GB2167498A - Portable air turbine unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable air tubine unit comprises blades 2, mounted on a shaft 1 which transmits drive to a gearbox 11, with four auxiliary drives which either singularly, or simultaneously, operate power systems, eg: Electrical, Hydraulic, Pneumatic or Water. A lifting eye 4 on the driveshaft facilitates removal and transportation of the complete Unit and a shear pin on the driveshaft prevents overload on possible failure of an accessory drive. The attached base 8 houses equipment associated with the systems mentioned. The unit is intended for low power applications and incorporates in its design, a low centre of gravity and few moving parts. Speed control and stability may be controlled by use of the centrifugal force developed, the control being via pivotally mounted vanes. A variety of applications are discussed including use on vehicles or ships. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Multi-purpose portable air turbine unit Purpose To be an alternative, or to supplement other sources of energy in conventional use, eg: Internal Combustion Engine Mains Electrical Power.

Consists of: 1. Turbine Type Fan rotating about the vertical axis.

2. Fan Blades curved to drive in one direction, corrugated on the windward side and at the correct angle to give the greatest efficiency.

3. Blades will be restricted to the outer diameter of the fan in order to accommodate space for the gearbox driveshaft and components to be driven, eg: Generator(s), Hydraulic Pump(s), Water Pump(s), Compressor(s) as required.

4. The bottom circumference of the fan will be of heavier material and will have a gyroscopic effect at speed in order to reduce side load on any structure to which the Unit is mounted and maintain a low centre of gravity.

5. Extensions to the blades (initially suggested 12) will be hinged and linked to weights. The weights moving under centrifugal force will control R.P.M, operating against spring pressure thus closing off air entry to the fan blades.

6. The vertical driveshaft will be supported at the top and bottom of the gearbox by roller bearings and the lower end of the driveshaft coned and in contact with a very hard material in order to reduce contact area thus reducing friction to a minimum.

7. A crown wheel installed on the driveshaft will in turn drive bevel gears designed to suit the required speed of components. Lubrication - Wet Sump Principle.

8. Mounting of Fan to Driveshaft will be via three webs set at 120 degrees connected to a central tube and webs reinforced by bolting to Fan Top Cover.

9. The end of the vertical driveshaftwill be threaded for securing the fan and a shear-pin locking the driveshaft and tube set to break in event of seizure of gearbox or component.

10. A Lifting Eye will be stowed and used by installing on the end of the driveshaftfortransportation (eg: Helicopter to remote areas.) 11. A weather sealed large inspection cover will be secured with fasteners to the top surface of the fan to give access for attaching the lifting eye and maintenance on the gearbox and components, lubrication, hydraulictankfilling etc.

12. The Assembly gearbox components and fan will be mounted on a base with slight downward angle on its surface to allow for any run off (seawater, rain) aided by air bled from holes in the fan base plate.

13. Depending on the type of use, the Unit can be mounted directly on to the chosen ship vehicle or structure with cables and or pipes routed to the hydraulic pneumatic, electrical or water system or manufactured as a complete unit with those systems contained in its base.

14. Further refinements can be added as required such as de-icing for snow protection.

NB Size of Fan will be governed by the amount of Torque required and dimensions - height no more than radius of Fan for C of G purposes.

Multiple purpose air turbine unit Use Advantage 1. Coastal Vessels up to 80 ft 1 - Extended Range Length 2 - Lower Fuel Costs 3 - Stabilising Effect 4 - Continuous supply of power for Radio in Emergency 5 - Reduced Fire Hazard 6 - Auxilary Power in case of Engine Failure 7 - Lower Centre of Gravity 8 - Low Maintenance due to few moving parts and easy access and exchange 9 - Life Saving. Bilge Pump 2. Beacon or Scanner TV (Coast- 1 - Coverage of greater areas of Coastline guard Assist) 2 - Direct shipping away from hazards (temporary or permanent) 3 - Capable of Air Lift to any location 3. Disasters 1 - Lighting and Heating (Fitted out Standard Ship Cargo 2 - Water Supply Containers) 3 - Radio Communication 4 - Emergency Medical Units 5 - Workshops 6 - Life Saving 4. Isolated Living Conditions As Above 5.Heavy Road Transport 1 - Continuous Battery Charging 2 - Refrigeration (Continuous) 6. Ship's Deck Cargo Perishable 1 - Refrigeration (Continuous) Goods Meat etc 7. Stage Generator 1 - Electrical Transport Systems 2 - Charging Battery Powered Vehicles 8. Hot or Cold Air Circulation 1 - Factory or Home 9. Multiple Use eg: Factory Roof 1 - PowerSupplyforTools 2 - Emergency Lighting 3 - Battery Charging 10. Leisure-Small Craft 1 - Supplementing Yachts and Pedal Boats 11. Leisure-Swimming Pools 1 - Continuous supply of Fresh Water- No Fuel Bill 2 - Ornamental Lighting 12.Military and Naval Uses Discussed but "TOP SECRET" FIGURE 1 15 Gearbox oil filler cap 14 Base flange for securing bolts 13 Unit base & equipment stowage 12 Lifting eye 11 Moisture drains- bottom diaphragm 10 Driveshaft 9 Central re-inforcings 8 Reinforcing plates top & bottom 7 Drive support struts double flanged 6 Access cover- ozus fasteners 5 Speed control valve centrifugal operated 4 Fan internal support 3 Gearbox & 4 accessory drives 2 Fan blade - corrugated face 1 Top diaphragm - re-inforced FIGURE 2 16 Weather sealing plate 15 Shear bolt 14 Equipment access doors 13 Disc brake- remote control 12 Nylon rollers-fan support 11 Gearbox & accessory drives 10 Driveshaft 9 Unit mounting base Ref Description 8 Equipment stowage base 7 Top cover support strut (12) 6 Central re-inforcings 5 Access cover plates 4 Lifting eye 3 Speed control linkage cover 2 Speed control vane-centrifugal 1 Fan blade-corrugated windward Ref Description Notes 1. Cent. force acting on weight (Ref 6) forces linkage outwards which in turn will rotate vane actuating disc.

(Ref 3). The disc locked to the speed control vane will turn it to the closed position thus cutting down volume of air to the fan blades.

2. A compression spring is installed to resist the weight. The spring tension is adjusted by means of the threaded cap (Ref 8) to control the speed at which the controller begins operate.

9 Locknut 8 Cap - spring tension adjust 7 Spring 6 Weight & connecting rod 5 Operating link 4 Speed control vane 3 Vane actuating disc 2 Fan top diaphragm 1 Fan blade Ref Description FIGURE 4 Notes:- 1. Securing straps at A-A & B-B rivetted, but bolts used at C-C. to facilitate easier & fast blade exchange if required.

2. Large O.D. washers used at upper & lower ends of blade outer securing rods to add more rigidity to the fan structure.

9 A-A BB-rivets CC-Bolts 8 Blade securing straps (joggled) 7 Locknut 6 Washers 5 Rod - shouldered & threaded 4 Bottom diaphragm 3 Inner support 2 Top diaphragm 1 A.T.U. blade Ref Description FIGURE 5(A) Portable air turbine unit - use 1 coastal vessels 9 A.T.U. gearbox c/w alt.-gen.

Hydraulic pump Water pump Compressor (if reqd) 8 Elec & hydr. equipment panels 7 Bilge pump 6 Propellorshaft 5 Engine & gearbox 4 Hydraulic motor 3 Winch & derrick 2 A.T.U. equipment stowage 1 Airturbineunit Ref Description Notes:1. A.T.U. mounted aft of wheelhouse in order that there will not be obstruction to a following wind. Derrick would be stored in a horizontal position whilst at sea.

2. Hydraulic pump pressure to be routed to hydraulic panel (Ref 8.) & hen directed to hydraulic motors supplying added torque to the propellor shaft, driving winch, etc.

3. Electrical power can either be supplied to the electrical panel (Ref 8.) or alternatively a panel in the equipment stowage at the base oftheA.T.U. (Ref 2.).

4. Bilge water can be disposed of by an electric pump or directly overboard from a water mounted on the A.T.U. gearbox (Ref 9).

5. A compressor could also be mounted & compressed air system installed if required.

FIGURE 6 Notes:1. Will be mounted on level base or pedestal depending on location and other requirements e.g. temporary or fixed.

2. Generators driven by A.T.U. dispell need of refuelling & frequent maintenance.

3. TV camera-radar etc will be positioned in A.T.U. equipment stowage (Ref 2) & (Fig 2, Ref 8).

4. Beacon unit will replace top cover access panel using existing fasteners, thereby allowing use of A.T.U. if beacon not required (Ref 4).

4 Rotating beacon 3 A.T.U.

2 A.T.U. equipment stowage base 1 Levelled surface A A.T.U. c/wT.V. scanners & beacon 21 Coastguard stn (monitor) FIGURE 7 Notes 1. Containers to be fitted out for whatever purpose required.

2. Compressed air system will also be available.

11 Water tank 10 Heaters 9 Int & ext. entry doors 8 A.T.U Alt. stowage (transit) 7 Elect & hydr. panels 6 Water pump 5 Floor of container 4 End panel - removable 3 A.T.U. minus equip stowage 2 Lifting eye 1 Service compartment Ref Description FIGURE 8 4 Exhaust heater duct de-icing 3 Refrigeration unit 2 Electric & comp. air panels 1 A.T.U. c/w gen & compressor Ref Description FIGURE 9 Note 1. A.T.U. to be retractable if required to clear obstruction e.g. bridges & cables during road transport.

2. Alternative plug-in to A.T.U. mounted on articulated vehicle (see Use 5).

4 Standard container (ins) 3 Lifting eyes 2 Refrigeration unit 1 A.T.U.

Ref Description FIGURE 10 Note 1. Can be converted to sand yacht by using basic hull & wheels instead of pontoons.

4 Batterycompt.

3 Electrical powercompt 2 Flexible prop shaft 1 A.T.U. clw generator Ref Description

Claims (5)

1. A portable air turbine unit as described in abstract complete equipment stowage base.

2. A portable air turbine unit used with or without equipment stowage base when equipped as shipping.

Alternative power with remote control to systems to be operated. See Figure 5 and 5A. (Use 1.)

3. A portable air turbine unit complete with equipment stowage base plus beacon or Scanner platform Figure 6(4) to replace the access cover plate shown Figure 2(5) Use 2.

4. A portable air turbine unit without equipment stowage base when remote control is more desirable Figure 7,8,9 - Uses 3,4,5,6.

5. A portable air turbine without equipment stowage base and extended driveshaft for direct mechanical drive.