Dynamic ratio speed increaser for windmills and similar applications
A fluid driven rotary prime mover assembly including a turbine, a first generator, a second generator and a speed increaser is provided. The gear assembly includes a first epicyclic and a second epicyclic. The first epicyclic includes a first carrier rotationally connected to the turbine, a first sun rotationally connected to the first generator, a first annulus, and a first planet in meshing engagement with the first sun and the first annulus. The second epicyclic includes a second carrier rotationally grounded, a second sun rotationally connected to the second generator, a second annulus connected to the first annulus, and a second planet in meshing engagement with the second sun and the second annulus.
1. A fluid driven rotary prime mover assembly comprising:
a turbine;
a first generator;
a second generator; and
a speed increaser comprising a first epicyclic and a second epicyclic,
the first epicyclic comprising:
a first carrier rotationally connected to the turbine;
a first sun rotationally connected to the first generator;
a first annulus;
a first planet in meshing engagement with the first sun and the first annulus;
the second epicyclic comprising:
a second carrier rotationally grounded;
a second sun rotationally connected to the second generator;
a second annulus connected to the first annulus; and
a second planet in meshing engagement with the second sun and the second annulus;
wherein the first generator and the second generator are operable as generators in the same direction at the same time.
2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first annulus and the second annulus are integral and form a common annulus.
3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the first annulus and the second annulus are rotationally connected.
4. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the first annulus and the second annulus are rotationally connected by a gear train.
5. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein a total geometric reduction ratio for each torque path from the turbine to each of the first generator and the second generator provides for optimal turbine/generator matching with only one of the first generator or the second generator running.
6. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein the first epicyclic and second epicyclic are symmetrical.
7. An assembly according to claim 6 further comprising first braking means for preventing rotation of the first sun if the first generator is not running.
8. An assembly according to claim 7 further comprising second braking means for preventing rotation of the second sun if the second generator is not running.
9. An assembly according to claim 8 wherein the first generator and the second generator, wherein one of the first generator or the second generator is operating as a generator and the other as a motor, are operable in the opposite direction.
10. An assembly according to claim 9 wherein the first epicyclic and the second epicyclic are concentrically arranged.
11. An assembly according to claim 10 wherein the second sun is disposed on a hollow shaft and the first sun is disposed on a first generator shaft extending through the hollow shaft.
12. An assembly according to claim 11 comprising a gear train rotationally connecting the second sun to the second generator.
13. An assembly according to claim 12 wherein the gear train comprises a proximal gear fixed to the hollow shaft and a distal gear fixed to a second generator shaft.
14. An assembly according to claim 13 wherein the speed increaser further comprises a third epicyclic rotationally connecting the first carrier to the turbine, wherein the first carrier is in meshing engagement with a third sun of the third epicyclic.
15. An assembly according to claim 14 wherein the second carrier is fixed to a housing of the assembly.
16. An assembly according to claim 15 wherein the assembly is a windmill.
17. An assembly according to claim 15 wherein the assembly is a tidal power installation.
18. An assembly according to claim 15 wherein the assembly is a current power installation.
19. An assembly according to claim 15 wherein the assembly is a wave power installation.