Wingtip windmill and method of use

• US 6,602,045 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2001
• Issued: 08/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Blackbird Tech LLC
• Original Assignee: Robert Ives Hickey
• Inventors: Hickey, Robert Ives
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Ninh H.
• Application Number:
  US09/775,067
• Publication Number:
  US 20010033790A1
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: 415/4.3, 415/4.5, 415/908, 416/9, 416/4, 416/23, 290/44, 290/55
• US Class Current: 415/1
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 13/20 Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 80/00 Details, components or accessories not provided for in groups F03D1/00 - F03D17/00
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/12 Fluid guiding means, e.g. vanes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/728 Onshore wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 415/908 Axial flow runner

Abstract

The present invention is a system and method for enhancing the generation of power with a windmill. It comprises a horizontal axis rotating propeller with a large hub, mounted on a lift-generating device which also acts as the support structure. By adding a lift-generating device around the support structure, lower rotational speeds for the windmill propeller are possible without the penalty of excessive swirl losses in the wake. The lower design speed reduces parasitic losses and improves the overall power output of the windmill. The present invention also uses a large hub to increase the relative speed of the air over the windmill propeller near the hub, further enhancing power generation.

Claims

1. A windmill comprising:

at least one propeller, having a diameter and a wake, wherein said propeller comprises

a rotating hub, to which at least one blade is attached,

wherein said rotating hub comprises a diameter, as measured in the plane of rotation of

the propeller, between 28% and 70% of said propeller diameter;

a stationary hub which supports said rotating hub;

a hub pivot which supports said stationary hub, allowing yaw control of

said propeller with respect to the wind;

at least one support structure having two ends, the first end of said at least one support structure supporting said hub pivot;

the second end

being fixed to a foundation;

at least one wing with an airfoil cross section, having a span of at least one half of said propeller diameter, enclosing said at least one support structure;

at least one wing pivot which supports said wing, allowing yaw control of said wing with respect to the wind; and

wherein said at least one wing with an airfoil cross section sheds a tip vortex into said wake of said propeller.

2. The windmill of claim 1, further comprising a wing with at least one flap to adjust the counter swirl.

3. The windmill of claim 1, wherein said at least one wing is a symmetrical airfoil.

4. The windmill of claim 1, wherein said at least one wing is a cambered airfoil.

5. The windmill of claim 1, wherein said at least one wing enclosing the support structure is retrofitted to a pre-existing support structure.

6. The windmill of claim 1, wherein said windmill is arranged substantially perpendicular to the flow in a row of windmills.

7. The windmill of claim 1, wherein said propeller is greater than 15 feet in diameter.

8. The windmill of claim 1, further comprising a rotating hub with a diameter, as measured in the plane of rotation of the propeller, of 45% of said propeller diameter.

9. A windmill comprising:

at least one propeller, having a diameter, wherein said propeller comprises

a rotating hub, to which at least one blade is attached,

wherein said rotating hub comprises a diameter, as measured in the plane of rotation of

the propeller, between 28% and 70% of said propeller diameter;

a stationary hub which supports said rotating hub;

a hub pivot which supports said stationary hub allowing yaw control of said propeller with respect

to the wind;

a support structure having two ends, the first end of said support structure supporting said hub pivot;

the second end being fixed to a foundation; and

a coaxial rotating cylinder having a span of at least one half of said propeller diameter, enclosing

said at least one support structure.

10. The windmill of claim 9, wherein said propeller is greater than 15 feet in diameter.

11. The windmill of claim 9, further comprising a rotating hub with a diameter,

as measured in the plane of rotation of the propeller, of 45% of said propeller diameter.

12. The windmill of claim 9, wherein said at least one wing enclosing the support structure is retrofitted to a pre-existing support structure.

13. A windmill comprising:

at least one propeller, having a diameter and a wake, wherein said propeller diameter is greater than 15 feet in diameter, wherein said propeller comprises

a rotating hub, to which at least one blade is attached, having a diameter, as measured in the plane of rotation of the propeller, of 45% of said propeller diameter;

a stationary hub which supports said rotating hub;

a hub pivot which supports said stationary hub, allowing yaw control of said propeller with respect

to the wind;

at least one support structure having two ends, the first end of said at least one support structure

supporting said hub pivot;

the second end being fixed to a foundation;

at least one wing with an airfoil cross section, having a span of at least one

half of said propeller diameter, enclosing said at least one support structure;

at least one wing pivot which supports said wing, allowing yaw control of said wing with respect

to the wind; and

wherein said at least one wing with an airfoil cross section sheds a tip vortex into said wake of said propeller.

14. A method for generating electricity comprising the step of:

turning a generator using a windmill comprising

at least one propeller, having a diameter and a wake, wherein said propeller comprises

a rotating hub, to which at least one blade is attached,

wherein said rotating hub comprises a diameter, as measured in the plane of

rotation of the propeller, between 28% and 70% of said propeller diameter;

a stationary hub which supports said rotating hub;

a hub pivot which supports said stationary hub, allowing yaw control of said propeller with respect to the wind;

at least one support structure having two ends, the first end of said at least one support structure supporting said hub pivot;

the second end being fixed to a foundation;

at least one wing with an airfoil cross section, having a span of at least one half of said propeller diameter, enclosing said at least one support structure;

at least one wing pivot which supports said wing, allowing yaw control of said wing with respect to the wind; and

wherein said at least one wing with an airfoil cross section sheds a tip vortex into said wake of said propeller.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of:

arranging said windmill in an array.

16. A method for generating electricity comprising the step of:

turning a generator using a windmill comprising

at least one propeller, having a diameter, wherein said propeller comprises

a rotating hub, to which at least one blade is attached,

wherein said rotating hub comprises a diameter, as measured in the plane of rotation of

the propeller, between 28% and 70% of said propeller diameter;

a stationary hub which supports said rotating hub;

a hub pivot which supports said stationary hub, allowing yaw control of said propeller with respect to the wind;

at least one support structure having two ends, the first end of said at least one support structure

supporting said hub pivot;

the second end being fixed to a foundation;

a coaxial rotating cylinder having a span of at least one half of said propeller diameter, enclosing said at least one support structure.