Turbulence reduction around magnus rotors

• US 20090174192A1
• Filed: 12/12/2008
• Published: 07/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edwin Newman
• Original Assignee: Edwin Newman
• Inventors: Newman, Edwin
• Granted Patent: US 7,781,905 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/55
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 1/0601 using the Magnus effect
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 5/00 Other wind motors controlling thereof F03D7/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/70 Wind energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction

Abstract

A wind energy conversion machine using a Magnus Rotor to generate force from the wind. A Magnus Rotor is mounted atop special support structure which is far enough away from the surface of the Magnus Rotor to minimize air turbulence around the Rotor. In one embodiment Rotors are mounted on a long horizontal rod supported by a vertical pole on either end. The poles themselves are mounted on a pivot so the Magnus Rotors are faced to the wind. In a second embodiment Magnus Rotors are concentric in their axes with the axis of the supporting pole. The rotors are made to spin in opposite directions and the pole made to swing 5-20 degrees on a fulcrum. First one rotor is shielded from the wind so the pole is swung one way, then the other rotor is shielded so the pole is swung the other way. The movement of the pole in either direction operates an electric generator.

By minimizing air turbulence around a Magnus Rotor Performance is enhanced. A Magnus Rotor which is properly designed can be made to generate far more force than an airfoil or sail.

Claims

1. a wind energy conversion machine comprising:

a. at least one magnus rotor means, and

b. structure means for reducing air turbulence around said magnus rotor means selected from the group of

(1). a long rod means serving as a hub around which said magnus rotor may spin, said rod means suspended on both ends by vertical poles and pivot means to pivot said rod means so wind may be made to blow along the length of said rod means and against the peripheral surface of said magnus rotor, and

(b). pole means located as the axis around which said magnus rotor means may be spun, said pole means mounted on a pivot means, so said pole means cannot create turbulence around the surface of said magnus rotor means,

c. an electric generator means, and

an energy transmission means operatively connected to said magnus rotor means and said electric generator,

so as said magnus rotor means is operated in a wind then electrical energy is produced.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said magnus rotor means further includes aerodynamic tails located on the side of said rotor furthest from oncoming wind and fixedly attached to upper and lower endplates of said magnus rotor, said tails and endplates made to weathervane around the axis of said pole.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said pole means further includes a chamber within said pole means filled with hydrogen so the weight of said pole means and all parts of the invention connected to said pole means is offset whenever said pole means and said connected parts are forced out of a vertical position.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said energy transmission means further includes:

a, a first bevel gear mounted concentrically around said rod means,

b. a second bevel gear mounted parallel to a pole means so said first and second bevel gears mesh,

c. a transmission shaft extended from said second bevel gear to a speed changer so said second bevel gear is operatively connected to said speed changer, and

d. a shaft operatively connecting said speed changer and an electrical generator,

so as said said rod means is revolved electrical energy is produced.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said energy transmission means further includes:

a. a pole mounted on a fulcrum fixedly attached to a pivot around which said pole may be rotated around its axis,

b. a gear rack fixedly attached to said pole and located in a position normal to said pole'"'"'s axis,

c. a spur gear made to mesh with said gear rack, and

d. a speed changer operatively connected to said spur gear and to an electric generator,

said spur gear, speed changer and electrical generator being fixedly attached to said pivot

so as said pole is made to rotate about said fulcrum back and forth, electrical energy will be produced.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said magnus rotor means further includes a field of solar cells spread over the peripheral surface of said rotor.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said magnus rotor means further includes a transfer means for raising and lowering said magnus rotor means on said pole means.