US20050271508A1 - Flexible turbine blade - Google Patents
Flexible turbine blade Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050271508A1 US20050271508A1 US10/859,860 US85986004A US2005271508A1 US 20050271508 A1 US20050271508 A1 US 20050271508A1 US 85986004 A US85986004 A US 85986004A US 2005271508 A1 US2005271508 A1 US 2005271508A1
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- Prior art keywords
- blade
- symmetrical blade
- symmetrical
- flow
- rigid
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03D—WIND MOTORS
- F03D1/00—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor
- F03D1/06—Rotors
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01D—NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES
- F01D1/00—Non-positive-displacement machines or engines, e.g. steam turbines
- F01D1/30—Non-positive-displacement machines or engines, e.g. steam turbines characterised by having a single rotor operable in either direction of rotation, e.g. by reversing of blades
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01D—NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES
- F01D5/00—Blades; Blade-carrying members; Heating, heat-insulating, cooling or antivibration means on the blades or the members
- F01D5/12—Blades
- F01D5/14—Form or construction
- F01D5/141—Shape, i.e. outer, aerodynamic form
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01D—NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES
- F01D5/00—Blades; Blade-carrying members; Heating, heat-insulating, cooling or antivibration means on the blades or the members
- F01D5/12—Blades
- F01D5/14—Form or construction
- F01D5/147—Construction, i.e. structural features, e.g. of weight-saving hollow blades
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01D—NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES
- F01D5/00—Blades; Blade-carrying members; Heating, heat-insulating, cooling or antivibration means on the blades or the members
- F01D5/12—Blades
- F01D5/14—Form or construction
- F01D5/148—Blades with variable camber, e.g. by ejection of fluid
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
- F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
- F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
- F03B13/14—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
- F03B13/141—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy with a static energy collector
- F03B13/142—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy with a static energy collector which creates an oscillating water column
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2210/00—Working fluid
- F05B2210/40—Flow geometry or direction
- F05B2210/404—Flow geometry or direction bidirectional, i.e. in opposite, alternating directions
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/20—Rotors
- F05B2240/30—Characteristics of rotor blades, i.e. of any element transforming dynamic fluid energy to or from rotational energy and being attached to a rotor
- F05B2240/31—Characteristics of rotor blades, i.e. of any element transforming dynamic fluid energy to or from rotational energy and being attached to a rotor of changeable form or shape
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05D—INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
- F05D2210/00—Working fluids
- F05D2210/40—Flow geometry or direction
- F05D2210/44—Flow geometry or direction bidirectional, i.e. in opposite, alternating directions
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/70—Wind energy
- Y02E10/72—Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
Definitions
- the present application describes systems, methods and techniques for a flexible blade turbine system.
- One aspect of the present application relates to a method for increasing efficiency of a symmetrical blade comprising providing a rigid portion of the symmetrical blade and providing a flexible portion of the symmetrical blade.
- the rigid portion of the symmetrical blade can be connected to the flexible portion of the symmetrical blade.
- the flexible portion of the symmetrical blade can be adapted to bend with a flow across the symmetrical blade.
- the symmetrical blade can be adapted to rotate in one direction for a bi-directional flow across the symmetrical blade.
- the symmetrical blade can be adapted for at least one of a Wave Energy Conversion (WEC) system, a fan, an exhaust system, a blowing system, and a suction system.
- WEC Wave Energy Conversion
- the rigid portion of the symmetrical blade can be fixed to an axis perpendicular to a direction of flow.
- the symmetrical blade can be rotated in a direction orthogonal to the direction of flow and orthogonal to the bending of the symmetrical blade.
- the rigid portion may comprise metal, wood, and plastic, wherein the flexible portion may comprise plastic and rubber.
- the symmetrical blade may comprise a pear-shaped blade or a rectangular-shaped blade.
- the present application may describe a system for increasing the efficiency of a turbine with a symmetrical blade.
- the system may comprise a rigid portion of the symmetrical blade and a flexible portion of the symmetrical blade.
- the flexible portion of the symmetrical blade may connect to the rigid portion of the symmetrical blade, wherein the flexible portion is adapted to bend in a direction of flow across the symmetrical blade.
- the geometry of the symmetrical blade can vary to reduce an amount of loss from an entirely rigid, symmetrical blade.
- the geometry of the symmetrical blade can also vary to increase the efficiency of the symmetrical blade over an entirely rigid symmetrical blade.
- the symmetrical blade can be adapted to rotate in a single direction for a bi-directional flow across the symmetrical blade.
- the symmetrical blade may comprise plastic and metal.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of an exemplary blade.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an exemplary blade.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a flat exemplary blade.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of an exemplary blade comprising one flexible portion between two rigid portions.
- the systems and techniques described here relate to a blade for turbine or fan systems.
- the system described herein relates to a blade that rotates in the same direction regardless of a flow direction (e.g., bi-directional flow).
- the disclosed system may provide higher efficiencies than conventional symmetric blades responding to bi-directional flows.
- a symmetrical blade can allow the blade to rotate in one direction regardless of the direction of a flow across the blade. Such a flow may be referred to as a bi-directional flow.
- WEC Wave Energy Conversion
- a typical turbine that can be used for a WEC system may be a Wells Turbine.
- a Wells Turbine has rigid, symmetrical blades. The system described herein can provide a higher efficiency than the efficiency of a Wells Turbine.
- FIG. 1 shows an exemplary schematic diagram of a top view 130 of a blade 105 .
- FIG. 2 shows an exemplary schematic diagram of a side view 210 of the blade 105 .
- the blade 105 may be a symmetrical blade 105 .
- the blade When looking at the top view 130 of the blade 105 , the blade may have a total length M 104 .
- the blade 105 can have a firmly mounted portion 135 of length L 125 on the X axis 110 .
- the blade 105 can have a portion 140 of length N 102 that is not firmly mounted on the X axis 110 .
- the total blade length M 104 is the sum of lengths L 125 and N 102 .
- the blade 105 can wobble around the Z axis 220 and have the freedom to also move in the X-Y plane 110 , 120 .
- the flow direction in this exemplary embodiment is shown in the y direction 120 .
- the flow direction may be in a positive y direction, a negative y direction, or the positive y direction for one time period and the negative y direction in another time period.
- the blade 105 may be (1) partially rigid and partially flexible, (2) entirely rigid, or (3) entirely flexible.
- the blade 105 may be partially rigid and partially flexible.
- the blade 105 can have firmly mounted part 135 of length L 125 on the X axis.
- the blade 105 may also have a length N 102 on the X axis towards the trailing edge 140 (e.g., tail part) that allows a flapping movement 115 .
- the bending/flapping movement 115 can be in response to a force and a direction of flow.
- the flexible portion 140 of the blade 105 can bend with the flow direction and give the turbine blade more impulse. The bending of the blade 115 allows the blade 105 to rotate faster than a conventional, rigid Wells turbine blade.
- the bending of the blade 115 can allow the geometry of the symmetrical blade 105 to vary from a conventional rigid, symmetrical blade.
- the varying geometry of the symmetrical blade 105 can reduce an amount of loss and increase the efficiency of the symmetrical blade 105 over a conventional rigid, symmetrical blade.
- the blade 105 can be entirely rigid.
- length L 125 is equal to length M 104 and length N 102 is zero.
- the rigid blade 105 may rotate in a direction of the Z axis 220 without the bending of the blade 115 .
- the blade 105 can be entirely flexible.
- length L 125 is zero and length N 102 is equal to length M 104 .
- the blade 105 can bend in response to the flow direction.
- the entire blade 105 can also rotate around the Z axis 220 .
- the blade 105 may bend in a y direction 120 and not rotate around the Z axis 220 .
- the blade may not bend in a Y direction 120 and rotate around the Z axis 220 .
- the blade 105 can both bend 115 in the y direction 120 and rotate around the Z axis 220 .
- the amount of bending 115 may depend on an intensity of the flow, the flexibility of the blade 105 , and the amount of rotation around the Z axis 220 .
- the entirely flexible blade 105 can bend with the flow direction and give a turbine blade more impulse.
- the entirely flexible blade 105 has the freedom to move in the X direction and/or the y direction.
- the entirely flexible blade 105 may rotate faster than a rigid Wells Turbine blade.
- the flexibility of the symmetrical blade 105 may (1) vary the geometry of the blade 105 , (2) reduce the losses of the blade 105 and (3) increase the efficiency of the blade 105 over a rigid, symmetrical blade.
- the blade 105 may be constructed out of a material that can allow the blade 105 to have a flexible portion and/or a rigid portion.
- the blade 105 may have a rigid portion made from materials such as hard plastic, wood, or metal.
- the blade 105 may have a flexible portion made out of materials such as plastic or rubber.
- the blade 105 may be constructed with a hard plastic material for a rigid portion 135 and a flexible plastic material for the flexible portion 140 .
- the rigid portion 135 and flexible portion 140 may be one piece of material or two or more attached pieces of material.
- the blade 105 may operate in other systems other than WEC systems.
- the blade 105 may operate in suction systems and blowing systems.
- the blade 105 may also operate in exhaust systems and fans.
- the blade 105 may be have a different shape other than what is shown in FIGS. 1-2 .
- the blade 105 may have a rectangular or flat shape as shown in FIG. 3 .
- the blade 105 may have a flexible portion 137 of length N 102 positioned between a rigid portion 135 of length L 125 fixed to the X axis 110 and a rigid portion 440 of length p 128 that is not fixed to the X axis 110 as shown in FIG. 4 .
- the bending of the blade 105 at 115 may occur along the flexible portion 137 that is positioned between the two rigid portions 135 , 440 .
- the blade 105 may also rotate around the Z axis 220 .
- the rigid portion 135 may have a length L 125 of zero.
- the total length M 104 of the blade 105 may comprise the flexible portion 137 of length N 102 and a rigid portion 440 of length p 128 .
- the flexible portion 137 and the rigid portion 440 may not be fixed to the X axis 110 .
- the blade 105 may also rotate around the Z axis 220 and bend along the flexible portion 137 of the blade 105 .
- the direction of flow, the bending of the blade, and the rotation of the blade may be in other directions, axes, or combinations of axes other than what is shown in FIGS. 1-4 .
- the construction of the blade may use other flexible and non-flexible materials than the materials disclosed herein.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
- Turbine Rotor Nozzle Sealing (AREA)
Abstract
Systems and techniques relating to blades, in particular to symmetrical blades for turbines. In one general implementation, the present application relates to a method for increasing efficiency of a symmetrical blade comprising providing a rigid portion of the symmetrical blade and providing a flexible portion of the symmetrical blade. The rigid portion of the symmetrical blade can be connected to the flexible portion of the symmetrical blade. The flexible portion of the symmetrical blade can be adapted to bend with a flow across the symmetrical blade. The symmetrical blade can be adapted to rotate in one direction for a bi-directional flow across the symmetrical blade. The symmetrical blade can be adapted for at least one of a Wells Energy Conversion (WEC) system, a fan, an exhaust system, a blowing system, and a suction system. The rigid portion of the symmetrical blade can be fixed to an axis perpendicular to a direction of flow. The symmetrical blade can be rotated in a direction orthogonal to the direction of flow and orthogonal to the bending of the symmetrical blade. The rigid portion may comprise metal, wood, and plastic. The flexible portion may comprise plastic and rubber. The symmetrical blade may comprise a pear-shaped blade or a rectangular-shaped blade.
Description
- Conventional turbines typically have solid, rigid structures to form blades for the turbines. Such rigid blades are able to rotate at high speeds under normal conditions. However, when it is desired that the turbine blade rotates in the same direction regardless of the flow direction, symmetrical blades are often desired. For example, a Wave Energy Conversion (WEC) system can require that the turbine blade rotates in the same direction regardless of the flow direction. Such a system can use a Wells Turbine. However, the Wells Turbine has symmetrical, rigid blades and relatively low efficiency. Wells turbines with variable pitch, rigid blades to improve efficiency are being designed and tested but the variable pitch technology is very different from the flexible turbine blade described in the present application.
- The present application describes systems, methods and techniques for a flexible blade turbine system.
- One aspect of the present application relates to a method for increasing efficiency of a symmetrical blade comprising providing a rigid portion of the symmetrical blade and providing a flexible portion of the symmetrical blade. The rigid portion of the symmetrical blade can be connected to the flexible portion of the symmetrical blade. The flexible portion of the symmetrical blade can be adapted to bend with a flow across the symmetrical blade. The symmetrical blade can be adapted to rotate in one direction for a bi-directional flow across the symmetrical blade. The symmetrical blade can be adapted for at least one of a Wave Energy Conversion (WEC) system, a fan, an exhaust system, a blowing system, and a suction system. The rigid portion of the symmetrical blade can be fixed to an axis perpendicular to a direction of flow. The symmetrical blade can be rotated in a direction orthogonal to the direction of flow and orthogonal to the bending of the symmetrical blade. The rigid portion may comprise metal, wood, and plastic, wherein the flexible portion may comprise plastic and rubber. The symmetrical blade may comprise a pear-shaped blade or a rectangular-shaped blade.
- In another aspect, the present application may describe a system for increasing the efficiency of a turbine with a symmetrical blade. The system may comprise a rigid portion of the symmetrical blade and a flexible portion of the symmetrical blade. The flexible portion of the symmetrical blade may connect to the rigid portion of the symmetrical blade, wherein the flexible portion is adapted to bend in a direction of flow across the symmetrical blade. The geometry of the symmetrical blade can vary to reduce an amount of loss from an entirely rigid, symmetrical blade. The geometry of the symmetrical blade can also vary to increase the efficiency of the symmetrical blade over an entirely rigid symmetrical blade. The symmetrical blade can be adapted to rotate in a single direction for a bi-directional flow across the symmetrical blade. The symmetrical blade may comprise plastic and metal.
- Details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages may be apparent from the description, drawings, and claims.
- These and other aspects will now be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of an exemplary blade. -
FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an exemplary blade. -
FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a flat exemplary blade. -
FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of an exemplary blade comprising one flexible portion between two rigid portions. - Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
- The systems and techniques described here relate to a blade for turbine or fan systems. In particular, the system described herein relates to a blade that rotates in the same direction regardless of a flow direction (e.g., bi-directional flow). The disclosed system may provide higher efficiencies than conventional symmetric blades responding to bi-directional flows.
- A symmetrical blade can allow the blade to rotate in one direction regardless of the direction of a flow across the blade. Such a flow may be referred to as a bi-directional flow. In conventional systems, such as a Wave Energy Conversion (WEC) system, the symmetry of the blade can lead to lower efficiencies than a conventional non-symmetrical turbine blade. A typical turbine that can be used for a WEC system may be a Wells Turbine. A Wells Turbine has rigid, symmetrical blades. The system described herein can provide a higher efficiency than the efficiency of a Wells Turbine.
-
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary schematic diagram of atop view 130 of ablade 105.FIG. 2 shows an exemplary schematic diagram of aside view 210 of theblade 105. Theblade 105 may be asymmetrical blade 105. When looking at thetop view 130 of theblade 105, the blade may have atotal length M 104. Theblade 105 can have a firmly mountedportion 135 oflength L 125 on theX axis 110. Theblade 105 can have aportion 140 oflength N 102 that is not firmly mounted on theX axis 110. The totalblade length M 104 is the sum oflengths L 125 andN 102. Theblade 105 can wobble around theZ axis 220 and have the freedom to also move in theX-Y plane y direction 120. The flow direction may be in a positive y direction, a negative y direction, or the positive y direction for one time period and the negative y direction in another time period. Theblade 105 may be (1) partially rigid and partially flexible, (2) entirely rigid, or (3) entirely flexible. - In one aspect, the
blade 105 may be partially rigid and partially flexible. Theblade 105 can have firmly mountedpart 135 oflength L 125 on the X axis. Theblade 105 may also have alength N 102 on the X axis towards the trailing edge 140 (e.g., tail part) that allows aflapping movement 115. The bending/flappingmovement 115 can be in response to a force and a direction of flow. Theflexible portion 140 of theblade 105 can bend with the flow direction and give the turbine blade more impulse. The bending of theblade 115 allows theblade 105 to rotate faster than a conventional, rigid Wells turbine blade. The bending of theblade 115 can allow the geometry of thesymmetrical blade 105 to vary from a conventional rigid, symmetrical blade. The varying geometry of thesymmetrical blade 105 can reduce an amount of loss and increase the efficiency of thesymmetrical blade 105 over a conventional rigid, symmetrical blade. - In another aspect, the
blade 105 can be entirely rigid. For this aspect,length L 125 is equal tolength M 104 andlength N 102 is zero. Therigid blade 105 may rotate in a direction of theZ axis 220 without the bending of theblade 115. - In another aspect, the
blade 105 can be entirely flexible. For this aspect,length L 125 is zero andlength N 102 is equal tolength M 104. Theblade 105 can bend in response to the flow direction. Theentire blade 105 can also rotate around theZ axis 220. In one embodiment, theblade 105 may bend ina y direction 120 and not rotate around theZ axis 220. In another embodiment, the blade may not bend in aY direction 120 and rotate around theZ axis 220. Under typical operation, theblade 105 can both bend 115 in they direction 120 and rotate around theZ axis 220. The amount of bending 115 may depend on an intensity of the flow, the flexibility of theblade 105, and the amount of rotation around theZ axis 220. - The entirely
flexible blade 105 can bend with the flow direction and give a turbine blade more impulse. The entirelyflexible blade 105 has the freedom to move in the X direction and/or the y direction. The entirelyflexible blade 105 may rotate faster than a rigid Wells Turbine blade. The flexibility of thesymmetrical blade 105 may (1) vary the geometry of theblade 105, (2) reduce the losses of theblade 105 and (3) increase the efficiency of theblade 105 over a rigid, symmetrical blade. - The
blade 105 may be constructed out of a material that can allow theblade 105 to have a flexible portion and/or a rigid portion. For example, theblade 105 may have a rigid portion made from materials such as hard plastic, wood, or metal. Theblade 105 may have a flexible portion made out of materials such as plastic or rubber. Theblade 105 may be constructed with a hard plastic material for arigid portion 135 and a flexible plastic material for theflexible portion 140. Therigid portion 135 andflexible portion 140 may be one piece of material or two or more attached pieces of material. - The
blade 105 may operate in other systems other than WEC systems. For example, theblade 105 may operate in suction systems and blowing systems. Theblade 105 may also operate in exhaust systems and fans. - In another aspect, the
blade 105 may be have a different shape other than what is shown inFIGS. 1-2 . For example, theblade 105 may have a rectangular or flat shape as shown inFIG. 3 . - In another aspect, the
blade 105 may have aflexible portion 137 oflength N 102 positioned between arigid portion 135 oflength L 125 fixed to theX axis 110 and arigid portion 440 oflength p 128 that is not fixed to theX axis 110 as shown inFIG. 4 . The bending of theblade 105 at 115 may occur along theflexible portion 137 that is positioned between the tworigid portions blade 105 may also rotate around theZ axis 220. - In another aspect, the rigid portion 135 (
FIG. 4 ) may have alength L 125 of zero. Thetotal length M 104 of theblade 105 may comprise theflexible portion 137 oflength N 102 and arigid portion 440 oflength p 128. Theflexible portion 137 and therigid portion 440 may not be fixed to theX axis 110. Theblade 105 may also rotate around theZ axis 220 and bend along theflexible portion 137 of theblade 105. - The direction of flow, the bending of the blade, and the rotation of the blade may be in other directions, axes, or combinations of axes other than what is shown in
FIGS. 1-4 . Furthermore, the construction of the blade may use other flexible and non-flexible materials than the materials disclosed herein. - Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims.
Claims (20)
1. A method for increasing efficiency of a symmetrical blade, the method comprising:
providing a rigid portion of the symmetrical blade; and
providing a flexible portion of the symmetrical blade, wherein the rigid portion of the symmetrical blade is connected to the flexible portion of the symmetrical blade, wherein the flexible portion of the symmetrical blade is adapted to bend with a flow across the symmetrical blade.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the symmetrical blade is adapted to rotate in one direction for a bi-directional flow across the symmetrical blade.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the symmetrical blade is adapted for at least one of a Wave Energy Conversion (WEC) system, a fan, an exhaust system, a blowing system, and a suction system.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
fixing the rigid portion of the symmetrical blade to an axis perpendicular to a direction of flow.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:
rotating the symmetrical blade in a direction orthogonal to the direction of flow and orthogonal to the bending of the symmetrical blade.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the rigid portion comprises metal, wood, and plastic, wherein the flexible portion comprises plastic and rubber.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the symmetrical blade comprises a pear-shaped blade.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the symmetrical blade comprises a rectangular-shaped blade.
9. A system for increasing the efficiency of a turbine with a symmetrical blade, the system comprising:
a rigid portion of the symmetrical blade; and
a flexible portion of the symmetrical blade, the flexible portion of the symmetrical blade connecting to the rigid portion of the symmetrical blade, wherein the flexible portion is adapted to bend in a direction of flow across the symmetrical blade.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein a geometry of the symmetrical blade varies to reduce an amount of loss from an entirely rigid, symmetrical blade.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein a geometry of the symmetrical blade varies to increase the efficiency of the symmetrical blade over an entirely rigid symmetrical blade.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the geometry of the symmetrical blade varies with the direction of flow.
13. The system of claim 9 , wherein the symmetrical blade is adapted to rotate in a single direction for a bi-directional flow across the symmetrical blade.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the symmetrical blade comprises plastic and metal.
15. An apparatus comprising a flexible symmetric blade adapted to increase an efficiency of a Wave Energy Conversion (WEC) system, wherein the geometry of the symmetrical blade is adapted to vary to reduce the loss of the symmetrical blade over an entirely rigid symmetrical blade.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the flexible symmetric blade remains unfixed to an axis perpendicular to a direction of flow, the flexible symmetric blade comprising an entirely flexible symmetric blade.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the flexible symmetric blade is adapted to provide additional impulse to the apparatus.
18. A turbine system, the turbine system comprising a rigid symmetrical blade adapted to rotate in a direction orthogonal to a direction of flow across the symmetrical blade.
19. A turbine system, the turbine system comprising:
a first rigid portion of a symmetrical blade;
a second rigid portion of the symmetrical blade and
a flexible portion of the symmetrical blade, the flexible portion of the symmetrical blade connected between the first and the second rigid portions of the symmetrical blade, wherein the flexible portion is adapted to bend in a direction of flow across the symmetrical blade.
20. The turbine system of claim 19 , wherein the symmetrical blade may rotate around an axis perpendicular to the direction of flow, wherein the symmetrical blade is adapted to rotate in a single direction regardless of the direction of flow.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US10/859,860 US20050271508A1 (en) | 2004-06-03 | 2004-06-03 | Flexible turbine blade |
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US10/859,860 US20050271508A1 (en) | 2004-06-03 | 2004-06-03 | Flexible turbine blade |
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US20050271508A1 true US20050271508A1 (en) | 2005-12-08 |
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US10/859,860 Abandoned US20050271508A1 (en) | 2004-06-03 | 2004-06-03 | Flexible turbine blade |
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US (1) | US20050271508A1 (en) |
Cited By (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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GB2453991A (en) * | 2007-10-24 | 2009-04-29 | Philip Douglas Lord | Uni-directional turbine |
DE102007059038B3 (en) * | 2007-12-06 | 2009-06-04 | Voith Patent Gmbh | Wells turbine with passive rotor blade adjustment |
DE102009018758A1 (en) | 2009-04-27 | 2010-10-28 | Voith Patent Gmbh | Underwater power plant with a bi-directional, co-rotating water turbine |
DE102010011708A1 (en) | 2010-03-15 | 2011-09-15 | Rudolf Huttary | Turbine with passive blade adjustment |
US20110296825A1 (en) * | 2008-10-29 | 2011-12-08 | Inventua Aps | Rotating apparatus |
GB2484148A (en) * | 2010-10-02 | 2012-04-04 | Duncan James Parfitt | Windmill with apertured flexible vanes |
US8286425B2 (en) | 2009-10-23 | 2012-10-16 | Dresser-Rand Company | Energy conversion system with duplex radial flow turbine |
FR2986280A1 (en) * | 2012-01-27 | 2013-08-02 | Converteam Technology Ltd | HYDROLIAN ROTOR COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE MOBILE BLADE ROTATING AROUND A RADIAL AXIS AND MEANS FOR LIMITING THE MOTION IN ROTATION OF SAID BLADE, AND HYDROLIENNE COMPRISING SUCH A ROTOR |
CN103987958A (en) * | 2011-09-21 | 2014-08-13 | 吴荣绿 | Horizontal shaft wind power generator using an airfoil blade having the same width and thickness |
FR3006011A1 (en) * | 2013-05-27 | 2014-11-28 | Alstom Renewable Technologies | PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING A ROTATING PART OF A HYDRAULIC MACHINE, ROTATING PART MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO THIS METHOD, HYDRAULIC MACHINE AND ENERGY CONVERSION PLANT |
FR3006010A1 (en) * | 2013-05-27 | 2014-11-28 | Alstom Renewable Technologies | HYDRAULIC MACHINE ROTATING PART, HYDRAULIC MACHINE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A ROTATING PART AND ENERGY CONVERTING INSTALLATION COMPRISING SUCH A MACHINE |
FR3009032A1 (en) * | 2013-07-26 | 2015-01-30 | Centre Nat Rech Scient | EQUIPMENT FOR CONVERTING AN ALTERNATED TRANSLATION MOTION INTO A FLUID INTO A ROTATION MOVEMENT, AND A WAVE ENERGY RECOVERY DEVICE USING SUCH AN EQUIPMENT. |
US20150226181A1 (en) * | 2014-02-13 | 2015-08-13 | X-Wind Power Limited | Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Rotor and Airfoil |
EP2949920A1 (en) | 2014-05-30 | 2015-12-02 | Sener Ingenieria Y Sistemas, S.A. | Turbine for harnessing wave energy |
DE102014014686A1 (en) * | 2014-10-01 | 2016-04-07 | Gernot Kloss | Flexible wings alternately flowed by wind or water |
NO344359B1 (en) * | 2018-11-18 | 2019-11-18 | Inge Bakke | One-way rotating turbine for an oscillating fluid flow |
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Cited By (38)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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GB2453991A (en) * | 2007-10-24 | 2009-04-29 | Philip Douglas Lord | Uni-directional turbine |
DE102007059038B3 (en) * | 2007-12-06 | 2009-06-04 | Voith Patent Gmbh | Wells turbine with passive rotor blade adjustment |
WO2009071150A2 (en) * | 2007-12-06 | 2009-06-11 | Voith Patent Gmbh | Wells turbine having passive rotor blade displacement |
WO2009071150A3 (en) * | 2007-12-06 | 2010-06-10 | Voith Patent Gmbh | Wells turbine having passive rotor blade displacement |
US9062650B2 (en) | 2007-12-06 | 2015-06-23 | Voith Patent Gmbh | Wells turbine having passive rotor blade displacement |
US8959907B2 (en) * | 2008-10-29 | 2015-02-24 | Inventua Aps | Rotating apparatus |
US20110296825A1 (en) * | 2008-10-29 | 2011-12-08 | Inventua Aps | Rotating apparatus |
DE102009018758A1 (en) | 2009-04-27 | 2010-10-28 | Voith Patent Gmbh | Underwater power plant with a bi-directional, co-rotating water turbine |
WO2010124778A2 (en) | 2009-04-27 | 2010-11-04 | Voith Patent Gmbh | Underwater power plant comprising a water turbine with bidirectional fluid flow and unidirectional rotation |
US8286425B2 (en) | 2009-10-23 | 2012-10-16 | Dresser-Rand Company | Energy conversion system with duplex radial flow turbine |
DE102010011708A1 (en) | 2010-03-15 | 2011-09-15 | Rudolf Huttary | Turbine with passive blade adjustment |
DE102010011708B4 (en) * | 2010-03-15 | 2012-03-01 | Rudolf Huttary | Turbomachine with passive blade adjustment |
WO2011113424A2 (en) | 2010-03-15 | 2011-09-22 | Rudolf Huttary | Turbomachine having passive rotor blade adjustment |
GB2484148A (en) * | 2010-10-02 | 2012-04-04 | Duncan James Parfitt | Windmill with apertured flexible vanes |
CN103987958A (en) * | 2011-09-21 | 2014-08-13 | 吴荣绿 | Horizontal shaft wind power generator using an airfoil blade having the same width and thickness |
WO2013110715A3 (en) * | 2012-01-27 | 2013-10-03 | Ge Energy Power Conversion Technology Ltd. | Water current turbine rotor comprising at least one blade that can rotate about a radial axis and means for limiting the rotational movement of said blade, and water current turbine comprising such a rotor |
US10233892B2 (en) * | 2012-01-27 | 2019-03-19 | Ge Energy Power Conversion Technology Ltd | Hydrokinetic rotor and device including such a rotor |
US20150226174A1 (en) * | 2012-01-27 | 2015-08-13 | Ge Energy Power Conversion Technology Ltd | Rotor d'hydrolienne comportant au moins une pale mobile en rotation autour d'un axe radial et des moyens de limitation du mouvement en rotation de ladite pate, et hydolienne compreant un tei rotor |
EP2620634A3 (en) * | 2012-01-27 | 2013-09-18 | GE Energy Power Conversion Technology Ltd | Rotor of a marine turbine comprising at least one blade rotatably mobile about a radial axis, and means for limiting the rotational movement of said blade, and marine turbine including such a rotor |
FR2986280A1 (en) * | 2012-01-27 | 2013-08-02 | Converteam Technology Ltd | HYDROLIAN ROTOR COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE MOBILE BLADE ROTATING AROUND A RADIAL AXIS AND MEANS FOR LIMITING THE MOTION IN ROTATION OF SAID BLADE, AND HYDROLIENNE COMPRISING SUCH A ROTOR |
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FR3006010A1 (en) * | 2013-05-27 | 2014-11-28 | Alstom Renewable Technologies | HYDRAULIC MACHINE ROTATING PART, HYDRAULIC MACHINE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A ROTATING PART AND ENERGY CONVERTING INSTALLATION COMPRISING SUCH A MACHINE |
US10400740B2 (en) | 2013-05-27 | 2019-09-03 | Ge Renewable Technologies | Rotating part of a hydraulic machine, hydraulic machine provided with such a rotating part and installation for converting energy comprising such a machine |
FR3006011A1 (en) * | 2013-05-27 | 2014-11-28 | Alstom Renewable Technologies | PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING A ROTATING PART OF A HYDRAULIC MACHINE, ROTATING PART MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO THIS METHOD, HYDRAULIC MACHINE AND ENERGY CONVERSION PLANT |
CN105229300A (en) * | 2013-05-27 | 2016-01-06 | 阿尔斯通再生能源技术公司 | For the manufacture of the method for the rotating part of hydraulic machine, rotating part, hydraulic machine and the energy conversion according to the method manufacture |
US10138863B2 (en) | 2013-05-27 | 2018-11-27 | Ge Renewable Technologies | Method for manufacturing a rotating part of a hydraulic machine, rotating part manufactured according to this method, hydraulic machine and energy conversion installation |
CN105593515A (en) * | 2013-05-27 | 2016-05-18 | 阿尔斯通再生能源技术公司 | Rotating part of a hydraulic machine, hydraulic machine provided with such a rotating part and installation for converting energy comprising such a machine |
JP2016526126A (en) * | 2013-05-27 | 2016-09-01 | アルストム・リニューワブル・テクノロジーズ | Method of manufacturing rotating part of hydraulic machine, rotating part manufactured by the method, hydraulic machine, and energy conversion equipment |
RU2664044C2 (en) * | 2013-05-27 | 2018-08-14 | ДжиИ Риньюэбл Текнолоджиз | Hydraulic machine rotating part (embodiments), hydraulic machine and the energy conversion plant |
FR3009032A1 (en) * | 2013-07-26 | 2015-01-30 | Centre Nat Rech Scient | EQUIPMENT FOR CONVERTING AN ALTERNATED TRANSLATION MOTION INTO A FLUID INTO A ROTATION MOVEMENT, AND A WAVE ENERGY RECOVERY DEVICE USING SUCH AN EQUIPMENT. |
US9657714B2 (en) * | 2014-02-13 | 2017-05-23 | X-Wind Power Limited | Vertical axis wind turbine rotor and airfoil |
US20150226181A1 (en) * | 2014-02-13 | 2015-08-13 | X-Wind Power Limited | Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Rotor and Airfoil |
EP2949920A1 (en) | 2014-05-30 | 2015-12-02 | Sener Ingenieria Y Sistemas, S.A. | Turbine for harnessing wave energy |
DE102014014686B4 (en) * | 2014-10-01 | 2017-02-02 | Gernot Kloss | Flexible wings alternately flowed by wind or water |
DE102014014686A1 (en) * | 2014-10-01 | 2016-04-07 | Gernot Kloss | Flexible wings alternately flowed by wind or water |
NO344359B1 (en) * | 2018-11-18 | 2019-11-18 | Inge Bakke | One-way rotating turbine for an oscillating fluid flow |
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