Magnus type wind power generator

A Magnus type wind power generator includes a horizontal rotary shaft for transmitting torque to a power generating mechanism. Rotary columns are disposed radially of the horizontal rotary shaft. Driving motors rotatively drive the respective rotary columns around the axes thereof. The relative action between rotation of each rotary column and wind produces Magnus lift, which rotates the horizontal rotary shaft so as to drive the power generating mechanism. An air flow device is installed for producing air flow on the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotary columns so as to increase the Magnus lift.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a Magnus type wind power generator which causes Magnus lift generated by interactions between rotations of respective rotary columns and wind power to rotate a horizontal rotary shaft, thereby driving a power generating mechanism.

BACKGROUND ART

Although, as effective wind power generators, there have been realized ones using a Savonius wind turbine, the Savonius wind turbine cannot rotate faster than a wind speed, presents a low power generation capability, and thus is not suitable for a high power generation. On the other hand, as a practical wind power generator with a relatively high power generation capability, although there are ones using a propeller type wind turbine, they have a problem that the efficiency thereof cannot be increased in a relatively low wind speed range.

In addition to these types, there have already been publicly known Magnus type wind power generators which generate an electric power by causing a required number of rotary columns provided radially with respect to a horizontal rotary shaft to generate Magnus lift thereby rotating the horizontal rotary shaft (refer to patent documents 1 and 2).

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

A Magnus type wind power generator described in the Patent document 1 generates a power by rotating rotary columns to generate Magnus lift, thereby rotating a horizontal rotary shaft to generate an electric power, and it is thus necessary to increase the rotational speed of the rotary columns to increase the Magnus lift for increasing the amount of the electric power to be generated. However, a large amount of energy is consumed in order to rotate the rotary columns at a high speed, resulting in a decrease of a power generation efficiency.

Moreover, although a Magnus type wind power generator described in the Patent document 2 rotates rotary columns by means of a Savonius rotor rotated by wind power, it is thus possible to eliminate a transmission mechanism for the rotary columns, and simultaneously, it is not necessary to provide driving motors or the like used to rotate the rotary columns, the Savonius rotor cannot rotate faster than the wind speed, and it is thus impossible to increase the rotational speed of the rotary columns, and to generate large Magnus lift, resulting in being unsuitable for an efficient electric power generation.

The present invention provides a Magnus type wind power generator which solves these problems all at once, and generates an electric power efficiently in a wind speed range from a low wind speed to a relatively high wind speed.

Means to Solve the Problems

To solve the above problems, a Magnus type wind power generator includes a horizontal rotary shaft that transmits a rotation torque to a power generating mechanism, a required number of rotary columns that are disposed radially from the horizontal rotary shaft, and driving motors that rotatively drive the respective rotary columns about axes thereof, where Magnus lift generated by interactions between the rotations of the respective rotary columns and wind power is caused to rotate the horizontal rotary shaft to drive the power generating mechanism, is characterized in that at predetermined positions are provided air flow means that generate air flows upon outer peripheral surfaces of the rotary columns so as to increase the Magnus lift.

The present invention is based upon a novel principle that, other than a natural wind and movements of air in surface layers of the rotary columns which rotate with the rotary columns, the Magnus lift generated by the interactions between the rotations of the respective rotary columns and the wind power is increased by generating the air flows upon the outer peripheral surface of the rotary columns, which has been discovered by the inventors, and the inventors have succeeded in increasing the rotation torque of the horizontal rotary shaft which drives the power generation mechanism, thereby remarkably increasing the power generation efficiency of the wind power generator in a wind speed range from the low wind speed to the relatively high wind speed.

In one embodiment of the invention the air flow means are means that generate air flow components at least parallel with axes of the rotary columns upon the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotary columns.

According to this aspect, three dimensional air flows are generated by adding the components of the air flows parallel with the axes of the rotary columns to the Magnus lift generated by the natural wind and the movements of the air in the surface layers of the rotary columns which rotate with the rotary columns, and consequently, the Magnus lift, namely forces applied to the rotary columns, increase, which is experimentally proved. On this occasion, all the air flows generated by the air flow means are not necessarily parallel with the rotary columns, and a sufficient effect is provided if the air flows have at least a vector component parallel with the rotary columns.

In another embodiment of the invention the air flow means are means that generate air flow components parallel with the axes of the rotary columns and in a direction departing from the horizontal rotary shaft upon the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotary columns.

According to this aspect, the Magnus lift generated upon the rotary columns is increased by causing the air flow means to generate the air flows in the direction departing from the horizontal rotary shaft upon the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotary columns.

In yet another aspect of the invention the air flow means are means that generate air flow components parallel with the axes of the rotary columns and in a direction toward the horizontal rotary shaft upon the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotary columns.

According to this aspect, the Magnus lift generated upon the rotary columns is increased by causing the air flow means to generate the air flows in the direction toward the horizontal rotary shaft upon the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotary columns.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the air flow means are fin members formed upon the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotary columns.

According to this aspect, during the rotation of the rotary columns, the air around the rotary columns is caused to flow by the fin members, thereby increasing the Magnus lift applied to the rotary columns.

In another embodiment of the invention the fin members serving as the air flow means are ribs in a spiral shape formed upon the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotary columns.

According to this aspect, during the rotation of the rotary columns, it is possible to cause the air to evenly and stably flow upon wide surfaces of the rotary columns by means of the ribs in the spiral shape, thereby increasing the Magnus lift, and reducing wind noises.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention end caps larger in diameter than the rotary columns are provided upon extreme ends of the rotary columns.

According to this aspect, it has experimentally been proven that the Magnus effect increases if the end caps are provided when the air flows are generated, and according to experiments, if there are provided the end caps, the Magnus effect increases by the method where the air is caused to flow in the direction toward the horizontal rotary shaft compared with the method where the air is caused to flow radially outward in the opposite direction.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention the ribs forming the air flow means are constructed by multi-streak spirals.

According to this aspect, by providing the multi-streak spirals, more air can be caused to smoothly flow upon the surfaces of the rotary columns thereby increasing the Magnus effect without increasing the diameter of the spirals.

In another aspect of the invention multiple dimples are provided upon the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotary columns.

According to this aspect, upon the rotary columns being rotating about the axes thereof, the multiple dimples disturb surface layer flows (boundary layer) of the rotary columns, thereby restraining separation of the surface layer flows to increase circulation, resulting in additionally increasing the Magnus lift generated upon the rotary columns. The dimples may be recesses and projections in any shape as long as they disturb the surface layer flows.

In yet another aspect of the invention dimples or projections are formed upon outer surfaces of the extreme ends of the ribs.

According to this aspect, the dimples or projections disturb surface layer flows (boundary layer) of the outer surfaces of the extreme ends of the ribs, thereby restraining the separation of the surface layer flows to increase the circulation, resulting in additionally increasing the Magnus lift.

Preferably the rotary columns are supported for extension and contraction in the radial direction with respect to the horizontal rotary shaft.

According to this aspect, since the rotary columns freely extend and contract, the electric power can be generated while the rotary columns are extended or contracted according to the direction and the wind speed of the natural wind, and it is possible to extend the rotary columns to maximize an area to receive the wind thereby increasing the lift of the rotary columns under a normal condition, and to contract the rotary columns to reduce the area to receive the wind thereby preventing a support base from being destructed, and preventing the rotary columns from being damaged upon a strong wind.

In still another aspect of the invention the driving motors are fewer in number than the required number of the rotary columns are used to drive rotatively the respective rotary columns simultaneously.

According to this aspect it is possible to save an electric power used to drive the driving motors, thereby increasing the power generation efficiency of the wind power generator.

DESCRIPTION OF NUMERALS

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A description will now be given of embodiments of the present invention.

A description will now be given of a Magnus type wind power generator according to an embodiment of the present invention based upon the drawings whereFIG. 1is a front view showing the Magnus type wind power generator according to an embodiment 1 of the present invention,FIG. 2is a descriptive diagram of Magnus lift,FIG. 3is a cross sectional view of a rotary column made in a plane and in a direction indicated by A inFIG. 1, andFIG. 4is a front view showing the rotary column provided with a rib.

A description will be given of a mechanism to generate general Magnus lift. As shown inFIG. 2, a flow of air which has come in contact with a front side of a rotary column C flows upward as the rotary column C rotates upon the rotational direction of the rotary column C and the direction of the air flow shown inFIG. 2. On this occasion, air flowing above the rotary column C flows faster than air flowing below the rotary column C, there is thus generated a Magnus effect where a difference in air pressure is generated due to a negative pressure above the column C and a positive pressure therebelow, resulting in a Magnus lift Y0being generated upon the rotary column C in a direction perpendicular to the air flow.

Reference numeral A inFIG. 1denotes a Magnus type wind power generator to which the present invention is applied. In this Magnus type wind power generator A, a power generating mechanism2journalled to turn in a horizontal direction about a vertical motor (not shown) is disposed in a top portion of a support base1erected upon the ground. The power generating mechanism2includes a horizontal rotary shaft3journalled to rotate in the vertical direction, one end of the horizontal rotary shaft3is connected to a power generator (not shown) provided within the power generating mechanism2, and the other end of the horizontal rotary shaft3is fixed to a rotary body4.

As shown inFIG. 1, six driving motors15are provided within the rotary body4, six rotary columns5are radially provided upon an outer periphery of the rotary body4, base portions of the respective rotary columns5are connected to the respective driving motors15provided within the rotary body4, and the respective rotary columns5are journalled so as to be rotated by the drive of the respective driving motors15. Moreover, upon the distal end surfaces of the rotary columns5are attached end caps16in a disk shape having a diameter larger than the diameter of the rotary columns5.

Upon axial outer peripheral surfaces of the rotary columns5, fin members serving as air flow means according to the present embodiment, namely ribs6in a spiral shape are formed to integrally wind therearound. The ribs6may be made of a material such as synthetic resin or a material such as weather resistant light alloy. A description will now be given of the rib6. As shown inFIG. 4, one rib6with a required width and a required height is fixed so as to form a right-hand spiral in a right-hand thread shape as viewed from the extreme end surface of the rotary column5.

When the Magnus type wind power generator A shown inFIG. 1is used to generate an electric power, a wind direction is first detected by a wind vane (not shown), a control circuit (not shown) drives the vertical motor (not shown) to turn the power generating mechanism2according to the wind direction so that the wind blows against the front side of the rotary body4. Then, the respective rotary columns5are rotated by the drive of the respective driving motors15within the rotary body4.

A detailed description will now be given of the rotational direction of the rotary columns5and the spiraling of the ribs6. As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 3, if the spiral rib6of the rotary column5is wound as the right-handed helix in the right-hand thread shape as viewed from the extreme end surface of the rotary column5, the rotational direction of the rotary column5rotates counterclockwise. Since the wound direction of the spiral of the rib6is opposite to the rotational direction of the rotary column5, it is possible to cause air flowing upon the outer peripheral surface of the rotary column5to flow toward the horizontal rotary shaft3. If the wound direction of the spiral of the rib6is the same as the rotational direction of the rotary column5, it is possible to cause the air flowing upon the outer peripheral surface of the rotary column5to flow in a direction departing from the horizontal rotary shaft3(radially outward direction).

As shown inFIG. 4, by providing the spiral rib6upon the rotary column5, the spiral rib6generates flows F of the air during the rotation of the rotary column5. On this occasion, upon the outer peripheral surface of the rotary column5can be generated flow components V of the air parallel with the axes of the rotary column5other than a natural wind and the movement of the air in a surface layer of the rotary column5rotating with the rotary column5.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, by generating the air flows in the outer periphery of the rotary column5, namely the air flows F upon the outer peripheral surface of the rotary column5, there are generated three dimensional air flows formed by the natural wind and the movement of the air in the surface layer of the rotary column5rotating with the rotary column5.

As confirmed by experiments described later, Magnus lift Y generated by interactions between the rotation of the respective rotary columns5and wind power are increased (refer toFIG. 3). On this occasion, all the air flows F generated by the air flow means are not necessarily parallel with the rotary columns5, and a sufficient effect is provided if the air flows F have at least the vector components V parallel with the rotary columns5. It is considered that there occur a phenomenon of an increase of the differential pressure between the negative pressure and the positive pressure acting upon the rotary columns5, a phenomenon of an increase of a surface to generate the lift, and the like as reasons for the increase of the Magnus lift Y.

Moreover, by employing the end caps16, an increase of the Magnus effect has experimentally been proven. Namely, by providing the end cap16upon the distal end surface of the rotary column5, the end cap16exerts a positive effect upon the air flows F, thereby increasing the Magnus lift Y. Moreover, as described later, according to experiments, if the end caps16are provided, it was found out that this method which causes the air to flow toward the horizontal rotary shaft increases the Magnus effect more than the method which causes the air to flow oppositely in the radially outward direction.

As shown inFIG. 1, the Magnus lift Y generated upon the respective rotary columns5rotates the rotary columns5and the rotary body4about the horizontal rotary shaft3, thereby driving the power generator (not shown) connected to the one end of the horizontal rotary shaft3to generate the electric power. Moreover, by providing the ribs6in the spiral shape upon the rotary columns5, a torque value (rotation torque) of the horizontal rotary shaft3driving the power generator (not shown) is increased, thereby increasing the electric power generation efficiency of the Magnus type wind power generator A. When the power generator (not shown) starts to generate an electric power, a part of the generated electric power can be supplied to the driving motors15used to rotate the rotary columns5as an auxiliary electric power to be used.

Proof experiments for the rotary columns5used for the present embodiment were carried out in a wind tunnel experimental room. A description will now be given of a tip speed ratio θ and a lift coefficient Cy for the rotary column5of the Magnus type wind power generator A according to the present embodiment, rotary columns in other inventions, and ideal fluid with reference to Table 1. Table 1 is a chart showing a relationship between the tip speed ratio θ and the lift coefficient Cy. If the diameter (m) of the rotary column is d, the rotational speed per second (r/s) of the rotary column is n, and the wind speed (m/s) is u, the tip speed ratio θ of the rotary column is represented as θ=dn/u. The lift coefficient Cy is a value obtained by dividing the lift Y by a product of an energy of movement of the wind per unit volume: (1/2)ρu2and a projected area of the rotary column: dl (l is the length of the rotary column), and is represented as Cy=2θ for the ideal fluid. The tip speed ratio θ is used to keep variations in experiment results according to differences in the diameter d, the rotational speed n, and the wind speed u as less as possible, and the lift coefficient Cy is also used to keep variations in experiment results according to the wind speed u, the dimension dl of the rotary column, and the density of the fluid σ as less as possible.

As shown in Table 1, plot (A) represents a relationship between the tip speed ratio θ and the lift coefficient Cy of the rotary column5of the Magnus type wind power generator A according to the present invention, plot (B) represents a relationship between the tip speed ratio θ and the lift coefficient Cy of a rotary column of a Magnus type wind power generator according to ITAM (Russia), and plot (C) represents a relationship between the tip speed ratio θ (converted value corresponding to the tip speed ratio θ of a rotary column) and the lift coefficient Cy of a wing of an NACA 4415 (propeller wing with an attack angle of 12 degrees) often employed for a propeller wind turbine type wind power generator.

If plot (A) of the rotary column5of the present invention is compared with plot (B) of the rotary column of ITAM and the plot (C) of the wing of NACA4415, plot (A) of the rotary column5of the present invention presents a curve close to a chart of the ideal fluid (fluid which ideally flows, and does not present a loss, and for which it is not necessary to consider a friction and a separation).

Especially, a comparison between plot (A) of the rotary column5of the present invention and plot (B) of the rotary column of the ITAM shows that the lift coefficient Cy of plot (A) of the rotary column5of the present invention is higher than the lift coefficient Cy of plot (B) of the rotary column of ITAM in a state where the tip speed ratio θ is low (θ is equal to or less than approximately 1.5).

This shows that the rotary column5of the Magnus type wind power generator A according to the present invention can most efficiently generate the Magnus lift Y in a state where the rotational speed n of the rotary column is low, and since the Magnus type wind power generator A according to the present invention can rotate the horizontal rotary shaft3with high Magnus lift Y even if the rotational speed n of the rotary columns5is low, it is possible to save power consumptions of the driving motors15used to rotatively drive the rotary columns5, thereby efficiently generating the electric power.

A description will now be given of the end caps16of the Magnus type wind power generator A according to the present embodiment, a torque value N (rotation torque) of the horizontal rotary shaft3in the power generating mechanism2, and the tip speed ratio θ with reference to Table 2 and Table 3. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the rotational direction of the rotary column5which causes the air flowing upon the outer peripheral surface of the rotary columns5to flow toward the horizontal rotary shaft3is referred to as a forward rotation, and the rotational direction of the rotary column5which causes the air flowing upon the outer peripheral surface of the rotary columns5to flow in the direction departing from the horizontal rotary shaft3is referred to as a reverse rotation.

Table 2 is a chart representing relationships between the tip speed ratio θ and the torque value N upon the rotary columns5with a diameter of 70Φ being rotated forward where plot (a) shows a relationship between the tip speed ratio θ and the torque value N of the rotary column5without the spiral rib6and the end cap16being provided, plot (b) shows a relationship between the tip speed ratio θ and the torque value N of the rotary column5with the spiral rib6being provided, plot (c) shows a relationship between the tip speed ratio θ and the torque value N of the rotary column5with the spiral rib6being provided and the end cap16with a diameter of 140Φ being attached, and plot (d) shows a relationship between the tip speed ratio θ and the torque value N of the rotary column5with the spiral rib6being provided and the end cap16with a diameter of 200Φ being attached.

A comparison between plot (a) of the rotary column5without the spiral rib6and plot (b) of the forward rotation of the rotary column5with the spiral rib6shows that since the rib6increases the Magnus lift Y generated upon the rotary column5, the torque value N of plot (b) of the rotary column5with the rib6is higher than the torque value N of plot (a) of the rotary column5without the rib6.

Moreover, for plot (b) and plot (c) of the forward rotation of the rotary column5with the spiral rib6, a comparison between plot (b) of the rotary column5without the end cap16and plot (c) of the rotary column5with the end cap16with the diameter of 140Φ shows that the end cap16causes an increase of the torque value N due to the Magnus effect generated in a neighborhood of the end cap16upon the rotary column5, and a large Magnus lift Y is generated in the neighborhood of the extreme end surface of the rotary column5by providing the end cap16. Namely, the toque value N of plot (c) of the rotary column5with the end cap16is larger than the toque value N of plot (b) of the rotary column5without the end cap16.

Upon the forward rotation, a comparison between plot (c) of the rotary column5with the end cap16with diameter of 140Φ and plot (d) of the rotary column5with the end cap16with diameter of 200Φ shows that the torque value N of plot (d) of the rotary column5with the end cap16with the larger diameter is larger than the torque value N of plot (c) of the rotary column5with the end cap16with the smaller diameter. As shown in Table 2, a larger Magnus lift Y is generated by attaching the end cap16to the rotary column5provided with the rib6.

Table 3 is a chart representing relationships between the tip speed ratio θ and the torque value N upon the rotary columns5being rotated reversely where plot (a) shows a relationship between the tip speed ratio θ and the torque value N of the rotary column5without the spiral rib6and the end cap16being provided, plot (e) shows a relationship between the tip speed ratio θ and the torque value N of the rotary column5with the spiral rib6being provided, plot (f) shows a relationship between the tip speed ratio θ and the torque value N of the rotary column5with the spiral rib6being provided and the end cap16with the diameter of 140Φ being attached, and plot (g) shows a relationship between the tip speed ratio θ and the torque value N of the rotary column5with the spiral rib6being provided and the end cap16with the diameter of 200Φ being attached.

A comparison between plot (a) of the rotary column5without the spiral rib6and plot (e) of the reverse rotation of the rotary column5with the spiral rib6shows that since the rib6increases the Magnus lift Y generated upon the rotary column5, the torque value N of plot (e) of the rotary column5with the rib6is higher than the torque value N of plot (a) of the rotary column5without the rib6.

Moreover, for plot (e) and plot (f) of the reverse rotation of the rotary columns5with the spiral rib6, a comparison between plot (e) of the rotary column5without the end cap16and plot (f) of the rotary column5with the end cap16with the diameter of 140Φ shows that the end cap16causes an increase of the torque value N due to the Magnus effect generated in a neighborhood of the end cap16upon the rotary column5, and a large Magnus lift Y is generated in the neighborhood of the extreme end surface of the rotary column5by providing the end cap16. Namely, the toque value N of plot (f) of the rotary column5with the end cap16is larger than the toque value N of plot (e) of the rotary column5without the end cap16.

Upon the reverse rotation, a comparison between plot (f) of the rotary column5with the end cap16with diameter of 140Φ and plot (g) of the rotary column5with the end cap16with diameter of 200Φ shows that the torque value N of plot (g) of the rotary column5with the end cap16with the larger diameter is larger than the torque value N of plot (f) of the rotary column5with the end cap16with the smaller diameter. As shown in Table 3, a larger Magnus lift Y is generated by attaching the end cap16to the rotary column5provided with the rib6.

Moreover, as shown in Table 2 and Table 3, plots (b to g) of the rotary columns5provided with the air flow means such as the rib6present the increased torque values N compared with plot (a) of the rotary column5without the air flow means. Based upon the experimental results, there can be found out a novel principle that the Magnus lift Y generated by the interactions between the rotations of the respective rotary columns5and the wind power is increased by the generation of the air flows upon the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotary columns5other than the natural wind and the air movement in the surface layers of the rotary columns5rotating with the rotary columns5. In the Magnus type wind power generator A according to the present embodiment, the power generation efficiency of the Magnus type wind power generator A is successfully increased in the wind speed range from the low wind speed to the relatively high wind speed by increasing the torque value N of the horizontal rotary shaft3driving the power generating mechanism2. Moreover, it has experimentally been proven that the Magnus effect increases upon the end caps16being attached when the air flows are generated.

Further, in the comparison between Table 2 and Table 3, a comparison between plots (b to d) of the forward rotation of the rotary columns5and plots (e to g) of the reverse rotation of the rotary columns5shows that the torque value N increases in the cases where the air flowing upon the outer peripheral surface of the rotary column5flows toward the horizontal rotary shaft3. Based upon this experimental results, upon the end caps16being provided, the method to cause the air to flow in the direction toward the horizontal rotary shaft3increases the Magnus effect more compared with the method to cause the air to flow in the direction departing from the horizontal rotary shaft3(radially outward direction).

A description will now be given of the ribs6of the Magnus type wind power generator A according to the present embodiment, the torque value N (rotation torque) of the horizontal rotary shaft3in the power generating mechanism2, and the wind speed u with reference to Table 4. Table 4 is a chart showing a relationship between the wind speed u and the torque value N when the rotary column5is rotated at a rotational speed of 1080 [min−1] where plot (h) shows a relationship between the wind speed u and the torque value N for the rotary column5without the spiral rib6, and plot (i) shows a relationship between the wind speed u and the torque value N for the rotary column5with the spiral rib6.

Namely, a comparison between plot (h) of the rotary column5without the rib6as means to add the air flows along the rotary column5and plot (i) of the rotary column5with the rib6shows that although the torque value N of plot (h) of the rotary column5without the rib6is approximately constant independently of the wind speed u, the torque value N of plot (i) of the rotary column5with the rib6increases as the wind speed u increases, which shows that the wind power is efficiently converted into the Magnus lift Y.

This shows that the rotary columns5of the Magnus type wind power generator A according to the present invention can generate the Magnus lift Y most efficiently from the normal condition where the wind speed of the natural wind is low to the strong wind condition where the wind speed thereof is high, a rotational efficiency of the horizontal rotary shaft3thus can be increased, and it is consequently possible to produce a Magnus type wind power generator A with a low energy loss, and to generate the electric power in the wind speed range from the low wind speed to the high wind speed of the natural wind.

Moreover, as shown in Table 4, in plot (h) of the rotary column5without the rib6, if the wind speed u becomes 20 m, an inverse Magnus effect is generated to cause the torque value N to present a negative value, while the rotary column5provided with the rib6shown in plot (i) is hardly affected by the inverse Magnus effect, thereby increasing the torque value N.

Then, a proof experiment was carried out outdoors using the Magnus type wind power generator A according to the present embodiment, and a description will now be given of the wind speed and generated power outputs W of the Magnus type wind power generator A according to the present embodiment and a propeller wind turbine type wind power generator with reference to Table 5. Table 5 is a chart showing a relationship between the wind speed and the generated power outputs W of the Magnus type wind power generator A according to the present embodiment and the propeller wind turbine type wind power generator, each having a wind turbine diameter of 2 m, where plot (j) shows the wind speed and the generated power output W of the conventional propeller wind turbine type wind power generator, plot (k) shows the wind speed and the generated power output W of the Magnus type wind power generator A according to the present embodiment, and plot (l) shows a Rayleigh distribution of the wind speed while an average annual wind speed is 6 m (observation location: Akita prefecture).

In a neighborhood of a wind speed of 5 m where the wind speed relative frequency (%) is highest in plot (l) of the Rayleigh distribution of the annual average wind speed, a comparison between the generated power output W of plot (j) of the conventional propeller wind turbine type wind power generator and the generated power output W of plot (k) of the Magnus type wind power generator A according to the present embodiment shows that the generated power output W of plot (k) of the Magnus type wind power generator A is higher than the generated power output W of plot (j) of the conventional propeller wind turbine type wind power generator.

This implies that, for the natural wind with the wind speed in a low speed range (5 m or less), which most frequently occurs around year, the Magnus type wind power generator A according to the present embodiment can generate the electric power with a higher efficiency than the propeller wind turbine type wind power generator, and it is possible to employ the Magnus type wind power generator A according to the present embodiment to secure a more annual generated power.

A description will now be given of air flow means of a rotary column5baccording to an embodiment 2 with reference toFIG. 5. It should be noted that configurations same as the above-described configurations will be explained in no more detail.

FIG. 5is a front view showing the rotary column5bprovided with a combined body9baccording to the embodiment 2. A surface of a covering material8bmade of a synthetic resin or weather resistant light alloy are recessed and projected to form a large number of dimples7b. Upon an axial outer surface of the rotary column5bis integrally covered with the combined body9bwhich is the combination of the dimples7bwith a fin member serving as the air flow means according to the present embodiment integrally wound at a predetermined lead upon the surface of the covering material8b, namely a rib6bin the spiral shape.

As shown inFIG. 5, by providing the dimples7bupon the surface of the rotary column5b, the surface area of the rotary column5bis increased, and, at the same time, the multiple dimples7bdisturb the surface layer flows (boundary layer). The spiral rib6bcan cause the air to smoothly flow upon the surface of the rotary column5b, and the generation of the flow components V of the air flows F generated upon the outer peripheral surface of the rotary column5brestrains the separation of the surface layer flows to increase the circulation, thereby increasing the Magnus lift Y generated upon the rotary column5b.

It should be noted that a large number of the dimples7bmay be directly formed by recessing and projecting the surface of the rotary column5bwithout using the covering material8b, and the rib6bmay be wound around the surface of the rotary column5bupon which the dimples7bare formed by recessing and projecting. The dimples5bintended herein may have any shapes as long as they form recesses and projections to disturb the surface layer flows.

A description will now be given of air flow means of a rotary column5caccording to an embodiment 3 with reference toFIG. 6. It should be noted that configurations same as the above-described configurations will be explained in no more detail.

FIG. 6is a front view showing a rotary column5cwhere dimples7care provided upon a rib6cof a combined body9caccording to the embodiment 3, and an axial outer peripheral surface of the rotary column5cis integrally covered with the combined body9cwhich combines a covering material8cupon which a large number of the dimples7care formed by recessing and projecting, a fin member serving as the air flow means according to the present embodiment, namely the spiral rib6c, provided upon the covering material8c, and a large number of the dimples7cformed by recessing and projecting a top surface10cas an extreme end surface, according to the present embodiment, of the spiral rib6c.

As shown inFIG. 6, since there are formed a large number of the dimples7cupon the top surface10cof the spiral rib6cin addition to a large number of the dimples7cformed by recessing and projecting the covering material8c, and the multiple dimples7cdisturb the surface layer flows (boundary layer), the Magnus lift Y generated upon the rotary column5cincreases. Moreover, the rib6ccan cause the air to smoothly flow upon the surface of the rotary column5c, and it is thus possible to generate the air flow components V of the air flows F generated upon the outer peripheral surface of the rotary column5c.

Upon the top surface10cas the extreme end surface of the rib6cof the combined body9c, projections in a hemispherical shape may be formed by projection in addition to the dimples7c, and the dimples7cand the projections disturb the surface layer flows upon the extreme end surface of the rib6c, and restrain the separation thereof to increase the circulation, thereby additionally increasing the Magnus lift Y generated upon the rotary column5c.

A description will now be given of air flow means of a rotary column5daccording to an embodiment 4 with reference toFIG. 7. It should be noted that configurations same as the above-described configurations will be explained in no more detail.

FIG. 7is a front view showing the rotary column5dprovided with a groove17daccording to the embodiment 4. An axial outer peripheral surface of the5dis recessed to form the spiral groove17dserving as the air flow means according to the present embodiment, and the groove17dis formed as a right-handed helix in a right-hand thread shape as viewed from an extreme end surface of the rotary column5d, and an end cap16dis attached to the extreme end surface of the rotary column5d.

Moreover, when the rotary column5dis rotated, the rotational direction of the rotary column5dis counterclockwise if the groove17dis formed as the right-handed helix in the right-hand thread shape as viewed from the extreme end surface of the rotary column5d, and the winding direction of the spiral of the groove17dis thus opposite to the rotational direction of the rotary column5d.

As a result, the air flowing upon the outer peripheral surface of the rotary column5dcan be caused to flow toward the horizontal rotary shaft, and it is possible to generate the air flows F upon the outer peripheral surface of the rotary column5d, thereby generating the air flow components V parallel with the axis of the rotary column5d, resulting in an increase of the Magnus lift Y generated upon the rotary column5d. Simultaneously, the end cap16dprovided upon the extreme end surface of the rotary column5dis caused to affect air flows in a neighborhood of the end cap16dthereby generating a large Magnus lift Y in the neighborhood of the end cap16dof the rotary column5d.

A description will now be given of air flow means of a rotary column5eaccording to an embodiment 5 with reference toFIG. 8andFIG. 9. It should be noted that configurations same as the above-described configurations will be explained in no more detail.

FIG. 8is a front view showing the rotary column5eprovided with two ribs6eaccording to the embodiment 5, andFIG. 9is a perspective view showing the rotary column5eprovided with the two ribs6ewhere the fin members serving as air flow means according to the present embodiment, namely the two spiral ribs6eare attached upon an axial outer peripheral surface of the rotary column5e, the ribs6eforming a double-helix are fixed so as to form a right-handed helix in a right-hand thread shape as viewed from an extreme end surface of the rotary column5e, and an end cap16eis attached to the extreme end surface of the rotary column5e.

It should be noted that the ribs6eprovided upon the rotary column5eare not limited to the two-streak spiral, and may be configured by a multi-streak spiral such as spiral having three, four, or more streaks. By providing a large number of the ribs6e, it is possible to cause more air to smoothly flow upon the surface of the rotary column5eby means of the ribs6e, and it is thus possible to generate the air flows F upon the outer peripheral surface of the rotary column5e, thereby generating the air flow components V parallel with the axis of the rotary column5e, resulting in an increase of the Magnus effect generated upon the rotary column5eand an increase of the Magnus lift Y.

A description will now be given of air flow means of a rotary column5faccording to an embodiment 6 with reference toFIG. 10. It should be noted that configurations same as the above-described configurations will be explained in no more detail.

FIG. 10is a front view showing the rotary column5faccording to the embodiment 6, an end cap16fis attached to an extreme end of the rotary column5f, and fin members serving as air flow means according to the present embodiment, namely two ribs6fare attached upon an axial outer peripheral surface in a neighborhood of the extreme end of the rotary column5f. By providing the end cap16fupon the extreme end of the rotary column5f, and simultaneously, providing the ribs6fin the neighborhood of the extreme end of the rotary column5f, it is possible to increase the Magnus lift Y generated in the neighborhood of the extreme end of the rotary column5f.

A description will now be given of air flow means of a rotary column5gaccording to an embodiment 7 with reference toFIG. 11. It should be noted that configurations same as the above-described configurations will be explained in no more detail.

FIG. 11is a perspective view showing the end cap16gaccording to the embodiment 7, the end cap16gin a disk shape is attached to an extreme end surface of the rotary column5g, and upon a inside surface of the end cap16gfacing the rotary column5gare provided multiple fins6gserving as the air flow means according to the present embodiment. These fins6gare attached to radially expand toward the outside, and simultaneously, are formed as a curved shape to cause air to flow in a neighborhood of the rotary column5g.

If the rotary column5gshown inFIG. 11is rotated forward, the air in the neighborhood of the end cap16gis caused to flow so as to be drawn toward the rotary column5gby the fins6gprovided upon the end cap16g, and an air flow is generated upon a surface of the rotary column5g, thereby increasing a Magnus lift Y generated upon the rotary column5g. If the rotary column5gis rotated reversely, the air in the neighborhood of the end cap16gis caused to flow so as to be released outward, and an air flow is generated upon the surface of the rotary column5g, thereby increasing the Magnus lift Y generated upon the rotary column5g.

A description will now be given of a Magnus type wind power generator A according to an embodiment 8 with reference toFIG. 12. It should be noted that configurations same as the above-described configurations will be explained in no more detail.

FIG. 12is a front view showing the Magnus type wind power generator A according to the embodiment 8, rotary columns25of the Magnus type wind power generator A are respectively constituted by an inner cylinder39fixed to a rotating body24, and an outer cylinder40slidably attached to an outer periphery of the inner cylinder39. The outer cylinder40is configured so as to slide in the radial direction with respect to the horizontal rotary shaft23by an extension/contraction motor (not shown) driven according to control of a control circuit (not shown).

Upon an axial outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder40is fixed the fin member serving as the air flow means according to the embodiment 1 shown inFIG. 4, namely the rib26, and an axial outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder39fixed to the rotary body24is recessed and projected to form a large number of the dimples7baccording to the embodiment 2 shown inFIG. 5. It should be noted that the air flow means according to other embodiments 3 to 7 shown inFIG. 6toFIG. 11may be provided upon the inner cylinder19or the outer cylinder20.

As shown inFIG. 12, since the rotary columns25can extend and contract, the rotary columns25can be extended/contracted according to the direction and the wind speed of the natural wind. In a normal state where the wind speed is low, the outer cylinders40of the rotary columns25are slid outward to extend the rotary columns25, thereby maximizing an area of the rotary columns25to receive the wind, and thus increasing the Magnus lift Y generated upon the rotary columns25, resulting in an efficient power generation of the Magnus type wind power generator A.

Moreover, upon a strong wind where the wind speed is high, the outer cylinders40of the rotary columns25are slid inward to contract the rotary columns25, thereby reducing the wind receiving area of the rotary columns25, resulting in preventing the support base21from being destroyed, and preventing the rotary columns25from being damaged. Further, upon the strong wind, the drive by the driving motors35that rotate the rotary columns25is stopped, and the Magnus lift Y generated upon the rotary columns25thus disappears, thereby stopping the rotation of the rotary body24, resulting in preventing the Magnus type wind power generator A from being broken. Especially according to the present embodiment, since the outer cylinder40provided with the rib26is located on the side of the extreme end of the rotary column25, the torque can be obtained as much as possible.

A description will now be given of a Magnus type wind power generator according to an embodiment 9 with reference toFIG. 13andFIG. 14. It should be noted that configurations same as the above-described configurations will be explained in no more detail.

FIG. 13is a longitudinal side cross sectional view of a rotary body41of the Magnus type wind power generator according to the embodiment 9, andFIG. 14is a longitudinal rear cross sectional view made in a plane and in a direction indicated by B showing the rotary body41inFIG. 13. As shown inFIG. 13, six rotary columns43are provided upon an outer periphery of the rotary body41on a front side of the horizontal rotary shaft42connected to the power generating mechanism, and within the rotary body41is provided one driving motor44used to rotate the rotary columns43.

The driving motor44is connected to a bevel gear45with a large diameter, and, as shown inFIG. 14, the bevel gear45is disposed at the center of the rotary body41, and is meshed with bevel gears46with a small diameter provided upon the six rotary columns43. If the driving motor44is caused to drive, the six rotary columns43can be rotated. Since the driving motor44the number of which is smaller than the number of the rotary columns43can be used to drive the respective rotary columns43, an electric power used to drive the drive motor44can be saved, thereby increasing the electric power generation efficiency of the Magnus type wind power generator.

Although the embodiments according to the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention includes modifications and additions within a scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, although the spiral rib is provided as the air flow means applied to the rotary columns, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is apparent that the air flow may be generated in any methods as long as a surface which generates lift is formed upon the surfaces of the rotary columns.

Further, although the end caps in the disk shape are provided upon the extreme end surfaces of the rotary columns, the present invention is not limited to this, and the end cap can be any shape as long as it serves to maintain a difference in pressure between the positive pressure and the negative pressure.

It should be noted that although the six rotary columns are provided upon the rotary body in the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this, and there may be provided two, three, or a required number of the rotary columns.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The Magnus type wind power generator according to the present invention can have a wide range of applications from a large-scale wind power generation to a household small wind power generation, resulting in a substantial contribution to the wind power generation industry. Moreover, when the Magnus type lift generation mechanism according to the present invention is applied to rotor ships, rotor vehicles, and the like, it is expected that an efficiency of mobility of the vehicles increase.