Multi-Turbine Airflow Amplifying Generator

Abstract

The wind generating device of the present invention employs modules each having two turbines. Each of the turbines employs two rotors, coaxially aligned and arranged one downstream from the other. The arrangement includes a proximal channel with a leading portion having decreasing radius toward the first rotor which acts as a collector and a following portion connecting fluidly the first and second rotor and a distal channel which is separate from the proximal channel and opens into the following portion thereby adding to the airflow to the second rotor. Downstream from the second rotor is a diffuser with radius increasing with distance from the rotor. The invention includes means for mounting modules vertically stacked which allows for yaw responsive to wind. The device further includes means to mount the modules on a tower.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates in general to wind generated power and, more precisely, to airflow wind channel capture and airflow acceleration for the purpose of generating power.[0003]2. Description of the Prior Art[0004]It is known in the art to use turbine rotors of assorted designs and configurations for providing a rotational inertia output in response to air flow. However, prior art turbines, particularly for wind energy transformation, are limited in their effectiveness by commonly available low speed wind power transformation.[0005]Many wind turbines are of the windmill variety wherein a multi-blade rotor is mounted so that it spins around an axis generally horizontal to the ground. The blades are exposed directly to the wind and are not housed by any means. As wind passes over and under each blade, pressure differentials cause the blades to rotate about the axis. This rotation turns gears which produces power. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is an energy generating device that includes a tower structure and at least one wind amplifying module. The wind amplifying module has two turbines that work together to increase power output. The design of the module includes a collector section and a proximal rotor that pass air through the collector section to the distal rotor, which is connected to a second generator. The module is mounted using a stationary support deck and vertical and horizontal support rollers. The device also includes means for winching the modules vertically and a control system for pitch adjustment. The invention provides an energy generating device that is modular, safe, and efficient in generating power."

Problems solved by technology

However, prior art turbines, particularly for wind energy transformation, are limited in their effectiveness by commonly available low speed wind power transformation.

It should be noted that some flow must be maintained through the rotor in order to produce any power at all, however, current turbines are less efficient than is desirable.

In addition, because a reduction of static pressure at the rotor is necessary to accelerate the wind speed passing through (and resulting power) a collector alone will not increase the power produced.

This phenomenon occurs near the inner surface of the diffuser where wind “separates from” or does not closely follow the inner surface thereby decreasing the theoretical power increase otherwise expected.

The traditional school of thought includes the use of massive and very long rotors for which diffusers and collectors would be both expensive and heavy.

None of the related art addressed the problems heretofore suffered by large turbines.

For example, tower structure expense and size.

Finally, although efforts have been made to augment the power of a turbine, no efforts seem to have been made to actually use more of the wind mass passing the rotor blades.

Although strides have been made to augment wind power using collectors and diffusers, even the modular types employing smaller rotors still allow over half of the wind (and its power) to pass through rotors unhindered and unharnessed.

An eighth objection is to provide a wind power generative device that is more avian friendly by providing physical profiles detectable by birds and bats.

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