GB2472003A

GB2472003A - Apparatus for capturing wind energy in moving vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2472003A
Application number: GB0912542A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neal Maurice Rose
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-07-20
Filing date: 2009-07-20
Publication date: 2011-01-26
Also published as: GB0912542D0; GB0917874D0

Abstract

An apparatus 10 for capturing wind energy comprises an inlet 14 provided in a forward facing position on a vehicle 12. A duct 16 connected to the inlet 14 extends through 180 degrees in a smooth curve to an outlet 18. A planar surface 20 attached to the vehicle 12 is positioned adjacent the outlet substantially perpendicular to an axis of the duct at the outlet, outlet flow from the duct hitting the surface. A sail arrangement 50 is shown in Figure 5 mounted to a tail fin 58 of an aircraft 60, including planar members 52, 54, which can be closed or opened depending on whether there is a tailwind or headwind.

Description

Title: Apparatus for capturing wind energy The present invention relates to an apparatus for capturing wind energy and particularly, but not exclusively, for separately capturing head and tail wind energy and positively using the wind energy forces in a moving vehicle.

Background to the Invention

At present, vehicles, particularly road vehicles which are designed to be as streamlined as possible, are not optimised for harnessing available head and tail wind energy, resulting in the use of more fossil fuels, higher carbon dioxide emissions and greater energy costs than necessary. It is well understood that wind energy is a clean and renewable energy source and governments worldwide are or are starting to be committed to the utilisation of wind energy out of necessity in order to reduce the burn rate of fossil fuels.

It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus which provides a solution, at least to some extent, to the problem of utilisation of head and tail winds. The invention aims to make use of wind energy, a clean and renewable energy source, and to provide an apparatus to improve the efficiency of vehicles.

Statement of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for capturing head wind energy comprising an inlet adapted to be provided in a forward facing position on the vehicle, at least a first duct connected to the inlet, the at least first duct extending through substantially 180 degrees in a smooth curve to an outlet, and a surface adapted to be attached to the vehicle positioned adjacent the outlet substantially perpendicular to an axis of the duct at the outlet, outlet flow from the duct impinging on the surface.

The invention is advantageous as the duct extending into a 180 degree curve effectively converts head wind resistance into a positive tail wind. When the wind hits the surface, a positive force is exerted on the surface in the direction of travel.

The result of the apparatus is a vehicle that can travel faster, use less energy and therefore emit less carbon dioxide, and save energy costs.

The first duct may divide into a pair of smaller ducts, each smaller duct extending through the smooth 180 degree curve to respective outlets on either side of the inlet.

This ensures that the effect of the wind force is balanced across the vehicle.

The smaller ducts may have equal cross section.

A second duct may be provided, the second duct having an inlet, an outlet and extending 180 degrees in a smooth curve, the inlet of the first duct being disposed proximate the outlet of the second duct, and the inlet of the second duct being disposed proximate the outlook of the first duct.

The first and second ducts may he disposed substantially one above the other.

The internal surface of the or each duct may be provided with guide means for guiding air through the or each duct.

The guide means may include straight or spiral ribs or indentations. The guide means reduce turbulence in the ducts and therefore ensure that the maximum wind force available in the ducts is maintained.

The cross section of the or each duct may be a round, oval, a parallelogram such as a rhomboid or rectangle, or triangular. Alternatively, any suitable cross-section of duct with a substantially smooth surface may he utilised, The or each duct and respective inlet is provided within the bodywork of the vehicle.

The duct may alternatively be provided as a superstructure on top of the vehicle or may he built into an upper superstructure of the vehicle.

The apparatus may be attached to the superstructure of the vehicle. The vehicle may be an aircraft, ship, boat, truck, automobile or any other vehicle or craft.

At least one sail may be provided for capturing tail wind comprising first and second surfaces movable between a stowed position in which the surfaces are face to face and an operating position in which the surfaces are disposed at an angle to one another.

The angle may be less than 180 degrees and may be adjustable. The angle may be acute.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for capturing tail wind in a vehicle comprising; first and second surfaces movable between a stowed position in which the surfaces are face to face and an operating position in which the surfaces are disposed at an angle to one another.

The angle may be less than 180 degrees and may be adjustable. The angle may be acute or obtuse.

The sail may be set into and substantially contained within an aircraft wing or fuselage or fin.

The angle of adjustment may be readily controllable from the cockpit of the aircraft.

A plurality of sails may be provided, the sails dispersed symmetrically on either side of the aircraft.

Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic plan view of an apparatus for capturing wind energy fitted in a vehicle; Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the mouth of the duct of the apparatus of Figure; Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of a second embodiment of an apparatus for capturing wind energy fitted in a vehicle;; Figure 4A shows a schematic perspective view of a sail of the invention for fitting in a vehicle in a stowed position Figure 48 shows a schematic perspective view of the sail of Figure 4A in an operative position; and Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of an aircraft with the sail of Figures 4A and 48 mounted in the tail fin in an operative position.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring firstly to Figure 1, an apparatus 10 for capturing wind energy is shown mounted in a vehicle 12, indicated in dotted outline. The apparatus 10 includes an inlet 14 mounted in the front of the vehicle 12 connected to a duct 16. The duct 16 is initially straight and then curves in a smooth curve through substantially 180 degrees to a further straight portion and finally to an outlet 18. The curve of substantially 180 degrees is intended to include the possibility of curves +1-9 degrees, ie between 171 degrees and 189 degrees. A planar or dished plate 20 or other member, for example, a diffuser, is mounted directly in front of the outlet 18 and spaced a short distance therefrom. The plate 20 is securely mounted to the vehicle 12 for transferring force to the vehicle. The duct 16 may have any suitable cross-section and inlet cross-section, but a suitable cross-section is shown at 22 in Figure 2, in which the cross section is substantially a rhomboid with rounded vertices. Internally, the duct 16 may he provided with guiding means (not shown) in the form of straight or spiral ribs or indentations.

In use, the vehicle 12 travels in a forward direction as indicated by arrow A. Wind energy, for example from a headwind indicated by arrow B, enters the duct 16, passes along the straight section, around the smooth curve, along the further short straight section and exits the outlet 18. The airflow then hits the plate 20 and is dispersed substantially laterally, ie in a direction parallel with the plate. The force of the impact of the airflow against the plate effectively forces the vehicle in a forward direction.

In order to balance the effect of the apparatus 10 on the vehicle 12, a pair of apparatuses may be provided in the vehicle, one above the other, with the inlets 14 and plates 20 disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle 12.

Referring now to Figure 3, a second embodiment of apparatus is shown at 30 mounted in a vehicle 32, again indicated in dotted outline. An inlet 34 is provided centrally in the front of the vehicle 32, which is connected to a duct 36. The duct 36 is initially straight and then splits into two curved ducts 38, 40, which extend smoothly through degrees to either side of the vehicle 32. As in the previous embodiment, the ducts terminate in outlets 42, 44 adjacent respective planar plates 46, 48. The apparatus 30 operates in the same way as the first embodiment, save that the forward forces on the plates 46 are symmetrical on either side of the vehicle 32.

Referring to Figures 4A and 413, a sail apparatus for capturing tail wind is indicated at 50. The apparatus 50 includes a pair of planar members 52,54, which are hinged along a major edge 56. The planar members 52,54 are movable between a stowed position in which the members 52,54 are closed, ie face to face as shown in Figure 4A and an operative position in which the members 52,54 are disposed at an angle to one-another. The angle is typically acute. The movement of the members 52,54 may he powered by electrical motors or may be hydraulic. Referring also to Figure 5, the apparatus 50 can be installed on any vehicle, but is shown here installed in the tail fin 58 of an aircraft 60. The sail apparatus 50 can be operated from the cockpit 62 of the aircraft 60 and can be opened or closed as desired depending on whether there is a tail wind or a headwind. In a headwind the apparatus 50 is stowed, but is opened in a tailwind.

The sail apparatus 50 can be fitted in or on any rear facing surface of the aircraft 60, but in order to balance the aircraft, the apparatus will usually be fitted in pairs, each one of the pair on either side of the aircraft.

It will be appreciated that the apparatuses 10,30 and 50 disclosed can he utilised in any type of vehicle, for example, land vehicles, aircraft and ships, alone or in combination. In ships, the apparatus can be mounted in the superstructure of the ship.

They can be fitted and operated in order to capture wind energy and improve efficiency of the vehicles. In the long term, this saves costs and reduces emissions of greenhouse gasses.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus for capturing head wind energy comprising an inlet adapted to be provided in a forward facing position on a vehicle, at least a first duct connected to the inlet, the at least first duct extending through substantially 180 degrees in a smooth curve to an outlet, and a surface adapted to be attached to the vehicle positioned adjacent the outlet substantially perpendicular to an axis of the duct at the outlet, outlet flow from the duct impinging on the surface.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the first duct divides into a pair of smaller ducts, each smaller duct extending through the smooth 180 degree curve to respective outlets on either side of the inlet.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the smaller ducts have equal cross section.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which a second duct is provided, the second duct having an inlet, an outlet and extending 180 degrees in a smooth curve, the inlet of the first duct being disposed proximate the outlet of the second duct, and the inlet of the second duct being disposed proximate the outlook of the first duct.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the first and second ducts are disposed substantially one above the other.
6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the internal surface of the or each duct is provided with guide means for guiding air through the or each duct.
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the guide means includes straight or spiral ribs or indentations.
8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the cross section of the or each duct is round, oval, rectangular or triangular.
9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the or each duct and respective inlet is provided within the bodywork of the vehicle.
10. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claim 1 to7, in which the apparatus is attached to the superstructure of the vehicle.
11. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the vehicle is an aircraft, ship, truck or automobile.
12. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least one sail is provided for capturing tail wind comprising; first and second surfaces movable between a stowed position in which the surfaces are face to face and an operating position in which the surfaces are disposed at an angle to one another.
13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, in which the angle is less than 180 degrees,
14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, in which the angle is adjustable.
15. An apparatus for capturing tail wind in a vehicle comprising; first and second surfaces movable between a stowed position in which the surfaces are face to face and an operating position in which the surfaces are disposed at an angle to one another.
16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, in which the angle is less than 180 degrees.
17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, in which the angle is adjustable.
18. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claim 12 to 14, in which the sail is set into and substantially contained within an aircraft wing or fuselage.
19. An apparatus as claimed in 18, in which the angle of adjustment is readily controllable from the cockpit of the aircraft.
20. An apparatus as claimed in claims 12 to 19, in which a plurality of sails are provided, the sails dispersed syrnmeically on either side of the aircraft.
21. An apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in figures 1-5 of the accompanying diagrams.