HVAC Plenum Wind Turbine Assembly for Blower Energy Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems in buildings consume a constant and significant amount of electrical power due to the constant operation of blower motors, which produce a constant air flow, leading to persistent energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
Installation of wind turbine assemblies within the HVAC plenum that leverage the constant air flow generated by the HVAC blower to generate sustainable electrical energy through a system comprising wind turbine assemblies, a transverse center axle or shaft, and an electrical generator, potentially coupled via a gearbox, to convert air flow into electrical power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blower motor is used to produce constant air flow in HVAC systems, then cooling and ventilation performance is maintained, but electrical power consumption remains high and persistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of waste heat generated by the blower motor into a beneficial resource by capturing this thermal energy to drive a heat engine, which then generates electrical power through a generator, thereby reducing the net energy consumption of the HVAC system
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by using the blower motor's own waste heat to generate electricity that can offset its energy consumption, creating a self-sustaining energy loop where the system powers itself partially through its own operational byproducts
2Power
If a wind turbine assembly is installed in the HVAC plenum to generate electrical energy, then sustainable energy production increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wind turbine assembly with the existing HVAC plenum structure, integrating the energy generation components into the current system architecture rather than adding separate independent systems, thereby minimizing additional complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The HVAC plenum is given multiple functions: it continues to serve its original purpose of air distribution while simultaneously housing the wind turbine assembly for electrical energy generation, making the system multi-functional and reducing the need for separate dedicated spaces
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively harnesses the constant air flow from HVAC blowers to produce electrical energy, potentially offsetting operational costs and reducing overall energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
one or more wind turbine assemblies installed in a plenum of a conventional HVAC system. The wind turbine assemblies are positioned to be plenum resident and within the flow of air produced by the HVAC blower. The air flow produced by the HVAC blower causes the wind turbine assemblies to turn at a relatively constant rate of speed.
Implementation Method 2
A transverse center axle or shaft of each wind turbine assembly can be directly coupled to an electrical generator or coupled to the generator via a gearbox or gear linkage. As the wind turbine assembly is turned by the air flow produced by the HVAC blower, the generator also turns and generates electrical power
Data Source
AI summary
A plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system includes: a wind turbine assembly for installation within a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit, the wind turbine assembly including a rigid body with a plurality of blades mounted on an outer surface of the rigid body, the wind turbine assembly including a shaft positioned at an axis of the rigid body and configured for installation lengthwise perpendicularly to a flow of air within the HVAC unit; a generator in mechanical engagement with the shaft of the wind turbine assembly, the generator further including an electrical connector for coupling the generator to a battery or a power grid; and a computing device in wireless data communication with a software application program (App) running on a mobile device, the computing device being configured to control operation of the wind turbine assembly and generator based on controls received from the App.