VERTICAL AXIS WIND TURBINE USING INDIVIDUAL BLADE PITCH AND CAMBER CONTROL INTEGRATED WITH MATRIX CONVERTER

• US 20100096854A1
• Filed: 04/15/2009
• Published: 04/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Princeton Satellite Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Princeton Satellite Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Bhatta, Pradeep, Paluszek, Michael A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,193,657 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/44
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/067 Cyclic movements
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/068 mechanically controlled by the rotor structure
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 7/06 the wind motors having rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/255 connected to electrical distribution networks; Arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/7068 equipped with permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/31 of changeable form or shape
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/911 already existing for a prior purpose
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/72 by turning around an axis parallel to the rotor centre line
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2270/32 Wind speeds
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 2101/15 for wind-driven turbines
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/04 Control effected upon non-electric prime mover and dependent upon electric output value of the generator
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/728 Onshore wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/74 Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction

Abstract

A vertical axis wind turbine that can be actively controlled has the potential to extract wind energy efficiently, and consequently be economically viable for distributed harvesting of wind energy. This invention includes mechanisms and methods for enabling high-efficiency wind energy extraction by a vertical axis wind turbine using active pitch and camber control of individual blades. Blade control is further integrated with generator control and power electronics. Integrated control algorithms are systematically constructed, and transmitted to the wind turbine through a wireless communications interface. The interface also allows the user to continuously monitor the state of the wind turbine system. This invention includes sensors and procedures for periodic self-calibration of wind turbine parameters for preserving the long-term efficiency of wind energy extraction. Furthermore, a capability to intelligently interact with other wind turbine systems in a wind-farm setting is incorporated.

Claims

1. A vertical axis wind turbine comprising:

a vertically-mounted shaft connected at a lower portion with an electrical generator and connected at an upper portion with one or more arms each for connecting one of a plurality of blades, the electrical generator controlled by a generator control;

each blade further comprising a pitch control for controlling the blade'"'"'s pitch, the pitch control connected to a pitch control motor; and

each blade further comprising a camber control for controlling the blade'"'"'s camber, the camber control connected to a camber control motor;

wherein, the blade pitch and camber controls are integrated with the generator control.

2. The vertical axis wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the camber control motor controls the blade'"'"'s camber by rotating a flap hinge attached to a trailing edge of the blade.

3. The vertical axis wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the camber control motor controls the blade'"'"'s camber by elastically changing the shape of the blade.

4. The vertical axis wind turbine according to claim 1, in which the electrical generator uses permanent magnets in a Halbach configuration.

5. The vertical axis wind turbine according to claim 4, further comprising a telemetry collector for collecting operating telemetry and forwarding collected telemetry to a user using a wireless interface.

6. The vertical axis wind turbine according to claim 5, wherein the vertical axis wind turbine is integrated with a matrix converter.

7. A vertical axis wind turbine system comprising a plurality of vertical axis wind turbines in communication with a central controller for coordinating operation of the plurality of vertical axis wind turbines.

8. A method of optimizing the efficiency of operation of a vertical axis wind turbine, the method comprising:

changing the blade pitch and camber in a fixed sequence;

measuring the output torque;

using the wind speed indication to compute lift and drag coefficients; and

using the computed lift and drag coefficients to optimize blade positioning.