WO2013096649A1

WO2013096649A1 - Wind lens assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2013096649A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/070999
Authority: WO
Inventors: Clifford BASSETT
Original assignee: Bassett Clifford
Priority date: 2011-12-20
Filing date: 2012-12-20
Publication date: 2013-06-27

Abstract

A wind lens assembly according to the present disclosure comprises a side wall defining a funnel and a vertical slit therein, wherein the side wall collects and focuses a fluid flow entering the funnel toward the vertical slit without increasing turbulence in the fluid flow. In at least embodiment, a wind lens assembly according to the present disclosure comprises a top wall spanning an area defined by a top edge of the side wall; and a bottom wall spanning an area defined by a bottom edge of the side wall, wherein the side wall has a curved or angled shape and the side wall, top wall, and bottom wall further define the funnel, the funnel having an inlet defined by unmated edges of the side wall, top wall, and bottom wall. In at least embodiment, a wind lens assembly according to the present disclosure comprises a side wall that has a hyperbolic shape, In at least embodiment, a wind lens assembly according to the present disclosure comprises an inlet that has a height greater than a height of a vertical slit. In at least embodiment, a wind lens assembly according to the present disclosure comprises a side wall formed such that the side wall is taller near an inlet of a funnel than near a vertical slit. In at least embodiment, a wind lens assembly according to the present disclosure comprises a vertical slit is defined at an apex of a funnel. In at least embodiment, a wind lens assembly according to the present disclosure comprises one or more vanes extending between a top wall and a bottom wall within a funnel and disposed adjacent an inlet, the one or more vanes arranged to direct the fluid flow toward a vertical slit. In at least embodiment, a wind lens assembly according to the present disclosure comprises a nozzle coextensive with and disposed adjacent a vertical slit, the nozzle comprising a first wall and an opposing second wall, each extending from a side wall.

Description

WIND LENS ASSEMBLY

PRIORITY

[0001] This application is related to, and claims the priority benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61 /578, 196, fi led December 20, 201 1 , and is a continuation-in- part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 1 3/500,266, filed April 4, 2012, which is a United States National Phase application of Patent Cooperation Treaty Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US2010/055613, filed November 5, 2010, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No, 61/258,576, filed November 5, 2009. The contents of the above-mentioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into this disclosure.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Many devices, such as, for example, turbines, windmills, and the like, function through rotation caused by the flow of a fluid across blades or other features of the device, Oftentimes the velocity of the fluid is less than optimal, or turbulence in the fluid as it flows across the device impairs the output of the device. Accordingly, there is a need for a system capable of collecting, focusing, and accelerating a fluid flow to enable a steady, high velocity and laminar flow.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0003] The present disclosure includes disclosure of embodiments of a wind lens assembly. In at least embodiment, a wind lens assembly according to the present disclosure comprises a side wall defining a funnel and a vertical slit therein, wherein the side wall collects and focuses a fluid flow entering the funnel toward the vertical slit without increasing turbulence in the fluid flow. In at least embodiment, a wind lens assembly according to the present disclosure comprises a top wall spanning an area defined by a top edge of the side wall; and a bottom wall spanning an area defined by a bottom edge of the side wal l, wherein the side wal l has a curved or angled shape and the side wal l, top wal l, and bottom wall further defi ne the funnel, the funnel having an inlet defined by unmated edges of the side wal l, top wal l, and bottom wall, In at least embodiment, a wind lens assembly according to the present disclosure comprises a side wall that has a hyperbolic shape. In at least embodiment, a wind lens assembly according to the present disclosure comprises an inlet that has a height greater than a height of a vertical slit. In at least embodiment, a wind lens assembly according to the present disclosure comprises a side wall formed such that the side wall is tal ler near an inlet of a funnel than near a vertical slit. In at least embodiment, a wind lens assembly accord ing to the present disclosure comprises a vertical sl it is defined at an apex of a funnel. In at least embodiment, a wind lens assembly according to the present disclosure comprises one or more vanes extending between a top wall and a bottom wal l within a funnel and d isposed adj acent an inlet, the one or more vanes arranged to direct the fluid flow toward a vertical sl it. In at least embodiment, a wind lens assembly according to the present disclosure comprises a nozzle coextensive with and disposed adjacent a vertical sl it, the nozzle comprising a first wal l and an opposing second wall, each extending from a side wal l .

[0004] The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system to generate electricity using a flow of air. In at least one embod iment, such a system comprises a turbine assembly comprising a cylindrical blade drum comprising a plurality of vertical blades with spaces therebetween; one or more wind lens assemblies, each such wind lens assembly comprising a side wal l defining a funnel and a vertical slit therein, wherein the side wal l collects and focuses a flow of air entering the funnel toward the vertical slit, and wherein each such wind lens assembly is disposed external to the turbine assembly whereby the vertical sl it in each side wal l faces the turbine assembly; and an exterior housing surrounding the turbine assembly and the one or more wind lens assemblies, the exterior housing being substantially air tight such that the flow of air can reach the turbine assembly only through the vertical slit(s) of the one or more wind lens assemblies. In at least one embodiment, such a system comprises a nozzle coextensive with each vertical slit and disposed adjacent each vertical slit, each such nozzle comprising a first wall and an opposing second wall extending from the side wall of the respective wind lens assembly toward the vertical blades, wherein the nozzle is configured to direct a substantially laminar flow of air toward the toward the vertical blades. In at least one embodiment, such a system comprises one or more vanes extending between a top wall and a bottom wall within a funnel and disposed adjacent an inlet, the one or more vanes configured to reduce turbulence in the flow of air passing along a side wall and to direct the flow of air toward a vertical slit. In at least one embodiment, such a system comprises a vertical slit that is no wider than two of a plurality of vertical blades and the space therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will be more apparent and better understood by reference to the following descriptions of the disclosed methods and systems, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the figures like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views, but not all reference numerals are shown in each of the figures.

[0006] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an exemplary wind lens assembly according to the present disclosure; [0007] FIG. 2 shows a side view of an embodiment of an exemplary wind lens assembly according to the present d isclosure;

[0008] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of an embodiment of an exemplary wind lens assembly according to the present d isclosure;

[0009] FIG. 4 shows a detail view taken at perspective area A of FIG, 3 of an embodiment of an exemplary vector vane according to the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG, 5 shows a detail view taken at perspective area B of FIG, 3 of an embodiment of an exemplary nozzle according to the present disclosure; and

[0011 ] FIG. 6 shows a cut-away perspective view of an exemplary wind turbine system according to the present d isclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments i llustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no l imitation of the scope. of this disclosure is thereby intended.

[0013] The present d isclosure includes disclosure of various assemblies to focus and accelerate a fluid flow and methods for using and constructing the same. Accord ing to one aspect of the present disclosure, a wind lens assembly is disclosed . FIG, 1 shows a perspective view of a wind lens assembly 1 0 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The wind lens assembly 1 0 according to the present disclosure col lects, directs, focuses, and accelerates an external fluid flow, such as ambient air or wind. The wind lens assembly 10 is capable of substantially increasing the velocity of the flow exiting the wind lens assembly 1 0.

[0014] In at least one embod iment of the present disclosure, the wind lens assembly 1 0 may be configured to be effective in d istinct prescribed ranges of external flow velocity, Within such a prescribed range, the wind lens assembly 10 may signi ficantly increase the velocity of the external flow as it exits the wind lens assembly 10. Conversely, the wind lens assembly 10 may have only a minimally effect on the velocity of the external flow as it exits the wind lens assembly 1 0 where the external flow velocity is outside the prescribed range, For example, in least one exemplary embodiment, the wind lens assembly 10 may be adapted to increase incoming external air velocities within the range of 3- 1 0 mi les per hour (mph) by a factor of 250-400% while having a lesser effect where the external air velocities are outside this velocity range. Table I shows the results of computer simulated testing (using Autodesk© Inventor© CF) of a wind lens assembly 10 under various ambient wind conditions. Figure 7 shows a graphical representation of relationship between the inlet wind speed and the outlet wind speed. Accordingly, embodiments of the wind lens 1 0 may be configured to operate most efficiently within the predominant conditions of a given application thereof.

TABLE I

Wind Lens Output Speed vs. Inlet Speed

Wind Speed Lens Output

(MPH) (MPH) Multiple

1 4.92 4.92

2 8.36 4.18

3 11.49 3.83 ,

4 14.16 3.54

5 16.81 3.36

6 19.49 3.25

7 22.11 3.16

8 24.66 3.08

9 26.62 2.96

10 29.26 2.93

11 31.75 2.89

12 34.26 2.86

13 36.13 2.78

14 39.13 2.79

15 41.59 2.77

16 44.19 2.76

17 46.62 2.74

18 48.74 2.71

19 51.44 2.71

20 53.91 2.70

[0015] As shown in FIG.1, the wind lens assembly 10 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a funnel 20 having a side wall 22 defining a vertical slit 25 therein, The side wall 22, in various embodiments, may be configured to form a generally outward scoop that facilitates introducing fluid flow into the funnel 20. The funnel 20 may further include a top wall 24 and a bottom wall 26 coupled to the side wall 22, where the walls 22, 24, 26 are bordered on their unmated edges by a flange 28 that defines a funnel inlet 23 and facilitates assembly of the wind less assembly 10 into a desired application as describe herein. As shown in FIGS.1 and 2, at least a portion of the walls 22, 24, 26 may be angled or tapered such that the vertical slit 25 formed in the side wall 22, which acts as an outlet for the funnel 20, is shorter than the funnel inlet 23. Alternatively, in at least one embodiment, the side walls 22 may be of uniform height and the top and bottom walls 24, 26 may be substantially flat such that the vertical slit 25 is no shorter than the funnel inlet 23 ,

[0016] The wind lens assembly 10 is capable of changing flow characteristics of the fluid flow through the wind lens assembly 10. In addition to velocity and volume, the flow characteristics may include the degree of turbulence in the flow field, ranging from laminar to turbulent flow, In at least one embodiment, the wind lens assembly 1 0 is capable of the increasing the velocity of the fluid flow without introducing additional turbulence into the flow. In at least one embodiment, the wind lens assembly 10 is capable of the increasing the velocity of the fluid flow while reducing the aggregate turbulence of the flow. Further, the wind lens assembly 10 is capable of changing flow characteristics of any fluid including, but not limited to, air, other types of gases, water, and other types of liquids,

[0017] As shown in FIG, 3, in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure the side wall 22 may include a substantially parabolic shape with the vertical slit 25 formed near the focus of the underlying parabola at or near the narrow end or apex of the funnel 20, Alternatively, in various embodiments, the side wall 22 may include, without limitation, a hyperbol ic or convex shape or any suitable shape that is formed with a generally outward scoop that facilitates introducing external fluid flow into the funnel 20 and d irecting the flow toward the vertical slit 25. The vertical slit 25 may be formed with a rectangular shape. Alternatively, the vertical slit 25 may be form a non-rectangular parallelogram, where the narrow top and bottom ends of the vertical slits 25 may not form right angle corners, In such an embodiment, the non-right angle corners of the vertical slit 25 may enable free dispersal of vortex flow currents exiting the vertical slit 25. Likewise, the width of the vertical slit 25 may be formed to prevent the formation of vortices or eddies associated with back pressure in funnel 20, where a wider width is less likely to produce flow irregularities. [0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the wind lens assembly 10 may include one or more vector vanes 30 positioned within the funnel 20. In at least one embodiment, each of the one or more vector vanes 30 may extend the height of the side wall 22 between the top wall 24 and the bottom wall 24. The one or more vector vanes 30 may include a panel positioned at a prescribed angle to the inlet 23, where the prescribed angle is determined by the overall size and proportional relationship of the vector vane 30 to the funnel 20 and side wall 22. For example, in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure as shown in FIG, 4, one or more vector vanes 30 may be oriented at an angle of 60° to the plane of the funnel inlet 23. Further, the one or more vector vanes 30 may have a prescribed thickness and a curved shape also determined by the overall size and proportional relationship of the vector vane 30 to the funnel 20. In at least one embodiment, the one or more vector vanes 30 may include a first surface 34 and an opposing second surface 36 that, to reduce turbulence in the incoming fluid flow, meet at a shallow angle, similar to the shape of an airfoil. The one or more vector vanes 30 may reduce turbulence in the flow associated with the side wall 22 and facilitate fluid flow between the vector vane 30 and the side wall 22. As a result, the one or more vector vanes 30 function in concert with the side wall 22 as a type of flow nozzle to accelerate and direct incoming external fluid flow near the edges of the funnel inlet 23 to smoothly join the incoming flow from the central portion of the funnel inlet 23 near the vertical slit 25.

[0019] As described herein, the wind lens assembly 10 collects, directs, focuses, and accelerates an external fluid flow, such as ambient air or wind. The wind lens assembly 1 0 is capable of affecting an external flow that may be incident upon the funnel inlet 23 across a broad range of angles. For example, when placed in a fluid flow that is normal to the plane of the funnel inlet 23, the wind lens assembly 10 is most efficient at collecting and focusing the flow from the relatively large area of the funnel inlet 23 into and through the relatively smal l area of the vertical slit 25 , Likewise, where the flow is incident upon the funnel inlet 23 at an angle other than normal, the side wall 22 directs at least a portion of the flow into and through the relatively smal l area of the vertical sl it 25. Consequently, the wind lens assembly 1 0 may affect a flow if a fluid where the angle of incidence to the plane of the funnel inlet 23 is nearly ±90° .

[0020] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the shape of the side wall 22 may be selected to operate most efficiently on a prescribed range of flow cond itions, such as flow velocity and direction. For example, the side wall 22 may include a substantially hyperbolic shape most efficient within a prescribed range of external flow velocities. Alternatively, in at least one embod iment, the side wall 22 may include a substantial ly parabolic shape most efficient within an alternate range of external flow velocities,

[0021] In at least one embodiment according to the present disclosure, the one or more vector vanes 30 may further increase the volume and stabi l ity of the flow d irected toward the vertical slit 25 by essentially forming multiple flow regions within the funnel 20. For example, where two vector vanes 30 are positioned within the funnel 20 as shown in FIG. 3, three flow regions are formed: one between the vector vanes 30 and one each between a vector vane 30 and the side wal l 22. While the one or more vector vanes 30 may reduce turbulence associated with the side wal l 22 and facilitate fluid flow between the vector vane 30 and the side wall 22, the one or more vector vanes 30 may also act to focus fluid flow entering the most central portion of the funnel inlet 23 directly toward the vertical sl it 25 whi le decreasing turbulence in the flow,

[0022] Each flow region formed within the funnel 20 may be configured to act most efficiently with in a prescribed range of flow cond itions, including flow velocity and direction, via d i fferent con figurations and numbers of the one or more vector vanes 30. Further, the size, shape, and orientation of the one or more vector vanes 30 may be selected to affect the flow most efficiently within prescribed ranges of flow velocity. For example, where the one or more vector vanes 30 are oriented at an angle of 60° relative to the plane of the funnel inlet 23 as shown in FIG, 4, the wind funnel assembly 1 0 may be most efficient at accelerating a flow with a velocity of 3- 1 0 mph . Other angu lar orientations of the vector vanes 30 may be used to improve the efficiency of wind lens assembly 1 0 for Fluid flows of d i fferent velocities. As a result, the wind funnel assembly 1 0 may essentially d ivide the relatively large area of the funnel inlet 23 into a number of smaller flow regions that enable the wind lens assembly 10 to affect different portions of the incom ing flow separately and combine those portions at or near the vertical slit 25 whi le decreasing the turbulence of the incoming flow and focusing it at the vertical slit 25 ,

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 -3, the wind lens assembly 10 may include a nozzle 40 positioned at or near the vertical slit 25, such that the vertical slit 25 is adjacent a nozzle inlet 43. In at least one embodiment, the nozzle 40 may be attached to the side wall 22 such that a continuous flow path is maintained from the funnel inlet 23, through the vertical sl it 25, and through the nozzle 40. The nozzle 40 may accelerate the incoming flow without increasing the turbu lence within the flow and d irect the flow along a prescribed flow vector 49 at an angle relative to the plane of the funnel inlet 23.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, the nozzle 40 may include a first nozzle wall 42 extend ing from one edge of the vertical slit 25 and an opposing second nozzle wal l 44 extending from the opposing edge of the vertical sl it 25. Each nozzle 40 may further include end caps 46 connecting the first nozzle wall 42 and second nozzle wall 44. One end cap 46 may be positioned adjacent or attached to the top wall 24, and another end cap 46 may be positioned adjacent or attached to the bottom wall 26. Accordingly, the first nozzle wall 42, second nozzle wal l 44, and end caps 46 define an fluid flow passageway positioned adjacent the vertical slit 25 having a nozzle the nozzle inlet 43 and an opposing nozzle outlet 45 with a resulting flow vector 49. Should a sufficiently wide vertical sl it 25 configuration be necessary to prevent vortices and eddies from developing within the funnel 20 as described herein, multiple nozzles 40 may be used adjacent the vertical slit 25.

[0025] In one exemplary embodiment of a wind lens according to the present disclosure according to the present disclosure, the dimensions of funnel inlet 23 are approximately 69" x 53 " ; the dimension of top wall 24 from funnel inlet 23 to vertical slit 25 is approximately 14"; the dimensions of vertical slit 25 are approximately 4" x 46,5"; and nozzle 40 protrudes approximately 4" from vertical slit 25 , This, of course, is merely an exemplary embodiment and other arrangements are possible and within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0026] The wind lens assembly 1 0 accord ing to the present d isclosure may be used in various appl ications to direct, focus and accelerate fluid flow. For example, at least one embodiment of the wind lens assembly 1 0 may be used in connection with a vertical wind turbine to generate electricity. As shown in FIG. 6, a system to generate electricity using a flow of air, such a system 1 00, may include an exterior housing assembly 104 positioned around turbine assembly 102. The turbine assembly 102 may include a cylindrical blade drum 1 12 comprising a plurality of vertical blades 1 14, wherein each vertical blade 1 14 is positioned at or near the external circumference of the cylindrical blade drum 1 12 and oriented substantial ly radially, thereby defining an internal volume 1 10. The turbine assembly 1 02 may further include a conical fan 1 30 positioned within the internal volume 1 1 0 of the cylindrical blade drum 1 1 2. In operation, the conical fan 1 30 and the cylindrical blade drum 1 12 may rotate about a shared vertical axis 1 25. In at least one embodiment of a cyl indrical blade drum 1 12 of the present disclosure, vertical blades 1 14 may be equal l spaced and al igned around the circumference of cyl indrical blade drum 1 12.

[0027] Vertical blades 1 14 facilitate rotation of cyl indrical blade drum 1 1 2 via fluid flow, such as air flow or wind, across the vertical blades 1 14, Each vertical blade 1 14 responds to the movement of air across its surface simi lar to the wings of an airplane, which achieve lift by creating negative air pressure on the upper side of the airfoil. Sim ilarly, each vertical blade 1 14 of the turbine assembly 1 02 moves in the d irection of negative air pressure (i.e., lift) as air moves across the surface of the airfoi l, whereby each of the plural ity of vertical blades 1 14 is pushed by the air flow to cause rotation of cylindrical blade drum 1 12 of the turbine assembly 1 02. In at least one embod iment, each vertical blade 1 14 is designed with an aerodynam ic configuration for performance and responsiveness over the broadest range of flow conditions using an effective airfoil design and the angle of each vertical blade 1 14. As shown in FIG, 6, the cylindrical blade drum 1 12 may further be linked via a central top hub 122 and central bottom hub 120 to a shaft 160 disposed on the axis 125, where the shaft 1 60 is mechanical ly connected to an alternator or generator 1 70 (not shown) to produce electricity.

[0028] The turbine assembly 1 02 operates most efficiently where a steady, high velocity, and laminar flow passes over the plural ity of vertical blades 1 1 4, Such a steady, h igh velocity, and lam inar flow may be provided by the wind lens assembly 1 0. In at least one embod iment accord ing to the present disclosure, the wind lens assembly 1 0 may be mounted to the housing assembly 104 along the flange 28 such that the vertical sl it 25 is adjacent the cylindrical blade drum 1 12. In such an embodiment, the height of the vertical sl it 25 may correspond to the height of the vertical blades 1 14 of the cylindrical blade drum 1 12, and the width of vertical slit 25 may be no wider than one to two vertical blades 1 14 side by side. Accordingly, the wind lens assembly 1 0 may focus and accelerate external air flow through the vertical slit 25 and across no more than two vertical blades 1 1 4 at a time wh i le passing through the cylindrical blade drum assembly 1 1 2, thereby causing rotation of the cyl indrical blade drum 1 12 and the shaft 1 60 to produce electricity. [0029] In at least one embodiment according to the present disclosure, the nozzle 40 may be positioned between the vertical sl it 25 and the cyl indrical blade drum 1 1 2. In an exemplary embodiment, the height of the nozzle 40 may correspond to the height of the plural ity of vertical blades 1 14, and the width of the nozzle 40 may be no wider than one to two vertical blades 1 14 side by side. The nozzle 40 may further focus and accelerate air flow from the vertical slit 25 across the vertical blades 1 14 as described herein. Because the nozzle 40 enables a steady, high velocity, and laminar flow, energy from air flow across the vertical blades 1 14 is efficiently converted into a lift force against the vertical blades 1 14.

[0030] A given embodiment of the wind lens assembly 1 0 may be configured to affect a specific range of external flow velocities as described herein, When once applied to the system 100, the range-specific performance of the wind lens assembly 1 0 may increase the operating range of the system 1 00. The cylindrical blade drum 1 12 has a limited rotational velocity range, resulting from the flow velocity over the plural ity of vertical blades 1 14. Because the wind lens assembly 1 0 generally accelerates the external flow velocity before passing it through the cylindrical blade drum 1 12, the cyl indrical blade drum 1 1 2 would reach the rotational velocity limit at a lower external flow velocity than without the wind lens assembly 1 0. However, because the wind lens assembly 1 0 may be configured to have l ittle effect beyond a predetermined external flow velocity range, the cyl indrical blade drum 1 1 2 may be driven at a relative high rotational velocity at relatively low external flow velocities and may continue to operate below the rotational velocity l im it at relatively high external flow velocities that are not accelerated by such a configuration of the wind lens assembly 10. Consequently, the range-specific performance of the wind lens assembly 10 may extend the effective operating range of the turbine assembly 1 02.

[0031] The system 100 may include a plurality of wind lens assemblies 1 0 positioned within the housing assembly 1 04 around the outer diameter of the cyl indrical blade drum 1 1 2. Each of the plurality of wind lens assemblies 10 may be mounted to the housing assembly 104 along the flange 28 such that the vertical slit 25 is adjacent the cylindrical blade drum 1 12. In an exemplary embodiment comprising four wind lens assemblies 10, the four wind lens assemblies 10 may surround cylindrical blade drum 1 12, whereby each of the four wind lens assemblies 10 occupies 90 degrees of a 360-degree perimeter as shown in FIG. 6, In at least one embodiment, the four wind lens assemblies 10 are fixed in position, and the combined effect of the configuration is to capture air flow from 360 degrees. As described herein, the side wall 22 of the wind lens assembly 10 may have various configurations, such as parabolic, hyperbolic, or straight. The selection of the shape of the side wall 22 may be chosen based on the overall size and positioning of system 100 or on the type of application,

[0032] The system 1 00 may further include one or more screens 1 80 positioned adjacent the funnel inlet 23 and mounted to the wind lens assembly 10 or the housing assembly 104. The screen 1 80 may prevent intrusion of debris and other foreign matter, such as animals, into the funnel inlet 23 without significantly affecting the fluid flow.

[0033] Generally, the wind lens assembly 10 may be used in any application that is aided by the collection and acceleration of a fluid flow into a steady and laminar exiting flow, An additional exemplary application for the wind lens assembly fan 10 may include a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ("HVAC") system. The wind lens assembly 10 may be applied to a condenser coil subsystem of a HVAC system to improve the heat transfer process from the refrigerant within the HVAC system to the ambient environment. In such an appl ication, one or more wind lens assemblies 10 may be positioned adjacent the condenser coil subsystem to focus and accelerate ambient wind across the condenser coil subsystem, thereby increasing the rate of heat transfer with the refrigerant.

[0034] The wind lens assembly 10 may be formed using a molding or stamping process or any other suitable manufacturing method. Likewise, the nozzle 40, in various embodiments, may be molded or stamped into the wind lens assembly 10 without the need for a separate nozzle 40 part. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the relative width of the vertical slit 25 may be adjusted and sized depending on the particular configuration of system 1 00,

[0035] While various embodiments of systems to focus and accelerate a fluid flow of air and methods for using and constructing the same have been described in considerable detail herein, the embodiments are merely offered by way of non-limiting examples of the disclosure described herein, It will therefore be understood that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0036] Further, in describing representative embodiments, the disclosure may have presented a method and/or process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. Other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps disclosed herein should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure, In addition, disclosure directed to a method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, Such sequences may be varied and still remain within the scope of the present disclosure,

Claims

1 . A wind lens assembly, the wind lens assembly comprising:

a side wall defining a funnel and a vertical slit therein, wherein the side wall collects and focuses a fluid flow entering the funnel toward the vertical slit without increasing turbulence in the fluid flow.

2. The wind lens assembly of claim 1 , the wind lens assembly further comprising:

a top wall spanning an area defined by a top edge of the side wal l; and a bottom wall spanning an area defined by a bottom edge of the side wal l, wherein the side wall has a curved or angled shape and the side wall, top wall, and bottom wall further define the funnel, the funnel having an inlet defined by unmated edges of the side wall, top wall, and bottom wall.

3. The wind lens assembly of claim 2, wherein the side wal l has a hyperbolic shape.

4. The wind lens assembly of claim 2, wherein the inlet has a height greater than a height of the vertical slit.

5. The wind lens assembly of claim 3, wherein the side wall is formed such that the side wall is taller near the inlet of the funnel than near the vertical sl it.

6. The wind lens assembly of claim 1 , wherein the vertical slit is defined at an apex of the funnel.

7. The wind lens assembly of claim 2, wherein the wind lens assembly further comprises:

one or more vanes extending between the top wall and the bottom wal l within the funnel and disposed adjacent the inlet, the one or more vanes arranged to direct the fluid flow toward the vertical slit,

8. The wind lens assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fluid flow is a flow o f air,

9. The wind lens assembly of claim 1 , the wind lens assembly further comprising;

a nozzle coextensive with and disposed adjacent the vertical sl it, the nozzle comprising a first wall and an opposing second wall, each extending from the side wal l.

A wind lens assembly for a system to generate electricity using a flow of air, the wind assembly comprising:

a side wall defining a funnel and a vertical slit therein;

a top wall spanning the area defined by a top edge of the side wall; and a bottom wall spanning the area defined by a bottom edge of the side wall, wherein the side wall has a curved or angled shape and the side wal l, top wall, and bottom wal l further define the funnel, the funnel having an inlet defined by unmated edges of the side wall, top wall, and bottom wall, and wherein the side wall collects and focuses a fluid flow entering the funnel toward the vertical slit.

The wind lens assembly of claim 10, wherein the side wall has a hyperbolic

12. The wind lens assembly of claim 10, the wind lens assembly further comprising: a nozzle coextensive with and d isposed adjacent the vertical slit, the nozzle comprisi ng a first wal l and an opposing second wall, each extending from the side wal l, wherein the nozzle is configured to accelerate a substantial ly laminar flu id flow entering the nozzle from the vertical slit.

13. A system to generate electricity using a flow of air, the system comprising:

a turbine assembly comprising a cylindrical blade drum comprising a plurality of vertical blades with spaces therebetween;

one or more wind lens assemblies, each such wind lens assembly comprising a side wall defining a funnel and a vertical slit therein, wherein the side wal l collects and focuses a flow of air entering the funnel toward the vertical slit, and wherein each such wind lens assembly is disposed external to the turbine assembly whereby the vertical slit in each side wal l faces the turbine assembly; and

an exterior housing surrounding the turbine assembly and the one or more wind lens assemblies, the exterior housing being substantially air tight such that the flow of air can reach the turbine assembly on ly through the vertical sl it(s) of the one or more wind lens assembl ies.

14. The system of claim 13, the system further comprising:

a nozzle coextensive with each vertical slit and disposed adjacent each vertical slit, each such nozzle comprising a first wal l and an opposing second wall extending from the side wall of the respective wi nd lens assembly toward the vertical blades, wherein the nozzle is con figured to d irect a substantial ly lam inar flow of air toward the toward the vertical blades,

1 5. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the one or more wind lens assemblies further comprises:

a top wall spanning the area defined by a top edge of the side wall ; and a bottom wall spanning the area defined by a bottom edge of the side wall, wherein the side wal l has a hyperbolic shape, and the side wal l, top wal l, and bottom wall further define the funnel, the funnel having an inlet defined by unmated edges of the side wall, top wall, and bottom wall.

16. The system of claim 1 3, wherein the vertical slits are configured to correspond to dimensions of the plurality of vertical blades.

1 7. The system of claim 1 3, wherein the side wal l is formed such that the side wall is tal ler near the inlet of the funnel than near the vertical sl it.

1 8. The system of claim 1 3, wherein the vertical sl it is defined at an apex of the funnel.

1 9. The system of claim 1 3, the plurality of wind lens assemblies further comprising:

one or more vanes extend ing between the top wall and the bottom wal l within the funnel and disposed adjacent the inlet, the one or more vanes configured to reduce turbulence in the flow of air passing along the side wall and to direct the flow of air toward the vertical slit.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein each vertical sl it is no wider than two of the plurality of vertical blades and the space therebetween,