Abstract:
A wind power generating apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of vertically stacked wind acceleration modules that are shaped to accelerate wind passing between them. At least one of the modules includes a rotor assembly, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) mechanically coupled to the rotor assembly, and an electrical generator mechanically coupled to the CVT. The electrical generator is capable of converting mechanical energy transferred by the CVT from the rotor assembly into electrical energy. A sensor may be mechanically coupled to the rotor assembly or the electrical generator and electrically coupled to a controller. The controller may control the CVT according to a signal received from the sensor such that the electrical generator operates within a predetermined range of rotational velocities.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present application relates generally to electrical power generation and, more specifically, to an apparatus and method for generating electrical power from wind. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The environmental costs of fossil fuels and the political instabilities of oil-producing regions have intensified efforts to develop alternative energy sources that are environmentally clean and more reliable. Wind-driven power generation systems are of particular interest. Wind power may be converted to electrical power using a rotor assembly, either horizontally or vertically oriented. The rotor blades convert the energy of the moving air into a rotational motion of a drive shaft. An electrical generator coupled to the drive shaft then converts the rotational motion into electrical power. Typically, a fixed-ratio gear box converts the low rotation speed of the rotor assembly to a higher rotation speed for the electrical generator. 
         [0003]    A conventional wind-driven power generation system is typically a monopole tower with a single rotor rotating about a hub located at or near the top of the tower. The tower produces power only when the wind blows, only within a certain range of wind velocities, and at a maximum power output level for an even smaller range of wind velocities. As a result, wind power generation has traditionally been expensive to produce and not reliably available. In response, conventional wind turbine manufacturers&#39; designs have evolved towards very large rotor assemblies and very tall towers in order to gain economies of scale and to reach higher velocity and steadier winds at higher altitudes. 
         [0004]    However, a larger rotor assembly rotates more slowly than a smaller rotor assembly and requires a higher gear ratio to provide an optimal rotational speed range for the electrical generator. A larger rotor assembly also has a greater mass, requiring stronger winds to cause rotation. Furthermore, a larger rotor assembly applies greater torque stress to a gear box, requiring that the gear box be larger in size and made of more exotic and expensive materials. Finally, even with exotic materials and sturdier supports, a larger rotor assembly is still limited to a lower maximum wind speed at which the rotor assembly can operate without causing damage to the mechanical components of the wind tower. 
         [0005]    An augmented wind power generation system uses a funneling apparatus, for example a fully or partially shrouded rotor, to increase the velocity of the ambient wind across a smaller rotor assembly. Such funneling apparatuses may be vertically stacked into a tower with one or more rotor assemblies located in each apparatus. Such wind amplification devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,156,579 (Weisbrich), U.S. Pat. No. 4,288,199 (Weisbrich), U.S. Pat. No. 4,332,518 (Weisbrich), U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,333 (Weisbrich), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,505 (Weisbrich). All five Weisbrich patents are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
         [0006]    The wind speed amplification effect of the funnel permits power generation to occur at lower ambient wind speeds. Specifically, because the electrical power generated from wind is a cubic function of the wind&#39;s velocity, a smaller rotor assembly can generate similar amounts of power to a larger rotor with an equal amount of ambient wind. In other words, the rotor assemblies of an augmented wind power generation system are typically smaller than those in a traditional wind tower, and therefore have a smaller mass and higher rotational speeds. As a result, some augmented turbines rely on low rpm generators and require no gear box while others require a gear box with lower gear ratios that are made of more conventional, less expensive materials. 
         [0007]    Although providing benefits over a larger rotor assembly, both configurations of augmented wind power generation systems described above continue to be constrained by inefficiencies in gear box and or generator performance. As a result, energy is lost due to the use of less than ideal generators or to a limitation of wind speed environments in which the turbine and gear box assembly can operate without causing damage to the components of the system. Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved apparatus and method for converting energy from wind into electrical power. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A wind power generating apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of vertically stacked wind acceleration modules that are shaped to accelerate wind passing between them. At least one of the modules includes a rotor assembly, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) mechanically coupled to the rotor assembly, and an electrical generator mechanically coupled to the CVT. The electrical generator is capable of converting mechanical energy transferred by the CVT from the rotor assembly into electrical energy 
         [0009]    A method for generating power from wind is provided, for use with a plurality of vertically stacked wind acceleration modules. The method includes transmitting mechanical energy from a rotor assembly mounted in one of the modules to an electrical generator through a transmission having an input mechanically coupled to the rotor assembly and an output. The method also includes varying the ratio of the rotational speed of the transmission input to the rotational speed of the transmission output over a continuous range of values. The method further includes generating electrical energy with an electrical generator mechanically coupled to the transmission output. 
         [0010]    Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware or in a combination of hardware with firmware or software. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates an augmented wind power generation system according to the disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic view of an embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  presents illustrative power curves of a current wind power generation system and an augmented wind power generation system according to the disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  presents a sectional view taken along line A-A in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  depicts a sectional view taken along line B-B in  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]      FIGS. 1 through 5 , discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged augmented wind power generation system. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates an augmented wind power generation system  100  according to the disclosure. The system  100  comprises an internal central tower (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) and a plurality of preferably stationary vertically stacked wind acceleration modules  102 . The modules  102  are shaped to create semi-toroidal hollows around the tower. That is, the modules are substantially circularly symmetrical about a vertical axis, having an outer surface contour as shown in  FIG. 1 . The shape of modules  102  has the effect of increasing the velocity of wind flowing around the tower through the hollows in the modules. Rotor assemblies  104  may be located in the exterior hollows of one or more of the modules  102  to convert kinetic energy of wind flowing through the hollows into rotational energy of the rotor assemblies  104 . 
         [0019]    Typically, pairs of the rotor assemblies  104  are located in the hollows on opposite sides of the system  100 , in order to convert the energy of the wind flowing around both sides of the system  100  into rotational energy. Furthermore, the pairs of rotor assemblies  104  are typically rotationally mounted to the central tower to permit the rotor assemblies  104  to adapt to changes in wind direction by rotating around the system  100  to face into the wind. The rotation of a pair of the rotor assemblies  104  in one semi-toroidal hollow may be independent of the rotation of a pair of the rotor assemblies  104  in another of the semi-toroidal hollows, enabling the system  100  to adapt to wind from differing directions at different heights of the system  100 . The height of system  100  may be measured in hundreds of feet and wind direction may be substantially different at ground level than at higher elevations. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic view of an apparatus  200  according to the disclosure. A rotor assembly  202  is mechanically coupled by a first drive shaft  204  to a power input of a continuously variable transmission (CVT)  206 . A power output of the CVT  206  is mechanically coupled by a second drive shaft  208  to an electrical generator  210 . The electrical generator  210  converts rotational mechanical energy into electrical energy on conductors  212 . In this way, kinetic energy of wind impinging upon the rotor assembly is converted into rotational mechanical energy of the first drive shaft  204 , which is transmitted by the CVT  206  to the second drive shaft  208  and thence to the electrical generator  210 , where it is converted into electrical energy. 
         [0021]    A transmission transmits mechanical power applied to an input drive shaft to an output drive shaft. Typically, rotational speed of the output is different than that of the input. In a conventional wind power generator, a transmission comprising a fixed ratio gear box couples a low speed rotor assembly to a high speed electrical generator. In a vehicle, a transmission providing a fixed number of discrete gear ratios typically couples a high speed engine to low speed wheels. A CVT is characterized by providing a continuous range of ratios of input rotational speed to output rotational speed. 
         [0022]    Continuously variable transmissions are widely known and understood. A CVT may comprise a pair of pulleys coupled by a belt, wherein the diameter of one or both pulleys may be varied. As the diameter of either or both pulleys is smoothly varied, the ratio of the rotational speeds of the input shaft and the output shaft varies smoothly. A CVT may alternatively comprise conical members coupled to the input and output shafts. A belt or roller may be coupled to both cones and transmit the rotational motion of the input cone to the output cone. If the cones are oriented so that their axes of rotation are parallel and the wide end of one cone is adjacent to the narrow end of the other cone, then movement of the belt or roller in the direction of the axes of rotation provides a continuous variation in the rotational speed ratio between the input shaft and output shaft. 
         [0023]    Some types of CVTs are also known as infinitely variable transmissions (IVTs). An IVT may allow for an greater number of possible gear ratios and may be metal to metal rather than using traditional belts or rollers to transfer power. 
         [0024]    The apparatus  200  may also comprise a tachometer  214  mechanically coupled to the first drive shaft  204 . The tachometer  214  may generate a digital output signal indicating the rotational velocity of the first drive shaft  204 . A controller  216  may be electrically coupled to the tachometer to receive the digital output signal. The controller  216  may also be electrically coupled to the CVT  206  to control its gear ratio. In this way, the controller  216  may control the CVT  206  according to the rotational speed of the drive shaft  204  received from the tachometer  214  in order to operate the electrical generator  210  in a desired range of rotational velocities. The desired range of velocities may be determined by a control signal input  218  to the controller  216 . 
         [0025]    While  FIG. 2  depicts an apparatus having a tachometer measuring the rotational velocity of first drive shaft  204 , it will be understood that in another embodiment a tachometer measuring the rotational velocity of second drive shaft  208  may provide an electrical speed signal for use by the controller  216  in controlling the CVT  206 . In yet another embodiment, tachometers may be employed to measure the rotational velocities of both first drive shaft  204  and second drive shaft  208 . 
         [0026]    There may be an upper limit on the rotational velocity at which mechanical components of the apparatus  200  (such as the CVT  206 , the electrical generator  210 , or bearings supporting the drive shafts  204  or  208 ) may operate without experiencing excessive wear or mechanical failure. Where the components at risk are the second drive shaft  208  or the electrical generator  210 , rotational velocity may be kept under the upper limit through the operation of the CVT  206 . 
         [0027]    However, in other situations a rotational speed ratio limit of the CVT  206  may prevent it from keeping the rotational velocity of the second drive shaft  208  or the electrical generator  210  under the upper limit. In still other situations the components at risk may be the first drive shaft  204  or the CVT  206  itself. In such situations, the apparatus  200  may also comprise a pitch actuator  220 , electrically coupled to the controller  216 . The pitch actuator  220  operates to change the pitch of blades in the rotor assembly  202  in order to reduce the rotational velocity of the rotor assembly  202  at a given wind velocity. In this way, as rotational velocities of components of the apparatus  200  approach an upper limit, the controller  216  may change the pitch of blades in the rotor assembly  202  in order to prevent rotational velocities from exceeding the upper limit. 
         [0028]    At still higher wind velocities rotation of the rotor assembly may be prevented. In such situations, the blades of the rotor assembly may be turned edge-on to the wind to minimize torque generated in the rotor assembly. In another embodiment, the entire rotor assembly may be rotated in a substantially horizontal plane to a position in which it does not fully engage the wind-for example, a position where the wind impinges upon the rotor assembly from the side, rather than from the front. Furthermore, the CVT  206  or a separate brake (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) may be used to prevent rotation of the drive shafts  204  and  208 . In another embodiment, the drive shaft  204  may remain free to rotate while the drive shaft  208  is prevented from rotating by putting the CVT  206  into ‘neutral’—that is, a condition in which the drive shaft  208  is decoupled from the drive shaft  204 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  presents illustrative power curves of a traditional wind power generation system and an augmented wind power generation system according to the disclosure. Ambient wind speed is plotted along the horizontal axis and generated electrical power along the vertical axis. 
         [0030]    An exemplary power curve for a traditional wind tower or conventional augmented wind power generation system is shown by dashed line  302 . For wind speeds below a so-called cut-in wind speed of about 4 meters per second (m/s) the depicted system generates no electrical power. For wind speeds between about 4 m/s and 15 m/s an amount of electrical power proportional to the wind speed is generated. For wind speeds between about 15 m/s to 25 m/s the amount of power generated is substantially constant. The depicted system has a so-called cut-out wind speed of 25 m/s. Allowing a system to operate in winds above its cut-out speed may damage system components, so a system is typically braked or its rotor blades turned edge-on to the wind to minimize torque on the system. 
         [0031]    In contrast, an augmented wind power generation system according to the present disclosure, such as that shown in FIG.  2 , produces electrical power over a greater range of wind speeds, as may be seen in solid line  304 . The CVT  206  may adjust or be adjusted to permit the electrical generator  210  to operate at or near an optimal rotational velocity for a broader range of wind speeds than a traditional wind tower or conventional augmented wind power generation system. A system of the present disclosure may begin generating power at a lower cut-in wind speed. For wind speeds from the cut-in velocity to a cut-out velocity (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) the effective gear ratio of the CVT  206  may be adjusted to generate a constant level of electrical power. 
         [0032]    A traditional wind tower or conventional augmented wind power generation system has a fixed ratio gear box designed to allow an electrical generator to operate in an optimal range of rotational speeds when wind speed is in a range typical for the site at which the system is installed. Such a gear box typically provides a step up in speed from the rotational velocity of the rotor assembly to that of the electrical generator, regardless of the wind speed. This design results in the electrical generator being ‘over rotated’ in winds above a certain speed-which determines the cut-out speed of such a traditional system. 
         [0033]    In contrast, the CVT  206  may provide a step up in rotational velocity at lower wind speeds and a step down at higher wind speeds, allowing the electrical generator  210  to operate over a broader range of wind speeds. As described with regard to  FIG. 2 , however, an upper limit of wind speed may still exist for an augmented wind power generation system according to the present disclosure above which such a system should not be operated. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  presents a sectional view taken along line A-A in  FIG. 1 . The wind acceleration module  102  is mounted to a central tower  402 . Dashed line  102 A indicates an outermost extent of the contour of the module  102  and dashed line  102 B indicates an innermost extent of the semi-toroidal hollow of the module  102 . The rotor assemblies  104 A and  104 B are located within the semi-toroidal hollow of the module  102 , as described with regard to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0035]    Mechanically coupled to the rotor assembly  104 A is a first drive shaft  404 A, which is also mechanically coupled to a power input of a CVT  406 A. A power output of the CVT  406 A is mechanically coupled to a second drive shaft  408 A, which is also mechanically coupled to an electrical generator  410 A. Drive shaft  404 B, CVT  406 B, drive shaft  408 B, and electrical generator  410 B are similarly coupled to the rotor assembly  104 B. Both sets of components are mounted on a platform  412 , which is rotatably mounted to the central tower  402 . Note that drive shafts  404 A and  404 B extend through one or more horizontal gaps in the wind acceleration module  102  or between adjacent wind acceleration modules  102 . 
         [0036]    Because the platform  412  may rotate about the central tower  402 , when the direction of the wind changes the platform  412  may be repositioned so that the rotor assemblies  104 A and  104 B face into the wind. In this new position, the electrical generators  410 A and  410 B may generate more electrical power than in a previous position. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  depicts a sectional view taken along line B-B in  FIG. 4 . The contour of the wind acceleration module  102  is depicted with dashed lines. The module  102  is mounted to the central tower  402  by struts  502 . It may be seen that a second module  102  may be mounted to the central tower  402  below the first module  102 , shown in  FIG. 5 , such that the upper portion of the second module  102  and the lower portion of the first module  102  mate to produce a substantially unbroken surface. 
         [0038]    As described with regard to  FIG. 4 , the rotor assembly  104 A, the drive shaft  404 A, the CVT  406 A and the electrical generator  410 A are mounted on one side of the platform  412 . The comparable components mechanically coupled to the rotor assembly  104 B are mounted to the other side of the platform  412 . The platform  412  is rotatably mounted to the central tower  402  by a bearing assembly  504 . A wiring harness or other electrical coupling system (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) may be used to combine into a single output the electrical power produced by the electrical generators  104 A and  104 B and generators in other wind acceleration modules. 
         [0039]    Although the present disclosure has been described with an exemplary embodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. For example, in another embodiment, a conventional wind-driven power generation system having a single rotor rotating about a hub located at or near the top of the tower may employ a CVT to couple the rotor to an electrical generator. In yet another embodiment, an augmented wind power generation system having a different wind funneling apparatus than that shown in  FIG. 1  may be used. In still another embodiment, such an augmented wind power generation system may include only a single rotor assembly, which may be fully shrouded, rather than partially shrouded, as shown in  FIG. 1 . It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.