Fluid guidance systems for turbines

Abstract

A directing system for directing fluid entering an axial flow turbine along an inlet flow direction. The turbine includes a plurality of turbine blades. The directing system includes a base structure, a plurality of directing segments attached to the base structure, downstream of the base structure, and a directing segment adjustment system for adjustably positioning the directing segments between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration. The directing segments, in the deployed configuration, extend beyond the base structure in a direction transversal to the inlet flow direction and deflect the fluid towards an outer circumference of the plurality of turbine blades corresponding to a higher torque area of the blades. A directing system for directing fluid entering a cross-flow turbine is also disclosed. In the cross-flow turbine, the fluid is directed towards a centerline of the rotor of the turbine, which is a high torque area of the turbine blades.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention generally relates to wind turbines and water turbines. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fluid guiding system for guiding fluid entering an axial or cross flow turbine. Background technique [0002] A wind turbine is typically at a wind speed at which the wind turbine produces the rated power of the generator, or substantially the maximum rated power. At low wind speeds, the turbine will only produce a fraction of its rated power. [0003] A weak wind contains less energy than a strong wind, so that the weak wind automatically produces less useful energy. As the Reynolds number of the blades decreases at low wind speeds, the rotor efficiency or percentage of energy converted from the wind into useful torque also decreases. There is a clear need for a rotor design that can increase the power harvested from the airflow at all speeds and especially at speeds below the rated speed of the turbine. Once the rated...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This can cause voltage fluctuations in the generated power that must be electrically cleared

In order to limit the speed, the pitch of the blades can be adjusted, but the blades are thick, and the pitch adjustment of the hydraulic drive is slow

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