Control system for a vertical-axis windmill

Patent · Thu Sep 03 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:5242608

Brulle, R V

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 and 270/sup 0/ to the wind. The control system is designed to maintain constant rotor RPM when wind speed is between 10 and 40 miles per hour.

• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP03533
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): None
• Application Number: ON: DE82015923
• OSTI ID: 5242608
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

17 WIND ENERGY
170602* -- Wind Energy Engineering-- Turbine Design & Operation
ANEMOMETERS
ANGULAR VELOCITY
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DESIGN
ENERGY SYSTEMS
INTERCONNECTED POWER SYSTEMS
MACHINERY
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
ORIENTATION
POWER RANGE 10-100 KW
POWER SYSTEMS
TILT MECHANISMS
TURBINE BLADES
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
VELOCITY
VERTICAL AXIS TURBINES
WIND TURBINES