WO2018125252A1

WO2018125252A1 - Hybrid air-channeled wind turbine/solar powered electrical generator for mobile utilization

Info

Publication number: WO2018125252A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/069642
Authority: WO
Inventors: William KOMP
Original assignee: Komp William
Priority date: 2016-12-31
Filing date: 2016-12-31
Publication date: 2018-07-05

Abstract

An inventive hybrid wind turbine/solar power generator is provided and disclosed. Such a wind turbine configuration includes a means for increasing wind speed through the body of the turbine and means for directing the fluid air into a discrete portion of the turbine generator. The solar power-generating component includes solar collectors disposed at angles over the top of the wind turbine in such a manner as to allow for capture of sunlight by at least some collectors no matter the disposition in relation to the sun. Such a device is also of sufficiently small profile and weight to be movable and transported on demand to any desired location for electrical generation purposes.

Description

PATENT COOPERATION TREATY APPLICATION

Title of the Invention

HYBRID AIR-CHANNELED WIND TURBINE/SOLAR POWERED

ELECTRICAL GENERATOR FOR MOBILE UTILIZATION

Field of the Invention

An inventive hybrid wind turbine/solar power generator is provided and disclosed.

Such a wind turbine configuration includes a means for increasing wind speed through the body of the turbine and means for directing the fluid air into a discrete portion of the turbine generator. The solar power-generating component includes solar collectors disposed at angles over the top of the wind turbine in such a manner as to allow for capture of sunlight by at least some collectors no matter the disposition in relation to the sun. Such a device is also of sufficiently small profile and weight to be movable and transported on demand to any- desired location for electrical generation purposes. The wind turbine component further allows for the capture of wind from any environment, low speed or otherwise, in order to efficiently increase the overall wind speed thereof for further introduction within the turbine portion. Combined with the solar power generator component, the capability of such a device to permit electricity generation at any desired location, and under less than ideal conditions, is highly beneficial and unexpected. The wind turbine component thus also includes a properly configured air intake component portion with a conical component to direct the captured wind directly to the edge of the turbine as well as suitable means to reduce back pressures of the introduced fluid stream and thus producing a relatively high pressure gradient. With the back pressures reduced, particularly through means introduced in an area located within the air intake portion and prior to the turbine portion within the entire device, the user is permitted a manner of effectively generating wind power at an acceptable level, regardless of the lack of appreciably high wind speed environments. Likewise, the inventive device thus permits electrical generation capabilities through wind turbine usage even when the wind presence external to the turbine portion is at a minimal level. A method of providing electrical generation through the utilization of such an inventive hybrid wind turbine/solar collection device is also encompassed herein.

Backgroiiisd of the Invention

The generation of electricity is of enormous importance in terms of bringing modern luxuries to a large amount of the world's population. However, energy generation has proven to be both complex and rather difficult to accomplish from an efficiency and environmental standpoint. Electricity is typically generated through the conversion of power sources to electricity generation via electro-magnetic induction. The general and predominant methods followed for such a purpose include fossil fuel burning (converting heat to electricity via steam turbines), nuclear power (converting fission of radioactive materials to electricity via steam turbines), capturing and storing solar power (via the photoelectric effect),

hydroelectricity (harnessing water movement to drive turbines), and, of course, wind power (utilizing wind to drive an e!ectri city -producing turbine).

Fossil fuels are currently utilized within most electrical power generating systems in the world due to the large supply of coal, petroleum, natural gas and other such fuels that can easily burn to generate the needed heat for such a purpose. Unfortunately, this method is well-known to cause the emission of undesirable gases into the atmosphere (carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, for instance). As well, however, coal also may include certain heavy metals (mercury, chromium, and the like) that, upon incineration of the coal itself, may be released into the atmosphere as well unless removal means are implemented for such a purpose.

Basically, though, this electricity generating method is problematic, particularly in the future with the expected growth in worldwide populations demanding greater amounts of power, thereby theoretically, at least, increasing the expected amount of burning fuels and subsequently polluting emissions as a result.

Nuclear power is considered a potentially "cleaner "alternative to fossil fuels because nuclear power generation does not generate the undesirable gas emissions that coal fired and other fossil fuels plants produce; however, the necessity for radioactive materials, both in supply and eventual destruction or long-term storage, are the industry's leading challenges and has created considerable resistance to such programs. In addition, the significant up front capital expenses make this solution impractical for developing nations, India for instance.

Hydroelectricity has been possible upon the creation of dams over certain moving water sources. Hie directional flow of fluids through a turbine creates the necessary rotational movement thereof to generate electricity as a result. Although such a large-scale procedure has been workable in many areas of the globe, the ability to locate and implement such a system without simultaneously impacting the surrounding environment (though, for example, the redirection of water sources) has, in many cases, been a problem. Flooding, although alleviated in some situations through dam erection, at times is exacerbated through such a method. Likewise, dam building has also proven to reduce the available water to some areas, thus providing an unwanted tradeoff of water for electrical power. In general, hydroelectricity is reliant primarily on finding a suitable riparian source and handling the overall situation properly; the numbers of effective electrical generating sources provided in this manner has been minimal at best, as a result. The difficulty in locating and suitably utilizing sufficient sources of moving water in the future for such a purpose also militates against long-term plans of hydroelectric solutions for power generation. In addition, hydroelectric electricity production is located at the source of water which may or may not be close to population centers. The transmission of the electricity to the point of consumption can in some cases result in 25-50% losses.

Solar power has proven rather difficult to implement, particularly on a large-scale level. However, the utilization of such generating devices have made headway with concentrated, stationary structures, implemented with placement directed towards the sun's rays for maximum effect. The ability to include such generators in portable format has been rather elusive, unfortunately, leaving the user with having to plant such structures, if you will, at and on locations that may require modifications, if not actual purchase, for optimum effects. Combinations with other power-generating sources have likewise been nonexistent, for the most part, within the overall energy generation industry, ostensibly due to the difficulties of configuring such solar cells with other types of generators, at least to a degree that sufficient power levels are provided in such situations. The necessity of allowing for sufficient sun exposure has contributed, as well, to such a limited, if any, combination with other types of power-generating devices.

Wind power, on the other hand, can theoretically be available anywhere on the planet. Such a power alternative has been harnessed and utilized for centuries to allow for

transportation (sailboats, for instance), for food generation (windmills), and, much more recently, as a source of electricity generation (wind turbines). Such a natural resource accords potential unlimited supplies of power generation, of course, without the other drawbacks of the current primary electrical generation methods. The ability to do so has been typically undertaken with large-size devices, provided in specific locations that, hopefully, allows for maximum capture of wind speeds. It has been realized that through differing pressures within the atmosphere, wind can be generated at any speed and, much like

hydroelectricity, may be channeled through a turbine to provide the necessary rotational energy to create electrical charges. The main problems affecting such a system lie in the locating and sustaining at least minimal wind speeds to generate minimal electrical charges, as well as the possibility of very high winds above a certain threshold that could damage the machinery involved. Particularly with large biaded devices, if wind speeds exceed a certain level, shutdown is generally required to protect the expensive machines. Large blades are generally utilized in order to generate the greatest amount of turbine activity in relation to the typical wind speeds available in a certain area. In other words, since wind speeds are very hard to predict, large blade devices are utilized quite often in order to compensate for potentially low levels to generate the greatest amount of fluid stream through the subject turbine. As noted above, however, this structural configuration may actually become highly problematic as very high wind speeds may damage the turbine through excessive rotational movement not to mention the possibility of large blade damage through high wind shear exposure. Additionally, due to the utilization of large blades, these devices are often very- large. Wind turbines can be installed in a group which is sometimes referred to as a wind farm. Thus, the installation takes up a considerable amount of space.

As alluded to above, wind turbines have been utilized for various uses in the past, although their importance for electricity generation has only recently been of note. Wind turbines usually contain a propeller-like device, termed the "rotor", which is faced into a moving air stream. As the air hits the rotor, the air produces a force on the rotor in such a manner as to cause the rotor to rotate about its center. The rotor is connected to either an electricity generator or mechanical device through linkages such as gears, belts, chains or other means. Such turbines are used for generating electricity and powering batteries. They are also used to drive rotating pumps and/or moving machine parts. It is very common to find wind turbines in large electricity generating "wind farms" containing multiple such turbines in a geometric pattern designed to allow maximum power extraction with minimal impact of each such turbine on one another and/or the surrounding environment.

Although such devices provide effective means for this purpose, drawbacks have created limited usage in the past. For example, the reliability of such devices to provide effective electricity generation in variable wind speed environments has been problematic. Although some locations around the globe are known to harbor high wind speed

environments on a reliable basis (mainly over bodies of water), the ability to utilize less open expanses for wind farms for this puipose has proven difficult to increase wind turbine usage worldwide. In other words, the lack of localities with reliable, sustainable wind levels, coupled with the difficulties in storage and transfer of electricity from such locations that do exhibit such favorable characteristics, has been a difficult threshold issue to overcome in expanding wind power generation. More urban locations are generally frowned upon due to the presence of obstacles to open wind areas (for instance, buildings, trees, and other obstructions) and thus do not typically allow for suitable laminar air flow possibilities for wind farms to be worthwhile under current technological levels. An ability to provide effective low wind areas with reliable wind power generating devices has heretofore been difficult to accomplish, as noted above.

The basic problem with low wind areas lies in the necessity of creating suitable and appreciable rotational movement of the subject turbine at a rate that generates the needed minimal electrical charge on a continuous basis. Turbines of this sort include a plurality of blades that create the necessary rotational energy upon exposure to an air stream passing therethrough. As such, proper rotational movement of the turbine relies specifically upon the wind speed present within the throat of the air intake; the higher the speed, the greater the possible rotation of the turbine, and, consequently, the greater the level of electrical generation. Low wind areas thus create distinct problems for wind turbines as the need to increase throat speed relies primarily on the environmental conditions for overall effectiveness.

Some developments attempted to provide artificial increases in throat speed in the past. Notably, however, ever}' past attempt relied upon modifications of the turbine exhaust system. One significant development proposed generating a vortex that creates a vacuum to possibly create increased air pressures and thus greater air movement through the turbine itself. Unfortunately, a number of drawbacks exist with such a system. For instance, by relying upon the exhaust system to initiate the vacuum generation, such a system requires an initial wind speed generation to effectuate the actual vacuum subsequent to air intake utilization. In other words, in order for this system to function, it appears that low wind systems would still create a lack of sufficient air stream speed to create the necessary vacuum in the first place. Secondly, such a system does not take into account the potential for efficiency reductions due to even distributions of air streams on the turbine blade surfaces. With an even level of air stream introduction onto all turbine surfaces, and through the presence and utilization of an evenly generated and applied vacuum thereafter, the turbine itself may not perform to the level it was designed. Lastly, there is no compensation within this prior device to permit reductions in air speed through the subject turbine should the wind speed as introduced grow too high. With the static design in the exhaust the vacuum generation would continue indefinitely, apparently, without concern as to the degree of strain on the turbine should the air stream velocity increase to a maximum level.

Of a further concern, as alluded to above, is the limitation such potentially large-scale structures poses in terms of versatility and on-demand power generation at specific places. In other words, the ability to not only permit effective wind power generation within low-wind speed environments but also to do so with a device that may be outfitted with multiple types of power generators in a self-contained apparatus, not to mention, if desired, may be portable and/or transported to any desired location for such a purpose, has yet to be accorded the industry. Likewise, the benefits of solar power as a complement or supplement to a wind- powered self-contained and/or portable device have yet to be considered, either. Solar cells, as noted above, have gained acceptance and greater widespread overall utilization in the last few decades. The main problem, however, is that such generators are, again, typically installed at specific locations and at dispositions that optimize the exposure to the sun's rays. The inclusion or combination with other types of power generators drastically limits the capacity for solar cell implementation in such a manner. Additionally, portable structures, particularly including such solar cells, have not been explored in this area, ostensibly due to the weight issues involved, the lack of suitable directional considerations for maximum solar collection effect with portable devices, and the limited role such a generator would provide when utilized in a portable format (e.g., the amount of electricity generated would be rather low, particularly with limited amounts of collectors present.

Tli s, there exists a need to harness the very clean wind and solar power natural resource with a self-contained and/or portable device wherein the amount of power generated thereby would be sufficient for powering a localized electronic source on demand. Such a device thus would include a wind power generator component that can capture even low wind speeds and limited amounts of solar energy and still generate effective electrical generation within a portable structure that may be easily transported (e.g., of sufficient low weight) for such purposes (or even to be considered a "table-top" version thereof). Additionally, the wind turbine must also not only permit low wind power generation but also must permit a manner of controlling the velocity of air streams through the subject turbine during high wind events in order to reduce the propensity of turbine damage in such situations. To date, no such self-contained and/or portable hybrid device has been accorded the power generation industry. Advantages and Brief Description of the Invention

An advantage of the inventive self-contained wind turbine/solar panel power generating device of the present invention is the ability to provide effective and reliable electricity generation at very low wind speed levels as well as provide power through solar ceil exposure simultaneously or during periods of too-low wind. Another advantage of the present invention is the ability to maximize the subject turbine^'s efficiency through controlled fluid stream direction to a specific location on the turbine during operation. Yet another advantage of the inventi v e device is the ability to reduce any back pressure created in the turbine intake due to the narrowing of the intake channel and throat containing the turbine without the need for vacuum suction possibilities but through the utilization of pressure reduction means within the air intake component as well as possible other means present within the air intake portion as well. A further advantage is the inclusion of ail the necessary electronics and batter ' array(s) within the combination hybrid of wind and solar power generators for a truly self-contained apparatus for transport and installation or simple placement at any location without any further needed instrumentation or other components for utilization thereof.

Another advantage of the wind turbine of the present invention is the scalability of its design. The inventive device can be tailored to be many sizes and to fit in many different locations provided that the overal l shape, curvature, and proportion of the devi ce meet the criteria described within. In addition to the typical locations for large scale wind power generation, other potential locations for the inventive device include the attics of single family homes, the roofs of buildings, the underside of interstate overpasses and bri dges, and mountain tops. Combined with a properly provided and configured array of solar panels, such a power generating device advantageously allows for on-demand power generation for a user. Yet another advantage of an embodiment of the present invention which utilizes a modular design is ease of maintenance and reduced downtime.

In accordance with such advantages, this invention thus encompasses a hybrid wind turbine/solar panel power generating device, said device including a wind turbine exhibiting a configuration including an air intake portion, a throat portion, housing including a turbine portion, and an exhaust portion, wherein said air intake portion exhibits a curve design in axial -symmetric fashion, wherein said exhaust portion exhibits a similarly curved design in axial-symmetric fashion, wherein said air intake portion exhibits a volume and size greater than that exhibited by said exhaust portion, wherein said throat portion exhibits a volume and size smaller than for said exhaust portion, and wherein said air intake includes a plurality of consecutive annular slits within the wails thereof; a solar collector portion comprising at least two separate panels including at least one solar cell within each panel, said panels being disposed angularly over a portion of said wind turbine in opposite directions; and an electricity storage component housed below said wind turbine. Alternatively, the invention may be understood to encompass the same basic structure, above, but with the wind turbine including an air intake portion, a throat portion, housing including a turbine portion, and an exhaust portion, wherein said device exhibits an air speed increase as measured as the comparison between the air speed prior to movement through said air intake portion and the air speed prior to movement through said turbine portion and subsequent to movement through said throat portion, wherein said device does not include any generation of a vacuum or a vortex therein during operation. A method of providing electrical generation through the utilization of such an inventive hybrid self-contained wind turbine/solar panel device is also encompassed herein, as is such a device provided as a portable device to facilitate transport and placement at different locations on-demand to permit electricity generation thereby as desired. Thus, the invention provides an inventive hybrid structure that comprises a wind turbine configuration including a means for increasing wind speed through the body of the turbine and means for directing the fluid air into a discrete portion of the turbine generator. Such a device allows for the capture of wind from any environment, low speed or otherwise, in order to subsequently efficiently increase the overall wind speed thereof for further introduction within the turbine portion. The overall device thus includes a suitable means to reduce back pressures of the introduced fluid stream. With the back press ures reduced, particularly through means introduced in an area located within the air intake portion and prior to the turbine portion within the entire device, the user is permitted a manner of effectively generating wind power at an acceptable level, regardless of the lack of appreciably high wind speed environments. Likewise, the inventive device thus permits electrical generation capabilities through wind turbine usage even when the wind presence externa] to the turbine portion is at a minimal level.

The following standards table (Table 1) provides the accepted classifications of wind power density for specific Wind Class Environments for electricity generation with wind turbine devices.

Table 1: STANDARDS TABLE

Wind Wind Power Speed Wind Power Speed

Power Class Density (W/m-) m/s (mph) Density (W/m-) m/s (mph)

1 <100 <4.4 (9.8) <200 <5.6 (12.5)

100-150 4.4 (9.8)/ 200-300 5.6( 12.5)/

5.1 (11.5) 6.4 (14.3)

150-200 5.1 (11.5)/ 300-400 6.4 (14.3/

5.6 (12.5) 7.0 (15.7)

4 200-250 5.6 (12.5)/ 400-500 7.0 (15.7)/

6.0 (13.4) 7,5 (16.8)

5 250-300 6.0 (13.4)/ 500-600 7.5(16.8)/

6.4 (14.3) 8.0 (17.9)

6 300-400 6.4 (14.3)/ 600-800 8.0 (17.9)/

7.0 (15.7) 8.8 (19.7)

7 >400 >7.0 (15.7) >800 8.8 (19,7) The ability to utilize a wind turbine device located in a certain Wind Class

Environment (such as a Class 1 location) and generate power density at a higher Class rating (such as Class 3, as one example), is thus a long understood need within the wind turbine industry.

The inventive device of the present invention creates a much improved and more reliable alternative for energy generation using wind power, particularly for utilization in low wind areas, but also in terms of allowing for compensation within the turbine portion for air speed reductions as well should the wind speed level exceed safe measurements. Rather than relying upon any exhaust modifications for air speed increases, the inventive device includes a modification of the air intake portion itself to effectuate the desired air speed controls through the turbine portion. The air intake, as noted in greater detail below, is redesigned to form a curved chamber (as defined by a quadratic, hyperbolic, or exponential equation) with a specific intake curve to maximize the average throat speed of wind transferred therethrough prior to entry within the turbine portion, in this manner, the outer peripheral edge of the air intake component will exhibit the maximum diameter of not only the entire air intake component, but also the greatest diameter of all the components of the overall device (exhaust component included). The curve of the air intake should, in one preferred embodiment, gradually decrease in size until the throat portion of the device is reached. The throat portion may provide a static diameter measurement if desired, although further reductions in size may be present if desired. Preferably, though, the throat, including the throat housing in which the turbine and dynamo/alternator parts will be present, will exhibit, as noted, a static diameter sufficiently large enough to house the turbine, etc., without any impediment to rotational movement of such parts as well as to prevent any appreciable movement of air fluid streams through to the exhaust component without passing through the turbine blades (in essence, to best guarantee highest efficiency of wind speed usage). The throat housing then leads to the exhaust portion that exhibits a similar curve equation (again, quadratic, hyperbolic, or exponential in type) as that for the air intake; however, the resultant measurements will be scaled down by a certain ratio such that the overall design of the wind turbine device will not be symmetrical in size from the air intake side to the exhaust portion side. In this manner, the ingress of wind into the air intake will be of a greater volume potential, the throat portion will generate, as with Bernoulli^'s principle, faster air speed through the constriction of air volume therethrough, and the exhaust portion will allow for proper dissipation of the wind subsequent to passing through the turbine.

Alternatively, or additionally, as both are possible potential embodiments of the overall invention, however, is the presence of a plurality of annular slits in consecutive relation to one another on either side of the air intake chamber axis. Such slits may be either fixed in terms of their size, shape, and location, or may be adjustable in any way. The ability to provide effective back pressure relief through these slits imparts the potential throat speed increases into the turbine portion. Such slits may be of any size and shape, basically, as long as two or more (preferably, at least three) that are configured concentrically within the air intake component. The presence of these slits provide, unexpectedly, the necessary and advantageous wind speed increase through the through portion of the overall device. A gain of over 30% of the wind speed in the throat as compared to the intake inlet versus wind speed measurements in the throat without any slits but with the same air intake configuration has been realized; an increase that has heretofore been unavailable without exhaust modifications. Thus, the invention may encompass the sole inclusion of such a plurality of consecutive annular slits within an air intake portion of a wind turbine device to provide the wind speed increase, rather than also requiring the proper curved designs of the individual components parts as noted above. Another potentially preferred embodiment of the invention, as alluded to above, involves the critical selection of a properly sized throat portion within the overall device in relation to the air intake diameter, as well as a properly sized exhaust portion in like manner. The overall ratio of maximum diameter of air intake to throat ranges from about 2.5 to 1 to about 4 to 1, the ratio of intake to exhaust (in maximum diameter) is roughly about 1.4 to about 1, and the ratio of exhaust to throat (in maximum diameter) is about 2.3 to about 1. Thus, utilizing the same curve equation for the air intake and exhaust will provide flared horn shaped structures for both components, with the maximum diameter for each component providing the starting point in terms of the curve designs followed. Although the exhaust and air intake may have the same maximum diameter, as noted above, preferably the air intake will be larger in terms of this measurement.

Alternatively, however, the curve equation followed for the air intake and the exhaust portions may be different as long as the ultimate design accords a greater volume for the air intake than for the exhaust portion. In such a situation, as well, the maximum diameter for the air intake portion should be larger than that for the exhaust portion. Being both symmetrica] around an axis (and thus providing, by definition, particularly with a diameter measurement being the standard, a circular outer peripheral edge for each portion), as noted above, with a curve design in place, the ultimate configuration for each portion will preferably be a flared horn shape.

Basically, then, the throat (preferably being substantially cylindrical in shape) exhibits a much smaller volume than that for the air intake, thereby, in conjunction with or without the above-noted consecutive slits (preferably with), imparting a much smaller area into which the directed airflow moves through the device. The exhaust portion, subsequent to the turbine and the mechanically connected electrical generator should also exhibit a certain

configuration in relation to the throat, albeit in a different manner than for the air intake. Specifically, the rate of area decrease between the air intake and the throat is much larger than the rate of increase between the throat and the exhaust (preferably). The curve, as described above, exhibited by the air intake/throat configuration, in other words, is of greater change than the curve exhibited by the throat/exhaust configuration (again, with the turbine, etc., therebetween). Such a design, coupled with the design of the air intake in its curved formation, as well as the presence of the consecutive slits, as noted above, thus allows for the generation of the aforementioned air stream velocity increase through the turbine from that present environmentally prior to introduction within the air intake portion itself. In rough measurements, the velocity through the throat and thus through the turbine could be increased by at least a factor of between about two (2) and about two and one half (2.5), surprisingly, in such a configuration.

As a further possible modification, and in order to generate greater efficiency of the turbine in terms of electricity generation, the air intake (and thus the throat) may also include a conical director to deflect air stream to a specific location on the turbine blade surface. Such a director may thus allow for controlled capabilities of air stream introduction for faster and more reliable turbine rotational movement over time. In essence, typical turbine designs rely upon even distributions of wind speed over the entirety of the turbine blades during operation. Although this appears to be an effective manner of providing such electrical generation, the possibility exists that air traveling over the entirety of the turbine blades may actually cause resistance to movement rather than increased unabated movement. The potential for overcoming possible resistance through directed air streams to one area thus can actually increase the turbine movement and increase the potential efficiency of the overall device. Additionally, the aforementioned annular slits may provide other benefits, whether adjustable or fixed in nature, that may further improve the efficiency and/or lifetime usability of the overall device. For instance, the air that will escape through such slits during typical operation may be forced outside of the air intake and into contact with the electrical generator portion connected to the turbine portion. In this manner, such forced air may actually cool the electrical generator during use thereby reducing the potential for overheating over time, and extending the lifetime capability of such a component. Furthermore, such slits may, if adjustable, be closed (fully or partially) on demand to possibly increase back pressure through the throat in order to actually reduce the air stream speed therethrough. In such an instance, particularly if the environmental wind speed is at a very high level at that moment, such an adjustable capacity may protect the turbine from excessive movement, thereby, as above, extending the lifetime use of such a potentially expensive component. As well, such adjustable slits may also protect the other components of the overall device from shearing apart due to excessive wind speeds during operation. Thus, if desired, the adjustable slits may not only increase wind speed, but reduce them as well . The adjustability may be undertaken manually or, preferably, electronically through a remote controlling device. Most preferred, is control through a computer that is configured to sense any wind speed changes to threshold levels for such a necessity.

Further modifications that may be followed include the introduction of a long narrow spike into the middle of the air intake chamber. Such a spike may accord further back pressure reductions in addition to the required annular slits present therein the chamber simultaneously. Turbulence modifiers may also be present in front of the air intake as desired to effectuate reduction in air speed initially or to direct the air to a certain location therein. Thus, small obstructions may be erected exterior to the air intake at selected locations for this purpose. The overall design of the wind turbine portion of the overall hybrid device, described in greater detail below, basically includes the curved chamber of the air intake, being significantly larger in size and volume than the air exhaust chamber present on the opposite side of the entire device, but with a similarly, though, ultimately, smaller, curve structure exhibited therein. Between these two chambers lies a throat portion that is a symmetric tube connecting the air intake with the turbine component. The turbine component is actually present with a protective housing (which also includes the electrical generator portion located j ust prior to the exhaust portion) in order to shield the moving components from other environmental conditions (such as rain and snow). The turbine itself may, as noted above, be of any type, whereas the electrical generator is a typical electrical generator that allows for the conversion of the mechanical energy generated by the rotation of the turbine blades into electrical charges.

The overall structure should be produced from suitable resilient and weatherproofed materials to withstand high winds, strong rains, blowing sand, and overall harsh conditions for a significant period of time on a continuous basis. Metal materials (such as stainless steel, etc.) as well as carbon composites are preferred for this purpose, with the turbine and electrical generator portions certainly requiring metal constituents for proper utility. Some polymeric materials, includes polyaramids, for instance, may be utilized as the constituents of the remaining structures if desired, as well as carbon fiber composites, polyethylene composites, polypropylene composites, and any other resilient composite structure. For lighter materials, as well, certain components may include low density polymer cores (polystyrene, for instance) without compromising the overall strength and effectiveness of the device in terms of withstanding higher fluid stream speeds and thus in terms of electricity generation. For mass production purposes, injection molding with above-listed plastic components may be particularly preferred. Furthermore, the individual components of the overall device may be produced in modular structure form to facilitate transport and construction at remote locations (if necessary) as well as ease in repair through replacement of such individual parts if any component is damaged to such an extent. The components may thus be attached to one another through snap-in constructions, fastening means (for instance, screws, bolts, and the like), or through screw-in designs as well. Proper adhesives for securing connected joints for stronger attachment, as well as for the sealing of any openings between the individual components, may be utilized as well. Polytetrafluoroethane tape would be one possible non- limiting example.

In normal operation, the wind turbine component is disposed in such a manner as to fully face into the wind. However, in conditions where the wind speed is increasing, a wind speed will be reached above which it will be necessary to tilt the wind turbine progressively out of the wind. If the wind speed continues to increase the wind turbine will eventually reach the parked position where the airflow ceases to pass through the housing to provide power. Such movement may be made manually or, as above, through remote controls. Again, however, computer control of the direction of the device in relation to the wind itself is preferred. Typically, the device will be situated on an hydraulic arm that may be maneuvered as needed for maximum wind speed exposure. Potentially preferred would be the utilization of a transducer present in a heuristics loop coupled to a servo to keep the device incident upon the wind (with a controller, such as a micro-controller) allowing remote control in such a manner. The intake of the turbine may further be protected with a grill or other like structure to reduce the chance for undesirable introduction of debris, animal life (such as, for instance, birds) and other like potentially problematic issues.

With this wind turbine structure in place, the ability to accord greater versatility and reliability for power generation has been permitted through the inclusion of the aforementioned solar panels disposed suitably over the turbine itself. Even though the wind turbine is configured to capture and generate as much power as possible when present withm very low wind speed environments, the combination with a solar power generator has been found to be not only effective as a means to best ensure a certain level of electricity is continuously possible in such a manner, but also surprisingly such a combination has been determined to be feasible (particularly withm a portable format). Whether provided with multiple solar ceils or single solar panels disposed at angles (from, for example, 30 to 60 degrees from the plane bisecting the intake of the wind turbine, preferably about 45 degrees), such a configuration has been found to accord the most effective means of sun exposure for placement at different locations with wind turbine concerns of paramount concern (e.g., for wind speed capture, the turbine would be placed at a location and in a direction to maximize such a consideration whereas the disposition of the solar panels optimizes sun exposure as all of the solar cells in such arrays will most likely not have full exposure simultaneously). With a panel of one single collector or a plurality of solar cells arranged within one angled panel (and thus a mirror, or at least similarly configured panel present on the opposite side of the turbine), such a structure accords this optimal effect. As well, for portability, such a double- paneled stmcture combined with the turbine allows for facilitation of transport and placement on demand, as well. Such solar panels (and thus cells) are made of any typical materials for such a purpose and are also provided in such a manner as to have the energy generation components thereof stored within an adjacent housing to the turbine (and below the panels) for self-contained, compact utilization, as well. Such a storage component may thus, and preferably does include) the electrical storage component of the wind turbine, as well, thus allowing for a battery array (or like structure and /or device) to be utilized for electrical charge storage simultaneously. This overall configuration thus allows for the self-contained and/or portable unit to be placed anywhere on demand and to provide electricity, as well as generate electricity, at such a specific, selected location.

The various functions of the device are monitored by the computer and can be reviewed by a controller on the ground. At any time, the controller can instruct the computer to shut down the device by parking the wind turbine, or shutting down the transfer of electrical charge frolni the solar panels to the storage array, as examples. The user may also cover the panel with a suitable solar reflector to prevent exposure of the panels and/or cells on demand. Advantageously, as well, the device may, as noted above, be appropriately maneuvered to ensure optimal wind capture at any location. Thus, independently of an instruction from a controller, the device may shut down in the event of a malfunction in one of the systems.

Although such a device may be integrated directly into a large-scale electrical system, alternatively, such a device may be combined with a battery storage system as well to provide emergency backup power should an electrical grid fail. In any event, the device may be utilized for either residential (individually or large-scale) use or industrial use (individually or large-scale). Furthermore, this self-contained and/or portable device may be utilized in myriad different ways and places, including, without limitation, as phone tower generators, personal home generators, with agricultural water pumps, in greenhouses, on wind farms, within commercial buildings, within parking garages, within car charging stations, and as a personal charging device, particularly when away from a charging source and/or outlet (such as while camping or in the middle of any type of outdoor activity).

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of one embodiment of the self-contained wind turbine/solar power device of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the exterior of one embodiment of the device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the air intake of the wind turbine component.

Fig. 4 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the wind turbine component of the self-contained device of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a side perspective view of a different embodiment of the self-contained wind turbine/solar power device of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings and Preferred Embodiments

The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the overall wind turbine device 10. Such a device 10 may be situated atop a post or pole (not illustrated) if desired to access higher altitudes and thus potentially to facilitate wind exposure. Alternatively, such a device 10 may be placed on a building roof (not illustrated) or like structure to permit wind exposure in a like fashion. As yet another example, the device 10 can be installed under a bridge to permit wind exposure. As shown in Figure 7 by way of exampl e, the device 10 can be secured to a support beam of a structure such as those mentioned above with a u-bolt 400 and nuts 410 or other fasteners. The important concept being the proper access of the electrical generator (such as 80 in Figs. 3 and/or 4) to an electrical transfer or storage device (neither illustrated) wherever situated. Thus, the structure provided in Fig. 1 (as well as Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 7) shows a horn or bell-shaped air intake 12 including a series of similarly configured and sized slits 14, 16, 18 therein. The intake 12 has a curved interior surface 3. In one embodiment, the curved configuration of the interior surface 3 of this potentially preferred air intake 12 complies with a general polynomial equation (one example is a cubic polynomial of a*x³+b*x²+c*x+d where a =0.00003, b=0.001, c=-0.7719 and d=100) where x is the linear distance along the central axis of the entire device 10 from the air intake inlet 1 to the exhaust outlet 2. The slits 14, 16, 18 permit back pressure reductions upon the introduction of high wind speed streams into the air intake 12, allowing for a resultant fast-moving column of air in the center of the air intake 12 incident on the narrow diameter of the throat 20 alone.

Still referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the air intake 12, then leads to a throat 20 which includes a housing 22 in which a turbine (70 of Fig. 3 and/or 4) including a plurality of blades (72 of Fig. 4) is present and in contact with an electrical generator 80 (See Fig. 4). The electrical generator 80 can be any device for converting rotational mechanical energy into electrical energy for example a dynamo (for direct current production) or an alternator (for alternating current production). The throat 20 itself is of significantly reduced volume and diameter as compared to the air intake 12, thereby conferring to the turbine (70 of Fig. 3 and/or 4) a similarly small diameter in order to permit proper placement and function within the throat housing 22.

Thereafter is provided an exhaust portion 24 exhibiting a similar horn or bell shape to the air intake 12, but having a smaller diameter than the air intake 12 at its largest measurement, but a greater diameter and volume than that exhibited by the throat 20. The exhaust 24 has a curved interior surface 25. In one embodiment, the curved interior surface 25 is defined structure wise by a cubic polynomial curve equation of 0.0001 *x³

+0.0041*x²+0.5095*x+33.89. This similarly shaped exhaust portion 24 is preferably formed in relation to a different curve equation as for the air intake, although, in other potentially preferred embodiments, the curve equations may be the same, albeit, in smaller dimensions for preferably a larger air intake in terms of volume. Both the air intake 12 and the exhaust portion 24 preferably exhibit symmetrical shapes around an axis, as a result of their curved designs. With a range of possible overall lengths for the device (such as from about 0.5 meters to about 5.0 meters, only as an example, the more important consideration is the scalability of the overall device in terms of a ratio of measurements in terms of diameters between the three main portions noted above), any size device may be utilized. Table 2 is provided below to correlate the curved dimensions of the air intake 12 and the exhaust portion 24 in terms of diameter measui'ements along the curves for one example embodiment of the wind turbine device 10 of the present invention.

Such an overall structure thus imparts the capability of taking in wind within the air intake 12 and, through the presence of the slits 14, 16, 18 therein, reducing any back pressure as needed to a level that permits the incoming wind to move through to the throat 20 at a wind speed elevated from that measured external to the air intake 12. The slits .14, 16, 18, configured preferably in concentric relation to one another and including coupling portions 15 (Fig. 2) evenly distributed to act both as separators for slit formation, as well as connecting points within the overall structure of the air intake 12 to hold the overall component dimensionally stable during utilization. The relative size range of such slits 14, 16, 18 are from 1 cm to 8 cm in width, with an arclength around the curved periphery of the air intake 12 measured as a percentage of the overall circumference of the circul ar configuration in those specific locations of from 30 to 95%,

In one example embodiment, the specific slits are spaced as follows: the first slit 14, is located about 18 centimeters from the intake inlet 1 of the air intake 12; the second slit 16 is located about 37 centimeters from the same starting point on the air intake 12; the third slit is located about 50 centimeters in like fashion. Also, the annular slits 14, 16, 18 are graduated in terms of slit width within this potentially preferred, non-limiting embodiment such that the first slit 14 has a width of about 4 centimeters, the second slit 16 of about 8 centimeters, and the third slit 18 of about 5 centimeters. As noted, the slits 14, 16, 18 are basically cut-out portions in the air intake 12 and include remaining coupling portions 15 within the air intake 12 to hold the intake 12 in one piece even with such cut-out slits 14, 16, 18 present. The coupling portion 15 associated with the first slit 14 in the example above is approximately 3.5 cm wide, the coupling portion 15 associated with the second slit 16 in the example above is approximately 4.5 cm wide, and the coupling portion 15 associated with the third slit 18 in the example above is approximately 6.5 cm wide. There may be one or more coupling portions 15 within the air intake 12 and about the circumference of the air intake 12 as needed to support the air intake 12.

As shown in Fig. 6, the plurality of slits 14, 16, 18 are positioned such that each slit opening is parallel to the air flow direction thereby allowing some of the air to pass through the intake 12 and exit along its natural path at the plurality of slits 14, 16, 18 thus reducing the amount of backpressure created in the intake 12. In one embodiment (again, any configuration of slits may be present to provide the needed back pressure reductions, these annular slits are simply preferred types), such slits impart a predicted gain in air speed as measured in the throat of a quadratic form (0.044*v² + 2.453*v, wherein v is the ambient air speed as measured at the air intake inlet). Thus, with an ambient air speed of 2 m s (4.5 mph), the speed can increase to 5.3 m/s (1 1 mph), as one example, by any measure a significant increase, particularly in terms of providing such a result through modifications in the air intake in this manner, and without any need for generation of a vortex or vacuum via a design modification within the exhaust portion 24 of the device 10. Such slits 14, 16, 18 (See Figs. 1, 2, and 4) provide, as noted previously, the unexpectedly effective benefit of reducing back pressures while simultaneously according the ability to increase the throat speed of the incoming wind by about two (2) to two and one half (2.5) in this configuration. Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, in such a manner, the turbine 70 located in the throat 20 is exposed to such an increased wind speed so as to rotate due to the pressures applied to the plurality of blades (72 of Figs. 4 and 5) present thereon which, in turn, allows for the electrical generator (80 in Fig. 4) to generate electrical charges for usage or storage. Once the wind passes through the throat 20 and housing 22 and turbine (70 of Fig. 4 and/or 5), the wind is then passed and dispersed through the exhaust portion 24. The hyperbolic shape of the exhaust portion 24 (Fig. 3) in relation to the shape of the air intake 12 thus allows for further wind speed increase through the wind turbine device 10 by releasing any extra back pressure through the larger volume area therein as compared with the volume exhibited by the throat 20. In essence, Bernoulli's principle in terms of fluid streams applies with regard to the ability to increase fluid pressure upon reduction in volume through a narrower space, but in modified form through the inclusion of further back pressure alleviators, the slits 14, 16, 18, present within the air intake 12 prior to the turbine (70 of Figs. 4 and/or 5).

Thus, a device that allows for the generation of an increase in wind speed solely within the area of the device prior to the turbine portion 70 is provided. As noted above, there have been no similar devices provided within the pertinent art that concerns a front- loaded wind speed increase capability within a wind turbine arrangement. To the contrary, the other devices that concern themselves with altering the wind speed through a turbine to any extent rely solely upon modifications to the exhaust portion thereof and the capability of generating a vortex (vacuum) to draw wind and air through the overall structure at a quicker pace than that measured external to the overall device. As noted above, again, and as well, such a design requires the initial generation of the proper wind speed to effectuate the vortex creation in order for the overall structure to function as needed. Quite opposite to such a structure, then, is that provided currently wherein the carefully designed slits and hyperbolic structures of the individual device components impart the initial wind speed increase without any initial vacuum or other exhaust-created phenomenon.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, the turbine 70 is positioned within and axially aligned with the throat 20. The turbine 70 has a central hub 73 axially aligned with the throat 20 which is freely rotatabie about the axis. A plurality of blades 72 are affixed to the hub 73 and extend radially therefrom. A first end of a shaft 71 is affixed to the hub 73 and axially aligned with the hub 73 and throat 20 such that the shaft 71 rotates when the turbine 70 rotates. The shaft 71 is mechanically and rotational iy connected to the electrical generator 80 such that when the turbine 70 rotates mechanical energy generated by the rotation is transferred to the electrical generator 80 and converted to electricity. In some embodiments, a gear box (not shown) is included intermediate to the shaft 71 and electrical generator 80 for increasing the rotational speed of the shaft 71 for use by the electrical generator 80. In one embodiment, the electrical generator 80 is mounted internal to the device 10 behind the turbine hub 73 in line with the shaft 71 (Fig. 4). In another embodiment, the electrical generator 80 is mounted external to the wind turbine device 10 (not shown).

Optionally, and provided in Figs. 4 and 5 is a cone 78 may be situated on the turbine hub 73 (Fig. 4) and centered within the throat 20. Such a cone 78 accords further back pressure reduction capabilities. Additionally, this cone (78 of Fig. 4 and/or 5) is configured to direct the incoming wind to the outer regions of the turbine (70 of Fig. 4 and/or 5) thus allowing for a more even distribution of pressures along the blades (72 of Fig. 4 and/or 5) of the turbine (70 of Fig. 4 and/or 5). By directing the incoming wind to specific regions of the turbine blades and away from the turbine hub 73, greater torque is applied to the turbine blades 72. In other words, although not a required limitation of the present inventive device, the cone (78 of Fig. 3 and/or 4) imparts the capability of further increasing wind speed possibilities and/or making the turbine more efficient due to causing fluid streams to contact the turbine blades (72 of Fig. 4) in more specific areas, rather than all at once and in total over the entire turbine itself. Such a cone component (78 of Fig. 4) may have a base of any maximum diameter as long as the base diameter is significantly less than the diameter of the throat m order to allow for the diverted air to contact the turbine blades (72 of FIG. 4). For exampie, the diameter of the base of the cone 78 is equal to the diameter of the hub 78 in some embodiments. In another example, the cone 78 height exceeds the length of the intake 12 and protrudes therefrom. In yet another example, the cone 78 height is 1 meter and the base diameter for the cone 78 is 2 centimeters. In another embodiment, the cone geometry is of bullet shape with an arc of approximately 40 degrees, a radius 30cm and a height of 1 0cm.

Figs. 2 and 3 thus provides a better view of the outside of the inventive wind turbine 10 in terms of the hyperbolic shapes of the air intake 12 (Fig. 2) and the exhaust portion 24 (Fig. 3), as well as the presence and configuration of the slits 14, 16, 18. If desired, again, as noted above, the plurality of slits 14, 16, 18, may be adjustable as well to allow for increased back pressure to occur within the turbine upon exposure to excessively high wind speeds. Basically, although the inventive device primarily allows for the generation of wind speed increases and thus the capability of increasing turbine effectiveness at low-wind sites, as well, such a device may compensate for unexpectedly high wind speeds through the closure of the slits 14, 16, 18 upon demand, or upon sensing thereof by computer (for example). Those of skill in the art will recognize that there are many ways to provide for adjustable slits 14, 16, 18. For example, spring loaded covers which are manually or automatically deployed to close the slits 14, 16, 18, at least partially are utilized in one embodiment. Thus, great versatility in utilization capability is accorded the user through such heretofore unavailable modifications and designs within the wmd turbine art.

Fig. 4 thus shows a partial cross-section of the overall device with the properly shaped air intake 12, the slits 14, 16, 18, and the exhaust portion 24 in place. The throat 20 is intermediate the air intake 12 and exhaust portion 24. Within the throat 20 is present the aforementioned turbine 70 with an optional cone 78 (to act, again, as a proper wind diverter) attached to posts 92 (within the throat 20 and prior to the turbine 70) through a plurality of bolts (86, 88)(although two are shown, any number may be utilized for securing the cone 78 to the posts 92). An inverted cone 90 is optionally present subsequent to the turbine 70 (and also attached to the posts 92) as well to allow for even wind distribution into the exhaust portion 24 if desired. The turbine 70 is thus in contact with an electrical generator 80 ( for example a dynamo or alternator). An additional benefit of the slits 14, 16, 18 is that they actually provide cooling capability around the throat 20 thus potentially cooling the electrical generator 80 during use if needed. The electrical generator 80 is thus connected to either an electrical transfer or storage device (not illustrated) to impart the generated electric charges in such a fashion during use.

The following is an example embodiment of the device 10 with a 1.55 m length for the overall device 1 0 (as merely a potentially preferred measurement; again, the ratios of diameters of the curved portions and the throat are the more important issue in terms of viability and utilization as the entire device 10 is scalable in such a situation), the following table provides the measured diameters of the portions of the device 10 for this example embodiment.

Fig. 5 provides a cross-sectional view of the internal throat portion 20 showing the cone 78 (again, an optional component) the posts 92 (optional, as well, depending on the desired presence of the air diverting cone 78) and the turbine 70 with its individual blades 72. Taken together, the inventive wind turbine device 10 functions as follows: wind is captured within the air intake 12. Some wind is directed outward through the slits 14, 16, 18 and the remainder of the wind is directed through the throat 20 whereupon the turbine 70 is contacted by an air stream with an increased speed at its individual blades 72, thereby rotating the turbine 70 and which rotates the electrical generator 80 to create electrical charges. The wind passes through the turbine 70 and out the exhaust portion 24 thereby dissipating outwardly from the entire device 10.

While the preferred embodiment and best mode of the present invention have been described herein in order to illustrate the principles and applications thereof, it is understood that various modifications or alterations may be made to the present invention without departing from the true scope of the invention set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1. A hybrid wind turbine/solar panel power generating device, said device including a wind turbine exhibiting a configuration including an air intake portion, a throat portion, housing including a turbine portion, and an exhaust portion, wherein said air intake portion exhibits a curve design in axial-symmetric fashion, wherein said exhaust portion exhibits a similarly curved design in axial-symmetric fashion, wherein said air intake portion exhibits a volume and size greater than that exhibited by said exhaust portion, wherein said throat portion exhibits a volume and size smaller than for said exhaust portion, and wherein said air intake includes a plurality of consecutive annular slits within the walls thereof; a solar collector portion comprising at least two separate panels including at least one solar cell within each panel, said panels being disposed angularly over a portion of said wind turbine in opposite directions; and an electricity storage component housed below said wind turbine.

2. The hybrid device of Claim 1 wherein said wind turbine component comprises: said air intake for channeling wind into the turbine device having an intake inlet, an intake outlet and a first curved interior surface of the intake for increasing wind speed as wind travels through the turbine device, the intake substantially symmetrical about its axis and exhibiting a maximum diameter at the intake inlet and a minimum diameter at the intake outlet;

an exhaust portion adjacent to the intake and axially aligned therewith for dissipation of the wind exiting the wind turbine device, the exhaust having an exhaust inlet, an exhaust outlet and a second curved interior surface of the exhaust portion for relieving back pressure in the throat, the exhaust substantially symmetrical about its axis and exhibiting a minimum diameter at the exhaust inlet and a maximum diameter at the exhaust outlet; a substantially cylindrical throat connecting the intake and the exhaust portion and axially aligned therewith such that wind entering the device at the air intake inlet experiences an increase in wind speed between the intake inlet and the throat;

a turbine, freely rotatable about its axis positioned within and axially aligned with the throat such that wind traveling through the device contacts the turbine creating turbine axial rotation thereby converting wind energy to mechanical energy; and

an electrical generator mechanically connected to the turbine such that rotation of the turbine drives the electrical generator thereby converting mechanical energy to electrical energy.

3. The hybrid device of Claim 2, wherein:

the throat has a constant diameter;

a ratio of the intake inlet diameter to the throat diameter ranges from between about 2.5 to 1 to about 6 to 1;

a ratio of the intake inlet diameter to the exhaust outlet diameter is about 1.4 to 1; and a ratio of the exhaust outlet diameter to the throat diameter is about 2.3 to 1.

4. The hybrid device of Claim 3 wherein:

the device has a linear distance between the intake inlet and exhaust outlet X; and the first interior curved surface of the intake exhibits a hyperbolic curve design whereby the polynomial curve defined by the equation [0.00003 *X³+0.001*X²- 0.7719*X+100].

5. The hybrid device of Claim 3 wherein:

the device has a linear distance between the intake inlet and exhaust outlet X; and the second interior curved surface of the exhaust exhibits a parabolic curve design whereby the parabolic curve is defined by the cubic equation [0.00001*X³ -0.0041*X²+

0.5095*X + 33.89].

6. The hybrid device of Claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of slits positioned about the circumference of the air intake allowing for discharge of a portion of the wind from the intake thereby reducing backpressure in the intake and increasing wind speed through the device.

7. The hybrid device of Claim 6 further comprising:

a plurality of slit covers for adjusting the size of the slits to control wind speed through the device.

8. The hybrid device of Claim 7 wherein:

each of the plurality of slits has a width that ranges from about 1 centimeter to about 8 centimeters.

9. The hybrid turbine device of Claim 8 wherein:

a wind speed measured at the throat is between about 2 and 2.5 times greater than a wind speed measured at the intake inlet.

10. A method of generating electricity using the hybrid device of Claim 1 , said method comprising the steps of:

i) channeling wind into an air intake of the wind turbine component;

ii) accelerating the wind speed in a central column of wind passing through the device by passing the wind over a curved interior surface of the air intake;

iii) discharging a portion of wind from the air intake through annular slits in the intake thereby reducing back pressure in the intake;

iv) using the accelerated wind to generate mechanical energy;

v) converting the mechanical energy to electricity; and

vi) simultaneously allowing sun exposure to said solar panels to generate electricity;

wherein said electricity generated thereby is stored within said electricity storage component.

11. A method of generating electricity using the hybrid device of Claim 2, said method comprising the steps of:

i) channeling wind into an air intake of the wind turbine component;

iv) using the accelerated wind to generate mechanical energy;

v) converting the mechanical energy to electricity; and

vi) simultaneously allowing sun exposure to said solar panels to generate electricity; wherein said electricity generated thereby is stored within said electricity storage component.

12. A method of generating electricity using the hybrid device of Claim 3, said method comprising the steps of:

i) channeling wind into an air intake of the wind turbine component;

iv) using the accelerated wind to generate mechanical energy;

v) converting the mechanical energy to electricity; and

13. A method of generating electricity using the hybrid device of Claim 4, said method comprising the steps of:

i) channeling wind into an air intake of the wind turbine component;

iv) using the accelerated wind to generate mechanical energy; v) converting the mechanical energy to electricity; and

14. A method of generating electricity using the hybrid device of Claim 5, said method comprising the steps of:

i) channeling wind into an air intake of the wind turbine component;

iv) using the accelerated wind to generate mechanical energy;

v) converting the mechanical energy to electricity; and

15. A method of generating electricity using the hybrid device of Claim 6, said method comprising the steps of:

i) channeling wind into an air intake of the wind turbine component;

ii) accelerating the wind speed in a central column of wind passing through the device by passing the wind over a curved interior surface of the air intake; iii) discharging a portion of wind from the air intake through annular slits in the intake thereby reducing back pressure in the intake;

iv) using the accelerated wind to generate mechanical energy;

v) converting the mechanical energy to electricity; and

16. A method of generating electricity using the hybrid device of Claim 7, said method comprising the steps of:

i) channeling wind into an air intake of the wind turbine component;

iv) using the accelerated wind to generate mechanical energy;

v) converting the mechanical energy to electricity; and

17. A method of generating electricity using the hybrid device of Claim 8, said method comprising the steps of:

i) channeling wind into an air intake of the wind turbine component;

iv) using the accelerated wind to generate mechanical energy;

v) converting the mechanical energy to electricity; and

18. A method of generating electricity using the hybrid device of Claim 9, said method comprising the steps of:

i) channeling wind into an air intake of the wind turbine component;

iv) using the accelerated wind to generate mechanical energy;

v) converting the mechanical energy to electricity; and