Magnus type wind power generator

• US 7,504,740 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2004
• Issued: 03/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Do Luck Asset Management Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mekaro Akita Co. Ltd., Nobuhiro Murakami
• Inventors: Ito, Jun, Murakami, Nobuhiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Waks; Joseph
• Application Number:
  US10/569,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20070046029A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,737 Days
• Field of Search: 290/55, 290/44
• US Class Current: 290/55
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 1/0601 using the Magnus effect
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/201 using the Magnus-effect
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/40 Use of a multiplicity of similar components
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction

Abstract

A Magnus type wind power generator includes a horizontal rotary shaft for transmitting torque to a power generating mechanism. Rotary columns are disposed radially of the horizontal rotary shaft. Driving motors rotatively drive the respective rotary columns around the axes thereof. The relative action between rotation of each rotary column and wind produces Magnus lift, which rotates the horizontal rotary shaft so as to drive the power generating mechanism. An air flow device is installed for producing air flow on the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotary columns so as to increase the Magnus lift.

Claims

1. A Magnus type wind power generator comprising a horizontal rotary shaft that transmits a rotation torque to a power generating mechanism, a plurality of rotary cylindrical columns that are disposed radially from said horizontal rotary shaft, and driving motors that rotatively drive said respective rotary cylindrical columns about axes thereof, wherein Magnus lift generated by interactions between the rotations of said respective rotary columns and wind power is caused to rotate said horizontal rotary shaft to drive said power generating mechanism, wherein each said rotary cylindrical column has a rib wound around said rotary cylindrical column in a continuous spiral shape extending from an outer peripheral surface of said rotary cylindrical column, said rib extending substantially along the length of the rotating column, and wherein said rib generates an air flow component at least parallel with an axis of said rotary cylindrical column upon the outer peripheral surface of said rotary cylindrical column, so as to increase the Magnus lift.

2. The Magnus type wind power generator according to claim 1, wherein said air flow component parallel with the axis of said rotary cylindrical column is generated in a direction departing from said horizontal rotary shaft upon the outer peripheral surface of said rotary cylindrical column.

3. The Magnus type wind power generator according to claim 1, wherein said air flow device generates an air flow component parallel with the axis of said rotary cylindrical column and in a direction toward said horizontal rotary shaft upon the outer peripheral surface of said rotary cylindrical column.

4. The Magnus type wind power generator according to claim 1, wherein an end cap larger in diameter than said rotary column is provided upon an extreme end of said rotary cylindrical column.

5. The Magnus type wind power generator according to claim 1, wherein the rib is constructed by a multi-streak spiral.

6. The Magnus type wind power generator according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of dimples are provided upon the outer peripheral surface of said rotary cylindrical column.

7. The Magnus type wind power generator according to claim 1, wherein dimples or projections are formed upon an outer surface of an extreme end of said rib.

8. The Magnus type wind power generator according to claim 1, wherein said rotary cylindrical column is supported for extension and contraction in the radial direction with respect to said horizontal rotary shaft.

9. The Magnus type wind power generator according to claim 1, wherein said driving motors are fewer in number than the number of said rotary cylindrical columns and are used to drive rotatively said respective rotary cylindrical columns simultaneously.

13. The Magnus type wind power generator according to claim 1, wherein said rib is wound around said rotary cylindrical column in a plural number of turns.

10. A Magnus type wind power generator comprising a horizontal rotary shaft that transmits a rotation torque to a power generating mechanism, a plurality of rotary cylindrical columns that are disposed radially from said horizontal rotary shaft, and driving motors that rotatively drive said respective rotary cylindrical columns about axes thereof, wherein Magnus lift generated by interactions between the rotations of said respective rotary columns and wind power is caused to rotate said horizontal rotary shaft to drive said power generating mechanism, wherein at a predetermined position is provided an air flow device in the form of a rib extending from an outer peripheral surface of said rotary cylindrical surface of each said rotary cylindrical columns that generates an air flow upon the outer peripheral surface of said rotary cylindrical column so as to increase the Magnus lift, and wherein said rotary cylindrical column is supported for extension and contraction in the radial direction with respect to said horizontal rotary shaft.

11. The Magnus type wind power generator according to claim 10, wherein an end cap larger in diameter than said rotary column is provided upon an extreme end of said rotary cylindrical column.

12. The Magnus type wind power generator according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of dimples are provided upon the outer peripheral surface of said rotary cylindrical column.