JP2012502224A - Inflatable wind turbine - Google Patents

Abstract

The wind turbine has an impeller surrounded by a turbine shroud and / or ejector shroud, wherein the turbine shroud and / or ejector shroud includes an inflatable portion and / or a flexible and inflatable portion. In some embodiments, turbine shrouds and / or ejector shrouds include internal rib members that can be varied in shape or length to change the characteristics of the wind turbine.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  This application claims priority to US Provisional Application No. 61 / 191,358, filed Sep. 8, 2008. The entirety of this provisional application is incorporated herein by reference.

  The present invention relates to wind turbines, and more particularly to systems using inflatable components.

  Conventional wind turbines used for power generation generally have 2 to 5 open blades arranged like a propeller, and these blades are attached to a gear box that drives the generator. It is attached to the horizontal axis. Such turbines are commonly known as horizontal axis wind turbines or HAWT. HAWT has already been widely used, but efficiency has not been optimized. In particular, the capture of the potential energy of wind passing through the HAWT does not exceed the Betz efficiency limit of 59.3%.

  Conventional wind turbines have three blades and are directed or directed to the wind by a computer controlled motor. These turbines typically require a support tower with a height in the range of 60-90 meters. The vanes typically rotate at a rotational speed of about 10-22 rpm. A gearbox is usually used to increase the speed to drive the generator, but in some designs an annular generator may be driven directly. Some turbines operate at a constant speed. However, more energy can be collected by using a variable speed turbine and a semiconductor power converter to connect the turbine to the generator.

  Several challenges are associated with HAWT in both configuration and operation. High towers and long blades are difficult to transport. A heavy tower is required to support heavy blades, gearboxes, and generators. For installation, very tall and expensive cranes and skilled workers are required. In operation, the HAWT requires an additional yaw control mechanism to direct the vanes to the wind. The HAWT typically has a large angle of attack on the wing that does not help change the wind flow. HAWT is difficult to drive in turbulent wind near the ground. The adhesion of ice to the nacelle and blades can cause reduced power and safety issues. A tall HAWT can adversely affect airport radar. Furthermore, because of its height, the HAWT will be noticeable over a wide area, which may disturb the landscape and cause local opposition. Finally, another type of downwind suffers from fatigue and structural failures caused by turbulence.

  It would be desirable to reduce the mass and size of the wind turbine.

  The disclosure herein describes a wind turbine with reduced mass and size. In particular, a wind turbine with a shroud and / or ejector having inflatable components is disclosed. Such a wind turbine is lighter. With an inflatable shroud and / or ejector, it is believed that the aerodynamics / shape of the turbine can be changed to accommodate changes in fluid flow. In addition, the support portion of the turbine body may not be very strong, and if necessary due to unfavorable climatic conditions, the expansion portion may be retracted and stored. The expanding portion of the turbine does not rotate aggressively to help extract energy or generate power.

  In disclosed embodiments, a wind turbine of the present invention includes an impeller and a turbine shroud disposed around the impeller, the turbine shroud including an inflatable member. The inflatable member can have an annular wing shape.

  The turbine shroud may further include a first rigid structural member connected to the inflatable member. The first rigid structural member of the shroud can include a hollow interior into which the shroud inflatable member can be inserted. In some embodiments, the first rigid structural member of the shroud defines the leading edge of the turbine shroud.

  The turbine shroud may further include a second rigid structural member connected to the inflatable member on the opposite side of the shroud from the first rigid structural member, the second rigid structural member being located after the turbine shroud. Define the edge.

  The second rigid structural member of the shroud can be shaped to provide a plurality of lobes for the turbine shroud. Alternatively, the shroud inflatable member can be shaped to provide multiple lobes around its trailing edge.

  The wind turbine may further include an ejector shroud disposed concentrically around the turbine shroud, the ejector shroud including an inflatable member. The ejector shroud may further include a first rigid structural member connected to the inflatable member of the ejector. Again, the first rigid structural member of the ejector can also include a hollow interior into which the inflatable member of the ejector can be inserted. Further, the first rigid structural member of the ejector can define a leading edge of the ejector shroud.

  The ejector shroud can further include a second rigid structural member connected to the inflatable member of the ejector on the opposite side of the ejector's first rigid structural member, the second rigid structural member including the ejector shroud. Defines the trailing edge. The second rigid structural member of the ejector can be shaped to provide a plurality of lobes in the ejector shroud.

  The area surrounded by the trailing edge of the ejector inflatable member is surrounded by the leading edge of the ejector inflatable member when the inflatable member of the ejector is incompletely inflated. It can comprise so that it may become smaller than an area. Also, the ejector inflatable member can be shaped to provide a plurality of lobes about its own trailing edge.

  In another embodiment, a turbine shroud and an ejector shroud disposed coaxially around the turbine shroud, the turbine shroud having a shroud circular member and a plurality of shroud firsts engaging the shroud circular member. A rib member and a shroud outer film, wherein the shroud circular member and the plurality of shroud first rib members define an inlet end and an exhaust end of the turbine shroud, and the ejector shroud includes the ejector circular member and the ejector circular shape. A wind turbine comprising a plurality of ejector first rib members engaging with the member and an ejector outer film, wherein the ejector circular member and the plurality of ejector first rib members define an inlet end and an exhaust end of the ejector shroud Is disclosed.

  The turbine shroud may further include a plurality of shroud second rib members. Each shroud second rib member extends between the shroud circular member and the ejector circular member. The plurality of shroud first rib members and the plurality of shroud second rib members cooperate to define a plurality of mixer lobes at the exhaust end of the turbine shroud.

  The ejector shroud may further include a plurality of ejector second rib members that engage the ejector circular member. The plurality of ejector first rib members and the plurality of ejector second rib members cooperate to define a plurality of mixer lobes at the exhaust end of the ejector shroud.

  The first ejector rib member may include a stationary member and an actuating member that are joined at a pivot so that an angle between the stationary member and the actuating member can be changed.

  Alternatively, the ejector first rib member can include a stationary member and an actuating member joined so that the length of the ejector first rib member can be changed.

  Further, an impeller, a turbine shroud disposed around the impeller and having a plurality of mixing lobes disposed around the exhaust end, and an ejector shroud disposed around the turbine shroud and including an inflatable member A wind turbine comprising:

  These and other features or characteristics of the invention, as well as other features or characteristics, although the invention is not limited to these characteristics or features, are further described below.

  The drawings are briefly described below. The drawings are presented for purposes of illustrating the invention described herein and are not intended to limit the invention.

1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing various stages of the assembly process for a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing various stages of the assembly process for a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing various stages of the assembly process for a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing various stages of the assembly process for a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a side view of various internal rib members that can be used in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of various internal rib members that can be used in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of various internal rib members that can be used in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

9 illustrates a wind turbine before and after use of various internal rib members, such as the internal rib members illustrated in FIGS. 9 illustrates a wind turbine before and after use of various internal rib members, such as the internal rib members illustrated in FIGS.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  A more complete understanding of the processes and apparatus disclosed herein can be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings. These figures are schematic diagrams based solely on the convenience and ease of explaining existing technology and / or current developments, and are intended to show the relative sizes and dimensions of the assembly or components of the assembly. is not.

  In the following description, specific terminology is used for the sake of clarity, but these terms only refer to the specific structure of the embodiment selected for illustration in the drawings. It is not intended to define or limit the technical scope. It should be understood that in the drawings and the following description, like reference numerals refer to components of similar function.

  Broadly, the present invention includes a wind turbine with inflatable components. This provides a wind turbine with a lower mass compared to HAWT.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a wind turbine of the present invention in a form also known as a mixer-ejector wind turbine (MEWT). The MEWT has a shrouded impeller, propeller, or rotor / stator to improve the efficiency of the wind turbine so that it can extract more power in a turbine that has the same area as other current types of wind turbines A new type of wind turbine using Thereby, the MEWT draws air from a larger area than the most common type of wind turbine, the horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT).

  The wind turbine can theoretically capture up to 59.3% of the potential energy of the wind passing through the wind turbine (the maximum known as the Betz limit). The amount of energy captured by the wind turbine can also be referred to as turbine efficiency. MEWT can exceed the Betz limit.

  With reference to FIG. 1, a turbine 10 includes an impeller 20 disposed at an inlet end 32 of a turbine shroud 30. The impeller can be any assembly that typically has blades attached to the shaft and is rotatable and can generate output or energy from the wind that rotates the blades. As shown here, the impeller 20 is a rotor-stator assembly. A stator 22 engages the turbine shroud 30 and a rotor (not shown) engages a motor / generator (not shown). The stator 22 has non-rotating vanes 24 that change the direction of air before reaching the rotor. As a result, the rotor blades rotate and electric power is generated in the generator. The shroud 30 includes an annular wing 34, i.e., is generally cylindrical and has the shape of a wing so that the wing is relatively internal to the turbine shroud (i.e., inside the shroud). It is configured to generate a low pressure and to generate a relatively high pressure outside the turbine shroud (ie, outside the shroud). In other words, an annular wing can be seen in FIGS. 4, 7, 12, 14, 17, and 19 of US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0087308, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. So that it has a cross section shaped like an aircraft wing. The impeller and motor / generator are housed in a turbine shroud. The turbine shroud 30 may further include a mixer lobe 40 around the shroud outlet end or exhaust end. The mixer lobes are distributed almost uniformly around the outer periphery of the exhaust end. In general, the mixer lobe causes the exhaust end 36 of the turbine shroud from which air exits to have a generally apex and valley shape around the outer periphery. In other words, the lobe 40 is disposed along the trailing edge 38 of the shroud.

  Further, the turbine 10 includes an ejector shroud 50 engaged with the turbine shroud. The ejector shroud includes an annular wing 54, in other words, is generally cylindrical and has the shape of a wing, and the wing is located inside the ejector (ie, between the turbine shroud 30 and the ejector shroud 50). And a relatively low pressure on the outside of the ejector shroud 50. The ejector shroud can also have a mixer lobe 60, in which case the wind turbine becomes a mixer-ejector wind turbine. In general, the mixer lobe generally has an apex and valley shape around the outer periphery of the exhaust end 56 of the ejector from which air exits. In other words, the mixer lobe is disposed along the trailing edge 58 of the ejector shroud 50.

  The ejector shroud 50 has a larger diameter than the turbine shroud 30. A turbine shroud 30 is engaged with the ejector shroud 50. In other words, the exhaust end 36 of the turbine shroud fits into the inlet end 52 of the ejector shroud, or the inlet end 52 of the ejector shroud surrounds the exhaust end 36 of the turbine shroud. Turbine shroud 30 and ejector shroud 50 are dimensioned to allow air to flow between them. In other words, the ejector shroud 50 is disposed concentrically around the turbine shroud 30 and is disposed downstream of the turbine shroud 30. Impeller 20, turbine shroud 30, and ejector shroud 50 all share a common axis, i.e., are coaxial with one another.

  Mixer lobes 40, 60 allow advanced flow mixing and control. Turbine shrouds and ejector shrouds differ from similar shapes used in the aircraft industry. This is because in MEWT, the flow path brings high energy air to the ejector shroud. The turbine shroud brings low energy air into the ejector shroud, and the high energy air surrounds the low energy air, sucks out the low energy air, and mixes with the low energy air.

  A motor / generator can be used to generate electricity when wind drives the rotor. If the wind is insufficient to drive the rotor, the turbine generator can also be used as a motor to drive the impeller 20 and draw air through the turbine 10.

  Referring again to FIG. 1, the turbine shroud 30 includes an expandable member 70, a first rigid structural member 72, and a second rigid structural member 74. The first rigid member defines a leading edge 76 of the shroud 30 and the second rigid member 74 defines a trailing edge 38 in which a plurality of lobes 40 are provided around the outer periphery. The rigid members 72, 74 are connected to the inflatable member 70 facing each other, i.e., connected to both sides of the inflatable member. The first rigid structural member 72 is annular. The first rigid structural member 72 provides a structure for supporting the impeller 20 and also functions as a funnel for guiding air through the impeller. The inflatable member 70 is made of a thin film material, as will be described later. The rigid members 72, 74 may be flexible and may be rigid compared to the inflatable member 70.

  The ejector shroud 50 also includes an inflatable member 80, a first rigid structural member 82, and a second rigid structural member 84. The first rigid member defines a leading edge 86 of the ejector 50, and the second rigid member 84 defines a trailing edge 58 on which a plurality of lobes 60 are provided around the outer periphery. The rigid members 82, 84 are connected to the inflatable member 80 face to face with each other, i.e., connected to both sides of the inflatable member. Again, rigid members 82, 84 may be flexible and are considered rigid in comparison to inflatable member 80. The inflatable members 70, 80 can include one large pocket that can be inflated, or can include multiple pockets that can be individually inflated / deflated.

  FIG. 2 shows another exemplary embodiment of a turbine. The turbine 110 includes an impeller 120, a turbine shroud 130, and an ejector shroud 150. In this embodiment, the turbine shroud 130 includes a first rigid structural member 132 connected to an inflatable member 134. A first rigid structural member 132 defines a leading edge 136 of the shroud 130. The shroud expandable member 134 is configured to provide a plurality of lobes 140 around the trailing edge 138 of the turbine shroud. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 1, there is only one rigid member, to which the inflatable member is connected. Similarly, the ejector 150 includes a first rigid structural member 152 connected to the inflatable member 154. A first rigid member 152 defines a trailing edge 156 of the ejector shroud 150. The ejector inflatable member 154 is configured to provide a plurality of lobes 160 around the trailing edge 158 of the ejector shroud. In other words, in this embodiment, the inflatable turbine shroud 130 and / or the inflatable ejector shroud 150 are free of rigid members that define lobes.

  FIG. 3 shows another exemplary embodiment of a turbine. The turbine 110 includes an impeller 120, a turbine shroud 130, and an ejector shroud 150. In this embodiment, the turbine shroud 130 is made of an inflatable member, and the ejector shroud 150 is made of an inflatable member. In other words, there is no rigid structural member at the leading or trailing edge of the turbine shroud or ejector shroud.

  FIG. 4 shows another exemplary embodiment. Here, turbine shroud 130 and ejector shroud 150 are formed of an inflatable material and form a partial assembly configured to be retrofitted to an existing turbine or propulsion device.

  FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here, the turbine 200 includes an impeller 210, a turbine shroud 220, and an ejector shroud 230. The impeller 210 is a rotor-stator assembly. The stator 212 has a plurality of blades 214. The turbine shroud 220 includes a rigid structural member 222 that surrounds the stator 212, has a substantially circular shape, and defines a leading edge of the turbine shroud. Similarly, the ejector shroud 230 also has a substantially circular shape and includes a rigid structural member 232 that defines the leading edge of the ejector shroud. A strut 224 connects the shroud rigid member 222 and the ejector rigid member 232 together. The turbine shroud 220 further includes an expandable member (not shown), and the ejector shroud 230 also includes an expandable member 234. In this embodiment, the inflatable member is designed to reshape and shrink to become smaller for protection in strong wind situations or icing storms. The shroud rigid member 222 has a hollow interior into which the inflatable member can be retracted. In this figure, it should be understood that the hollow interior is located at the trailing edge 226 of the shroud rigid member 222 and is not visible. Here, the turbine shroud 220 is shown with the inflatable member fully compressed and housed in the shroud rigid member 222. Similarly, the ejector inflatable member 234 can be contracted and housed in the hollow interior of the ejector rigid member 232.

  6A and 6B show two views of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Turbine 300 similarly includes a turbine shroud 310 and an ejector shroud 320. The turbine shroud includes a rigid structural member 312 and an expandable member 314 (shown here in a fully expanded state). The ejector shroud also includes a rigid structural member 322 and an inflatable member 324. Here, however, the inflatable member 324 of the ejector is sufficiently flexible that it can take various forms or shapes depending on the degree of expansion. Here, the expandable member 324 is shown in a state that is not fully expanded so that the area of the exhaust end 326 is reduced. As shown here, this reduction in area reduces the flow of air through the turbine, reduces the flow of air, and stresses on the impeller or rotor-stator assembly that can occur in high wind conditions. Get smaller. In other words, the area 330 surrounded by the trailing edge 332 of the ejector inflatable member is smaller than the area surrounded by the trailing edge 334 of the ejector shroud when the ejector inflatable member 324 is not fully expanded. It is configured as follows. It should be noted that the area enclosed by the leading edge refers to the total area defined by the leading edge, not just the annular area between the turbine shroud 310 and the ejector shroud 320.

  7A-7C illustrate various stages of construction of another exemplary embodiment of a shroud and / or ejector useful in the wind turbine of the present invention. In these figures, the impeller is not shown. Here, the shroud / ejector combination 390 includes a circular member 400 and a plurality of shroud first rib members 410 that cooperate to define an inlet end 402 and an exhaust end 404 of the turbine shroud. The circular member 400 and the plurality of shroud first rib members 410 are then covered with the outer film material 406 to complete the turbine shroud. The exhaust end 404 of the turbine shroud can have a smaller area than the inlet end 402. Similarly, the ejector shroud includes a circular member 420 and a plurality of ejector first rib members 430 that cooperate to define the inlet end 422 and the exhaust end 424 of the ejector shroud. The circular member 420 and the plurality of ejector first rib members 430 are then covered with the outer film material 426 to complete the ejector shroud. In some embodiments, the shroud circular member 400 and the ejector circular member 420 are also connected to each other by a shroud first rib member 410.

  In further embodiments, the turbine shroud may include a plurality of shroud second rib members 440. The shroud second rib member 440 connects the shroud circular member 400 and the ejector circular member 420 together. The shroud first rib member 410 and the shroud second rib member 440 cooperate to define a plurality of mixer lobes 442 at the shroud exhaust end 404. In general, the shroud first rib member 410 and the shroud second rib member 440 have different shapes. In further embodiments, the ejector shroud can similarly include a plurality of ejector second rib members 450. The first ejector rib member 430 and the second ejector rib member 450 cooperate to define a plurality of mixer lobes 452 at the exhaust end 424 of the ejector. In general, the ejector first rib member 430 and the ejector second rib member 450 have different shapes.

  As seen in FIG. 7A, the shroud first rib member 410 and the ejector first rib member 430 are connected to the ejector circular member 420 at the same location. Similarly, shroud second rib member 440 and ejector second rib member 450 are connected to ejector circular member 420 at the same location. For the various rib members, the connection at this same position is not essential.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7D, the shroud / ejector combination 390 can be moved from the first circular member 400, the second circular member 420, the plurality of first internal ribs 460, and the plurality of second internal ribs 470. Can be considered. The combination of the two circular members, the first internal rib, and the second internal rib define the shape of the turbine shroud, turbine shroud lobe, ejector shroud, and ejector shroud lobe. The turbine shroud is defined by the area between the two circular members 400 and 420, while the ejector shroud is disposed downstream of the second circular member 420. Compared to FIG. 7A, the first inner rib 460 can be considered as a combination of the shroud first rib member 410 and the ejector first rib member 430 in one piece, while the second inner rib 470. It can be considered that the shroud second rib member 440 and the ejector second rib member 450 are combined into one component.

  8A-8C are side views of various embodiments of internal ribs suitable for use in various embodiments as shown in FIGS. 7A-7C. In FIG. 8A, an arcuate member 510 and a transverse member 520 are integrally formed so as to form a generally rigid rib 500 in cooperation. The member is generally lightweight and can be thought of as a beam 502 joined by struts 504. Arcuate member 510 defines the shape of the turbine shroud, while cross member 520 defines the shape of the ejector shroud.

  Referring to FIG. 8B, the rib 500 includes a stationary member 530 and an actuating member 540. The stationary member 530 defines the shape of the turbine shroud, while the actuating member 540 defines the shape of the ejector shroud. The stationary member 530 and the actuating member 540 are connected along the lower edge 508 by a pivot 550 that defines an angle therebetween. The stationary member 530 and the actuating member 540 are connected along the upper edge 506 by a sleeve or linear motion member 560. Actuator 570 engages both stationary member 530 and actuation member 540 to change the angle between stationary member 530 and actuation member 540, thereby changing the shape of the shroud and / or ejector. The solid outline indicates the shortened position or the straight line position, while the dashed outline indicates the extended position or the oblique position. This capability of shape change allows for movement / shape change of the entire skeleton of the turbine shroud or ejector shroud.

  Referring to FIG. 8C, the stationary member 530 and the actuating member 540 are joined together by a sleeve or linear motion member 560 that changes the length of the rib 500 in cooperation with the actuator 570 at both the upper edge 506 and the lower edge 508. It has been.

  FIG. 8D shows a turbine 580 that includes a turbine shroud 582 and an ejector shroud 584. Here, each rib member (not shown) of the ejector is in a shortened position. In FIG. 8E, the rib members of the ejector shroud are each in an extended position, providing a longer ejector and different air flow characteristics. In this way, the flexible nature of the rib members of the wind turbine allows a configuration change to accommodate various wind conditions.

  In FIG. 9, a wind turbine 600 is shown as a propeller 602 attached to a generator 604 and has an impeller supported by a pillar 606. An inflatable shroud 608 is disposed around the propeller 602. In this way, the inflatable shroud can be used in existing types of wind turbines.

  FIG. 10 is another embodiment in which the turbine 600 is not supported by a column. Instead, the inflatable shroud 608 is inflated with a gas that is lighter than air, such as hydrogen, helium, ammonia, or methane. This provides sufficient buoyancy to raise the turbine 600 freely. The turbine 600 is connected by a mooring line or cable 610, and the line 610 is connected to a controller that can extend or shorten the length of the line 610. Therefore, a support structure other than the rope 610 is not necessary. Base 612 can include a reel or spool for controlling the length of cord 610. This feature provides a simple and quick response means to lower the turbine 600 in case of excessively strong winds.

  The inflatable members described herein can include several internal chambers to control the amount of lift or the degree of expansion. These internal chambers can be placed around the circumference of the inflatable member as appropriate, or can be placed from one end of the inflatable member to the other.

  The thin film material used to form the expandable member for shroud and / or ejector and the outer film can generally be formed of any polymeric or fabric material. Typical materials include polyurethane, polyfluoropolymer, and multilayer films of similar composition. Stretchable fabrics such as spandex type fabrics can also be used.

  The polyurethane film is strong and has good weather resistance. Polyester type polyurethane films tend to be more susceptible to hydrophilic degradation than polyether type polyurethane films. Also, the aliphatic versions of these polyurethane films generally resist UV well.

  Typical polyfluoropolymers include polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyvinyl fluoride (PVF). Commercial versions are available as KYNAR and TEDLAR. Since polyfluoropolymers generally have very low surface energy, they can prevent dust from adhering to the surface to some extent, and can drop ice more easily than materials with higher surface energy.

  Film / fabric composites can also be envisioned with foam backings for the formation of inflatable members or outer films.

  The inflatable member can also be comprised of a urethane film bladder and a woven or knitted cover that covers the bladder and provides strength and durability to the bladder. Woven or knitted materials are polyester, pre-stressed polyester, aromatic polyester (trade name VECTRAN (registered trademark) manufactured by Kuraray of Japan), p-phenylene terephthalamide (PpPTA) (trade name of Akzo) TWARON), PPTA (poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide (DuPont's trade name KEVLAR), and polytrimethylene terephthalate (Shell's trade name CORTERRA). Can be coated with various polymers such as polyisoprene, polyurethane, epoxy, or polyvinyl chloride, which protects the fabric or knitting from environmental attack such as UV or sand or other that can damage the fiber Protects against abrasion from materials: Manufacturers include Federal Fabrics-Fibers, Lowell, Massachusetts, Warwick Mills, New Ipswich, New Hampshire, Vertico Inc, Lake Elsinore, California, and Fred, Delta, Delaware. Part or all of the possible member is introduced by reactive polymer introduction by vacuum resin impregnation (VARTM) or pre-impregnated polymer (unsaturated polyester, epoxy, acrylate, or cured by radiation, free radical initiation, or cross-linking with isocyanate, or Can be reinforced using curing of urethane, etc.).

  The expandable configuration of the shroud and / or ejector in the wind turbine of the present invention allows the turbine to be significantly lighter than conventional turbines. Thus, less rigid support towers can be used.

  The system and method of the present invention have been described with reference to exemplary embodiments. Of course, several changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review and understanding of the above detailed description. The exemplary embodiments described above should be construed to include all such changes and modifications as long as they fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (22)

Impeller,
A turbine shroud disposed around the impeller,
A wind turbine in which the turbine shroud includes an expandable member.   The wind turbine of claim 1, wherein the turbine shroud further includes a first rigid structural member connected to the expandable member.   The wind turbine according to claim 2, wherein the first rigid structural member of the shroud includes a hollow interior into which the expandable member of the shroud can be inserted.   The wind turbine of claim 2, wherein the first rigid structural member of the shroud defines a leading edge of the turbine shroud.   The turbine shroud further includes a second rigid structural member connected to the inflatable member on the opposite side of the shroud from the first rigid structural member, wherein the second rigid structural member comprises the turbine The wind turbine according to claim 2, wherein a trailing edge of the shroud is defined.   The wind turbine of claim 5, wherein the second rigid structural member of the shroud is configured to provide a plurality of mixing lobes to the turbine shroud.   The wind turbine of claim 1, wherein the shroud expandable member is configured to provide a plurality of mixing lobes about a trailing edge of the shroud expandable member.   The wind turbine of claim 1, further comprising an ejector shroud disposed concentrically around the turbine shroud, wherein the ejector shroud includes an inflatable member.   The wind turbine of claim 8, wherein the ejector shroud further includes a first rigid structural member connected to an inflatable member of the ejector.   The wind turbine of claim 9, wherein the first rigid structural member of the ejector comprises a hollow interior into which the inflatable member of the ejector can be inserted.   The wind turbine of claim 9, wherein the first rigid structural member of the ejector defines a leading edge of the ejector shroud.   The ejector shroud further includes a second rigid structural member connected to the inflatable member of the ejector on a side opposite to the first rigid structural member of the ejector, the second rigid structural member comprising: The wind turbine according to claim 9, wherein a trailing edge of the ejector shroud is defined.   The wind turbine of claim 12, wherein the second rigid structural member of the ejector is configured to provide a plurality of mixing lobes to the ejector shroud.   The area of the inflatable member of the ejector that is surrounded by the trailing edge of the inflatable member of the ejector when the inflatable member of the ejector is incompletely inflated is determined by the leading edge of the inflatable member of the ejector. The wind turbine according to claim 8, wherein the wind turbine is configured to be smaller than an enclosed area.   The wind turbine of claim 8, wherein the ejector inflatable member is configured to provide a plurality of mixing lobes about a trailing edge of the shroud inflatable member.   The wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the expandable member is in the shape of an annular wing. A turbine shroud,
An ejector shroud disposed coaxially around the turbine shroud,
The turbine shroud includes a shroud circular member, a plurality of shroud first rib members engaged with the shroud circular member, and a shroud outer film, and the shroud circular member and the plurality of shroud first rib members are included. , Defining an inlet end and an exhaust end of the shroud,
The ejector shroud includes an ejector circular member, a plurality of ejector first rib members that engage with the ejector circular member, and an ejector outer film, and the ejector circular member and the plurality of ejector first rib members include A wind turbine defining an inlet end and an exhaust end of the ejector shroud. The turbine shroud further comprises a plurality of shroud second rib members, each shroud second rib member extending between the shroud circular member and the ejector circular member;
The wind turbine of claim 17, wherein the plurality of shroud first rib members and the plurality of shroud second rib members cooperate to define a plurality of mixer lobes at an exhaust end of the turbine shroud. The ejector shroud further includes a plurality of ejector second rib members that engage with the ejector circular member;
The wind turbine according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of ejector first rib members and the plurality of ejector second rib members cooperate to define a plurality of mixer lobes at an exhaust end of the ejector shroud.   18. The ejector first rib member according to claim 17, wherein the first rib member includes a stationary member and an actuating member joined to each other at a pivot portion so that an angle between the stationary member and the actuating member can be changed. Wind turbine.   The wind turbine according to claim 17, wherein the ejector first rib member is provided with a stationary member and an actuating member joined so that the length of the ejector first rib member can be changed. Impeller,
A turbine shroud disposed around the impeller and having a plurality of mixing lobes disposed around the exhaust end;
A wind turbine comprising an ejector shroud disposed around the turbine shroud and including an inflatable member.

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