INTRODUCTION
Gyro Technologies Limited is a New Zealand based company which aims to commercialise GVT (Gyroscopic Variable Transmission), an invention of Mr. M. Jegatheeson. The prime focus of the company at present is to develop GVT for use in Wind Turbines as there is a demonstrated need for alternatives to traditional gearboxes which are prone to costly failures. Gyro Technologies is also developing UniClutch – a new type of one way clutch with applications in many areas including with GVT in wind turbines.
MARKET POTENTIAL
The breathtaking growth of renewable energy generation around the world is opening up opportunities for new entrants into the market which up until now has been dominated by a few large players. Click here for more The cost, efficiency and controllability advantages of GyroTorque have been recognised by experts in the wind turbine industry.
CURRENT STRATEGY
The construction and testing of various working models and the studies by international wind power consultants Garrad Hassan & Partners Ltd have demonstrated the potential and proven many of the features of the of GyroTorque system. The current phase is to carry out further simulation work and to design, build and test a working prototype. Investment and funding is now being sought to enable this work to be undertaken. Further information is available on request.
PATENT POSITION
GyroTorque intellectual property is broadly protected by an extensive portfolio of patents including the United States, Europe, China, and India.
LICENSING AND JOINT VENTURE OPPORTUNITIES
The company is interested in joint venture opportunities with companies who are interested in working with Gyro Technologies to develop GVT for wind or wave power generation. The company also welcomes proposals for large manufacturers who might want to develop GVT on their own, in which case Gyro Technologies would provide technical support as required. This could apply in both the renewable energy field and particularly in the area of transport where Gyro Technologies does not have the capacity to focus at the present time. Inquiries re licensing GyroTorque for commercial applications or to explore potential joint ventures are welcomed. Contact details follow:
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WIND POWER GROWING RAPIDLY
According to the Worldwatch Institute, world wind power capacity rose 27% in 2007 to more than 94,100 megawatts. Europe alone is aiming to have 75,000 mw installed by 201[1]. Using the 2007 world figure of 94,100 mw as a starting point and assuming only a 15% annual growth rate there will potentially be an additional 280,000 mw of wind power capacity installed by 2017 bringing the total installed capacity by 2017 to 380,000mw.
The German Wind Energy Association’s 2008 Wind Energy Market Survey, shows that currently more turbines are being ordered than produced. The report points out that due to high demand for new turbines, service quality for existing installations has declined according to German wind farm operators. Qualified staff are being assigned to selling new systems rather than looking after their clients. It can take months sometimes even more than a year for replacement gearboxes to finally be delivered. The report also states that EEG lawmakers want to improve incentives for re-powering older wind turbines and should start to take effect from end of 2009 – and pick up steam from 2012 when turbines will be 15 years old.
THE INVENTOR'S STORY
GVT inventor, M. Jegatheeson (Jega) first became interested in the theory of gyroscopic reaction during his undergraduate studies in Sri Lanka.
In the late 1970s, during his post-graduate degree in engineering at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, he took part in a student project to review renewable energy resources during the oil crisis. This work renewed his interest in the potential of gyroscopic reaction. Upon completion of his studies, Jega worked as an engineer on the Huntly Power Project for the New Zealand Electricity Department. He left the Department in September 1990 to pursue his favourite subjects, thermodynamics and mechanics and his passion for gyroscopic reaction.
A casual comment by a friend that an infinitely variable transmission without dependence on friction is what the world needed, became a challenge for Jega. After sketching various mechanisms involving gyroscopic reaction, he took the concept to his friend who built a simple model, while Jega completed the mathematical modelling to support it. This initial concept failed, but became the basis of a search to find if a practical gyroscopic transmission was possible. A patent search showed that serious attempts had been made over the previous fifty years to exploit gyroscopic reaction for variable transmission, principally for automotive applications. Most of these attempts were either flawed or impractical.
A second concept showed that gyroscopic transmission was theoretically possible, but required a second output such as hydraulic power. Jega applied for a patent, submitted a research paper for the 1993 conference of the Institution of Professional Engineers of New Zealand and applied for R&D funding. The funding application was turned down on grounds that although the concept would work, it would not be an attractive alternative to existing variable transmissions. Jega moved to Auckland and built a model based on the second concept. It was not successful due to air leaks in the hydraulic circuits and excess friction in the critical components.
Subsequently Jega continued his research to try and understand why gyroscopic transmission was not possible without a second output. He developed a third concept successfully without a second output and was certain that it was the final answer to the problems of gyroscopic transmission. Modest funding was found to demonstrate the concept using playground equipment. Satisfactory results resulted in additional funding to produce a prototype model and in 1998 a table demonstration unit of a real gyroscopic transmission was made presumably for the first time ever! This marked a significant milestone and when GVT was born. In September of 1999 Hybrid Holdings Ltd of Wellington New Zealand, purchased an exclusive license for all GVT applications (including transport) except for power generation applications.
Gyro Energy Ltd was formed in April 2001 to develop and market the Gyroscopic transmission for power generation applications such as wind, wave and tidal power. Since 2002, Gyro Energy Ltd. later to become Gyro Technologies Ltd., has undertaken a research and development programme including building and testing a number of small GVT models. A major study, entitled "Evaluation of a GVT System for Wind Turbines" by renewable energy consultants Garrad Hassan was commissioned by GEL in 2003". The purpose of this extensive study (which was carried out in three phases) was to evaluate the advantages and disadvantage, optimum configuration and potential cost effectiveness of GVT for wind energy generation.
Current activities include modifying and bench testing existing models and carrying out further computer simulation studies. The next step is to construct and test a working prototype for wind power generation for which funding is currently being sought.