Abstract:
A wind power system includes a rotary drive, used in conjunction with a mechanical and self-energizing coupling system. The rotary drive can be used as a wind power system in all areas. The electromagnetic coupling system can be used in all industrial areas, in all areas and types of vehicle technology, and in all electrical engineering areas. The combination of a wind power system with a rotary drive with mechanical and self-energizing coupling system indicates that the wind force can be utilized more effectively than in the case of conventional wind-driven rotors, irrespective of the physical size. This is achieved by virtue of the blade arrangement and the special design of the housing. The self-energizing coupling system furthermore has the physical advantage that the magnet is combined in one space with the iron core and, on the other hand, a short-circuited coil is energized. The current for the electromagnetic coupling may also be taken directly from the generator stage.

Description:
[0001]    The present application hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 on German patent application number DE 10224044.2 filed May 31, 2002, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.  
         FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The invention generally relates to a wind power system with a rotary drive in conjunction with mechanical and self-energizing coupling systems.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    In the case of wind-driven rotors that are used nowadays, only a portion of the incident force of the wind can be used. This is because the wind force passes uniformly on both sides of the blades of the wind-driven rotor. Higher power levels can be expected only by the curvature of the blades.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    In the case of the wind power system according to an embodiment of the invention with a rotary drive, the wind-driven rotor  1  is located in a specially designed housing  2 . The housing  2  is designed such that half of the wind-driven rotor  1  rotates in the exposed zone  6 . Here, the wind force strikes the blades from the front, and drives them. The other half of the housing  2  is designed such that the wind-driven rotor  1  is located in a wind blocking zone  14 , and the incident wind is forced into the wind inlet opening  5  by virtue of the shape of the housing  2 .  
           [0005]    The wind inlet openings  5  force the air flow of the incident wind into the wind reversal chambers, and deflect it such that it is passed from the rear to the curved blades of the wind-driven rotor. This allows a larger proportion of the energy in the incident wind to be converted to a rotary movement.  
           [0006]    The housing  2  can be shaped such that a wind inlet opening  5  passes the air flow of the incident wind into the wind reversal chambers  15 , in which a desired number of alignment plates  3  of a desired shape can be arranged. This can be done, for example, in order to drive the blades of the wind-driven rotor  1  in the desired direction.  
           [0007]    However, it is also possible to arrange two or more wind inlet openings which use wind reversal chambers  15  and alignment plates  3  to pass the air flow of the wind to the blades of the wind-driven rotor  1  in the desired direction. Furthermore, impact stubs  4  may also be arranged in the wind reversal chambers  15 , in order to produce vortices in the air flow of the wind in the desired direction. The number and the shape of the wind inlet openings  5 , wind reversal chambers  15  and alignment plates  3  are variable, although their function does not change at all.  
           [0008]    In a further variant of the design, separating plates  11  can also be arranged. These prevent the air from being able to escape from the area of one chamber into another, with the air being transported between the blades of the wind-driven rotor  1 , instead. Moving wind catchment plates  16  on the wind-driven rotor housing  2  make it possible to use a larger air flow quantity.  
           [0009]    The housing  2  with the openings in the wind-driven rotor  1 , the exposed zone  6  and the wind inlet openings  5  should, preferably always, be aligned with the wind direction, either mechanically or by remote control. In order to control the internal pressure and hence the power levels, as well as the rotation speed of the wind-driven rotor  1 , and to match them for different wind strengths, an adjustable outlet valve  7  may be arranged in order to control the amount of air flowing away.  
           [0010]    There is no restriction as to whether one or more outlet valves  7  are installed, or on their type either. The outlet valves  7  can be regulated mechanically, and can be computer-controlled.  
           [0011]    In order to speed up the outlet flow of the air flow through the wind outlet channel  8 , reduced pressure systems  9  can be arranged. The outlet valve  7  and the wind outlet channel  8  can be arranged on the rear face of the housing, or can be arranged at any other desired point, as shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the air flow is dissipated through the interior of the rotor of the wind-driven rotor, controlled by the outlet valves  7 . In order to produce electricity, a generator  12 , or else a multistage generator  17 , can be installed in the rotor of the wind-driven rotor, or can be arranged externally. The multistage generator  17  can be connected to all types of mechanical or else self-energizing coupling systems.  
           [0012]    The rotary drive can be operated synchronously by reversing the flow direction of the air flow in the area of the wind blocking zone  14 . The volume of the air flow which is passed to the wind-driven rotor can be increased by means of wind catchment plates  16 . The rotary drive with and without wind catchment plates  16  must always be aligned with the wind direction, either mechanically or by remote control, or else by any type of conventional control system.  
           [0013]    The mechanical power which is produced by the rotary drive can be passed to a generator, or else can be used in some other way. All types of mechanical power transmission may be used for power transmission.  
           [0014]    Since the outlet valve  7  is adjustable, the running speed of the wind-driven rotor  1  can be controlled and matched to different wind speeds. This controls the power of the wind-driven rotor.  
           [0015]    All types of wind-driven rotors or rotors with blades may be used for the rotary drive. The configuration of the blades is variable. The configuration of the housing  2  is likewise variable, with an exposed zone  6  and a wind blocking zone  14 . It is also possible to arrange two wind-driven rotors  1  in one housing  2 , and independently thereof, one generator or a multistage generator can either be arranged in the interior of the rotor of the wind-driven rotor  1 , or else can be connected to the shaft of the wind-driven rotor  1  by any known types of power transmission. The self-energizing electromagnetic coupling system according to an embodiment of the invention can also be used. The self-energizing electromagnetic coupling system may also be used for the connection between the stages of a multistage generator.  
           [0016]    The self-energizing coupling can be used wherever it is necessary to step down the rotation speed (for example gas turbines, high-speed motors, etc.). The technology of the rotary drive can be used wherever the wind force is used in order to either produce only mechanical power or else to convert this into electricity as well. It is suitable for large wind power systems or else for small devices which can be used to generate electricity for domestic purposes, for camping, on boats and on ships. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 shows a rotary drive;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 shows the outline of one design variant of the rotary drive;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 shows one design variant in which, except for the wind outlet channel area  8  with the outlet valve  7 ;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 shows a variable embodiment of the alignment plates  3 , although the method of operation remains the same, irrespective of the embodiment;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 illustrates that the design of the blades of the wind-driven rotor  1  is variable, as is the number of blades;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 shows the design option in which two wind-driven rotors, with a wind channel  8  and an adjustable outlet valve  7 , are arranged in one housing  2 ;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 shows a cross section through the rotary drive;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 shows a multistage wind generator  17 ;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 shows a design option in which a transformer  29  or some other component with the same function is installed between the energizing stage  22  and the energized stage  23  of the self-energizing electromagnetic coupling systems;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 shows a portion of the electricity that is produced in the first generator stage  18  being tapped off from the coil of the generator  18  for the part  23  of the coupling that is to be energized;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 shows a compact self-energizing electromagnetic coupling; and  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 12 shows the outline of the configuration of the outer part  24  and of the inner part  23  of the self-energizing coupling. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0029]    [0029]FIG. 1 shows a rotary drive in which the wind-driven rotor  1  is shrouded by the housing  2  such that half of it rotates in the exposed zone  6 , and the other half is designed to form a wind reversal chamber  15 . The housing  2  forms a wind blocking zone  14  over half the wind-driven rotor  1 , and prevents the incident wind from acting on the profile of the wind-driven rotor. The arrangement of a variable number of wind inlet openings  5  forces the air flow of the incident wind into the wind reversal chamber  15 , where it is deflected such that it is passed from the rear to the blades of the wind-driven rotor  1 , and assists the rotary movement of the wind-driven rotor  1 .  
         [0030]    The alignment plates  3  which are arranged in the wind reversal chambers  15  guide the air flow of the incident wind. The amount of air that drives the wind-driven rotor  1  can escape only through the wind outlet channel  8 . The amount of air flow that escapes can be controlled by means of the adjustable outlet valve  7  at the opening of the wind outlet channel  8 . This controls the internal pressure, since it controls the amount of air remaining in the wind-driven rotor. The outlet flow of the air through the wind outlet channel  8  can be sped up by means of a reduced pressure system  9  that is arranged in the outlet channel  8 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 2 shows the outline of one design variant of the rotary drive. The wind-driven rotor  1  has wind flow openings  13  in the interior. The air flowing out is dissipated laterally through the interior of the wind-driven rotor  1 . The adjustable outlet valves  7  are used to control the amount of air flowing out. The mechanical power which is produced can be extracted via the drive shaft  10 . However, it is also possible to extract the power at some other point.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 3 shows one design variant in which, except for the wind outlet channel area  8  with the outlet valve  7 , each blade intermediate area of the wind-driven rotor  1  has its own air supply areas in the exposed zone  6  or its own wind reversal chamber  15 , thus ensuring that the air supplied to each blade of the wind-driven rotor is always exact. This makes it easier for the rotor to rotate.  
         [0033]    This design variant is intended to show that the quantity and the shape of the air supply areas (exposed zone  6  and wind reversal chamber  15 ) as well as the ratio of the number of air supply areas to the ratio of the number of blades are variable. Furthermore, separating plates  11  are arranged in FIG. 3, which prevent air from escaping in an uncontrolled manner. Only the amount of air which is forced between the blades escapes. Wind catchment plates  16  enlarge the volume of the amount of air which is supplied to the wind-driven rotor, thus also increasing the internal pressure. A generator  12  can be arranged in the interior of the wind-driven rotor  1 . Impact stubs  4  cause the air flow to produce vortices in the desired direction.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 4 shows a variable embodiment of the alignment plates  3 . It should be noted, however, that although the method of operation remains the same, irrespective of the embodiment.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 5 illustrates that the design of the blades of the wind-driven rotor  1  is variable, as is the number of blades. In the design variant in FIG. 5, the housing  2  itself carries out the function of the alignment plates  3 , by virtue of its shape. The small illustration explains the principle of operation of the wind reversal chambers  15  and of the alignment plates  3 .  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 6 shows the design option in which two wind-driven rotors. In the design option, a wind channel  8  and an adjustable outlet valve  7  are arranged in one housing  2 .  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 7 shows a cross section through the rotary drive. In this case, a generator or a multistage generator can be installed in the rotor of the wind-driven rotor  1 . The generator or else a multistage generator may, however, also be connected via any desired coupling system to the shaft of the wind-driven rotor  1 . The illustration in FIG. 7 shows a mechanical coupling  20 . However, other coupling systems may also be used, also including self-energizing electromagnetic coupling systems.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 8 shows a multistage wind generator  17 , in which a self-energizing coupling comprising two parts, the energizing stage  22  and the energized stage  23 , is arranged between the first stage  18  and the second stage  19 . The energizing stage  22  comprises an iron core and a winding rotating between two permanent magnets  21 . The electricity which is generated in the energizing stage can be transmitted in the shaft  26  or else externally on the shaft  26  to the part of the coupling that is to be energized.  
         [0039]    The current forms a magnetic field in the energized stage  23 , which comprises the iron core and coil. The iron coupling part  24  of the drive shaft of the second generator stage  27  is installed such that it is attracted, and can be driven, by the electromagnetic field that is formed, provided that the magnetic field that is produced is strong enough at a specific rotation speed.  
         [0040]    The second generator stage  19  is driven via the drive shaft  27  and the generator  19  runs with it. But it is uncoupled when the rotation speeds fall, when the current and the electromagnetic field become weaker again.  
         [0041]    One characteristic feature of the self-energizing electromagnetic coupling system is that the electricity which is generated in the energizing stage  22  is just consumed once again in the energized stage  23  and is dependent on the rotation speed of the generator shaft  26 , as well as the rotation speed of the drive shaft  28  of the first generator stage  18 . Current is induced by any rotary movement of the drive shaft  28  and of the generator shaft  26 . However, it is possible to use a control system to ensure that current is passed from the energizing stage  22  to the stage  23  that is to be energized only when it is sufficient to form a sufficiently strong electromagnetic field to allow attraction of the iron part  24  of the coupling  24 .  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 8 also illustrates that the permanent magnets  21  are installed in fixed positions. All winding types may be used both in the energizing stage  22  and in the energized stage  23 , but the principle of operation does not change.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 9 shows a design option in which a transformer  29  or some other component with the same function is installed between the energizing stage  22  and the energized stage  23  of the self-energizing electromagnetic coupling systems. This allows the electricity that is generated to be transformed up. It can also be transformed down when other machine types are used. The permanent magnets are fixed.  
         [0044]    In the embodiment of FIG. 10, a portion of the electricity that is produced in the first generator stage  18  is tapped off from the coil of the generator  18  for the part  23  of the coupling that is to be energized. However, the coupling part  23  operates in the same way as in FIGS. 8 and 9, with the iron part  24  as a coupling for the drive shaft  27  of the second generator stage.  
         [0045]    Alternatively, a configuration and a functional variant as a short-circuited system without any energizing current from the generator  18  is also possible, by the installation of an iron core, winding and magnets in the energized part of the coupling  23  and in the iron part  24 . The rotary movement of the generator shaft  26  results in a current being induced in the coils by the magnets in the opposite coupling part in the other rotor part, because the rotary movement of the short-circuited system in the other iron part results in an electromagnetic field being formed, which passes into the iron coupling part with the magnets. Further, if the field strength of the electromagnetic field is sufficient, the iron coupling part is drawn with it and the other part is also caused to rotate, although it rotates more slowly as a result of the losses. The energized part  23  and the coupling part  24  have a variable configuration, because both the magnets and the windings can be arranged alternately on them.  
         [0046]    All known short-circuited systems may be used. To allow the function to be achieved, the energized part  23  on the generator shaft  26  must run at a higher speed than the coupling part  24  on the shaft of the second generator stage  27 .  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 11 shows a compact self-energizing electromagnetic coupling. This includes two parts, the outer part, the iron coupling  24  in which permanent magnets  21  are embedded, and the inner part  23 , which may be composed of widely differing types of windings and iron cores. The arrows that are shown indicate that the arrangement of the magnets  21  and of the windings with the iron core may also be reversed.  
         [0048]    The rotary movement causes current to be induced in the windings with the iron core by the magnets  21 , and the induced current forms a magnetic field around it. This acts on the iron part  24  with the magnets  21 . If the strength of the magnetic field is sufficient, the iron part  24  follows the rotary movement and drives the generator shaft of the second stage  27 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 11 shows a cross section through the outer part and the inner part of the self-energizing coupling.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 12 shows the outline of the configuration of the outer part  24  and of the inner part  23  of the self-energizing coupling. The outline  12  also shows that the number and the size of the installed magnets and iron cores are variable, although the function does not change at all.  
         [0051]    The first illustration in FIG. 12 shows an unshrouded configuration, but an opposite electromagnetic effect between a coil and magnets. The second illustration shows the coil shrouded by an iron core and magnets. The magnetic effect is around the coils. The arrangement of the magnets or coils on the energized part  23  or on the coupling part  24  is variable.  
         [0052]    List of Reference Symbols  
         [0053]    [0053] 1 . Wind-driven rotor  
         [0054]    [0054] 2 . Housing  
         [0055]    [0055] 3 . Alignment plates  
         [0056]    [0056] 4 . Impact stub  
         [0057]    [0057] 5 . Wind inlet opening  
         [0058]    [0058] 6 . Exposed zone  
         [0059]    [0059] 7 . Adjustable outlet valve  
         [0060]    [0060] 8 . Air or wind outlet channel  
         [0061]    [0061] 9 . Low-pressure system for accelerating the air extraction  
         [0062]    [0062] 10 . Drive shaft  
         [0063]    [0063] 11 . Separating plates  
         [0064]    [0064] 12 . Generator in the interior of the rotor of the wind-driven rotor  
         [0065]    [0065] 13 . Wind-driven rotor with internal wind flow openings  
         [0066]    [0066] 14 . Wind blocking zone  
         [0067]    [0067] 15 . Wind reversal chambers  
         [0068]    [0068] 16 . Moving wind catchment plates on the wind-driven rotor housing  
         [0069]    [0069] 17 . Multistage generator  
         [0070]    [0070] 18 . Multistage generator, first stage  
         [0071]    [0071] 19 . Multistage generator, second stage  
         [0072]    [0072] 20 . Mechanical type of coupling  
         [0073]    [0073] 21 . Permanent magnets  
         [0074]    [0074] 22 . Energizing stage  
         [0075]    [0075] 23 . Energized stage  
         [0076]    [0076] 24 . Iron coupling part or electromagnetic coupling part with an iron core  
         [0077]    [0077] 25 . Energizing current transformer  
         [0078]    [0078] 26 . Generator shaft from the first generator stage to the second generator stage  
         [0079]    [0079] 27 . Drive shaft for the second stage  19   
         [0080]    [0080] 28 . Drive shaft for the first generator stage  18   
         [0081]    [0081] 29 . Jointly rotating transformer  
         [0082]    The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.