WO2010074670A1

WO2010074670A1 - Fluid turbine for generating electricity

Info

Publication number: WO2010074670A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/013965
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony Branco
Original assignee: Anthony Branco
Priority date: 2008-12-22
Filing date: 2008-12-22
Publication date: 2010-07-01

Abstract

An array (22) of bi-directional fluid turbine assemblies (10) are positioned in a fluid stream for converting the kinetic energy of a flowing fluid into electricity whereby the fluid turbine (assemblies 10) comprise a modular box-like housing (12) having an inlet and an outlet for accelerating the flow of a fluid therethrough. Turbine (14) has a ring gear (18) positioned about the periphery thereof in mechanical communication with a plurality of generators (20). Receiving means (16) are positioned and attached to the inlet and the outlet of the housing (12) for collecting, concentrating, directing and accelerating fluid through the turbine (14) in the throat section (19) of each fluid turbine assembly (10). Each box-like modular housing (12) is structurally communicated with other housings (12) by interlocking mating surfaces (26).

Description

TITLE: Fluid Turbine For Generating Electricity

TECHICAL FIELD

This invention relates to fluid turbine technology wherein the kinetic energy of a flowing fluid is used to generate electricity. This technology has applications in harnessing the wind energy to power urban hi-rise buildings as well as harnessing the energy from flowing rivers, streams, canals, tidal bays, oceans or any moving water environment to generate electricity utilizing a novel turbine assembly design.

BACKGROUND ART

U.S. Patent Number 4,220,870 (1980) to Kelly shows the concept of providing a lattice array of mini-turbo/generator modules positioned on a rooftop of a building. Due to the vertical orientation of the generators and the structural limitations of the turbines set forth in Kelly, wind entering one side of the turbine counters the wind entering the other end of the turbine and therefore reduces the effectiveness of the turbines ability to generate electricity.

U.S. Patent Number 6,710.469 (2004) to McDavid, Jr. teaches a wind turbine energy conversion system utilizing a sloping parabolic floor for accelerating wind to the turbine.

U.S. Patent Number 6,756,696 (2004) to Ohya et al teaches a wind power generator having a collar shaped brim formed on the outside of the outlet opening of the wind tunnel body.

U.S. Patent Number 5,969,430 (1999) to Forrey shows the overall combination of an installation which consists of horizontal dual turbine cells connected in tandem to drive generators. Banks of batteries are stacked vertically to form arrays which harness the wind energy. U.S. Patent Number 1,876,595 (1932) to Beldilmano shows a plurality of wind turbine devices suspended in an array between towers by wire ropes.

U.S. Patent Number 4,317,330 (1982) to Brankovics shows the concept of providing a large structural installation having a catch basin formed by a dam wall and a pluralityof water chutes each having gates to control the flow of water to a plurality of turbines positioned in each chute. This permanent structure requires a major initial outlay of resources and would take many years to implement.

U.S. Patent Number 6,472,768 (2002) to Sails shows the concept of providing a portable submersible scoop like composite structure which funnels water to a turbine.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The unique fluid turbine design has applications in both air, where wind energy can be harnessed to generate electricity, and water where the kinetic energy of flowing water can be used to harness electricity.

My invention solves the problem of the prior art by providing an array of horizontally oriented parabolic wind turbine assemblies positioned around the periphery of the roof of a building. By such implementation any group of turbine assemblies would function to generate electricity regardless of the wind direction. This omni-directional system contemplates a plurality of parabolic bi-directional wind turbine assemblies stacked one above the other and around the periphery of the roof of the building.

My invention also provides a novel wind turbine assembly having a parabolic inlet and outlet for accelerating wind through a throat section thereof and thereby utilizing this accelerated wind to drive a turbine and a plurality of generators for generating electricity for the building. Each wind turbine assembly is positioned in a self supporting box-shaped modular housing and is sized to be easily brought up to the roof through the existing elevators of a building. They are of such size and weight to be easily mounted one above the other to create a bank of wind turbine assemblies in an array which functions as a "mini-grid". Their design also lends itself to ease of assembly due to prefabricated mounting means on each modular housing. This configuration and modular component design allows maintenance to be performed by standard building mechanical contractors. Another aspect of the invention includes a structural support system for a multi-story wind power plant supported by an interconnected framework of interlocking box-shaped modular housings thereby creating a rigid superstructure which can be manufactured off-site and assembled on the building roof.

The major challenge to using wind as a source of energy is that the wind velocity is variable. The problem with traditional wind turbine design is that they perform well within a relatively narrow range of wind speeds. When wind speeds are low, sufficient power is not produced, and when wind speeds are high and the potential power generation is the greatest, traditional turbines are slowed or stopped completely to avoid wind shear damage. Another challenge to using traditional wind turbines is that the pitch of the turbine is varied to regulate torque or resultant speed of the turbine thereby requiring complex control mechanisms which are costly to manufacture, maintain and repair.

One advantage of my invention is that my parabolic bi-directional wind turbine assembly generates power at both high and low wind velocity. Other advantages of my design are that long distance transmission lines arenot necessary because the electricity generated is produced and used on site and therefore does not require large tracks of land for building wind farms and the need for high maintenance towers and specialized support staff. Another advantage of the present invention is the significant reduction in complex systems that require petroleum products such as transmissions and oil cooling systems required with traditional utility grade wind turbines.

My invention solves the problem of the prior art by providing a modular box-shaped housing having interlocking mating surfaces having a novel turbine structure positioned therein which accelerates the flow of water therethrough.

My invention also provides a novel water turbine assembly having an inlet and outlet for accelerating water through a throat section thereof and thereby utilizing this accelerated flow of water to drive the water turbine and a plurality of generators for generating electricity. Each unit is sized to be mobile and easily positioned in a flowing water system such as a river, stream, canal, tidal bay or ocean.

My invention is bi-directional and can be utilized in tidal areas where the flow of water reverses.

My invention also provides a means for supporting a single box shaped housing or a plurality of box shaped housings within a flowing water system by means of vertically oriented I-beams. Means are also provided for easy removal of each unit for maintenance and replacement. This design lends itself to a structure of a plurality of water turbine units in an array which forms a mini-grid or hydro-electric power plant without the need, cost, and environmental impact associated with or required for a hydro-electric dam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an exploded view of the wind turbine assembly of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective cutaway view of the wind turbine assembly positioned in a self supporting box-shaped modular housing.

Figure 3 is a side view of the wind turbine assembly having a horizontal axis. Figure 4 is a side view of the wind turbine assembly having an angled axis.

Figure 5 is a side view of a three tiered omni-directional array of wind turbine assemblies positioned upon the roof at opposite ends of a building and associated wind patterns.

Figure 6 is a top view of a typical building showing a plurality of single tiered arrays positioned around the perimeter on the rooftop of the building and associated wind patterns.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a plurality of water turbine assemblies arranged horizontally.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a plurality of water turbine assemblies arranged both vertically and horizontally to form an array or mini-grid.

Figure 9 is a top view of a plurality of arrays in a flowing water environment.

BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Fluid turbine assembly 10 is shown in Figure 1 and can be used to harness the energy of the wind or of flowing water. In the case of wind energy conversion, turbine 14 is supported and positioned within the throat section 19 of the self supporting box-shaped modular housing 12. Attached to the periphery of the turbine 14 is a ring gear 18 which is in mechanical communication with a plurality of generators 20. This mechanical communication between the ring gear 18 and the generators 20 can take the shape of many well known expediencies within the purview of a person having ordinary skill in the art. Parabolically shaped collectors 16 are positioned and attached to the inlet and outlet of housing 12. These collectors 16 are designed to collect, concentrate and direct wind through the throat section 19 at an accelerated rate. Nose cone 24 mounted on the turbine directs the accelerated wind to the distal ends thereof so that maximum torque is transferred to the turbine for producing optimum energy for any given wind speed. As the wind enters the housing 12, the cross sectional area is reduced 3 to 1 as it passes from the collector 16 through the throat section 19 and outwardly from the nose cone 24. The accelerated wind rotates the turbine 14 and this rotational motion is converted into electricity by the generators 20. Access or cover panels 13 provide the top section, the bottom section and side sections which when assembled with turbine assembly 10 encapsulates the wind turbine assembly of the present invention. It should be noted that the turbine assembly 10 as shown in Figure 1 is designed such that wind entering the assembly from one direction will generate electricity and when the wind is blowing from the opposite direction and enters the turbine assembly 10 from the other side that electricity will also be generated. AU of the moving parts of the turbine assembly 10 are enclosed in modular housing 12. Prefabricated mounting means 26 are provided so that a plurality of modular housings 12 can be fastened together to form an array of turbine assemblies 10 constituting a mini grid for generating electricity. These mounting means have interlocking mating surfaces 26 and features that allow the modular housings 12 to be joined and locked together into a multi-tiered building block superstructure which accommodates various shapes consistent with building design. Such flexibility readily facilitates the assembly of rectangular, pyramidal, circular or dome superstructures on the rooftops of high rise buildings.

A three tiered omni-directional array 22 of wind turbine assemblies 10 positioned about the periphery of the building and may be positioned adjacent to each other and/or stacked one above the other in order to maximize the conversion of wind energy into electricity. The direction arrows in Figure 3 depict how the omni-directional array harnesses the wind two times, to efficiently generate electricity. The first energy conversion takes place when the wind enters the intake parabolic collectors 16 of the array 22 on the leading edge or windward side of the building. The second energy conversion takes place when the wind continues across the rooftop and is harnessed and accelerated through another array of wind turbine assemblies 10. It is contemplated that the array 22 can be made up of as many self supporting box-shaped modular housings 12 as necessary in both the horizontal and vertical directions and can be interconnected into a building block superstructure utilizing the interlocking mating surfaces 26 on each modular housing 12. The design and overall shape of the array further improves the efficiency of the system by creating an air dam and thereby increasing the air pressure entering the wind turbine assemblies 10 on the trailing side of the building.

The wind patterns traversing the roof between pairs of single tiered omni-directional arrays 22 are shown in Figure 4. As the wind flows across the rooftop at the opposite ends of the building, wind is harnessed two times as it is collected, concentrated and accelerated in each array 22.

When using my unique fluid turbine design for harnessing the kinetic energy of flowing water, the device is positioned within the flowing water environment in a manner set forth below. Obvious modifications would be made to adapt for the different conditions in water. The design of the parabolically shaped collectors 16 shown in Figure 1 would be modified with the receiver means 16 shown in Figures 5 and 6. In this application at least one water turbine assembly 10 would be positioned in a support track 32 between two vertical I-beams positioned in the bed of a flowing water system. As the water flows through the water turbine assembly 10 electricity is produced by the rotation of the turbine 14. Due to the bi-directional design of the water turbine assembly power can be generated by water flow in either direction in a similar manner that the wind turbine operates. Elevator motors 30 are positioned atop of the I-beams for raising or lowering the support track 32 with a plurality of water turbine assemblies 10 positioned thereon. This arrangement allows for ease of positioning of the support track 32 at the bottom of the flowing water system or at a level where maximum flow exists. The elevator motors 30 can be of any design which easily raises or lowers the support track and would be a well known expediency to a person having ordinary skill in the art. Due to their modular design each water turbine assembly 10 has interlocking mating surfaces 26 which lends itself to form a structurally sound multitiered mini-grid array or hydro- power plant when a plurality of assemblies 10 are positioned vertically and horizontally as shown in Figure 6. ^ The materials used would be dependent upon the parameters required for a particular turbine assembly implementation. It is contemplated that the materials used for all parts inside and out could be aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, PVC composite, ABS, UV-stabilized high density polyethylene (HDPE) or combinations thereof as well as brass or other non-corrosive alloys. The actual materials used in either the wind environment or the water environment would be determined by the specific needs at each site and would be within the purvue of a design engineer.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The instant invention has industrial applicability in many environments where energy can be generated from the motion of air or water. Wind turbine assemblies could be implemented upon the roof of tall buildings in an urban center. Water turbine assemblies could be used in most any flowing water environment.

Claims

CLAIMS:

Claim 1: A fluid turbine assembly for converting the kinetic energy of a flowing fluid into electricity comprising: a self supporting modular box-shaped housing having an inlet and an outlet with a throat section positioned therebetween, a turbine positioned in said throat section, a ring gear positioned about the periphery of said turbine, receiving means positioned and attached to said inlet and outlet for collecting, concentrating, directing and accelerating fluid through the turbine at the throat section, a nose cone positioned on said turbine for directing the accelerated fluid outwardly to the ends of the turbine so that maximum torque is transferred to the turbine whereby the rotational energy of the turbine is converted into electricity by the generators.

Claim 2: The fluid turbine assembly according to claim 1, wherein said self supporting modular box-shaped housing comprises interlocking mating surfaces, and wherein a plurality of the self supporting box-shaped modular housings are structurally connected to each other to create an energy array in the form of a rigid building block superstructure.

Claim 3: The fluid turbine assembly according to claim 2, wherein the rigid building block superstructure is multitiered.

Claim 4: The fluid turbine assembly according to claim 3, wherein the fluid is wind driven air. Claim 5: The fluid turbine assembly according to claim 4, wherein the assembly is positioned about a horizontal axis and that the wind accelerates through the assembly horizontally.

Claim 6: The fluid turbine assembly according to claim 4, wherein the assembly is configured about an angled axis and that the wind accelerates through the assembly at an angle to horizontal.

Claim 7: The fluid turbine assembly according to claim 4, further comprising a plurality of arrays positioned on top of a roof of a building on opposite ends thereof and wherein

C \ as the wind traverses the roof of the building in a plurality of directions, electricity is generated in the plurality of arrays.

Claim 8: The fluid turbine assembly according to claim 3, wherein the fluid is water. Claim 9: The fluid turbine assembly according to claim 8, wherein at least two I-beams are positioned in the bed of a flowing water system and a support track is positioned between the at least two I-beams and at least one fluid turbine is positioned within the support track.

Claim 10: The fluid turbine assembly according to claim 9, wherein at least two turbines are positioned horizontally forming an array.

Claim 11 : The fluid turbine assembly according to claim 9, wherein at least two turbines are positioned vertically forming an array.

Claim 12: The fluid turbine assembly according to claim 10, wherein an elevator means is positioned on top of each I-beam to lower and raise the support track containing at least one fluid turbine assembly.

Claim 13: The fluid turbine assembly according to claim 11, wherein an elevator means is positioned on top of each I-beam to lower and raise the support track containing at least one fluid turbine assembly.

Claim 14: The fluid turbine assembly according to claim 8, wherein the flowing water system is selected from the group consisting of rivers, streams, canals, tidal bays, oceans or other flowing water environments.

Claim 15: The fluid turbine assembly according to claim 1, wherein the materials used to fabricate said fluid turbine assembly is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, stainless steel, PVC composite, ABS, HDPE, brass, non corrosive alloys or combinations thereof.

CX