Classifications

• • 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 
  • F03D1/04—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor  having stationary wind-guiding means, e.g. with shrouds or channels
• • 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
  • F03D13/00—Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
  • F03D13/20—Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
• • 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
  • F03D9/00—Adaptations of wind motors for special use; Combinations of wind motors with apparatus driven thereby; Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
  • F03D9/30—Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
  • F03D9/32—Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations on moving objects, e.g. vehicles
• • 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
  • F03D9/00—Adaptations of wind motors for special use; Combinations of wind motors with apparatus driven thereby; Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
  • F03D9/20—Wind motors characterised by the driven apparatus
  • F03D9/25—Wind motors characterised by the driven apparatus the apparatus being an electrical generator
• • 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
  • F05B2240/10—Stators
  • F05B2240/13—Stators to collect or cause flow towards or away from turbines
• • 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
  • F05B2240/10—Stators
  • F05B2240/13—Stators to collect or cause flow towards or away from turbines
  • F05B2240/133—Stators to collect or cause flow towards or away from turbines with a convergent-divergent guiding structure, e.g. a Venturi conduit
• • 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
  • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
  • F05B2240/92—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on an airbourne structure
  • F05B2240/922—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on an airbourne structure kept aloft due to buoyancy effects
• • 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
  • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
  • F05B2240/98—Mounting on supporting structures or systems which is inflatable
• • 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
  • F05B2260/00—Function
  • F05B2260/60—Fluid transfer
  • F05B2260/601—Fluid transfer using an ejector or a jet pump
• • 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
• • 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
  • Y02E10/728—Onshore wind turbines

Definitions

• HAWTs horizontal axis wind turbines
• the present disclosure describes wind turbines of reduced mass and size.
• the wind turbines include a shroud and/or ejector having inflatable components.
• Such wind turbines are lighter.
• An inflated shroud and/or ejector would allow the turbine to change its aerodynamics / shape to accommodate changes in fluid flow. It would also allow for less substantial supports in the turbine body, and also allow the inflated portions to be deflated and stored if needed due to adverse weather conditions. The inflated portions of the turbine do not actively rotate to aid in energy extraction or power production.
• a wind turbine comprising: an impeller; and a turbine shroud disposed about the impeller, the turbine shroud comprising an inflatable member.
• the inflatable member may have the shape of a ring airfoil.
• the turbine shroud may further comprise a first rigid structural member connected to the inflatable member.
• the shroud first rigid structural member may comprise a hollow interior into which the shroud inflatable member can be inserted.
• the shroud first rigid structural member defines a leading edge of the turbine shroud.
• the turbine shroud may further comprise a second rigid structural member connected to the shroud inflatable member opposite the shroud first rigid structural member, where the second rigid structural member defines a trailing edge of the turbine shroud.
• the shroud second rigid structural member can be shaped to provide the turbine shroud with a plurality of lobes.
• the shroud inflatable member is shaped to provide a plurality of lobes around a trailing edge thereof.
• the wind turbine may further comprise an ejector shroud disposed concentrically about the turbine shroud, the ejector shroud comprising an inflatable member.
• the ejector shroud may further comprise a first rigid structural member connected to the ejector inflatable member.
• the ejector first rigid structural member can comprise a hollow interior into which the ejector inflatable member can be inserted.
• the ejector first rigid structural member may also define a leading edge of the ejector shroud.
• the ejector shroud may further comprise a second rigid structural member connected to the ejector inflatable member opposite the ejector first rigid structural member, the second rigid structural member defining a trailing edge of the ejector shroud.
• the ejector second rigid structural member can be shaped to provide the ejector shroud with a plurality of lobes.
• the ejector inflatable member can be configured so that when the ejector inflatable member is partially inflated, a trailing edge of the ejector inflatable member circumscribes an area which is less than an area circumscribed by a leading edge of the ejector inflatable member.
• the ejector inflatable member may also be shaped to provide a plurality of lobes around a trailing edge thereof.
• a wind turbine comprising: a turbine shroud; and an ejector shroud disposed concentrically about the turbine shroud; the turbine shroud comprising a shroud circular member, a plurality of shroud first rib members engaging the shroud circular member, and a shroud exterior film, wherein the shroud circular member and the plurality of shroud first rib members define an intake end and an exhaust end of the turbine shroud; and the ejector shroud comprising an ejector circular member, a plurality of ejector first rib members engaging the ejector circular member, and an ejector exterior film, wherein the ejector circular member and the plurality of ejector first rib members define an intake end and an exhaust end of the ejector shroud.
• the ejector shroud may further comprise a plurality of ejector second rib members engaging the ejector circular member. Together, the plurality of ejector first rib members and the plurality of ejector second rib members define a plurality of mixer lobes at the exhaust end of the ejector shroud.
• the ejector first rib member may comprise a stationary member and an actuated member joined together at a pivot to alter an angle between the stationary member and the actuator member.
• the ejector first rib member may alternatively comprise a stationary member and an actuated member joined together so that the length of the ejector first rib member can be altered.
• a wind turbine comprising: an impeller; a turbine shroud disposed about the impeller and having a plurality of mixing lobes disposed about an exhaust end; and an ejector shroud disposed about the turbine shroud, the ejector shroud comprising an inflatable member.
• FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIGURE 5 is a partial perspective view of a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIGURE 6A is a side view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIGURE 6B is a perspective view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIGURES 7A-7D are perspective views showing various stages of the construction process for additional exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
• FIGURES 8A-8C are side views of various internal rib members which can be used in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
• FIGURES 8D-8E show wind turbines before and after the use of various internal rib members such as those shown in FIGURES 8A-8C.
• FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of an eighth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
• FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a ninth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
• the turbine 10 comprises an impeller 20 located at an intake end 32 of a turbine shroud 30.
• the impeller may generally be any assembly in which blades are attached to a shaft and able to rotate, allowing for the generation of power or energy from wind rotating the blades.
• the impeller 20 is a rotor-stator assembly.
• the stator 22 engages the turbine shroud 30, and the rotor (not shown) engages a motor/generator (not shown).
• the stator 22 has non-rotating blades 24 which turn the air before it reaches the rotor.
• the shroud 30 comprises a ringed airfoil 34, or in other words is approximately cylindrical and has an airfoil shape, with the airfoil configured to generate relatively lower pressure within the turbine shroud (i.e. the interior of the shroud) and relatively higher pressure outside the turbine shroud (i.e. the exterior of the shroud).
• the ringed airfoil has a cross-section shaped like an aircraft wing, as can be seen in Figures 4, 7, 12, 14, 17, and 19 of U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0087308, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
• the impeller and the motor/generator are contained within the turbine shroud.
• the turbine shroud 30 may also have mixer lobes 40 around an outlet or exhaust end of the shroud.
• the mixer lobes are generally uniformly distributed around the circumference of the exhaust end.
• the mixer lobes generally cause the exhaust end 36 of the turbine shroud, where air exits, to have a generally peak-and-valley shape about its circumference. Put another way, the lobes 40 are located along the trailing edge 38 of the shroud.
• the turbine 10 also comprises an ejector shroud 50, which is engaged with the turbine shroud.
• the ejector shroud comprises a ringed airfoil 54, or in other words is approximately cylindrical and has an airfoil shape, with the airfoil configured to generate relatively higher pressure within the ejector (i.e. between the turbine shroud 30 and the ejector shroud 50) and relatively lower pressure outside the ejector shroud 50.
• the ejector shroud may also have mixer lobes 60, in which case the wind turbine is a mixer-ejector wind turbine.
• the mixer lobes generally cause the exhaust end of the ejector 56, where air exits, to have a generally peak-and-valley shape about its circumference. Put another way, the mixer lobes are located along the trailing edge 58 of the ejector shroud 50.
• the mixer lobes 40, 60 allow for advanced flow mixing and control.
• the turbine shroud and ejector shroud are different from similar shapes used in the aircraft industry because in the MEWT, flow path provides high-energy air into the ejector shroud.
• the turbine shroud provides low-energy air into the ejector shroud, and the high-energy air outwardly surrounds, pumps, and mixes with the low-energy air.
• FIGURE 3 shows another exemplary embodiment of the turbine.
• the turbine 110 has an impeller 120, turbine shroud 130, and an ejector shroud 150.
• the turbine shroud 130 comprises an inflatable member
• the ejector shroud 150 comprises an inflatable member.
• FIGURES 6A and 6B are two views of another exemplary embodiment.
• the turbine 300 includes a turbine shroud 310 and an ejector shroud 320.
• the turbine shroud comprises a rigid structural member 312 and an inflatable member 314, shown here fully inflated.
• the ejector shroud also comprises a rigid structural member 322 and an inflatable member 324.
• the ejector inflatable member 324 has sufficient flexibility that it can take different forms or shapes depending on the degree of inflation.
• the inflatable member 324 is shown as only partially inflated, such that the area of the exhaust end 326 is reduced.
• the ejector inflatable member 324 is configured so that upon partial inflation, the area 330 circumscribed by the trailing edge 332 of the ejector inflatable member is less than the area circumscribed by the leading edge 334 of the ejector shroud.
• the area circumscribed by the leading edge refers to the entire area defined by the leading edge, not only the annular area between the turbine shroud 310 and ejector shroud 320.
• the shroud second rib members 440 connect the shroud circular member 400 and ejector circular member 420 together. Together, the shroud first rib members 410 and shroud second rib members 440 define a plurality of mixer lobes 442 at the exhaust end 404 of the shroud. Generally, the shroud first rib members 410 and shroud second rib members 440 have different shapes. Similarly, in additional embodiments, the ejector shroud may include a plurality of ejector second rib members 450. Together, the ejector first rib members 430 and ejector second rib members 450 define a plurality of mixer lobes 452 at the exhaust end 424 of the ejector. Generally, the ejector first rib members 430 and ejector second rib members 450 have different shapes.
• shroud first rib member 410 and ejector first rib member 430 connect to ejector circular member 420 at the same location.
• shroud second rib member 440 and ejector second rib member 450 connect to ejector circular member 420 at the same location. This connection at the same location for the various rib members is not required.
• the combination shroud/ejector 390 can be considered as comprising a first circular member 400, a second circular member 420, a plurality of first internal ribs 460, and a plurality of second internal ribs 470.
• the combination of the two circular members, first internal ribs, and second internal ribs define the shape of the turbine shroud, lobes on the turbine shroud, the ejector shroud, and lobes on the ejector shroud.
• the turbine shroud is defined by the area between the two circular members 400 and 420, while the ejector shroud is located downstream of the second circular member 420.
• first internal rib 460 can be considered a one-piece combination of shroud first rib member 410 and ejector first rib member 430 while second internal rib 470 can be considered a one-piece combination of shroud second rib member 440 and ejector second rib member 450.
• FIGURES 8A-8C are side views of various embodiments of internal ribs suitable for use in various embodiments as shown in FIGURES 7A-7C.
• the rib 500 comprises an arcuate member 510 and a transverse member 520 integrally formed together to form a generally rigid rib.
• the members are generally lightweight and can be considered as beams 502 joined together by struts 504.
• the arcuate member 510 defines the shape of the turbine shroud, while the transverse member 520 defines the shape of the ejector shroud.
• Polyurethane films are tough and have good weatherability.
• the polyester- type polyurethane films tend to be more sensitive to hydrophilic degradation than polyether-type polyurethane films.
• Aliphatic versions of these polyurethane films are generally ultraviolet resistant as well.
• Exemplary polyfluoropolymers include polyvinyldidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyvinyl fluoride (PVF). Commercial versions are available as KYNAR and TEDLAR. Polyfluoropolymers generally have very low surface energy, which allow their surface to remain somewhat free of dirt and debris, as well as shed ice easier compared to materials having a higher surface energy.
• the inflatable members could also be composed of urethane film bladders with a woven or braided cover over the bladder to give it strength and durability.
• the woven or braided materials may be polyester, pre-stressed polyester, aromatic polyester (trade name VECTRAN® manufactured by Kuraray of Japan), p-phenyiene terephtalamide (PpPTA) (trade name TWARON from Akzo), PPTA (poly- paraphenylene terephthalamide) (trade name KEVLAR from DuPont), and polytrimethylene terephthalate (trade name CORTERRA from Shell).
• the inflatable members may also be partially or completely stiffened through the use of reactive polymer infusion through vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) or the curing of previously impregnated polymers such as unsaturated polyesters, epoxy , acrylates or urethanes that are cured through radiation, free radical initiation, or crosslinking with isocyanate.
• VARTM vacuum assisted resin transfer molding

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Sustainable Development (AREA)
• Sustainable Energy (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Power Engineering (AREA)
• Wind Motors (AREA)

Priority Applications (5)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

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Family Applications (1)

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Cited By (14)

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Family Cites Families (11)

• 2009
  • 2009-09-08 CA CA2736461A patent/CA2736461A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2009-09-08 JP JP2011526263A patent/JP2012502224A/ja active Pending
  • 2009-09-08 KR KR1020117007265A patent/KR20110050701A/ko not_active Withdrawn
  • 2009-09-08 WO PCT/US2009/056185 patent/WO2010028342A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2009-09-08 CN CN2009801444492A patent/CN102209847A/zh active Pending
  • 2009-09-08 EP EP09812361.5A patent/EP2329142A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2009-09-08 AU AU2009289421A patent/AU2009289421A1/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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