movement of those parts and the way they function will be described in details in reference to  FIGS. 4 through 8 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 3B  is a front view of the housing  101  wherein the front portion of the nozzles  202  can be seen. There is also a full view of the louvers  104 . The louvers  104  can be opened by rotating around a vertical axis, as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 3B , but can also rotate around a horizontal or a slanting axis, or open in any other way, like sliding on a rail for example. The louvers  104  can be operated manually, automatically, remotely, or according to the input of sensors etc. The opening of the louvers  104  is determined according to the instantaneous wind velocity with relation to the maximum wind velocity allowed to safely rotate the components. 
         [0043]    The wind entering the housing  101  comes in contact with the sails of the carousel.  FIGS. 4 through 11  demonstrate the purpose of each inner component that comprises the carousel, their shape, and refers to the manner in which they move. 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 4  the housing  101  has been removed. The inner components are surrounded by a frame  401  comprising of an upper inner circle  402  and a lower inner circle  404 , connected to each other by vertical supporting rods  406 , and an upper outer circle  403  and a lower outer circle  405 , also connected by vertical supporting rods  406 . Each structure of an upper circle, a lower circle and vertical supporting rods, forms a cage-like structure, wherein both cages are connected to the same main shaft  410  through the transmission  203  in a way that allows every cage to contribute to the rotation of the main shaft  410 . 
         [0045]    There are at least two sections to the inner space, containing the carousels, separated by a surface  408 , wherein the sections are the same (only the movement of the carousels is in an opposite directions). The surface  408  creates height changes, since the form of the surface is not a straight plane, in fact it is a surface with a changing slope. On each side of the surface there are sails made up of two blades  407 , wherein a first blade  407  is connected to the surface  408  at one end and to the second blade  407  on its other end, by a hinge-like rotational axis  409 . The second blade  407  is connected at its other end to one of the inner circles  402 . The hinge-like axis  409  that connects the two blades  407  of each sail allows the blades to open and close in a book-like fashion according to the distance between the ends of the sails—in this case the distance is the vertical height at every point between the surface  408  and the frame  401  as the carousel rotates. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are back views of the device without the housing  101 , and the difference between them is only the angle of the rotation, in order to demonstrate the rotation of the sails and how the blades  407  “open” and “close”.  FIG. 6  is also a view of the device without the housing  101 , but in a side view. 
         [0047]      FIG. 7B  is a horizontal cross-sectional view A-A of  FIG. 7A , wherein the blades  407  of the sails are presented in a top view at several locations along the rotational path of the carousel. As shown in this figure, the cage-like structures are connected to the central axis by supporting rods  701 . The width of the blades  407  in a top view indicates the location along the surface  408  and the height of the location in question—as the sail comes to the greatest distance between the ends of its blades  407  ends, its width as seen in a top view would come to a minimum, and accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 7B , the impact of the wind that comes through the louvers  104 , hits the blades  407  and causes the hinge-like structure they form to open, and therefore increase the distance between the distal ends of the two blades  407 . Since one blade  407  is connected to the frame  401  to a fixed point, and the other blade  407  can move along a rail positioned on the surface  408 , the push of the blades  407  toward a higher point inflicts a rotational movement of the blades  407  along the rail on the surface  408  and around the center of the device. One set of blades  407  is connected to the inner circles  402  and  404  of the frame  401 , and the other to the outer circles  403  and  405  of the frame  401 , so each set of blades contributes to the rotation of the main shaft  410 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 8B  is a vertical cross-sectional view B-B of  FIG. 8A , wherein both sections of the inner space are clearly separated by the surface  408 , and it can be seen that the inner and the outer circles  402 ,  403 ,  404  and  405  are connected to the main shaft  410  and contribute to its rotation.  FIG. 8A  shows that the blades  407  of the sails reach the exit openings  201  in an open state, and therefore push the air from the inner space through the exit openings  201 . The nozzles  202  evacuate the air when the blades  407  are closing, in order to allow the closing to occur. The nozzles  202  are necessary for the continuity of the rotation because trapped air inside the housing  101  will hinder the rotation and can cause it to stop. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show the frame  401  and the surface  408 , separated from all of the other inner component, to demonstrate the shape of the surface  408 , according to one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 11  permits an inside view on the surface  408 , through the exit openings  201 , without the blades  407 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 12  illustrates schematically the device, placed at a top of a tower  1201  in a side view, according to one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 13  is another illustration of the device upon a tower  1201 , but in a perspective view. Although  FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate the use of a tower as a supporting structure, the device can be supported by any structure suitable to place the device at the desired height, such as a balloon, floating in the air and dangling the device from a cable or on the roof of a building. 
         [0051]    All the above description has been provided for the purpose of illustration and is not meant to limit the invention in any way. The invention presents significant advantages over the existing art. For example, the positioning of the structure is adjustable and suitable for maximizing the air power entering the device by the rotation of the structure according to the direction of the wind. In addition, the cover keeps the surface of the blades from environmental damages.