Wind generator unit with high energy yield

• US 20040041408A1
• Filed: 06/13/2003
• Published: 03/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: High Technology Investments B.V.
• Original Assignee: High Technology Investments B.V.
• Inventors: Casazza, Matteo
• Application Number:
  US10/462,080
• Publication Number:
  US 20040041408A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/55
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 80/30 Lightning protection
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 80/40 Ice detection; De-icing means
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 80/60 Cooling or heating of wind motors
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/25 the apparatus being an electrical generator F03D9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/70642 of the synchronous type
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/7066 via a direct connection, i.e. a gearless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/7068 equipped with permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/205 Cooling fluid recirculation, i.e. after having cooled one or more components the cooling fluid is recovered and used elsewhere for other purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1838 Generators mounted in a nacelle or similar structure of a horizontal axis wind turbine
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction

Abstract

A wind generator unit with high energy yield, comprising an air-motor or air-generator, capable of transforming the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy, wherein the electrical generator (22) of the air-motor is directly and closely connected with the rotor (18) of the air-motor, so as to obtain a higher overall yield with respect to conventional units; moreover, the air-motor, particularly suitable for mountainous installations and extremely windy areas, is able to capture a high amount of wind energy in a determined time period, being further equipped with anti-ice and anti-lightning systems.

Claims

1. Wind generator unit with high energy yield, particularly suitable for mountainous/hilly installations and/or extremely windy areas, comprising at least one air-motor or air-generator, capable of transforming the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy, said air-motor foreseeing at least one nacelle (12) for containing at least one electrical generator (14) and a rotor part (18) equipped with a series of blades (21), characterised in that said electrical generator (22) is directly and closely connected with said rotor portion (18) of the air-motor, so as to obtain a higher overall yield with respect to conventional units.

2. Wind generator unit according to claim 1, characterised in that said electrical generator (22) is arranged in direct engagement with the rotor (18) of said blades (21), said generator (22) being structured according to a flat and diametrically wide surface.

3. Wind generator unit according to claim 1, characterised in that said generator (22) is of the synchronous, multipole and multiphase type with permanent magnets, and does not have any excitation circuit and/or sliding contacts.

4. Wind generator unit according to claim 1, characterised in that the generator (22) is mechanically integrated in the bearer structure of the air-motor and has a rotor connected to a hub (20) of said rotor part (18) and a stator fixed to a frame (13) for containing said nacelle (12), which is made up of said hub (20), the generator (22) and the frame (13).

5. Wind generator unit according to claim 1, characterised in that said unit foresees a system suitable for countering the formation of ice on said blades (21) of the air-motor, said system comprising means suitable for conveying air into the blades (21).

6. Wind generator unit according to claim 5, characterised in that the air entered into the blades (21) is previously heated exploiting the heat energy dissipated by electrical machines and/or apparatuses present inside said air-motor.

7. Wind generator unit according to claim 6, characterised in that the heat energy used to heat the air is supplied by the generator (22) and/or by groups of electrical resistances (23) positioned inside the air-motor.

8. Wind generator unit according to claim 7, characterised in that the air is conveyed into said blades (21) through forced circulation means and exploiting the stack effect of the support tower (10) of said air-motor, said amount of air being taken in from the outside by suitable slits and being pushed upwards by fan means.

9. Wind generator unit according to claim 8, characterised in that a flow of hot air (C) generated by the passage of cold air (F) on said electrical apparatuses and/or machines and/or electrical resistances (23) is conveyed towards the blades (21), through channel means (25, 26) which send said hot flow (C) to lick the inner surfaces of each blade (21) in a differentiated manner, according to the distribution taken to be the most probable for the formation of ice on the outer wall of said blade (21).

10. Wind generator unit according to claim 9, characterised in that said channel means (25, 26) comprise a series of vortex generators to increase the heat exchange coefficient inside each blade (21).

11. Wind generator unit according to claim 9, characterised in that said flow of hot air (C) channelled inside the blades (21) flows towards said hub (20) of the rotor structure (18), according to determined paths (G) and is expelled to the outside through at least one opening (27) made in the hub (20), so that a circulation of hot air (C) is carried out inside the structure of each blade (21), said flow of air (C) being heated thanks to a heat exchange process where the air absorbs the heat power dissipated by said electrical machines and apparatuses and generated by said electrical resistances (23) present in the air-motor.

12. Wind generator unit according to claim 1, characterised in that it foresees means of protection from bolts of lightning and/or other harmful weather conditions.