Key information

Title
Vertical axis wind turbine
Application number
20220322
Case type
National
Status
26.02.2024 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed
15.03.2022
Effective date
15.03.2022
Publicly available
18.09.2023
Next annual fee due
31.03.2027
Applicant
NORESTRAEN INDUSTRIER AS (NO)
Owner
NORESTRAEN INDUSTRIER AS (NO)
Inventor
Odd B Skjærseth (NO) et al.
Agent
HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS (NO)
Granted
26.02.2024
Patent number
347701
Expiry date
15.03.2042

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.
A vertical axis wind turbine (1), wherein each of several straight rotor blades (12) is pivotally supported about a vertical rotor blade shaft (121) at a turbine rotor basis (111) and at an upper end portion (112) of a centre shaft (113) of the turbine rotor (11), the centre shaft (113) is supported by a thrust bearing (131) of a stationary foundation (13), the centre shaft (113) is extending through and attached to a centre portion of the turbine rotor basis (111), and wherein the stationary foundation (13) is extending from a ground (3) and is provided with a support bearing (132) arranged to support the turbine rotor basis (111) distally from the centre shaft (113).

Publications

Latest published versionB1A1

Documents

 Expand Download files (26)
Date
 Date Doc. No. Process Case number In/Out Journal description To/from
 29.02.2024 11-01 Saksbehandling 20220322(347701) UT PT Registreringsbrev nasjonal patent (15) (PT20220322)
06.02.2024 10-01 Saksbehandling 20220322 UT PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20220322) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 28.11.2023 09-01 Saksbehandling 20220322 UT Intention to grant HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 30.10.2023 08-03 Saksbehandling 20220322 INN P30359NO00_response HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 30.10.2023 08-02 Saksbehandling 20220322 INN P30359NO00_kravoversettelse_24102023 HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 30.10.2023 08-01 Saksbehandling 20220322 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 30.07.2023 07-01 Saksbehandling 20220322 UT Substantive examination HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 28.04.2023 06-05 Saksbehandling 20220322 INN P30359NO00_Response_Office_Action HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 28.04.2023 06-04 Saksbehandling 20220322 INN P30359NO00_Patentsøknad,_beskrivelse_og_krav_MU HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 28.04.2023 06-03 Saksbehandling 20220322 INN P30359NO00_Figs_updated 1025776 HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 28.04.2023 06-02 Saksbehandling 20220322 INN P30359NO00_Description_and_claims_clean HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 28.04.2023 06-01 Saksbehandling 20220322 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 20.12.2022 02-01 Overdragelse av søknad/rettighet 2022/18958 UT GH Forespørsel HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 08.12.2022 01-02 Overdragelse av søknad/rettighet 2022/18958 INN P30359NO00_Fullmakt HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 08.12.2022 01-01 Overdragelse av søknad/rettighet 2022/18958 INN Generell henvendelse HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 30.10.2022 05-03 Saksbehandling 20220322 UT PT report 09:17:31
30.10.2022 05-02 Saksbehandling 20220322 UT D1-KR20110050895A
30.10.2022 05-01 Saksbehandling 20220322 UT Substantive examination HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 30.10.2022 04-01 Saksbehandling 20220322 INN D1-KR20110050895A
30.05.2022 03-03 Saksbehandling 20220322 INN P30359NO00_PoA_Skjaerseth HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 30.05.2022 03-02 Saksbehandling 20220322 INN P30359NO00_PoA_Eilertsen HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 30.05.2022 03-01 Saksbehandling 20220322 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 15.03.2022 02-01 Saksbehandling 20220322 UT Formal Examination 1 HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 15.03.2022 01-03 Saksbehandling 20220322 INN P30359NO00_drawings HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 15.03.2022 01-02 Saksbehandling 20220322 INN P30359NO00_Description_and_claims_abstract HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 15.03.2022 01-01 Saksbehandling 20220322 INN Søknadsskjema Patent HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content. Description
VERTICAL AXIS WIND TURBINEThe invention concerns a vertical axis wind turbine, wherein each of several straight rotor blades is pivotally supported about a vertical rotor blade shaft at a turbine rotor basis and at an upper end portion of a centre shaft of the turbine rotor, the centre shaft is supported by a thrust bearing of a foundation, the centre shaft is extending through and attached to a centre portion of the turbine rotor basis, and wherein the foundation is extending from a ground and is provided with a support bearing arranged to provide support for the turbine rotor basis distally from the centre shaft.Vertical axis wind turbines (hereinafter also called VAWT) represent a unique form of power-generating technology. Historically, they have been relegated to fulfilling a small niche market in commercially available wind turbines due to their “yaw-less” design. Current VAWT designs lag behind their horizontal axis wind turbine counterparts in terms of efficiency, as measured by their power coefficient. However, new research suggests that these types of wind turbines may be better suited for wind farm installations than previously thought.The Darrieus wind turbine is a type of vertical axis wind turbine used to generate electricity from wind energy. The turbine consists of a number of curved aerofoil blades mounted on a rotating shaft or framework. The curvature of the blades allows the blade to be stressed only in tension at high rotating speeds. This design of the turbine was presented by Georges Jean Marie Darrieus, a French aeronautical engineer in 1926. There are major difficulties in protecting the Darrieus turbine from extreme wind conditions and in making it self-starting.The straight blade vertical axis wind turbine (hereinafter also called SB-VAWT) can be thought as a kind of the Darrieus type whose curved blades are replaced by straight blades. Compared with the Darrieus type, the rotor structure of straight blade type is simpler, and the cost of manufacture is cheaper. Generally, a normal straight blade vertical axis wind turbine usually has 2–6 blades. The NACA series symmetrical airfoils are often adopted for blades to achieve optimal efficiency. The NACA airfoils are airfoil shapes for aircraft wings developed by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. Still, the power efficiency of the present SB-VAWTs is not to satisfaction.KR 20110050865 A discloses a vertical axis wind turbine system including a plurality of guide plates that are pivotally supported in a ring surrounding the wind turbine.The invention has for its object to remedy or to reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative to prior art.The object is achieved through features, which are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow.A vertical axis wind turbine with several straight blades is provided. Each blade is supported at a turbine rotor basis and at least at an upper end portion of the turbine rotor, each blade being rotatable about a vertical blade shaft. A centre shaft of the turbine rotor is extending from a thrust bearing and through a centre of the basis of the turbine rotor to the upper end portion forming upper blade attachments. The centre shaft is connected to the turbine rotor basis. A foundation is extending vertically from the ground and is provided with a support bearing facing the basis of the turbine rotor distally from the vertical axis of the turbine rotor.The turbine rotor is preferably connected to one or more power generators provided at the foundation. Preferably, the one or more power generators are provided inside the foundation. Preferably, a drive shaft of each of the one or more power generators and a circular pitch rack carried by the turbine rotor basis are interconnected by transmission means arranged to transform rotation of the turbine rotor into rotation of the drive shaft. An actuator is connected to the shaft of each blade and is arranged to control the angular position of the blade. Preferably, the actuator is provided below the basis of the turbine rotor. In one embodiment, each blade is sectioned, allowing additional blade supports to be arranged along the vertical extension of the blade. In a further embodiment the angular position of each blade section is individually controllable by separate actuators.In one embodiment a control system arranged to continuously monitor wind direction and wind speed, typically by collecting and processing signals from one or more anemometers provided at the turbine rotor. Preferably, wireless signal transfer from the anemometer(s) is provided.The invention is defined by the independent patent claim. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments of the invention.More specifically, the invention relates to a vertical axis wind turbine, whereineach of several straight rotor blades is pivotally supported about a vertical rotor blade shaft at a turbine rotor basis and at an upper end portion of a centre shaft of the turbine rotor,the centre shaft is supported by a thrust bearing of a stationary foundation, the centre shaft is extending through and attached to a centre portion of the turbine rotor basis,whereinthe stationary foundation is extending from a ground and is provided with a support bearing arranged to support the turbine rotor basis distally from the centre shaft. At least one power generator may be provided inside the foundation. An effect of this is that the at least one power generator is well protected inside a housing formed by the turbine rotor basis and the foundation.A drive shaft of each power generator and a ring-shaped pitch rack attached to the turbine rotor basis may be interconnected by transmission means arranged to transform rotation of the turbine rotor into rotation of the drive shaft. An effect of this is that all of the transmission is well shielded inside the housing formed by the turbine rotor basis and the foundation.An actuator may be connected to each rotor blade shaft, the actuator being arranged to control the angular position of the rotor blade. An effect of this is that the pivotal adjustment of each rotor blade can be easily performed on the run according to prevailing wind direction and speed.The actuator may be provided below the basis of the turbine rotor. An effect of this is that the actuator is well protected.Each rotor blade may be provided with several blade sections pivotally supported by intermediate blade attachments extending from the centre shaft of the turbine rotor. An effect of this is that the stability of the rotor blades is improved.Each rotor blade section may be connected to one of several in-line rotor blade section shafts, each of the rotor blade section shafts interconnecting each rotor blade section and a rotor blade section actuator arranged to independently pivot each rotor blade section. An effect of this is that power efficiency of the wind turbine is improved bearing in mind that the wind speed and wind direction may vary from the ground to the top of the wind turbine.A control system may be arranged to continuously monitor wind direction and wind speed by collecting and processing signals from one or more anemometers provided at the turbine rotor. An effect of this is that the power efficiency is further improved.Wireless signal transfer from the one or more anemometers to the control system may be provided. An effect of this is that use of wire transition means from rotational to stationary elements are avoided.In the following is described examples of preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:Fig.1 shows in perspective view the vertical axis wind turbine according to the invention;Fig.2 shows a side view of the vertical axis wind turbine with sectioned turbine blades; Fig.3 shows a top view of the vertical axis wind turbine according to the invention;Fig.4 shows at larger scale an axial section of a foundation and a lower portion of the wind turbine; andFig.5 shows at a larger scale a principle drawing of a sectioned rotor blade wherein each rotor blade section is individually controlled by an allocated rotor blade section actuator.Any positional indications refer to the position shown in the figures.In the figures, same or corresponding elements are indicated by same reference numerals. For clarity reasons, some elements may in some of the figures be with-out reference numerals.A person skilled in the art will understand that the figures are just principal drawings. The relative proportions of individual elements may also be distorted.In the figures reference numeral 1 denotes a vertical axis wind turbine provided with a turbine rotor 11 carrying several vertically extending straight rotor blades 12. The turbine rotor 11 is supported by a foundation 13 extending from a foundation plate 133 secured in a ground 3.The turbine rotor 11 is provided with a vertical centre shaft 113 connected to and extending through a centre of a rotor basis 111. Several sets of blade attachments 114 are extending from the centre shaft 113, forming supports 114a along the turbine rotor 11 for a shaft 121 integrated in each of the rotor blades 12. The rotor blade supports 114a are formed as support bearings allowing the rotor blades 12 to pivot relative the turbine rotor 11.It is now referred to figures 2-4. A lower end of the turbine rotor centre shaft 113 is supported in a thrust bearing 131 provided in the foundation 13. Furthermore, the turbine rotor 11 is supported by a support bearing 132 provided in the foundation 13, forming a sliding support for a periphery of the rotor basis 111. In the illustrated embodiment the support bearing 132 is formed by several support wheels 132a distributed along the periphery of the upper portion of the foundation 13 and forming support for the periphery of the rotor basis 111.The turbine rotor basis 111 is provided with a ring-shaped pitch rack 115, as can best be seen in figure 4, arranged to engage with several power generators 14 arranged inside the foundation 13 of the wind generator 1 via transmission means 142, shown here as the pitch rack 115 engaging a pinion 142 attached to a drive shaft 141 of each of said power generators 14. The power generators 14 are connected to a system (not shown) for adapting the generated power (e.g. voltage, frequency and phase) to the power consumers prior to feeding the power to a connected power grid (not shown).A rotor blade actuator 15 is attached to the turbine rotor basis 111 and is connected to a lower end of the rotor blade shaft 121 of each rotor blade 12 and is arranged to rotate the respective rotor blade 12 about its rotor blade shaft 121, thus directing the rotor blades 12 relative a monitored wind direction and the angular position at the turbine rotor 11 during the rotation of the turbine rotor 11. The rotor blade actuators 15 are connected to a power supply (not shown), typically via collector rings arrangements (not shown).Once again it is referred to figure 2. The wind turbine 1 is provided with a control system 2 arranged to continuously monitor wind direction and wind speed, typically by collecting and processing signals from one or more anemometers 21 provided at the turbine rotor 11. Preferably, wireless signal transfer from the anemometer(s) 21 is provided.Now it is referred to figure 5. In an alternative embodiment sectioned rotor blades 12, here provided with three rotor blade sections 12a, 12b, 12c, are arranged for individual rotation of each rotor blade section 12a, 12b, 12c by concentric rotor blade section shafts 121a, 121b, 121c interconnecting each of the rotor blade section 12a, 12b, 12c and a respective rotor blade section actuator 15a, 15b, 15c. To optimize the positioning of each rotor blade section 12a, 12b, 12c during the rotation of the turbine rotor 11, the control system 2 might process signals from anemometers 21 located close to each rotor blade section 12a, 12b, 12c, thus controlling the rotation of each rotor blade section 12a, 12b, 12c by individually operating each of the rotor blade section actuator 15a, 15b, 15c during the rotation of the turbine rotor 11.It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
Claims
C l a i m s1. A vertical axis wind turbine (1), whereineach of several straight rotor blades (12) is pivotally supported about a vertical rotor blade shaft (121) at a turbine rotor basis (111) and at an upper end portion (112) of a centre shaft (113) of the turbine rotor (11),the centre shaft (113) is supported by a thrust bearing (131) of a stationary foundation (13),the centre shaft (113) is extending through and attached to a centre portion of the turbine rotor basis (111),c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n thatthe stationary foundation (13) is extending from a ground (3) and is provided with a support bearing (132) arranged to support the turbine rotor basis (111) distally from the centre shaft (113).2. The vertical axis wind turbine (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one power generator (14) is provided inside the foundation (13).3. The vertical axis wind turbine (1) according to claim 2, wherein a drive shaft (141) of the at least one power generator (14) and a ring-shaped pitch rack (115) attached to the turbine rotor basis (111) are interconnected by transmission means (142) arranged to transform rotation of the turbine rotor (11) into rotation of the drive shaft (141).4. The vertical axis wind turbine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an actuator (15) is connected to each rotor blade shaft (121) and is arranged to control the angular position of the rotor blade (12).5. The vertical axis wind turbine (1) according to claim 4, wherein the actuator (15) is provided below the basis (111) of the turbine rotor (11).6. The vertical axis wind turbine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each rotor blade (12) is provided with several blade sections (12a, 12b, 12c) pivotally supported by intermediate blade attachments (114) extending from the centre shaft (113) of the turbine rotor (11).7. The vertical axis wind turbine (1) according to claim 6, wherein each rotor blade section (12a, 12b, 12c) is connected to one of several in-line rotor blade section shafts (121a, 121b, 121c), each of the rotor blade section shafts (121a, 121b, 121c) interconnecting each rotor blade section (12a, 12b, 12c) and a rotor blade section actuator (15a, 15b, 15c) arranged to independently pivot each rotor blade section (12a, 12b, 12c).8. The vertical axis wind turbine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a control system (2) is arranged to continuously monitor wind direction and wind speed by collecting and processing signals from one or more anemometers (21) provided at the turbine rotor (11).9. The vertical axis wind turbine (1) according to claim 8, wherein wireless signal transfer from the one or more anemometers (21) to the control system (2) is provided.Patentkrav1. Vertikalakslet vindturbin (1), hvorihvert av flere rette rotorblader (12) er dreibart støttet omkring en vertikal rotorbladaksel (121) ved en turbinrotorbase (111) og ved et øvre endeparti (112) av en senteraksel (113) til turbinrotoren (11), senterakselen (113) er støttet av et aksiallager (131) til et stasjonært fundament (13),senterakselen (113) strekker seg gjennom og er festet til et senterparti av turbinrotorbasen (111),k a r a k t e r i s e r t v e d atdet stasjonære fundamentet (13) strekker seg fra en grunn (3) og er forsynt med et støttelager (132) anordnet for å støtte turbinrotorbasen (111) distalt fra senterakselen (113).2. Vertikalakslet vindturbin (1) ifølge krav 1, hvori minst én kraftgenerator (14) er tilveiebrakt inni fundamentet (13).3. Vertikalakslet vindturbin (1) ifølge krav 2, hvori en drivaksel (141) til den minst ene kraftgeneratoren (14) og en ringformet tannstang (115) festet til turbinrotorbasen (111) er sammenkoplet med utvekslingsmidler (142) anordnet for å omforme rotasjon av turbinrotoren (11) til rotasjon av drivakselen (141).4. Vertikalakslet vindturbin (1) ifølge hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvori en aktuator (15) er koplet til hver rotorbladaksel (121) og er anordnet for å styre vinkelposisjonen til rotorbladet (12).5. Vertikalakslet vindturbin (1) ifølge krav 4, hvori aktuatoren (15) er tilveiebrakt nedenfor basen (111) til turbinrotoren (11).6. Vertikalakslet vindturbin (1) ifølge hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvori hvert rotorblad (12) er forsynt med flere bladseksjoner (12a, 12b, 12c) dreibart støttet av mellomliggende bladfester (114) som strekker seg fra turbinrotorens (11) senteraksel (113).7. Vertikalakslet vindturbin (1) ifølge krav 6, hvori hver rotorbladseksjon (12a, 12b, 12c) er koplet til én av flere in-line rotorbladseksjonsaksler (121a, 121b, 121c), hver av rotorbladseksjonsakslene (121a, 121b, 121c) kopler sammen hver rotorbladseksjon (12a, 12b, 12c) og en rotorbladseksjonsaktuator (15a, 15b, 15c) anordnet for å uavhengig dreie hver rotorbladseksjon (12a, 12b, 12c).8. Vertikalakslet vindturbin (1) ifølge hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvori et kontrollsystem (2) er anordnet til å kontinuerlig overvåke vindretning og vindhastighet ved å samle og prosessere signaler fra ett eller flere anemometre (21) tilveiebrakt ved turbinrotoren (11).9. Vertikalakslet vindturbin (1) ifølge krav 8, hvori trådløs signaloverføring fra det ene eller flere anemometrene (21) til kontrollsystemet (2) er tilveiebrakt.
Drawings

Priority

No priority

Patent classes

IPC classesF03D 3/00F03D 3/02F03D 3/04F03D 7/06CPC classesF03D 3/005F03D 3/02F03D 3/0472F03D 7/06

Citations

KR 20110050895 A (A)US 2017138345 A1 (A1)US 2015292481 A1 (A1)US 8410622 B1 (B1)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Owners
NORESTRAEN INDUSTRIER AS
Ulsbergleitet 19 4034 STAVANGER NO (STAVANGER Municipality, Rogaland county)Org. number: 974490099Inventors
Odd B Skjærseth
Ulsbergleitet 19 4034 STAVANGER NO (STAVANGER Municipality, Rogaland county)
Bjørn Eilertsen
Notveien 11 4085 HUNDVÅG NO (STAVANGER Municipality, Rogaland county)

Agent

HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS

Org. number: 918752900

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Postboks 9 4068 STAVANGER NO (STAVANGER Municipality, Rogaland county)
Org. number: 918752900
Reference: P30359NO00

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