Energy generation system

Abstract

An energy generating system (10) comprises: (i) a first conduit (14) for conveying air therealong, the first conduit defining: a first conduit inlet for receiving air; and a first duct outlet (14a) for discharging air; (ii) a turbine rotor (22); (iii) a turbine housing (20) radially surrounding the turbine rotor; and (iv) an exhaust duct (18) extending from the turbine housing to convey air exhausted from the turbine rotor. The turbine housing and the first duct define an annular gap (24) therebetween; and the turbine rotor: (a) is disposed within an annular gap defined between the turbine housing and the first conduit; and (b) rotatably secured to the first conduit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an energy generation system. More specifically, the present invention relates to an energy generation system comprising a turbine and a pressure reducing device for maintaining negative pressure downstream of the turbine. Background Art

[0002] Various energy generation systems comprising turbines and pressure reducing devices are known. For example:

[0003] WO2009 / 099399 "Vacuum-generating exhaust muffler for an internal combustion engine" describes an expansion chamber in the exhaust duct downstream of the turbine and a venturi for reducing the pressure in the expansion chamber, thereby further eliminating noise in the exhaust duct;

[0004] CN108266233 describes a steam turbine having a vacuum generating device arranged downstream of the turbine, which, in use, increases the pressure difference across the turbine, thereby drawing water droplets away from the turbine blades when the steam pressure at the turbine inlet is low; and

[0005] WO97 / 37112 "Vacuum Turbine Power Generation Device for Internal Combustion Engine" describes a turbine and an internal combustion engine having a venturi arranged along the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine, which generates negative pressure downstream of the turbine.

[0006] One disadvantage of the known systems is that they do not maximise the pressure difference of the turbine (ie the pressure difference between the working upstream end of the turbine and the working downstream end of the turbine). The object of the present invention is to address this disadvantage. Summary of the invention

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an energy generation system, comprising:

[0008] A first conduit for conveying air therealong, the first conduit defining:

[0009] a first conduit inlet for receiving air; and

[0010] a first conduit outlet for exhausting air;

[0011] Turbine rotor;

[0012] a turbine casing radially surrounding the turbine rotor; and

[0013] an exhaust duct extending from the turbine housing to convey air exhausted from the turbine rotor,

[0014] in:

[0015] The turbine housing and the first conduit define an annular gap therebetween; and

[0016] Turbine rotor:

[0017] disposed within an annular gap defined between the turbine housing and the first conduit; and

[0018] Rotatably secured to the first conduit.

[0019] generally:

[0020] The turbine housing, the turbine rotor and the first duct are coaxial; and

[0021] The first axial end of the turbine housing does not extend to the first duct to operably define an annular inlet upstream of the turbine rotor.

[0022] Generally:

[0023] The turbine rotor is disposed on the first conduit between the annular inlet and the first conduit outlet;

[0024] The axial spacing between the turbine rotor and the annular inlet is less than 50 cm; and

[0025] The axial spacing between the turbine rotor and the outlet of the first duct is less than (the radius of the turbine housing×0.5).

[0026] Preferably, the axial spacing between the annular inlet and the first duct outlet is less than (50 cm + (radius of the turbine housing) x 0.5 + axial length of the turbine rotor).

[0027] Typically, the exhaust gas duct extends from a second axial end of the turbine housing, axially away from the turbine housing.

[0028] Typically, the exhaust conduit extends beyond the first conduit outlet.

[0029] Preferably, the first duct and the exhaust duct are both circular in axial cross-section and are coaxial.

[0030] Typically, the energy generating system further comprises a compressor or a blower for conveying air along the first conduit.

[0031] Generally, the energy generation system further includes a generator coupled to the turbine rotor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an energy generation system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A cross-sectional view of the turbine; and

[0035] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Isometric view of a turbine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] 1. Referring to the drawings, an energy generation system 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes: a blower or a compressor 12; a first duct 14; a turbine 16 and an exhaust duct 18.

[0037] The blower or compressor 12 may include a fan, an exhaust of an internal combustion engine, an air compressor, or the like.

[0038] The first duct 14 is circular in axial cross-section and extends from the blower or compressor 12. In use, the first duct 14 receives air from the blower or compressor 12 via an inlet of the first duct 14, conveys the air along the inlet of the first duct 14, and exhausts the air via a first duct outlet 14a. Figure 2 The first conduit 14 is shown defining a first axial portion tapering from the first conduit 14 inlet and a second axial portion proximate the first conduit outlet 14a, the second axial portion being a right cylindrical shape.

[0039] The turbine 16 includes a turbine housing 20 and a turbine rotor 22 .

[0040] The turbine housing 20 is generally in the shape of a right cylinder, receives the first conduit 14 therethrough, is coaxial with the first conduit 14 , and is oversized in diameter relative to the first conduit 14 to define an annular gap 24 between the turbine housing 20 and the first conduit 14 .

[0041] The turbine rotor 22 includes a plurality of guide vanes and is rotatably fixed to the first duct 14. More specifically, the turbine rotor 22 is journaled to the radially outer surface of the first duct 14 along a right cylindrical second axial portion of the first duct 14; and is coaxial with the first duct 14. The turbine rotor 22 is radially surrounded by the turbine housing 20 and is disposed within an annular gap 24 defined between the turbine housing 20 and the first duct 14.

[0042] The first axial end 20a of the turbine housing 20 does not extend to the first duct 14, thereby defining an annular inlet 26 operatively located upstream of the turbine rotor 22. In use, ambient air (i.e., air at atmospheric pressure) enters the turbine 16 through the annular inlet 26. Optionally, the first axial end 20a of the turbine housing may be flared to facilitate the flow of ambient air into the annular inlet 26.

[0043] In use, to create a suitable pressure differential across the turbine 16:

[0044] The turbine rotor 22 is disposed on the first conduit 14 between the annular inlet 26 and the first conduit outlet 14a;

[0045] The axial spacing between the turbine rotor 22 and the annular inlet 26 is less than 50 cm. To make the foregoing clear, this measurement represents the axial spacing from the annular inlet 26 to the guide vanes of the turbine rotor 22 near the annular inlet 26;

[0046] The axial spacing of the turbine rotor 22 from the first duct outlet 14a is less than (radius of the turbine housing 20 x 0.5). To make the foregoing clear, this measurement represents the axial spacing from the first duct outlet 14a to the turbine rotor 22 vane adjacent to the first duct outlet 14a; and

[0047] The axial spacing between the annular inlet 26 and the first conduit outlet 14a is less than:

[0048] 50cm + (radius of turbine housing) × 0.5 + axial length of turbine rotor.

[0049] Figure 1 A turbine 16 is shown mechanically connected to the compressor or blower 12. However, such connection is optional. Figure 1 Also shown is the turbine 16 mechanically connected to a generator 28 for converting rotation of the turbine rotor 22 into electrical energy.

[0050] The exhaust conduit 18 is circular in axial cross-section, coaxial with the first conduit 14, and extends from the turbine housing 20. More specifically, the exhaust conduit 18 extends from the second axial end of the turbine housing 20, axially away from the turbine housing 20, across and beyond the first conduit outlet 14. Although described as two separate components, it should be understood that the turbine housing 20 and the exhaust conduit 18 can be formed integrally (e.g., formed as a single pipe).

[0051] In use, the exhaust duct 18 conveys air exhausted from the turbine rotor 22 and air exhausted from the first duct outlet 14a along the exhaust duct 18 and exhausts such conveyed air via the exhaust duct outlet 18a. To facilitate air flow along it, the exhaust duct 18 flares outwardly toward the exhaust duct outlet 18a.

[0052] In use:

[0053] The blower / compressor 12 generates air flow along a first conduit 14 .

[0054] The discharge of air via the first duct outlet 14 a generates an underpressure in the region between the first duct outlet 14 a and the second axial end of the turbine housing 20 , which in turn causes ambient air to flow into the turbine 16 via the annular inlet 26 , past the turbine rotor 22 .

[0055] Air exhausted from the turbine rotor 22 and the first duct outlet 14a is routed along the exhaust duct 18 before being exhausted into the atmosphere.

[0056] It will be appreciated that, in use, the turbine rotor 22 is caused to rotate by:

[0057] airflow past the turbine rotor 22; and

[0058] a pressure differential across the turbine (i.e., a negative pressure induced in the region between: (i) the first duct outlet 14a and a second axial end of the turbine housing 20, the second axial end being operably downstream of the turbine rotor 22; and (ii) the ambient atmospheric pressure at the annular inlet 26 operably upstream of the turbine rotor 22).

Claims

1. An energy generation system (10), comprising: A first conduit (14) for conveying air therealong, wherein the first conduit defines: a first conduit inlet for receiving air; and a first conduit outlet (14a), the first conduit outlet (14a) being used to discharge air; A turbine rotor (22); a turbine housing (20) radially surrounding the turbine rotor; and an exhaust duct (18) extending from the turbine housing to convey air exhausted from the turbine rotor, Features: The turbine housing and the first conduit define an annular gap (24) therebetween; and The turbine rotor: disposed within the annular gap defined between the turbine housing and the first conduit; and Rotatably secured to the first conduit.

2. The energy generation system according to claim 1, wherein: The turbine housing, the turbine rotor and the first duct are coaxial; and The first axial end (20a) of the turbine housing does not extend to the first duct to operatively define an annular inlet upstream of the turbine rotor.

3. The energy generation system of claim 2, wherein: The turbine rotor is disposed on the first conduit between the annular inlet and the first conduit outlet; The axial spacing between the turbine rotor and the annular inlet is less than 50 cm; and The axial spacing between the turbine rotor and the first duct outlet is less than (the radius of the turbine housing×0.5).

4. The energy generation system according to claim 3, wherein: The axial spacing between the annular inlet and the first duct outlet is less than (50 cm + (the radius of the turbine housing) × 0.5 + the axial length of the turbine rotor).

5. The energy generation system according to claim 4, wherein: The exhaust gas conduit extends from a second axial end of the turbine housing, axially away from the turbine housing.

6. The energy generation system according to claim 5, wherein: The exhaust conduit extends beyond the first conduit outlet.

7. The energy generation system according to claim 6, wherein: The first conduit and the exhaust conduit are both circular in axial cross-section and coaxial.

8. The energy generation system of claim 7, further comprising a compressor or blower (12) for conveying air along the first conduit.

9. The energy generation system of claim 8, further comprising a generator (28) coupled to the turbine rotor.

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