WIND TURBINE

Abstract: A cross-flow wind turbine comprising a rotor mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and a plurality of blade assemblies mounted on the rotor. Each blade assembly comprises a blade (16) of aerofoil section mounted vertically for pivotal movement about a vertical shaft (12). The turbine also includes a device (18) for measuring the direction of the apparent fluid velocity, a shaft encoder for measuring the blade angle and a control system (22) to set the blade angle such that the lift component of the aerodynamic forces on the blade (16) contributes positively to the driving torque on the rotor.

Description: "WIND TURBINE" The present invention relates to turbines, and more particularly to wind turbines. The Savonius turbine, Darrieus turbine and the cup anenometer are examples of typical cross-flow wind turbines. A substantial advantage of these turbines is that their vertical axis of rotation makes them insensitive to wind direction. However, as these turbines have blades of fixed orientation fluid flow through the rotor is not always optimal. The performance of these types of turbines at "off-design' tip-speed ratios is therefore poor. (Tip-speed ratio is defined as the ratio between the blade velocity relative to the ground and the velocity of the free stream relative to the ground i.e. ΩR/V X ). In particular, the Savonius and cup anenometer type turbines suffer large losses and only perform satisfactorily at low tip-speed ratios typically up to about 1.5. The Darrieus turbine on the other hand operates at higher tip-speed ratios typically 3 to 7, but the range of tip-speed ratios for effective operation is narrow and the turbine is not self-starting. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cross-flow wind turbine comprising a plurality of blades of aerofoil section mounted for movement along a predetermined path, and means for continually setting the blade and/or a flap on the blade such that the lift component of the aerodynamic force on the blade and flap contributes positively to the driving torque on the rotor. Preferably, the blades are mounted on a rotor for rotation about a vertical axis. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a cross-flow wind turbine comprising a rotor mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, and a plurality of blade assemblies mounted on the rotor, each blade assembly comprising a blade of aerofoil section mounted vertically for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, means for measuring at least two of the angles φ, α and Ψ wherein φ is the direction of the apparent fluid velocity (as hereinafter defined), α is the angle of attack of the blade (as hereinafter defined) and Ψ is the blade angle (as hereinafter defined), and control means responsive to the measuring means to set the blade such that the lift component of the aerodynamic force on the blade contributes positively to the driving torque on the rotor. The means for measuring the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity may comprise a weathercock mounted for pivotal movement about a vertical pivot axis adjacent the blade. Preferably, the weathercock is mounted on a vertical axis positioned ahead of the leading edge of the blade. Alternatively, the means for measuring the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity V may comprise a plurality of pressure measuring devices mounted on the blade and analyzing means for determining the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity V from the pressure measurements. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a cross-flow wind turbine comprising a rotor mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, and a plurality of blade assemblies mounted on the rotor, each blade assembly comprising a blade of aerofoil section mounted vertically for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, a flap pivotally mounted on the trailing edge of the blade, means for measuring at least two of the angles φ, α and f wherein φ is the direction of the apparent fluid velocity (as hereinafter defined), α is the angle of attack of the blade (as hereinafter defined) and Ψ is the blade angle (as hereinafter defined), first control means for setting the blade angle Ψ (as hereinafter defined) substantially to the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity (as hereinafter defined) and second control means for controlling the flap angle β (as hereinafter defined) such that the flap angle β (as hereinafter defined) is positive when the angle φ of the apparent fluid velocity (as hereinafter defined) is positive and the flap angle β (as hereinafter defined) is negative when the angle φ of the apparent fluid velocity (as hereinafter defined) is negative, whereby the lift component of the aerodynamic force on the blade and the flap contributes positively to the driving torque on the rotor. Preferably the pivotal flap is mounted immediately adjacent the trailing edge of the blade. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a cross-flow wind turbine comprising a rotor mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, and a plurality of blade assemblies mounted on the rotor, each blade assembly comprising a blade of aerofoil section mounted vertically for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, a flap pivotally mounted on the trailing edge of the blade, means for measuring at least two of the angle φ, α and Ψ wherein φ is the direction of the apparent fluid velocity (as hereinafter defined) a is the angle of attack of the blade (as hereinafter defined) and Ψ is the blade angle (as hereinafter defined), first control means for setting the blade angle Ψ (as hereinafter defined) substantially to the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity (as hereinafter defined) and second control means for controlling the flap angle β (as hereinafter defined) such that the flap angle β (as hereinafter defined) is positive when the angle φ of the apparent fluid velocity (as hereinafter defined) is positive and the flap angle β (as hereinafter defined) is negative when the angle φ of the apparent fluid velocity (as hereinafter defined) is negative, whereby the lift component of the aerodynamic force on the blade and the flap contributes positively to the driving torque on the rotor. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a cross-flow wind turbine comprising a rotor mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, and a plurality of blade assemblies mounted on the rotor, each blade assembly comprising a blade of aerofoil section mounted vertically for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, means for measuring the blade angle f (as hereinafter defined), at least one aerofoil stabilizer fixed to the blade having at least one movable control surface and control means responsive to the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity (as hereinafter defined) to change the angle τ of the movable control surface (as hereinafter defined), the movement in the control surface resulting in a change in the angle of attack a (as hereinafter defined) of the blade, such that the lift component of the aerodynamic forces on the blade and the control surface contribute positively to the driving torque on the rotor. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a cross-flow wind turbine comprising a rotor mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and a plurality of blade assemblies mounted on the rotor, each blade assembly comprising a blade of aerofoil section mounted vertically, a flap i' otally mounted on the trailing edge of the blade, means for measuring the apparent wind direction φ (as hereinafter defined) or angle of attack α •(as hereinafter defined), and control means for setting the flap angle β (as hereinafter defined) as a function of the angle of attack α (as hereinafter defined). Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a turbine rotor; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a blade illustrating angles α, φ and Ψ; Figures 3a and 3b illustrate the lift forces on a blade; Figure 4 illustrates a first embodiment of a blade arrangement according to the invention; Figure 5 illustrates a second embodiment of a blade arrangement according to the invention; Figure 6 is a graph illustrating the relationship between angles φ and α, β or τ; Figures 7a and 7b show flap arrangements suitable for use with the second, third or fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 7c illustrates a four bar linkage used to connect the flap to the blade; Figure 8 illustrates a third embodiment of a blade arrangement according to the invention; Figure 9 illustrates the lift forces on the blade arrangement shown in Figure 8; Figure 10 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a blade arrangement according to the invention; Figure 11 illustrates a statically stable blade; Figure 12 illustrates a fifth embodiment of a blade arrangement according to the invention; Figure 13 illustrates the relationship between β and φ or α for the blade arrangement shown in Figure 12; and Figure 14 illustrates approximately how α varies with the tip-speed ratio and angle θ; Figure 1 represents schematically an axial view of a turbine rotor rotating with angular velocity Ω. The rotor shaft at 0 carries a radial arm which supports a blade in bearings at B. The blade is thereby constrained to move in a circular orbit about the rotor shaft. Line OB represents a radial arm of length R whose position relative to the free-stream wind is defined by angle θ. The free stream velocity is shown as V x . The vector diagram originating at B illustrates that the apparent fluid velocity V is the vector sum of the velocity V 2 of the fluid at B relative to the ground and the ground velocity V G relative to the blade (V β = ΩR). The apparent fluid velocity V relative to the blade makes an angle φ to the tangent to the orbit at B, and an angle α to the blade chord. The chord of the blade makes an angle Ψ to the tangent at B. The relationship between φ and Ψ is: α = φ - f This relationship between the angle of attack α, the angle φ of the apparent fluid velocity V and the angle of the blade Ψ is best shown in Figure 2. [Note: All angles are considered positive when measured anticlockwise from the tangent BC and negative when measured clockwise from the tangent BC] The aerodynamic forces on any blade or aerofoil are commonly resolved into two components. These components are the lift component L and the drag component D. By definition the drag component is in the direction of the apparent wind V and the lift component is perpendicular to the drag component. Over the working range of a simple symmetric aerofoil the lift component L is proportional to the angle of attack α. Thus the lift component L is zero at zero angle of attack α and changes sign when the angle of attack α changes sign. The lift component L dominates over the effects of the drag component D in most circumstances. The exceptions to this rule occuring, when α is very small, and when a is so large as to be outside the normal working range causing the aerofoil to stall. Figures 3a and 3b show the lift component L on a blade. With the lift component L as shown in Figure 3a, the moment about the rotor axis O will be in the same direction as Ω, thereby serving to drive the rotor in the direction of rotation. Furthermore, for any angle 0 < φ < 180° the lift component L will produce a moment in the direction of Ω and will thereby drive the rotor. Similarly, Figure 3b shows that for any angles in the range 180 < φ < 360° the lift component L must have the opposite sign in order to drive the rotor. Thus, in order to achieve the objective of having the lift component from the blade drive the turbine, the sign of the lift component L must be controlled. This can be done by altering the angle of attack α of the blade, and/or by the use of blade flaps. In summary, in order for the lift component L on each blade to contribute positively to the driving torque on the rotor, for the range -180° < φ < 180°, the angle of attack α (or flap angle β) must change sign when the angle φ changes sign. Figure 4 illustrates a blade arrangement for a turbine that operates to control the blade angle of attack α and make it dependent upon the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity V. A rotor shaft (not shown) carries radial arms 10a, 10b which support a vertical shaft 12 in bearings 14a, 14b. Blade 16 is rigidly mounted on shaft 12 which is free to pivot about a vertical axis through bearings 14a, 14b. A weathercock 18 supported in bearing 20 is mounted co-axially with the vertical shaft 12. Weathercock 18 is free to pivot about vertical shaft 12 to thereby align itself in the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity V. The angle φ can then be determined by measuring the angle between the weathercock 18 and the arm 10a. The forward aerofoil 18a of the weathercock 18 aerodynamically damps the motion of the weathercock 18. A control system 22 is mounted on radial arm 10a to drive the blade 16 to thereby adjust the angle of attack α of the blade 16. A universal joint 23 on shaft 12 allows the shaft 12 to flex during rotatio . During operation, weathercock 18 is used to continuously measure the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity V. The blade angle ¥ may be measured by a shaft encoder mounted within the control system 22. Blade angle Ψ and the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity V are fed as inputs to the control system 22. The control system 22 uses the simple relationship a = φ-Ψ to calculate the current blade angle of attack α. The control system 22 adjusts the blade angle f to maintain the desired magnitude and sign of the angle of attack a so that the lift component L contributes positively to the driving torque. Figure 6 illustrates an adequate relationship between the angle of attack a and the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity. In order to minimize the load on the servo motor, both the centre of gravity and the centre of lift of the blade 16 should be close to the axis of the vertical shaft 12. Weathercock 18 must be carefully balanced with its centre of gravity on its pivot axis otherwise centrifugal forces will prevent its proper operation. The weathercock 18 must also be light and relatively short so that it will react quickly to changes in wind direction. The weathercock 18 as shown in Figure 4 is of a stylized form only. Alternatively, the weathercock 18 could have a biplane tail which would help keep the tail clear of any aerodynamic disturbances resulting from the blade. Although weathercock 18 has been used to measure the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity V this measurement could be obtained by other means. One method seen to be particularly advantageous, involves measuring the pressure at at least three points on the blade surface. This would allow the calculation of both the magnitude and direction of the fluid velocity relative to the blade. In practice, preferably four pressure measurements would be taken on a symmetrical blade. This extra pressure measurement would provide information that would be useful to determine the direction to turn a stalled blade. This method of determining angle φ is probably only suited to very large turbines but is preferable as it eliminates the need to rely on delicate, light weight weathercocks whose performance may be unreliable. Another method by which the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity V could be obtained is by use of a yaw meter mounted on one of the arms. The blade arrangement shown in Figure 5 is similar to that of Figure 4 with the exception that the aerofoil or blade 16 has a pivotal aerofoil flap 16a attached to its trailing edge. This type of aerofoil blade 16 with attached flap 16a commonly has its best lift/drag ratio when the aerofoil blade 16 is at approximately zero angle of attack α. The turbine illustrated in Figure 5 takes advantage of this feature in order to separate the control system into two independent parts. The first part of the control system 22a drives the blade 16 to follow the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity V with nominally zero angle of attack (ie. Ψ = φ). The second part of the control system 22b, which may be mounted within the blade 16, sets the flap 16a to flap angle β. The angle β is defined relative to the chord line of the blade 16. The magnitude of the flap angle β is determined on the basis of the required power output and the sign of angle β is identical to the sign of angle φ. Figure 6 illustrates the relationship between angle φ and the flap angle β. Flap 16a thereby ensures that the lift force L on the blade 16 contributes positively at all times to the driving torque on the rotor. The blade arrangement shown in Figure 5 is structurally more complex than that of Figure 4 because of the need to incorporate a separate flap 16a. Figure 7a shows a conventional blade with flap design, typically used for aircraft ailerons. An alternative would be to use a separate aerofoil flap 16a as shown in Figure 7B. It has been found that the best location for the leading edge of the flap 16a is just under the trailing edge of the blade 16, as shown in Figure 7b. The problem with this type of flap arrangement is that a simple hinge cannot be used to connect the flap 16a to the blade 16 if the flap 16a is required to move both up and down. A simple four bar linkage illustrated in Figure 7c will overcome this problem. As shown in Figure 7c, hinge points A and B are attached to the blade 16 and hinge points C and D are attached to the flap 16a. Links AD and BC are rigid links. The blade arrangement shown in Figure 8 is similar to the blade arrangement of Figure 5 with the exception that a tail 24 is mounted directly to the blade 16. The flap/blade arrangement can be either of the arrangements shown in Figures 7a, 7b. The blade 16 is set to zero angle of attack α by means of fixed tail 24. Blade 16 thereby follows the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity V. As with the weathercock 18, a forward canard aerofoil may be useful to increase the aerodynamic damping. Control system 22 measures the blade angle Ψ and uses the approximation φ = Ψ to determine the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity V. The magnitude of the flap angle β is determined on the basis of the required power output and the sign of angle β is identical to the sign of the angle φ. The desired relationship between angle β and angle φ is shown in Figure 6. Control system 22b may be mounted within blade 16 and adjusts the flap angle β such that the lift force L serves to drive the rotor. Figure 9 illustrates the lift force L on the blade arrangement shown in Figure 8. Point B is the pivot axis of the blade 16 and point A is the centre of lift of the blade 16 and the flap 16a but without its associated tail 24. With this type of blade arrangement, the centre of lift A would advantageously be in front of the pivot point B and thus the lift component L l r on the blade 16 and the flap 16a combined, and the lift component L 2 , on the tail 24 are both positive and both serve to drive the rotor. A refinement to the blade arrangement shown in Figure 8 involves the addition of a servo control system to detect the angular acceleration of the blade 16. The control system would then apply a torque to the blade 16 proportional to the angular acceleration thus compensating for the effects of the inertia of the blade 16. Furthermore such a control system may also be used to compensate the aerodynamic damping of the blade 16. These control systems would dramatically improve the response of the blade 16 to changes in wind direction. Figure 10 illustrates another blade arrangement for a turbine according to the present invention. The blade arrangement is similar to that of Figure 8 however with this arrangement there is no flap 16a. The blade comprises more than one aerofoil and at least one of the aerofoils must be movable to change the decalage τ. The decalage angle τ is defined as the angle between the chord of the aerofoil control surface 24 and the chord of the aerofoil blade 16, see Figure 11. The intention of this design is to allow the aerodynamic forces on the blade 16 and the tail 24 to maintain the blade 16 at an angle of attack α in accordance with Figure 6. As the angle of attack α must change sign according to the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity V, the decalage angle τ of the movable aerofoil tail 24 must be controlled by a mechanism with an input φ and an external signal identifying the desired magnitude of the angle of attack α. Control system 22b may be mounted in the blade 16 to drive the tail 24. Tail 24 may alternatively be in the form of a fixed stabilizer and a moving 'elevator' control surface. A shaft encoder or similar device would measure the blade angle Ψ. In order for the blade arrangement of Figures 8 and 10 to be statically stable, the aerodynamic centre A a of the combined blade 16 and tail 24 (Figure 11) must be behind the pivot point B of the blade 16. This will ensure that, if the angle of attack α of the blade 16 is increased from its equilibrium position to α + δα, the additional lift component 6L acting through the aerodynamic centre A will result in a moment about B tending to restore blade 16 to its equilibrium position. With turbines of the type shown in Figure 10 it is easier to measure the blade angle Ψ than the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity V. The approximation φ = Ψ may then be used to determine the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity V. The relationship between the angle τ of the moving stabilizer or control surface and the blade angle ϊ is as shown in Figure 6. The tail 24 used to control the blade lift must be moved twice per rotor revolution, at φ = 0 and φ = ±180. That is, each time the decalage angle changes from +τ to -τ, or from -τ to +τ. A simple cam mechanism could be used to move the blade. Alternatively, a simple hydraulic or electric mechanism could be used. These later systems would be preferred as the energy required could be drawn from an external source. A refinement to the turbine shown in Figure 10 is to include the additional servo-control system as described previously with respect to the arrangement shown in Figure 8. Australian Patent 522160 to Telford describes a turbine arrangement somewhat similar to that shown in Figure 10. However with Telford's blade arrangement the pivot B is placed ahead of the centre of lift A of the blade 16, whereas in the present invention the centre of lift A is in front of the pivot B. Telford's arrangement results in a positive lift component L x on the blade and a negative lift component L 2 on the stabilizer. The sum of the two lift components produces a resultant lift component L which acts at the blade pivot point B. This is contrary to the blade arrangement of the present invention, where there is a positive lift component on both the tail 24 and the blade 16 resulting in better blade lift/drag ratios. Figure 12 illustrates a blade arrangement for a turbine which is similar to the Darrieus turbine. However, the turbine has both an improved performance and operates over a broader tip-speed ratio range. (Tip-speed ratio is the ratio between the blade velocity relative to the ground and the velocity of the free stream relative to the ground ie. ΩR/Vj . As shown in Figure 10, the blade 16 is fixed to radial arms 10a, 10b such that the chord of the blade 16 is tangential to its orbit about the rotor shaft. The direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity V is determined by the weathercock 18. Figure 14 illustrates approximately how the angle φ of the apparent wind velocity V varies with the tip-speed ratio and angle θ. Since the blades 16 are fixed with their chord tangential to their orbit, the angle of attack α of the blade is equal to φ, the direction of the apparent fluid velocity V (i.e. α = φ and Ψ = 0). It should be noted that with a conventional Darrieus rotor at low tip speed-ratios, the angle of attack a will exceed 15 for some part of the rotor orbit, and thus a simple aerofoil blade, as used on a Darrieus rotor would be expected to stall. Furthermore, at higher tip-speed ratios the angle of attack a is small and so the blade lift L will be small and the lift/drag ratio poor. Thus the blade lift L will contribute little to the rotor torque. The conventional Darrieus rotor therefore stops functioning at low tip-speed ratios because the blades stall, and stops functioning at high tip-speed ratios partly because at such small angles of attack the effects of blade drag outweigh the effects of blade lift. Flap 16a on the rotor overcomes these problems. The flap 16a can be used to increase the blade lift L when the angle of attack α is small, and to delay stall when the angle of attack a is large. The flap angle β is set by a servo-system 22b within the blade 16. The approximate relationship between the flap angle β and the angle of attack α is shown in Figure 13. A reasonable criterion for choosing the form of angle β as a function of angle α would be to require that the lift-coefficient for the blade 16 remain constant irrespective of the angle of attack α and this would result in the form shown as a solid line in Figure 13. The chain-dotted line shows the form of the function to be used if less blade lift is required and the dotted line indicates how the function may be modified to avoid the necessity for instantaneous movement of the flap when the angle of attack passes a = o. The disadvantage with this type of blade arrangement is that in some instances it may not self-starting and must be driven up to working speed. Although all the embodiments of the invention describe the blades as being attached to radial arms which are attached to a central rotor, the blades may alternatively be mounted vertically in a conforming track arrangement and thereby be driven around the track. The embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A cross-flow wind turbine comprising a plurality of blades of aerofoil section mounted for movement along a predetermined path, and means for continually setting the blade and/or a flap on the blade such that the lift component of the aerodynamic force on the blade and flap contributes positively to the driving torque on the rotor. 2. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 1 wherein the blades are mounted on a rotor for rotation about a vertical axis. 3. A cross-flow wind turbine comprising a rotor mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, and a plurality of blade assemblies mounted on the rotor, each blade assembly comprising a blade of aerofoil section mounted vertically for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, means for measuring at least two of the angles φ, α and f wherein φ is the direction of the apparent fluid velocity (as hereinbefore defined), α is the angle of attack of the blade (as hereinbefore defined) and Ψ is the blade angle (as hereinbefore defined), and control means responsive to the measuring means to set the blade such that the lift component of the aerodynamic force on the blade contributes positively to the driving torque on the rotor. 4. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 3 wherein each blade assembly is pivotally mounted on at least one rotor arm extending relative to from the rotor axis. 5. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the means for measuring the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity comprises a freely pivotal vane mounted for pivotal movement about a vertical axis adjacent the blade. 6. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 5 wherein the vane is mounted on a vertical axis positioned ahead of the leading edge of the blade. 7. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 5 wherein the vane is mounted co-axial with the blade. 8. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the means for measuring the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity comprises pressure measuring means mounted on the blade and analyzing means for determining the angle of attack a of the blade from the pressure measurements obtained from the pressure measuring means and means to determine the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity according to the relationship φ = α + Ψ. 9. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 8 wherein the pressure measuring means is operable to measure the pressure at at least three points on the blade surface. 10. A cross-flow wind turbine according to any one of claims 3 to 9 wherein the control means is mounted on one of the rotor arms. 11. A cross-flow wind turbine comprising a rotor mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, and a plurality of blade assemblies mounted on the rotor, each blade assembly comprising a blade of aerofoil section mounted vertically for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, a flap pivotally mounted on the trailing edge of the blade, means for measuring at least two of the angles φ, α and Ψ wherein φ is the direction of the apparent fluid velocity (as hereinbefore defined), α is the angle of attack of the blade (as hereinbefore defined) and f is the blade angle (as hereinbefore defined), first control means for setting the blade angle Ψ (as hereinbefore defined) substantially to the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity (as hereinbefore defined) and second control means for controlling the flap angle β (as hereinbefore defined) such that the flap angle β (as hereinbefore defined) is positive when the angle φ of the apparent fluid velocity (as hereinbefore defined) is positive and the flap angle β (as hereinbefore defined) is negative when the angle φ of the apparent fluid velocity (as hereinbefore defined) is negative, whereby the lift component of the aerodynamic force on the blade and the flap contributes positively to the driving torque on the rotor. 12. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 11 wherein each blade assembly is pivotally mounted on at least one rotor arm extending radially relative to the rotor axis. 13. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the means for measuring the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity comprises a freely pivotal vane mounted for pivotal movement about a vertical axis adjacent the blade. 14. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 13 wherein the vane is mounted on a vertical axis positioned ahead of the leading edge of the blade. 15. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 13 wherein the vane is mounted co-axial with the blade. 16. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 13 wherein the means for measuring the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity comprises a pressure measuring device mounted on the blade and analyzing means for determining the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity from the results of pressure measurements obtained from the pressure measuring device and measurements of the blade angle Ψ and the flap angle β. 17. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 11 or 12 wherein the pressure measuring device is operative to measure the pressure at least three points on the blade surface. 18. A cross-flow wind turbine according to any one of claims 11 to 17 wherein the flap is mounted substantially adjacent the trailing edge of the blade. 19. A cross-flow wind turbine according to any one of claims 11 to 17 wherein the leading edge of the flap is positioned adjacent and below the trailing edge of the blade. 20. A cross-flow wind turbine comprising a rotor mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, and a plurality of blade assemblies mounted on the rotor, each blade assembly comprising a blade of aerofoil section mounted vertically for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, a flap pivotally mounted on the trailing edge of the blade, means to measure the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity (as hereinbefore defined), a stabilizer attached to the blade, said stabilizer being adapted to ensure that the blade is maintained at substantially zero angle of attack α (as hereinbefore defined), and control means for controlling the flap angle β (as hereinbefore defined) such that the flap angle β (as hereinbefore defined) is positive when the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity (as hereinbefore defined) is positive and the flap angle β (as hereinbefore defined) is negative when the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity (as hereinbefore defined) is negative, whereby the lift component of the aerodynamic force on the blade and the flap contributes positively to the driving torque on the rotor. 21. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 20 wherein each blade assembly is pivotally mounted on at least one rotor arm extending radially relative to the rotor axis. 22. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 20 or claim 21 further comprising control means for controlling the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity, said control means having an input equal to the blade angle Ψ and, said control means determining the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity according to the approximation φ = Ψ. 23. A cross-flow wind turbine according to any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein the magnitude of the flap angle β is determined by the required output power and the sign of the flap angle β is identical to the sign of the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity. 24. A cross-flow wind turbine according to any one of claims 20 to 23 wherein the control means for controlling flap angle β is mounted within the blade. 25. A cross-flow wind turbine according to any one of claims 20 to 34 wherein the centre of lift of the blade and flap in combination is positioned in front of the point at which the blade is arranged to pivot. 26. A cross-flow wind turbine according to any one of claims 20 to 25 further comprising means to detect the angular acceleration of the blade. 27. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 26 wherein the detection means is arranged to apply a torque to the blade proportional to the detected angular acceleration to compensate for the effects of the inertia of the blade. 28. A cross-flow wind turbine comprising a rotor mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, and a plurality of blade assemblies mounted on the rotor, each blade assembly comprising a blade of aerofoil section mounted vertically for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, means for measuring the blade angle Ψ (as hereinbefore de ined), at least one aerofoil stabilizer fixed to the blade having at least one movable control surface and control means responsive to the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity (as hereinbefore defined) to change the angle τ of the movable control surface (as hereinbefore defined), the movement in the control surface resulting in a change in the angle of attack α (as hereinbefore defined) of the blade, such that the lift component of the aerodynamic forces on the blade and the control surface contribute positively to the driving torque on the rotor. 29. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 28 wherein each blade assembly is pivotally mounted on at least one rotor arm extending radially relative to the rotor axis. 30. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claims 28 or claim 29 wherein the control means is responsive to an external signal identifying the magnitude of a desired angle of attack α of the blade. 31. A cross-flow wind turbine according to any one of claims 28 to 30 comprising control means having an input equal to the blade angle Ψ, said control means determining the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity according to the approximation φ = Ψ. 32. A cross-flow wind turbine according to any one of claims 28 to 31 wherein the magnitude of the flap angle β is determined by the required output power and the sign of the flap angle β is identical to the sign of the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity. 33. A cross-flow wind turbine according to any one of claims 28 to 32 wherein the stabilizer comprises a fixed stabilizer and a moving elevator control surface. 34. A cross-flow wind turbine according to any one of claims 28 to 33 wherein the aerodynamic centre of the blade and the stabilizer is positioned behind the pivot point of the blade. 35. A cross-flow wind turbine according to any one of claims 28 to 34 wherein the stabilizer is driven by cam means to change the angle τ of the control surface. 36. A cross-flow wind turbine according to any one of claims 28 to 34 wherein the stabilizer is driven by hydraulic means to change the angle τ of the control surface. 37. A cross-flow wind turbine according to any one of claims 28 to 34 wherein the stabilizer is driven by electric means to change the angle τ of the control surface. 38. A cross-flow wind turbine according to any one of claims 28 to 37 wherein the centre of lift of the blade and flap in combination is positioned in front of the point at which the blade is arranged to pivot. 39. A cross-flow wind turbine comprising a rotor mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and a plurality of blade assemblies mounted on the rotor, each blade assembly comprising a blade of aerofoil section mounted vertically, a flap pivotally mounted on the trailing edge of the blade, means for measuring the apparent wind direction φ (as hereinbefore defined) or angle of attack α (as hereinbefore defined), and control means for setting the flap angle β (as hereinbefore defined) as a function of the angle of attack α (as hereinbefore defined). 40. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 39 wherein each blade assembly is fixedly mounted on at least one rotor arm extending radially relative to the rotor axis. 41. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 40 wherein the chord of the blade is tangential to its orbit about the rotor. 42. A cross-flow wind turbine according to any one of claims 39 to 41 wherein the means for measuring the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity comprises a pivotal vane mounted for pivotal movement about a vertical axis adjacent the blade. 43. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 42 wherein the vane is mounted on a vertical axis positioned ahead of the leading edge of the blade. 44. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 42 wherein the vane is mounted co-axial with the blade. 45. A cross-flow wind turbine according to any one of claims 39 to 41 wherein the means for measuring the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity comprises a pressure measuring device mounted on the blade and analyzing means for determining the direction φ of the apparent fluid velocity from the pressure measurements obtained from the pressure measuring device. 46. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 45 wherein the pressure measuring device measures the pressure at at least three points on the blade surface. 47. A cross-flow wind turbine according to any one of claims 39 to 46 wherein the control means comprises a servo-system. 48. A cross-flow wind turbine according to claim 47 wherein the servo-system is mounted in the blade. 49. A cross-flow wind turbine according to any one of claims 39 to 48 wherein the lift-coefficient for the blade is substantially constant irrespective of the angle of attack α.

Inventors: BROWN KENNETH CHARLES, MEIKLE PETER JOHN, BROWN, KENNETH, CHARLES, MEIKLE, PETER, JOHN
Applicants: UNIV MELBOURNE, THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE
Application year: 1990
Main classification: F03D7
IPC codes: F03D3