Multi-Cylinder Wind-Powered Air Compressor Using Hypocycloid Motion

抄録

Approximately 20% of the electrical power consumed in various industries is spent on electric air compressors. To reduce greenhouse gases, the principal contributor to global warming and is currently a global challenge, and it is necessary for electric air compressors to reduce their power consumption. To achieve this, we considered the use of wind energy, which is a renewable energy source. Therefore, this research proposes a wind-powered air compressor in which the compressor is driven directly by a wind turbine. By developing a new reciprocating compressor with a linkage mechanism employing a hypocycloid motion, compressing air through ideal linear motion without swiveling, we produced a wind-powered air compressor that can operate even at low revolving speed under low wind speeds. The characteristics of the wind-powered air compressor were analyzed and the compressor design was based on the analysis results. The results indicated a maximum discharge pressure of 0.8 MPa and a maximum efficiency of 12% for an annual average wind speed of 3 m/s in Japan. The target efficiency of 20% may be achieved using a different type of wind turbine with higher efficiency, revealing the potential for the practical application of wind-powered air compressors.