Energy generation system

Abstract

The energy generation system (10) includes: (i) a first conduit (14) for conveying air, which defines a first conduit inlet for receiving air and a first conduit outlet (14a) for discharging air; (ii) a turbine rotor (22); (iii) a turbine housing (20) radially surrounding this turbine rotor; and (iv) an exhaust conduit (18) extending from this turbine housing for conveying the air discharged from the turbine rotor. The turbine housing and the first conduit define an annular gap (24) therebetween, and the turbine rotor is (a) disposed inside the annular gap defined between the turbine housing and the first conduit and (b) rotatably attached 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 including a turbine and a pressure reducing device for maintaining a negative pressure on the downstream side of the turbine.

Background Art

[0002] Various energy generation systems including a turbine and a pressure reducing device are known. For example, International Publication No. 2009 / 099399, "Vacuum generating exhaust silencer for internal combustion engines", describes an expansion chamber in an exhaust duct on the downstream side of a turbine and a venturi for reducing the pressure inside this expansion chamber, thereby further attenuating the noise inside the exhaust duct. Chinese Patent Specification No. 108266233 describes a steam turbine provided with a vacuum generating device arranged on the downstream side of this turbine, which, during use, increases the pressure difference across the turbine, thereby causing water droplets to be separated from the turbine blades when the steam pressure at the turbine inlet is low. International Publication No. 97 / 37112, "Negative pressure turbine power generation device by internal combustion engine", describes a turbine and an internal combustion engine arranged along an internal combustion engine exhaust device and provided with a venturi for generating a negative pressure on the downstream side of the turbine.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The drawback of the known systems is that in these known systems, the pressure difference across the turbine (i.e., between the operationally upstream end of the turbine and the operationally downstream end of the turbine) is not maximized. The object of the present invention is to address this drawback.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an energy generation system, a first conduit for conveying air, the first conduit defining a first conduit inlet for receiving air and a first conduit outlet for discharging air, a turbine rotor, a turbine housing surrounding the turbine rotor in the radial direction, an exhaust conduit extending from the turbine housing for conveying the air discharged from the turbine rotor, in an energy generation system including the turbine housing and the first conduit define an annular gap therebetween, the turbine rotor is disposed inside the annular gap defined between the turbine housing and the first conduit and is rotatably attached to the first conduit characterized in that an energy generation system is provided.

[0005] Typically, the turbine housing, the turbine rotor and the first conduit are coaxial with each other, a first axial end of the turbine housing does not extend to the first conduit, thereby defining an annular inlet operatively upstream of the turbine rotor.

[0006] Generally, the turbine rotor is disposed in the first conduit between the annular inlet and the first conduit outlet, the turbine rotor is axially spaced less than 50 cm from the annular inlet, the turbine rotor is axially spaced less than ([radius of the turbine housing] × 0.5) from the first conduit outlet.

[0007] Preferably, the annular inlet is axially spaced less than (50 cm + [(radius of the turbine housing) × 0.5] + [axial length of the turbine rotor]) from the first conduit outlet, the energy system according to claim 3.

[0008] Typically, the exhaust duct extends axially away from the turbine housing in a direction axially from the second axial end of the turbine housing.

[0009] Generally, the exhaust duct extends beyond the first duct outlet.

[0010] Preferably, both the first duct and the exhaust duct are circular in cross-section axially and are coaxial with each other.

[0011] Typically, the energy generation system further includes a compressor or blower for conveying air along the first duct.

[0012] Generally, the energy generation system further includes a generator coupled to the turbine rotor.

[0013] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Referring to the drawings, an energy generation system 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a blower or compressor 12, a first duct 14, a turbine 16, and an exhaust duct 18.

[0016] The blower or compressor 12 may be provided with a fan, an exhaust device of an internal combustion engine, an air compressor or the like.

[0017] The first conduit 14 is circular in cross-section in the axial direction and extends from the blower or compressor 12. In use, the first conduit 14 receives air from the blower or compressor 12 via the inlet of the first conduit 14, conveys the air along the first conduit 14, and discharges the air via the first conduit outlet 14a. FIG. 2 shows the first conduit 14 defining a tapered first axial portion starting from the inlet of the first conduit 14 and a second axial portion that is straight and cylindrical and proximal to the first conduit outlet 14a.

[0018] The turbine 16 includes a turbine housing 20 and a turbine rotor 22.

[0019] The turbine housing 20 is generally straight and cylindrical, houses the first conduit 14 therethrough, is coaxial with the first conduit 14, and has a diameter that is oversized with respect to the first conduit 14, thereby defining an annular gap 24 between the turbine housing 20 and the first conduit 14.

[0020] The turbine rotor 22 includes a plurality of blades and is rotatably mounted to the first conduit 14. More specifically, the turbine rotor 22 is supported on the radially outer surface of the first conduit 14 along the straight and cylindrical second axial portion of the first conduit 14 and is coaxial with the first conduit 14. The turbine rotor 22 is radially surrounded by the turbine housing 20 and is disposed inside the annular gap 24 defined between the turbine housing 20 and the first conduit 14.

[0021] The first axial end 20a of the turbine housing 20 does not extend to the first conduit 14, thereby operationally defining an annular inlet 26 upstream of the turbine rotor 22. In use, ambient air (i.e., air at atmospheric pressure) enters the turbine 16 via the annular inlet 26. Optionally, the first axial end 20a of the turbine housing may be widened to facilitate the flow of ambient air into the annular inlet 26.

[0022] In use, in order to generate an appropriate pressure difference before and after the turbine 16, The turbine rotor 22 is disposed in the first conduit 14 between the annular inlet 26 and the first conduit outlet 14a, The turbine rotor 22 is axially spaced less than 50 cm from the annular inlet 26. In the foregoing description, this measurement represents the axial distance from the annular inlet 26 to the blades of the turbine rotor 22 proximal to this annular inlet 26, The turbine rotor 22 is axially spaced less than ([radius of the turbine housing 20] × 0.5) from the first conduit outlet 14a. In the foregoing description, this measurement represents the axial distance from the first conduit outlet 14a to the blades of the turbine rotor 22 proximal to this first conduit outlet 14a, The annular inlet 26 is axially from the first conduit outlet 14a, (50 cm + [(radius of the turbine housing) × 0.5] + [axial length of the turbine rotor]) Spaced less than.

[0023] In FIG. 1, the turbine 16 is shown mechanically connected to the compressor or blower 12. However, such a connection is optional. In FIG. 1, the turbine 16 is also shown mechanically connected to a generator 28 for converting the rotation of the turbine rotor 22 into electrical energy.

[0024] The exhaust conduit 18 is axially circular in cross-section, coaxial with the first conduit 14, and extends from the turbine housing 20. More particularly, the exhaust conduit 18 extends axially from the second axial end of the turbine housing 20 in a direction away from the turbine housing 20 beyond the first conduit outlet 14. Although described as two separate components, it will be understood that the turbine housing 20 and the exhaust conduit 18 may be integrally formed (e.g., formed as a single tube).

[0025] During use, the exhaust duct 18 conveys the air discharged from the turbine rotor 22 and the air discharged from the first duct outlet 14a along the exhaust duct 18, and discharges the air conveyed in this way through the exhaust duct outlet 18a. The exhaust duct 18 widens towards the exhaust duct outlet 18a in order to promote the movement of the air along it.

[0026] During use, · The blower / compressor 12 generates an air flow along the first duct 14. · The discharge of air through the first duct outlet 14a creates a negative pressure in the region between the first duct outlet 14a and the second axial end of the turbine housing 20, whereby ambient air flows into the turbine 16 through the annular inlet 26 and passes through the turbine rotor 22. · The air discharged from the turbine rotor 22 and the first duct outlet 14a is conveyed along the exhaust duct 18 and then released into the atmosphere.

[0027] Naturally, during use, the turbine rotor 22 is · rotated by both the air flow passing through the turbine rotor 22 and · the pressure difference across the turbine (i.e., (i) the negative pressure generated operationally in the region between the first duct outlet 14a downstream of the turbine rotor 22 and the second axial end of the turbine housing 20, and (ii) the ambient atmospheric pressure at the annular inlet 26 upstream of the turbine rotor 22). ​

Claims

1. An energy generation system (10), A compressor or blower, A first conduit (14) for transporting air discharged from the compressor or blower, which extends from and is in fluid communication with the compressor or blower, comprising: a first conduit (14) defining a first conduit inlet for receiving air from the compressor or blower and a first conduit outlet (14a) for discharging the air received from the compressor or blower; Turbine rotor (22) and A turbine housing (20) surrounds the turbine rotor in the radial direction, An exhaust conduit (18) extending from the turbine housing, In an energy generation system (10) including, The turbine housing and the first conduit define an annular gap (24) between them. The turbine rotor is positioned within the annular gap defined between the turbine housing and the first conduit, and is rotatably mounted to the first conduit. The first axial end (20a) of the turbine housing and the first conduit both define an annular inlet located operationally upstream of the turbine rotor. The first axial end of the turbine housing is spaced apart from the compressor or blower and does not extend to the compressor or blower, and during use, it receives ambient air into the turbine housing. The energy generation system is configured such that the air discharged from the first conduit outlet and the ambient air discharged from the turbine rotor are transported along the exhaust conduit, thereby generating a pressure difference between the front and rear of the turbine rotor during use. An energy generation system (10) characterized by the following features.

2. The energy generation system according to claim 1, wherein the turbine housing, the turbine rotor, and the first conduit are coaxial with respect to each other.

3. The turbine rotor is positioned in the first conduit between the annular inlet and the outlet of the first conduit. The turbine rotor is spaced less than 50 cm axially from the annular inlet. The turbine rotor is spaced less than ([radius of the turbine housing] × 0.5) axially from the outlet of the first conduit. The energy generation system according to claim 2.

4. The energy generation system according to claim 3, wherein the annular inlet is spaced less than (50 cm + [(radius of the turbine housing) × 0.5] + [axial length of the turbine rotor]) in the axial direction from the first conduit outlet.

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

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

7. The energy generation system according to claim 6, wherein the first conduit and the exhaust conduit both have a circular cross-section in the axial direction and are coaxial with each other.

8. The energy generation system according to claim 7, further comprising a generator (28) connected to the turbine rotor.

9. An energy generation system (10), A compressor or blower, A first conduit (14) extending from the compressor or blower, defining a first conduit inlet and a first conduit outlet (14a), the first conduit (14) receiving air from the compressor or blower through the first conduit inlet, transporting the air received from the compressor or blower along the first conduit, and discharging the air received from the compressor or blower through the first conduit outlet, Turbine rotor (22) and A turbine housing (20) surrounds the turbine rotor in the radial direction, An exhaust conduit (18) extending from the turbine housing and defining an exhaust conduit outlet spaced axially apart from the first conduit outlet, In an energy generation system (10) including, The turbine housing and the first conduit define an annular gap (24) between them. The turbine rotor is positioned within the annular gap defined between the turbine housing and the first conduit, and is rotatably mounted to the first conduit. The first axial end (20a) of the turbine housing and the first conduit define an annular inlet that is operationally upstream of the turbine rotor. Ambient air is operationally introduced into the annular gap defined between the turbine housing and the first conduit through the annular inlet. The exhaust conduit transports both the ambient air that has entered the annular gap defined between the turbine housing and the first conduit, and the air from the compressor or blower discharged from the outlet of the first conduit, along the exhaust conduit, and discharges the transported air through the outlet of the exhaust conduit. An energy generation system (10) characterized by the following features.

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