GB2609036A

GB2609036A - A wind turbine

Info

Publication number: GB2609036A
Application number: GB2110407.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hancock Adam
Original assignee: Savebox Ltd
Current assignee: Savebox Ltd
Priority date: 2021-07-20
Filing date: 2021-07-20
Publication date: 2023-01-25
Also published as: GB202110407D0

Abstract

Portable wind turbine device and a system for controlling the same. The wind turbine device comprises a base unit 12, an extension section 16 mounted upon the base unit, and a vertical axis wind turbine 18 connected to the extension section. The distance between the base unit and the vertical axis wind turbine is adjustable by adjustment of the extension apparatus, which may be a pantograph or telescopic. Preferably the device is portable and the base unit comprises wheels and deployable legs or outriggers. The base unit may further comprise deployable solar cells and an electrical energy storage. An anemometer may be connected to the wind turbine device and a central processing unit arranged to receive a signal from the anemometer and to control the raising and or lowering of the vertical axis wind turbine according to the wind conditions.

Description

A Wind Turbine

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a wind turbine and, more especially, to a portable wind turbine Backsround to the Invention Wind turbines are often fixed in place with deep foundations to ensure that they are stable and do not blow over in the wind. Sites in which such wind turbines are extensively prepared and the electrical energy that is generate is often transported long distances to join a power grid. Whilst this is useful for powering large areas, there is a need for local, temporary electrical generation, for example, where construction is taking place and lighting is required or electrical power for powering or charging tools and devices.

This is particularly the case with battery-powered portable lighting is needed for the evening and night Additionally, the efficiency of wind turbines is affected by the wind speed, which changes regularly. Having a wind turbine statically positioned is not ideal in respect of maximising the efficiency of the system and gearing and clutches may be required to avoid damage to the internal turbine mechanics in strong winds

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a wind turbine device comprising: a base unit; an extension section mounted upon the base unit; and a vertical axis wind turbine connected to the extension section; wherein the distance between the base unit and the vertical axis wind turbine is adjustable by adjustment of the extension apparatus.

Thus, the present invention provides a vertical axis wind turbine that can be easily transported in a collapsed state and deployed in the required location. The vertical axis wind turbine can be raised and lowered to allow it to be exposed to the wind, thereby allowing it to generate electricity. By employing a vertical axis wind turbine, rather than a horizontal axis wind turbine, device can be more compact and more readily stored and transported. The base unit can be provided with walls, which may be removable, to enable the device to provide protection during transit, where the device is portable.

Additionally, the walls can be shaped to be more aerodynamic.

In a preferred arrangement, the extension section comprises a pantograph. The use of a pantograph allows for a controlled raising and lowering of the vertical axis wind turbine.

Furthermore, the pantograph can be lowered to be relatively flat, thereby allowing the device to be readily transported. Additionally, the pantograph, or scissor lift, provides stability to the extension section. A further advantage of the use of a pantograph in the present invention is that the operation of the extension mechanism can be positioned in the base unit. Thus, an actuator, which may be a motor, or a pneumatic or hydraulic control, can be situated in the base unit, thereby providing the base unit with a relatively low centre of mass in order to improve stability, because the weight of the actuator is kept low, relative to the wind turbine. The actuator can operate the pantograph and can extend or contract the pantograph by operating the lower most linkage thereof Therefore, the whole arrangement is more stable and easily operated.

It may be that in an alternative arrangement the adjustable section comprises a telescopic structure having a plurality of telescopic elements. Such an arrangement is readily extended and contacted.

Preferably, the device is portable and the base unit comprises, or is provided with, wheels or tracks to allow the device to be readily transported to the desired location.

Furthermore, whether static or portable, the base unit may further comprise deployable legs or outriggers, which can provide further stability to the device, particularly in strong 10 winds Advantageously, the base unit further comprises deployable solar cells. Providing solar cells on the base unit provides a secondary method of power generation. It might be that walls of the device may be pivoted open with solar cells contained thereupon. This allows the solar panels to be stowed conveniently and easily deployed. Alternatively, or additionally, a flexible solar panel may be deployed from the base unit, which may be rolled up when not in use.

It is particularly preferable that the device further comprises electrical energy storage.

By providing energy storage, which may be in the form of a battery or a flywheel, the energy can be stored and used at a later time, for example for powering lighting in the dark.

The invention extends to a portable wind turbine system comprising a portable wind turbine device according to any proceeding claim, wherein the system further comprises an anemometer connected to the wind turbine device and a central processing unit arrange to receive a signal from the anemometer and to control the raising and or lowering of the vertical axis wind turbine according to the wind conditions. Thus, the anemometer can be used to determine the best height for operating the wind turbine.

In the system of the present invention, the vertical height can be controlled in relation to the weather and, more specifically, the wind speed and direction For example, in low wind speeds, such as in the Summer in the United Kingdom, it may be desirable to have the vertical axis wind turbine raised as high as possible to harness the fastest wind; however, in stronger winds, such as the Winter in the United Kingdom, it may be preferable to operate the device at a lower height to avoid wind speeds that are too fast for the device. Therefore, the optimum height can be calculated, depending upon the local conditions. Additionally, it may be desirable for the arrangement to incorporate an accelerometer. An accelerometer can be employed to monitor the stability of the device and to lower or collapse the vertical axis wind turbine should the conditions be unsuitable and the risk of toppling be too great.

The use of a pantograph element allows for accurate and reliable height adjustment, whilst retaining the stability of the arrangement.

The device may be provided with a lighting arrangement, that can provide light to the surrounding area and that is powered by the device itself, preferable via an accumulator.

Additionally, or alternatively, a charging point, for example, a plug socket or a universal serial bus outlet, can be providing in the base unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a deployable vertical axis wind turbine system in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the wind turbine system of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

Figures 1 and 2 show a vertical axis wind turbine device 10 and system for operating the same. The device 10 may be fixed to the ground or onto a structure or support, or it may

be portable.

The device 10 comprises a base unit 12 that has a floor and walls 14 around the periphery thereof, one of more of which may be fixedly connected to the floor or may be pivotable thereon. Mounted upon the floor of the base unit 12 is a pantograph, or scissor lift 16. The pantograph 16 is provided with an actuator in the form of a motor and gears that bring the two supports of one end towards one another or moves them away from one another. Due to the nature of a pantograph, this extends or contracts the linkages therein and so raises or lowers the distal end of the pantograph 16 accordingly.

Connected to the end of the pantograph 16 distal from the actuator is a vertical axis wind turbine 18. Mounted at the same end of the pantograph 14 as the wind turbine 18 is a sensor for detecting the wind speed and/or direction.

The base unit 12 is provided with a central processing unit to monitor the wind conditions are the position of the vertical axis wind turbine 18. The base unit may be provided with an accumulator, such as a battery in order to store the electrical energy generated by the vertical axis wind turbine 18. This provides a storage mechanism so that the electrical energy can be used at a later time and also provides weight to the base unit to provide better stability to the device When the device is in its lowered state, the vertical axis wind turbine is contained within the walls 14 of the base unit 12 and a lid may be applied to the tops of the walls 14 to enclose the vertical axis wind turbine 18.

The actuator may be a motor, which may further incorporate a worm gear, to operate the linkages of the pantograph. Furthermore, the motor may be powered by the battery of the device itself and/or it may be provided with secondary power supply, such as a fuel driven engine.

Whist the base unit is provided with wheels or tracks, those may be passive to allow the device to be towed or transported, or they may be motorised, either electrically or using fuel, to allow the device to be readily moved around. Alternatively, the device may fixed in one position, which may include the use of building foundations. The wind turbine device could also be fixed to a building or other structure, rather than being portable Whist it is considered that a base unit may be in the form of foundations or the actuator body, it is preferable that the base unit is a structure upon which other parts can be mounted

Claims

Claims 2. 3. 5. 7. 8.A wind turbine system comprising a portable wind turbine device according to any proceeding claim, wherein the system further comprises an anemometer connected to the wind turbine device and a central processing unit arrange to receive a signal from the anemometer and to control the raising and or lowering of the vertical axis wind turbine according to the wind conditions.A wind turbine device comprising: a base unit; an extension section mounted upon the base unit; and a vertical axis wind turbine connected to the extension section; wherein the distance between the base unit and the vertical axis wind turbine is adjustable by adjustment of the extension apparatus.A wind turbine device according to claim 1, wherein the extension section comprises a pantograph A wind turbine device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustable section comprises a telescopic structure having a plurality of telescopic elements.A wind turbine device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device is portable and the base unit comprises wheels.A wind turbine device according to claim 4, wherein the base unit further comprises deployable legs or outriggers.A wind turbine device according to any proceeding claim, wherein the base unit further comprises deployable solar cells.A wind turbine device according to any proceeding claim, wherein the device further comprises electrical energy storage.