Electricity generating apparatus

Abstract

Electricity generating apparatus comprising a wind turbine 14 housed within a conduit 11 with an inlet 17 (e.g. having expandable ducts 18) and outlet 12 and an airflow therebetween induced by a pressure difference between the inlet and outlet that is controlled by a control system (e.g. by varying the size of the inlet and outlet). The apparatus may be connected to the grid network or solar panels 21 and have a battery 15. The grid or solar panels may be used to power a starter motor which powers the turbine to draw air into the system which is then used to rotate the turbine, thereby creating energy. The system can be placed on the side of a building (fig.2, 23).

Description

This invention relates to electricity generating apparatus for providing power. In particular, it relates to electricity generating apparatus and a method of generating electricity which is capable of running independently of mains electricity and conventional fuel sources, such as oil, gas and coal. The need to reduce or eliminate reliance on fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal is now universally accepted and widely discussed. The principal drivers in the move away from these conventional fuels are climate change and an expected depletion in resources of such fuels in the future, which will inevitably increase prices and reduce supply stability. Fuel produced in conventional ways is not only expensive but is also highly pollutant and creates dangerous effluents and carbon dioxide. Current processes of generating electricity from such fuels are also unsafe in many aspects. The concept of providing power to one’s own home or business premises independently of fossil fuel sources has therefore become attractive to many people over recent years, and consequently a considerable “green power” industry has developed to meet this demand. Popular alternative energy sources include wind turbines and photovoltaic solar panels. However, although these alternative energy sources enable users to reduce their dependence on conventional fuels to some extent, existing systems based on these sources have so far tended to fall short of eliminating fossil fuel dependency altogether for various reasons including their dependency upon the right weather conditions. It is a principal aim of the present invention to provide a system and method for generating electricity which addresses at least some of the problems discussed above in an environmentally friendly manner. According to a first embodiment of this invention, there is provided electricity generating apparatus comprising: a conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the conduit being configured to direct an airflow therealong, said airflow being created by a pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet; a turbine arranged within the conduit and configured to be driven by the airflow; and a control system configured to control a pressure differential between the inlet and outlet to manage the airflow. According to a second but closely related embodiment, there is provided a method of generating electricity comprising: harnessing airflow, created by a pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of a conduit, to drive a turbine; coupling the turbine to a generator to produce electricity; and using a control system to control the pressure differential between the inlet and outlet and thereby manage the airflow through the conduit. The method of generating electricity of the present invention utilises the electricity generating apparatus of the invention. As such, features of the process and system shall be discussed collectively and shall relate to both. The provision of a conduit which automatically directs the natural airflow to a turbine means that energy from the air can be harnessed and converted into useful power. The control of a pressure differential is important in providing a consistent flow of air to the turbine. By varying the pressure between the inlet and outlet the speed of the airflow can be controlled. The turbine is preferably housed within the conduit, at the upper end thereof. It will be appreciated that the apparatus and method of the present invention ideally relies upon Bernoulli’s principle and preferably utilises the venturi effect to increase the speed of airflow to a turbine. Electricity generated by the turbine and generator may be stored within a battery. The conduit may serve as a venturi tunnel by having a constricted area to increase the velocity of air passing therethrough. Preferably, the size of the inlet and / or outlet is variable and the control system manages the size of the inlet and / or outlet in order to control the pressure differential. This can be accomplished by the control system being configured to vary the width of the inlet, thereby to control the pressure differential. Various sensors may be provided within the apparatus to monitor different parameters, such as speed and / or velocity of the airflow. An air flow meter or anemometer may be provided for such purposes. All monitored parameters may be sent to the control system and, using that data the control system may be configured to vary the size of the inlet and / or outlet to manage the airflow through the conduit. It may be advantageous to optimise the airflow into the conduit and this may be achieved by the inlet comprising one or more ducts configured to channel air into the conduit. Preferably, the length of the one or more ducts is variable, to be extended or reduced under control of the control system. The one or more ducts are preferably resiliently deformable to allow the width of at least part of the one or more ducts to simultaneously vary upon extending or reducing the length thereof. For structural integrity and ease of construction the conduit may be cylindrical. Preferably the conduit is convergent to provide a graduated airflow route. This shape may serve to create a natural stack effect to supplement the effects of graduated air flow. The turbine preferably includes a frictionless bearing to facilitate smooth, effortless rotation of the blades thereof. Preferably the conduit is telescopic. Such a configuration would allow the conduit to be telescopically collapsible for portability. The ability for the conduit rapidly to be disassembled, transported and redeployed is advantageous in enabling relocation of the apparatus which may be necessary. In the most economically poor countries, there is a need for low cost facilities and equipment to save lives and to improve health and general wellbeing. The conduit may be attached to a building structure. In this way electricity can be harnessed by the apparatus for direct use in that building. To maximise space the conduit is preferably elongate and vertically orientated. The apparatus may further comprise a solar power system to obtain additional power by conversion of energy from the sun. An AC bypass is preferably provided to allow efficient load management and to divert excess solar energy to charge the battery or to pass power back to the grid. The solar power system may be used to supply charging current to the battery during daylight periods. It will be appreciated that upon initial start up a starter motor may be required to create a draft and operate the turbine. The generator may serve as a starter motor if required to ensure the turbine blades rotate. Power will be required initially to start the process. This may be provided by a pre-charged battery or another source. Such a battery could also be configured to store energy obtained from the turbine. A plurality of conduits may be arranged together in alignment, depending on the requirements, in order to increase the level of electricity to be generated. In a preferred arrangement, it is envisaged that electricity generating apparatus as described herein to be assembled may be specifically customised in terms of size and layout depending on requirements. This may be facilitated by a webbased customisable site which may also provide virtual visualisation of an assembled structure before a final decision and purchase is made. The ability to customise the apparatus ensures that the most optimum layout for a specific circumstance can be achieved. Preferably the (or each) conduit is tall and comprises at least two stories of a building in order to optimise the natural airflow effect. To account for thermal differentiation and further to optimise the electricity generation process by controlling the temperature within the conduit, the conduit may further comprise a heat exchanger therearound or at least part-way therearound. A water jacket may provided at least part-way therearound for this purpose. The present invention does not require fossil fuels and is capable of generating electricity automatically utilising the natural airflow at any time and is not dependent upon whether conditions. By harnessing energy from the air in a passive way the present invention addresses the problems associated with conventional power generation. The solution is neither economically nor environmentally damaging and produces electricity in a safe way. By way of example only, one specific embodiment of wall assembly of this invention will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a simplified cross-section through assembled electricity generating apparatus of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a simplified diagrammatic view of a conduit of the electricity generating apparatus assembled adjacent a building. Referring initially to Figure 1 there is shown, in simplified diagrammatic form an embodiment of electricity generating apparatus 10 including a conduit 11 which is conical in configuration. The apex 12 of the conical conduit 11 is generally planar and provides protection against the effects of weather. For ventilation, and in order to operate effectively, a series of vent outlets 13 are provided through the conduit 11 towards the apex 12 thereof. Below the series of vents 13 there is provided a turbine generator set 14. The turbine generator set 14 is configured to generate electricity utilising airflow passing through the conduit 11. The turbine generator set 14 is connected to a battery 15 for storing electricity generated thereby. The conduit 11 includes an inlet 17 in the form of a duct 18 which has a venturi tunnel shape and which is configured to channel air to the turbine generator set 14, within the conduit 11. The apparatus 10 includes a control system 19 housing various sensors (not visible), such as an air flow meter to measure and control airflow. The apparatus 10 utilises Bernoulli’s principle and the venturi effect to direct the flow of air to the turbine 11. The shape of the duct 18 can be varied to ensure there is sufficient pressure difference between the inlet 17 and the outlet 13 of the conduit 11 and thus to control the speed of airflow to the turbine. The shape of the duct 18 is varied by extending or reducing the length of the duct 18 under control of the control system 19. The duct 18 is resiliently deformable to allow the width of at least part of the duct 18 simultaneously to vary upon extending or reducing the length thereof. Power is required initially to start the process, and this is provided by the storage battery 15 which has been pre-charged for apparatus set up. Upon initial start-up a starter motor 20 is required to create a draft and operate the turbine generator set 14. The apparatus 10 includes solar panels 21 which may be installed on the roof 22 of a building structure 23 to convert sunlight into electricity. The apparatus 10 is connected to the power grid 24 with an AC bypass 25 and invertor 26 to allow switching between the different power sources and to provide backup power if the apparatus 10 and the solar panels 21 experience any failures. The AC bypass 25 allows efficient load management and, depending upon the requirements, diverts excess solar energy to charge the battery 15 or passes power back to the grid 24. As shown in Figure 2, the conduit 11 may be formed as part of a building structure 23. Alternatively, the conduit may be configured to be secured to a structure 23 when assembled. In a preferred arrangement the conduit 11 is telescopicfor ease of transport and is configured to be assembled when required. The apparatus 10 of the invention may be provided in a flat pack configuration so that it is portable. Electricity generated by the apparatus 10 may be used on demand to meet 5 the power needs of a connected building 23.

Claims

1. Electricity generating apparatus comprising:a conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the conduit being configured to direct an airflow therealong, said airflow being created by a pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet;a turbine arranged within the conduit and configured to be driven by the airflow; anda control system configured to control a pressure differential between the inlet and outlet to manage the airflow.

2. Electricity generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the size of the inlet and / or outlet is variable and the control system is configured to control a pressure differential by managing the size of the inlet and / or outlet.

3. Electricity generating apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control system is configured to vary the width of the inlet.

4. Electricity generating apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the inlet comprises one or more ducts configured to channel air into the conduit.

5. Electricity generating apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the length of the one or more ducts is variable, to be extended or reduced under control of the control system.

6. Electricity generating apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the width of at least part of the one or more ducts is simultaneously variable upon extending or reducing the length thereof.

7. Electricity generating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the conduit is cylindrical.

8. Electricity generating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the conduit is convergent.

9. Electricity generating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the conduit is telescopic.

10. Electricity generating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the conduit is attached to a building structure and is vertically orientated.

11. Electricity generating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the conduit further comprises a water jacket at least part-way therearound to account for thermal differentiation.

12. A method of generating electricity comprising:harnessing airflow, created by a pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of a conduit, to drive a turbine;coupling the turbine to a generator to produce electricity; andusing a control system to control the pressure differential between the inlet and outlet and thereby manage the airflow through the conduit.

13. A method of generating electricity as claimed in claim 12, whereby the control5 system manages the size of the inlet and / or outlet in order to control the pressure differential.

14. A method of generating electricity as claimed in claim 13, whereby the control system controls a pressure differential by varying the width of the inlet.1015. A method of generating electricity as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14, whereby the conduit is telescopically collapsible for portability.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS:23 01 25CLAIMS1. Electricity generating apparatus comprising:a conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the conduit converging from the inlet upwards towards the outlet and being configured to direct an airflow therealong, said airflow being created by a pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet;a turbine arranged within the conduit and configured to be driven by the airflow; anda control system configured to control a pressure differential between the inlet and outlet to manage the airflow;wherein the size of the inlet and / or outlet is variable and the control system is configured to control a pressure differential by managing the size of the inlet and / or outlet.

2. Electricity generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to vary the width of the inlet.

3. Electricity generating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the inlet comprises one or more ducts configured to channel air into the conduit.

4. Electricity generating apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the length of the one or more ducts is variable, to be extended or reduced under control of the control system.

5. Electricity generating apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the width of at least part of the one or more ducts is simultaneously variable upon extending or reducing the length thereof.23 01 255 6. Electricity generating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claimswherein the conduit is cylindrical.

7. Electricity generating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the conduit is convergent.o8. Electricity generating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the conduit is telescopic.

9. Electricity generating apparatus as claimedin any of the preceding claims15 wherein the conduit is attached to a building structure and is vertically orientated.

10. Electricity generating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the conduit further comprises a water jacket at least part-way therearound to account for thermal differentiation.2011. A method of generating electricity comprising:harnessing airflow, created by a pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of a conduit, to drive a turbine;coupling the turbine to a generator to produce electricity; andusing a control system to control the pressure differential between the inlet and outlet and thereby manage the airflow through the conduitwhereby the control system manages the size of the inlet and / or outlet in order to control the pressure differential.

512. A method of generating electricity as claimed in claim 11, whereby the control system controls a pressure differential by varying the width of the inlet.

13. A method of generating electricity as claimed in claim 11 or 12, whereby the10 conduit is telescopically collapsible for portability.23 01 25

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