AU2023270291B2

AU2023270291B2 - Contra Rotating Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Array

Info

Publication number: AU2023270291B2
Application number: AU2023270291A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Moore Chris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2023-11-23
Filing date: 2023-11-23
Publication date: 2026-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2043-11-23
Also published as: AU2023270291A1

Abstract

Contra Rotating Vertical Axis Wind Turbine A wind turbine is a device that converts the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy, which is then used to generate electricity. The basic idea behind a wind turbine is to use the force of the wind to turn the blades of a rotor. The rotor is connected to a generator, and as it spins, it produces electrical power. There are two main types of wind turbines: horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWT) and vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT). In an HAWT, the rotor shaft is positioned horizontally, and the blades rotate around a horizontal axis, facing into the wind. VAWTs, on the other hand, have a vertical rotor shaft, and the blades rotate around a vertical axis. Wind turbines are often installed in groups or wind farms to harness wind energy on a larger scale. They are a renewable and clean energy source, as they do not produce greenhouse gas emissions during electricity generation. Wind power has become an increasingly important component of the global energy mix as countries seek to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change. An electric generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. It typically consists of a stationary part, known as the stator, and a rotating part, known as the rotor. The stator contains coils of wire that are connected to an electrical power source, creating a magnetic field when energized. The rotor, usually mounted on a shaft, contains a set of windings or magnets. Most electric motors can also be utilised as generators with some degree of efficiency. For this application the word motor is used to denote the invention in motor or generator modes. In the context of electric motors, "radial" and "axial" typically refer to the orientation of the components within the motor. A radial motor has components arranged radially, meaning the components are oriented along a radius from the centre. An axial motor, on the other hand, has components arranged along an axis. Wind turbines are built as single units on-shore and off-shore The Betz limit, also known as Betz's law or the Betz coefficient, is a theoretical limit that describes the maximum amount of kinetic energy and that no wind turbine can capture more than 16/27 (or approximately 59.3%) of the kinetic energy in the wind. The Betz limit serves as a useful reference point for assessing the performance of wind turbine designs. Most designs are approximately 30% efficient. Contra Rotating Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Description

2/7 23 Nov 2023

3/ CR VAWT configuration

FARST DRiVE simplified diagram of FARSTE DRIVE connection to contra-rotating wind turbines

thrust bearing

SKF or NSK

support tube

rurn printed cage 2023270291

caramic

flex

00 A 3 C

I II V VI I III IV S: 1/4 S4 ** S6 S2

Bottom S3 S3 SI S3

Top Plugging

$2,54,56

Bottom Three Switch

S6 S2

Bottom SI S3

Top Itro Switch

S6 S2 4 lower wind turbine Bottom Single Switch

H2

Hb

H2

Ech

Eb.Is

E2,I,

120 180° 240 300° 360 60° 60°

BackEmf Current Armature

Hb H,

Controller PM rotors

OH,

C S2 AD2 S4/K AD4 S6 AD6 upper wind turbine

+

S1K AD1 S3 D3 SS ADS

demonstration wiring diagram with regeneration (per stator disc)

2/7

3/ CR VAWT configuration

CONFIDENTIAL SPECIFICATION PATENT APPLICATION

AUSTRALIA 2023270291

INVENTION TITLE Contra Rotating Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Array

APPLICANT Christopher John Moore

PO Box 60 Red Hill

NAMED INVENTOR/S Christopher John Moore

DATE OF FILING OF APPLICATION APPLICATION NUMBER

Contra Rotating Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

TECHNICAL FIELD

Wind device to transform the wind’s kinetic energy to electrical energy. 2023270291

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (Prior Art)

Traditional wind turbines are usually Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs) and are 33%

efficient that are responsible for significant flying fauna deaths, land clearing, noise, poor reliability,

and longevity.

Because of the HAWTs large footprint they are usually sited singularly in remote areas or offshore which leads to high installation, maintenance, and grid enlargement costs.

The complexity, weight, and configuration of HAWTs can impact on their durability and reliability.

The constant rotational movement and exposure to various harsh conditions can pose challenges for the durability and reliability, which impact the overall lifespan of the system.

There is a newer design off-shore CR VAWT that pivots on it anchors and requires a large footprint to allow it’ to pivot relating to the wind direction.

PCB motors are commonly referred to as pancake motors and are in use for stationary motors and in limited use in mobile applications where vibration and violent movement can be isolated from the motors.

Contra Rotating Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Contra Rotating Vertical Axis Wind Turbine has shown in tests to be over 55% efficient when mated to a TOROID PCB RADAX electric motor.

This mating is central to the Contra Rotating Vertical Axis Wind Turbine’s efficiency as the TOROID PCB RADAX electric motor allows the bottom section of the rotating turbine 2023270291

to be attached to the rotor. And the top section of the turbine’s mast to pass through the inside of the bottom section and be directly connected to the stator.

This configuration allows the rotor and stator to rotate in opposite directions, at double the apparent wind speed without the need for a gearbox. Allowing the turbine to generate at a rate just below the maximum under the Betz limit of 59.3%

The TOROID PCB RADAX electric motor/generator has no copper windings as per a traditional electric motor, but instead utilises Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) that replicate the properties of copper windings.

The term PCB RADAX is applied due to the motor/generator having PCBs that can be either in a segmented disc, and/or flat ring form that provide a magnetic force against an opposing segmented permanent magnet or electromagnetic disc and/or ring.

The PCB/magnet arrangement in disc form provides an axial force to rotate the rotor housing, the PCB magnet arrangement in flat ring form provides a radial force to rotate the rotor housing. Thus, the combined configuration provides a RADAX motor/generator.

This configuration can be scaled and replicated to provide an alternating series of discs and/or rings to provide the characteristics and energy required for a range of power and/or generation applications.

These collections of discs and/or/rings are enclosed in opposing housings that comprise the outer surfaces and form the stator and rotor components of the invention.

To maintain the minimum air gap possible between the stator and rotor discs there are spider bearings installed. Spider bearings comprise several paired circular tubes of a composite material that run parallel with the outer and inner extremes of the discs or housings. These tubes have several scalloped sections that hold bearing balls that act on the surface of the discs and act as spacers. The tubes are in parallel pairs and connected by a composite material that has a damper function to minimise any vibration and movement by the discs, caused by violent movement in 2023270291

somemotor/generator installations.

The rotor housing has machined flutes on its inner perimeter that key with complimentary machined flutes on the rotor discs so that the rotation of the discs causes the outer rotor housing to rotate.

The stator housing has machined flutes on its outer perimeter that key with complimentary machined flutes on the PCB discs causing those discs to remain stationary and exert a force on the rotor components.

The stator housing also comprises a centre section that has a facility for bearings between it and the stator housing to allow the motor to act without need of an axle.

This centre section can be machined where necessary to allow fitment over a traditional axle or larger to allow clearance over an axle, tube or obstruction. In this case to allow the column driven by the upper stage of the CR VAWT to connect to the underside stator housing.

The combination of significant bearings in the core and the spider bearings between the rotating components provide a significant durability and reliability enhancement over every other electric motor configuration.

Benefits:

This invention is omnidirectional, it does not change orientation to match the wind direction as HAWTs and other CR VAWTs must do.

This invention allows multiple CR VAWTs on a semi-submersible, container or skid.as shown in drawings 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 or multiples or hybrid mix of these configurations. Which allows the invention to be joined to create a tight array of wind turbines.

This invention spins in the same plane as flying fauna. Thus be seen as a potential hazard and allowing that animal to evade the turbines and reduce flying fauna injuries and deaths.

Lower noise.

Better reliability and longevity.

CR VAWT features a direct drive (no gearboxes), that significantly increase efficiency, 2023270291

and reduces the number of working parts, down time, and operating costs.

PCB generators are 9 times more reliable than a conventional electric motor/generator.

Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) can handle turbulent and unconventional wind and generate energy at slower speeds.

CR VAWT noise levels of less than 40 dB at less than 6m, while HAWT’s are more at much greater distances.

CR VAWTs can be sited within the easement of the existing power grid, highways, rail corridors or offshore. Thus, negating the need for further land clearing or energy grid enlargement.

NOTE: Most wiring details have been omitted to allow clarity.

Contra Rotating Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

EMBODIMENTS

This Contra Rotating Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (CR VAWT) is a type of wind turbine that features two sets of blades rotating in opposite directions around a vertical axis. This design is intended to enhance the efficiency of energy capture from the wind.

Our toroid electric motor-generator allows for contra rotating without the use of 2023270291

gearboxes or other form of redirecting the rotations to a single motor.

Dual Rotor Design: In this CR VAWT embodiment, there are two sets of rotor blades positioned one above the other on the vertical axis. The upper rotor rotates in one direction, while the lower rotor rotates in the opposite direction. The dual-rotor design aims to capture more wind energy and increase overall efficiency. Our tests show a near doubling of efficiency over a single direction, similar sized set of rotor blades.

Counter-Rotating Blades: The upper and lower rotor blades are designed to counter- rotate, meaning

that while one set of blades rotates clockwise, the other set rotates counterclockwise. This counterrotation helps to balance torque forces on the central axis and reduces the overall structural stress on the turbine.

Variable Pitch Mechanism: these CR VAWT designs may incorporate a variable pitch mechanism for the rotor blades. This allows the pitch angle of the blades to be adjusted based on wind conditions. Variable pitch control helps optimize the turbine's performance under varying wind speeds and directions.

Hybrid Design with Savonius or Darrieus Rotors: these CR VAWTs can be designed as hybrid systems, combining the contra-rotating vertical axis with other types of vertical axis wind turbine designs like Savonius or Darrieus. This combination may enhance efficiency by capturing wind energy from different directions and speeds.

Turbine with Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) Components: These CR VAWT designs may integrate features from horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs), such as the use of a generator or

other components commonly found in HAWT systems. This integration can provide additional functionality and improve overall performance.

Multiple Stacked CR VAWTs: In certain embodiments, multiple CR VAWT units may be stacked vertically on a single central axis. This arrangement allows for increased energy capture within a limited footprint, making it suitable for urban environments or areas with space constraints. 2023270291

Self-Starting Mechanism: To overcome the initial inertia and enable self-starting in low wind conditions, a variation CR VAWT designs may incorporate a self-starting mechanism. This could involve incorporating a small auxiliary rotor to kick-start the rotation.

Active Control Systems: this CR VAWTs may include active control systems, such as sensors, centripetal weights and/or actuators, to continuously adjust the orientation and pitch of the blades in real-time. This allows for optimal performance in response to changing wind conditions.

These embodiments highlight the variety of design possibilities for this Contra Rotating Vertical

Axis Wind Turbines, each with its own set of advantages and challenges. Site conditions will dictate the eventual configuration will be utilised.

Brief description of the drawings:

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the accompanying drawings. There could be utilised alternate embodiments of the present invention which are not shown in the accompanying drawings but are known to still fall within the scope of this invention. It is to be understood the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings.

Claims

Contra Rotating Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Array 15 Dec 2025

Claim 1

A coaxial contra-rotating vertical axis wind turbine assembly comprising:

• an upper and lower vertical axis wind turbine, the upper turbine positioned directly above the 2023270291

lower turbine, • wherein each turbine is connected to a rotatable vertical support shaft, the shaft of the upper turbine rotatably sheathed within the shaft for the lower turbine, • a hybrid combined radial-axial (RADAX) flux motor encased in a upper and lower housing forming a toroid, • wherein the lower housing is rotatably sleeved within the upper housing, and • the lower housing accommodates an axial PCB stator stack and radial flux magnetic array, and • the upper housing accommodates a complementary axial flux Halbach magnetic array and circumferential radial rotor component, • and the shaft of the lower turbine is fixed to the outer upper surface of the motor upper housing while the shaft of the upper turbine passes through the shaft of the lower turbine and through the hole of the toroid and is fixed to the outer bottom surface of the motor lower housing, • wherein contra-rotation of the upper and lower turbines translates via the shafts to a contrarotation of the upper and lower housings of the RADAX flux motor from which power is generated.
Claim 2

The coaxial contra-rotating vertical axis wind turbine assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is part of a semi-submersible floating structure or the assembly is part of a land based mobile container structure.
Claim 3

The coaxial contra-rotating vertical axis wind turbine assembly of claim 1, wherein the shaft of the lower turbine extends beyond and below the RADAX flux motor to be rotatably sleeved within a support tube that is fixed to a support surface, the entire turbine assembly securely supported on said surface.

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Contra Rotating Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Array 2023270291

Drawings 2023270291

1/ 1/ Toroid Toroid Motor Motor

rotor outer housing

rotor radial magnets stator radial PCBs

rotor spider bearings

stator PCB discs

rotor magnet discs stator spider bearings rotor inner housing

bearings

stator inner housing

2/ Side view 2/ Side view