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Title: Control system for a vertical axis windmill

Abstract

A vertical axis windmill having a rotating structure is provided with a series of articulated vertical blades whose positions are controlled to maintain a constant RPM for the rotating structure, when wind speed is sufficient. A microprocessor controller is used to process information on wind speed, wind direction and RPM of the rotating structure to develop an electrical signal for establishing blade position. The preferred embodiment of the invention, when connected to a utility grid, is designed to generate 40 kilowatts of power when exposed to a 20 mile per hour wind. The control system for the windmill includes electrical blade actuators that modulate the blades of the rotating structure. Blade modulation controls the blade angle of attack, which in turn controls the RPM of the rotor. In the preferred embodiment, the microprocessor controller provides the operation logic and control functions. A wind speed sensor provides inputs to start or stop the windmill, and a wind direction sensor is used to keep the blade flip region at 90.degree. and 270.degree. to the wind. The control system is designed to maintain constant rotor RPM when wind speed is between 10 and 40 miles per hour.

Inventors:
 [1]
  1. St. Louis County, MO
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Rockwell International Corp., Canoga Park, CA (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
864747
Patent Number(s):
US 4410806
Application Number:
06/298,990
Assignee:
Brulle, Robert V. (St. Louis County, MO)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-76DP03533
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
control; vertical; axis; windmill; rotating; structure; provided; series; articulated; blades; positions; controlled; maintain; constant; rpm; wind; speed; sufficient; microprocessor; controller; process; information; direction; electrical; signal; establishing; blade; position; preferred; embodiment; connected; utility; grid; designed; generate; 40; kilowatts; power; exposed; 20; mile; hour; actuators; modulate; modulation; controls; angle; attack; rotor; provides; operation; logic; functions; sensor; inputs; start; stop; flip; region; 90; degree; 270; 10; miles; speed sensor; vertical axis; electrical signal; preferred embodiment; wind speed; wind direction; utility grid; microprocessor control; rotating structure; control functions; control function; controller provides; maintain constant; modulation control; axis windmill; blade angle; direction sensor; /290/416/

Citation Formats

Brulle, Robert V. Control system for a vertical axis windmill. United States: N. p., 1983. Web.
Brulle, Robert V. Control system for a vertical axis windmill. United States.
Brulle, Robert V. 1983. "Control system for a vertical axis windmill". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/864747.
@article{osti_864747,
title = {Control system for a vertical axis windmill},
author = {Brulle, Robert V},
abstractNote = {A vertical axis windmill having a rotating structure is provided with a series of articulated vertical blades whose positions are controlled to maintain a constant RPM for the rotating structure, when wind speed is sufficient. A microprocessor controller is used to process information on wind speed, wind direction and RPM of the rotating structure to develop an electrical signal for establishing blade position. The preferred embodiment of the invention, when connected to a utility grid, is designed to generate 40 kilowatts of power when exposed to a 20 mile per hour wind. The control system for the windmill includes electrical blade actuators that modulate the blades of the rotating structure. Blade modulation controls the blade angle of attack, which in turn controls the RPM of the rotor. In the preferred embodiment, the microprocessor controller provides the operation logic and control functions. A wind speed sensor provides inputs to start or stop the windmill, and a wind direction sensor is used to keep the blade flip region at 90.degree. and 270.degree. to the wind. The control system is designed to maintain constant rotor RPM when wind speed is between 10 and 40 miles per hour.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/864747}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Oct 18 00:00:00 EDT 1983},
month = {Tue Oct 18 00:00:00 EDT 1983}
}