Vertical Runner Axis Patents (Class 415/4.2)
  • Patent number: 11566392
    Abstract: A fish passage system having flexible textile materials forming a conduit to transport fish across river barriers encountered during migration. The system can include modular support structures that can be independently secured to riverbeds to form conduit supports, dams, hydropower structures, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Littoral Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine T. Leighton, David J. Duquette, Jr., Chad W. Cox, Mark Graeser
  • Patent number: 11530686
    Abstract: A wind generator for sailboats including a mast (A) provided with crosstrees (C), including: at least one wind generator (1) provided with a distribution of blades (2) arranged to rotate integrally with a shaft (6) of axis (a) in response to receiving a wind flow in an active direction (v) incident to the blades distribution; an electric generator (3) operatively connected to the generator (1) for converting the rotation of the blades (2) into electricity, comprising structure (22, 41) for fixing the generator (1) to a crosstree (C), and with the blades (2) being movable from an open operating position (P1) of maximum incidence of wind flow (F) to a closed non-operating position (P2) of minimum obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventor: Andrea Moscardini
  • Patent number: 11505905
    Abstract: A self-powered delineator includes a wind-powered rotatable module; a first piezoelectric energy generator module for generating electrical energy; a second piezoelectric energy generator module for generating electrical energy; and a light-emitter. The wind-powered rotatable module includes one or more first magnets spacedly arranged around a rotation shaft. The first piezoelectric energy generator module includes one or more first piezoelectric elements, and one or more second magnets disposed on the at least one first piezoelectric element. The second piezoelectric energy generator module includes at least one elastic base extending radially from a fixed shaft in a cantilever manner; and at least one second piezoelectric element on the at least one elastic base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignees: INITECH CO., LTD., KOREA INSTITUTE OF CERAMIC ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Young Hun Jeong, Young Jun Park, Min Seon Lee, Yong Hyeon Na
  • Patent number: 11499525
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for computational fluid dynamics and apparatuses making enable an efficient implementation and use of an enhanced jet-effect, either the Coanda-jet-effect, the hydrophobic jet-effect, or the waving-jet-effect, triggered by specifically shaped corpuses and tunnels. The method is based on the approaches of the kinetic theory of matter, thermodynamics, and continuum mechanics, providing generalized equations of fluid motion. The method is applicable for slow-flowing as well as fast-flowing real compressible-extendable fluids and enables optimal design of convergent-divergent nozzles, providing for the most efficient jet-thrust. The method can be applied to airfoil shape optimization for bodies flying separately and in a multi-stage cascaded sequence. The method enables apparatuses for electricity harvesting from the fluid heat-energy, providing a positive net-efficiency. The method enables efficient water-harvesting from air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventor: Yuri Abramov
  • Patent number: 11312250
    Abstract: A traffic regulation system and method which combines energy harvesting from the movement of a plurality of vehicles on a roadway with wireless directional power beam transmission using the harvested energy to encourage compliance with traffic regulations. Electric power is generated from the movement of the moving vehicles by using a wind turbine to harvest wind energy from the movement of vehicles or by piezoelectric plates which harvest compression energy from the weight of the vehicle tires on the road surface. The electric power is transmitted to electric or hybrid vehicles which comply with the traffic regulations. The traffic regulations are one of driving at a posted speed and driving at a safe following distance. A control system adjusts the traffic regulation based on measurements received from a plurality of detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz University
    Inventors: Etab Alghamdi, Hussain Bassi
  • Patent number: 11313348
    Abstract: A multi-stage hybrid Darrieus-modified-Savonius (HDMS) vertical axis wind or water turbine (VAWT) for aero-hydro energy harvesting. The HDMS VAWT can continuously harvest fluid energy, including wind and water energy, provides excellent self-starting capability, has enhanced structural stability, and a high energy harvesting efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE COUNTY
    Inventors: Meilin Yu, Weidong Zhu
  • Patent number: 11162471
    Abstract: A vertical twin rotor water turbine apparatus and method for extracting energy from a flow of water is described herein. The described apparatus delivers favourable performance by virtue the operation of a novel configuration of a plurality of central cores with at least one blade member extending from each core and flow directors to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of said device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Waterotor Energy Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick D. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 11060502
    Abstract: A vertical wind-driven generator blade comprising: a bracket with a generator unit therein, the upper end of the bracket is provided with a blade set, the blade set includes a connecting shaft, two connecting pieces at least and at least two blades, and the lower end of the connecting shaft of the lowermost blade set is connected to the generator unit, and the connecting shaft is axially provided with two connecting pieces at least around the upper end of the bracket, which is radial and formed into a concave arc shape at the same direction; each blade is extended to a unit large blade or more at the length and height direction, and assembled into the vertical wind-driven generator with two large blades at least. With this structure, the present invention can effectively improve the generated power and the operation convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Inventor: Cheng-Jyun Wang
  • Patent number: 11060505
    Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine generator having a support stand (11), a shaft (41) defining the longitudinal direction and axis (19) of the generator. Two rotating members (12, 13) are coupled to the support stand (11) and the upper end of the shaft (41), thus being enabled to rotate about the axis (19). Two or more blades (14, 24, 34) having two free ends (15, 16) are connected by connecting members (17 and 18) to the two rotating members (12, 13), wherein movement of the first and/or second rotating members (12, 13) towards or away from one another causes the blades (14, 24, 34) to move further from, or closer to, the shaft (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Elemental Engineering AG
    Inventor: Osman Saeed
  • Patent number: 11022095
    Abstract: A wind turbine system to provide electrical power in areas not connected to the electrical power grid. The wind turbine system includes a frame and a rotatable shaft supported by the frame. A ring and idler gear assembly is coupled to the rotatable shaft. An upper rotor assembly is coupled to the rotatable shaft. The upper rotor assembly is configured to rotate in a first direction and thereby to rotate the rotatable shaft in a first direction. A lower rotor assembly is coupled to the ring and idler gear assembly. The lower rotor assembly is configured to rotate in a second direction which is opposite of the first direction and thereby to rotate the rotatable shaft in the first direction via the ring and idler gear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventor: Robert R. West
  • Patent number: 10968886
    Abstract: The present invention provides a turbine airfoil for relative movement in an ambient fluid, and a turbine apparatus comprising at least one airfoil. The airfoil comprises a main spar having two hill formations and discharge means operable to discharge evaporative and condensing fluids outwardly into the ambient fluid flowing over the main spar. The first of these hill formations accelerates the flow of the ambient fluid until it reaches the speed of sound. After the first hill formation the Mach number continues to increase and the evaporative fluid is discharged into the ambient causing the air to cool which accelerates the ambient flow further and decreases the pressure. On the second hill formation the lower pressure causes a thrust. As the flow moves relative to the second hill formation the Mach number decreases and then increases as it descends the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Caren Meicnic Teoranta
    Inventor: Colm Joseph Caren
  • Patent number: 10927810
    Abstract: In a vertical rotor apparatus that rotates in response to a moving fluid, a shaft defines an axis of rotor rotation. Rotor blades are longitudinally aligned in parallel with the shaft and each rotor blade defines an axis of blade rotation. A sensor generates a signal when any of the rotor blades are within rotor azimuthal angles of blade stall regions. A controller generates blade pitch information for the blade stall regions and an actuator, which is mechanically coupled to each of the rotor blades, alters blade pitch about the axis of blade rotation in accordance with the blade pitch information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
    Inventor: Farooq Saeed
  • Patent number: 10914284
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade comprises an external skin comprising tensioned fabric supported along a majority of the length of the wind turbine blade by two or more elongate fabric supporting members. The external skin is connected to each of the two or more elongate fabric supporting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: ACT BLADE LIMITED
    Inventors: Sabrina Maria Malpede, Donald William MacVicar
  • Patent number: 10876516
    Abstract: A fluid machine including a rotating shaft that extends parallel to a power generation shaft of a power generation unit, and that has an end coupled to the power generation shaft; a multiple rotors that are provided on the rotating shaft so as to be able to rotate in a circumferential direction of the rotating shaft, and that are arranged so as to be spaced in a rotational axis direction parallel to the axis of the rotating shaft; and a differential mechanism that is provided between a pair of rotors lying adjacent to each other in the rotational axis direction, and that combines the rotational force from each of the pair of rotors and transmits the rotational force to the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Japan Fudo Industry Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua Lawn
  • Patent number: 10683842
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a wind turbine yaw control method and system, the method comprising the following steps: establishing a reference model, giving the optimal yaw reference model different wind speeds for wind shift angles; using model reference adaptive control; getting the adaptive control input so that the difference between the actual yaw angle deviation of the wind and the optimal wind yaw angle deviation is at a minimum. The wind turbine yaw control method and system of the present invention can adaptively track the wind speed in different sections of the optimum wind yaw deviation, improve operating performance under the influence of factors such as wind direction measurement and bias of the yaw system in order to achieve maximum efficiency absorption of wind energy, as well as optimize wind turbine power generation to improve economic efficiency and the operation of the entire wind farm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Inventors: Jingchun Chu, Ling Yuan, Xingjian Wu, Jian Feng
  • Patent number: 10669997
    Abstract: A wind power installation comprising one or more rotor blades, a rotor hub to which the rotor blade or blades are mounted, and a generator for generating electrical power, wherein the generator has a generator stator and a generator rotor which is non-rotatably connected to the rotor hub and which is rotatable about an axis, wherein the rotor hub and the generator rotor have a common main bearing system or means which is subdivided into two bearing portions which are spaced from each other in the direction of the axis, wherein in that the first bearing portion has a first radial plain bearing and a first axial plain bearing and the second bearing portion has a second radial plain bearing and a second axial plain bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventor: Samer Mtauweg
  • Patent number: 10648882
    Abstract: A wake generator for placement in a wind tunnel between a wind source and a test object includes a first frame member having a first track formed thereon, where the first track has a shape including a first side that is substantially rounded and a second side that is substantially flat. The wake generator may include a mounting plate disposed within a perimeter of the first track, where the mounting plate is rotatable relative to the first frame member about a first axis. The wake generator may allow for better simulation of unsteady turbine wakes that influence cooling flow. The wake generator may also include a plurality of bars slidably engaged to the mounting plate and structurally configured to traverse along the first track when the mounting plate is rotated about the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Inventors: Carl Pickl, James L. Rutledge, Marc D. Polanka, Brian Crabtree, Christopher Harkless
  • Patent number: 10598154
    Abstract: A wind turbine tower configured to support a wind turbine nacelle and a rotor, and with a tower wall of an inner surface and an outer surface. The tower is tethered by a number of cables, each cable extending between a first end anchored to an anchoring element and an opposite, second end attached to the tower at an attachment element. Two cables extending from two different anchoring elements are attached to the tower such that longitudinal projection lines from the second ends of the two cables converge at a convergence point, which lies at a location at a certain height and inside the tower wall thickness. Alternatively, the convergence point lies inside the tower within a distance of three wall thicknesses from the wall inner surface as measured at the height and in a direction perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Gunnar K. Storgaard Pedersen, Borge Øllgaard, Soren P. Jensen, Casper Lyngsø
  • Patent number: 10415543
    Abstract: A wind turbine for a wind power generator includes: a center shaft arranged in a vertical direction; a plurality of horizontal arms attached in a radial manner to the center shaft; and a plurality of blades each arranged on an outer end of each of the plurality of horizontal arms so as to stand in an upright position, the plurality of blades each having a streamlined shape, in horizontal cross-section, including a 45±10% front side and a rear side, of which the rear side defines a convex arc-shaped outer-side surface and a concave arc-shaped center-shaft-side surface in a continuously closed manner, and a blade thickness across the convex arc-shaped outer-side surface and the concave arc-shaped center-shaft-side surface decreases gradually from a full dimension, in a region from a center-shaft-side point of inflection in blade thickness to a rear end of each of the plurality of blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventor: Yutaka Nemoto
  • Patent number: 10337492
    Abstract: The wind power generation system comprises a generator, a shaft, at least one leaf group and at least one wind-guiding structure. The generator includes a rotor, and the shaft is connected to the rotor. The leaf group includes a movable barrel, at least one first blade, at least one propeller blade, a plurality of pressurized channels, a first vortex chamber and a decompression chamber. The movable barrel is movably sleeved on the shaft. The first blade is connected to the activity barred. The propeller blade is connected to the movable barrel and above the first blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Shun-Shen Wang
  • Patent number: 10267290
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a guide vane assembly including a rig structure configurable with a turbine and having an inner portion and an outer portion forming extremities thereof, a sail and an actuator assembly. The sail is coupled to the rig structure and shaped for presenting a trough to a flow of impinging fluid, the trough having a depth defined from the rig plane. The sail extends from the outer portion towards the inner portion of the rig structure to terminate at an inner edge whereat a vent is defined. The fluid impinging on the sail is concentrated at the trough and redirected towards the turbine from the vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Inventor: Guy Andrew Vaz
  • Patent number: 10138753
    Abstract: An auxiliary generator of electrical energy, including an external shell provided with at least one intake opening for a fluid and at least one outlet opening for the fluid; a rotor housed inside the shell along the path of the fluid from said intake opening to said outlet opening; said rotor being provided with a plurality of vanes for intercepting the fluid and with an output shaft; a generator of electrical current housed inside the shell, provided with an input shaft mechanically connected to the output shaft of the rotor, and provided with at least one output electrical terminal; and an at least one accumulator of electrical energy electrically connected to said output electrical terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Inventors: Claudio Munerato, Sandra Castaldini
  • Patent number: 9890768
    Abstract: A hybrid vertical axis wind turbine using a highly aerodynamic blade-profile is disclosed. The blade-profile is simple, asymmetrical with unequal upper and lower surfaces cambers and is capable of generating high starting torque even at low wind. Wind tunnel tests demonstrated that this aerodynamic profile would generate high torque of similar magnitude when wind comes from leading or trailing edge. Other characteristics of this profile are that it is compact, lightweight, durable and economical. The target users for this patent will be 44% of the world population that live in rural areas where roof-top wind turbine will be cost effective to provide enough household required electric power. This compact turbine can also use batteries to store energy, thereby reducing and possibly eliminating the need for grid power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Anjik Ghosh
  • Patent number: 9863313
    Abstract: Various examples are provided for power generation using buoyancy-induced vortices. In one example, among others, a vortex generation system includes an array of hybrid vanes comprising a first vane section in a surface momentum boundary layer and a second vane section above the first vane section. The first vane section is configured to impart a first angular momentum on the preheated air in the surface momentum boundary layer and the second vane section is configured to impart a second angular momentum on preheated air drawn through the second vane section. In another embodiment, a method for power extraction from a buoyancy-induced vortex includes imparting angular momentum to preheated boundary layer air entrained by a thermal plume to form a stationary columnar vortex. The angular momentum can be imparted to the preheated boundary layer air at a plurality of angles by an array of hybrid vanes distributed about the thermal plume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ari Glezer, Mark Simpson
  • Patent number: 9714640
    Abstract: A wind turbine shaft includes tubes that are centered on a longitudinal axis, coupled to rotate together about the axis, and movable telescopically along the axis between a retracted condition and an extended condition. A mounting structure is configured to mount wind turbine vanes on the tubular structure when the tubes are in the extended condition. A generator has a pair of parts including a rotor and a stator, and is configured for coupling with the tubular structure for one of the parts to rotate about the axis with the tubular structure while the other part is stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: WindPax LLC
    Inventors: Justin R. Chambers, James E. Smith, Chad C. Panther, Andrew D. Lowery
  • Patent number: 9599092
    Abstract: A system for generating wind energy or wind power through multiple wind turbines. Each wind turbine can be smaller than a single conventional wind turbine. A series of wind turbines are mechanically connected by a chain, cable, or similar mechanical linkage to each other and to a single generator, which is located elsewhere (i.e., not in the nacelle or on the turbine tower). This permits the size and weight of each turbine to be reduced, resulting in the ability to generate electricity at lower wind speeds (e.g., where the wind speed is below the cut-in wind speed of 4 m/s or 9 mph for conventional wind turbines). The reduction in size and weight also reduces the inertia of each turbine, increasing its efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventors: Md Maruf Hossain, Mohd Hasan Ali
  • Patent number: 9512816
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a drum may be submerged in water and extend horizontally along a center axis between a first point on a first side of the drum and a second point on a second side of the drum opposite the first side. Three curved vanes may be attached to the drum such that the vanes, when acted upon by a water flow perpendicular to the axis, are operable to cause rotation about the axis, wherein an edge portion of each vane, located substantially opposite the drum, defines a plane substantially parallel to a plane defined by a surface of the drum located between the edge portion and the axis. An electrical generator coupled to the drum may convert rotational energy produced by the rotation about the axis into electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: WATEROTOR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Frederick D. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 9441615
    Abstract: A fluid power-generating system operatively disposed between a first support and a second support, the system characterized by an absence of a centrally disposed rotor member, and including a machine capable of acting as a motor and as a generator, the machine coupled to the first support; a flexible wing(s) having an arcuate shape, a distal end coupled to the machine and a proximal end coupled to the second support, for catching and passing a flowing fluid; a tensioned balancing system coupled to the supports for stabilizing operation of the power-generating system; and a rigid strut(s) disposed between each flexible wing and the balancing system for supporting each flexible wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: BitFury Group
    Inventor: Valerii Nebesnyi
  • Patent number: 9441608
    Abstract: A wind turbine device comprising a base frame which supports a vertical axis wind operated rotor, the axis being associated to a user device and being contained in a matchingly-dimensioned cylindrical casing exhibiting two openings, respectively an inlet and an outlet, aligned perpendicular to the rotor axis, the casing being driven to rotate about the axis by a member sensitive to the direction of the wind, such that the inlet opening is always facing into the wind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: COMET—S.R.L.
    Inventor: Enzo Gamberini
  • Patent number: 9399981
    Abstract: A method for providing potential flow elements including a vortex to capture rotation of a turbine, a dipole to capture a blockage effect of the turbine, a sink to capture extracted energy from wind by the turbine, and a source to capture recovery of flow due to inflow from around the turbine is described. Methods for providing configurations of a VAWT array based on a desired attribute of the array, using a low-order model when the array is subject to physical constraints are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Anna Craig, John Oluseun Dabiri
  • Patent number: 9379550
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for transmitting and distributing electricity in which a transmission tower is adapted to include a natural power device for converting wind or solar energy into electricity. The natural power device is electrically connected as a source to at least one or more transmission lines connected to the transmission tower, in order to supply the converted electricity to a distribution grid. A wind turbine and/or a solar panel may be implemented as the natural power device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Inventor: Gordon Peck
  • Patent number: 9322392
    Abstract: A enclosed vertical axis fluid rotor used as a wind turbine of two designs having multiple sails that are concave on the inside and convex on the outer side which allows omni-directional wind or other fluids to engage sails to create optimum fluid momentum. These are sectional segmentation of each rotor that can be stacked upon one another at locating lug points to be attached to each rotor to keep radial alignment precise during assembly. The preferred embodiment would be of composite materials or plastics that can be molded to a given design of three or more stages. The advantage of this turbine is using the fluids to their optimum efficiency. These designs have low starting speed, low precession, and low drag. One design has a central axis that turns with bearings with the rotor and the other design is a central static (non-turning) axis shaft that allows the turbine to turn on bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: No Fossil Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Bruce Elliot Anderson
  • Patent number: 9291146
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a turbine system described herein provide a turbine that rotates in response to off-axis fluid flow, such as water flowing in a generally horizontal direction that is generally perpendicular to a vertical axis of rotation. The rotation of the turbine can drive a generator to output electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Verterra Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore J. Christopher
  • Patent number: 9284945
    Abstract: The disclosed wind turbine utilizes adjustable blades, forcing wind into channels away from the rotational axis. These channels direct wind to conversion surfaces a desirable distance from the rotational axis of the turbine, producing more torque. The channels feature independent exhaust points and intake points, minimizing vortices within the blades that can reduce torque. The blades of the disclosed turbine overlap, creating a larger constant percentage of air flow into the turbine channel. A modular tower for mounting a wind turbine is also disclosed. Finally, a wind directional amplifier for use with a wind turbine is disclosed. The wind directional amplifier directs the flow of wind to the optimum location for capture surfaces. When used with multiple wind turbines, the wind directional amplifier may be used to focus more or less air flow to one or more turbines, thereby selectively controlling the output of all the turbines collectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas Brendle, Stephen N. Brinkerhoff
  • Patent number: 9206785
    Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine system is provided that converts wind energy into electrical or mechanical energy. The turbine comprises at least one turbine rotor with a plurality of curved blades for receiving head-on wind generated airflow. Shield means mountable around at least a portion of the rotor serve to protect the upstream-moving blades from head-on wind airflow and thereby reduce drag. In one embodiment, load compensation means are provided to adjust the moment of inertia of the turbine rotor. One or more of the turbine rotor blades is hollow and defines a closed volume for holding a fluid, the fluid being displaceable in use through baffle means towards or away from the vertical axis of the rotor as the rotational velocity of the rotor changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Bertram Poole
  • Publication number: 20150115607
    Abstract: A Method that consists of changing power of the payload and moment of resistance on the shaft of the wind generator in proportion to current wind speeds, and reduce speed of an air flow at meeting with blades of the wind engine of proportionally angular speed of a rotor. Wind generator for realization of the above Method contains blades formed by crossing of sectors of cavity cylinders under sharp corners to a direction of an air flow, and the depth of a cavity formed by crossing of sectors, exceeds distance between their forward borders, the internal surface of a cavity is executed with high frictional properties, and the outside surface of blades is executed with the minimal frictional properties. Wind generator for realization of the above Method must contain at least two electric generators, mechanical transmission and an automatic control system. Electric generators can be used from automobile industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Lev Stepanov
  • Publication number: 20150110598
    Abstract: An embodiment of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) concept with the rotating impellers and the wind vanes attached to the impellers through the vane angle adjusting device is described. This feature allows for a number of improvements over the current state of the art including damage protection and the ability to remain operational during high wind conditions. Further described is the vane angle adjusting device and the impeller with the high load capacity and increased output. In addition, the cone clutch is described that blocks the power transmission from the wind vane and the impeller in case of strong gusts or wind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: JUNG HOON LEE, JUNG WOON LEE
  • Patent number: 9004851
    Abstract: A system for converting wind energy to rotational mechanical energy, comprising a conical impeller having multiple spiral vanes on its outer surface, the impeller supported so that it can rotate about its vertical, central axis in response to airflow impinging on the impeller, and connected to a mechanical drive system to transmit energy from the rotation of the impeller to a device that performs useful work using the transmitted energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Gustavo Q. Garza
  • Publication number: 20150098795
    Abstract: A vertical-axis wind turbine apparatus is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus provides a substantially vertically-oriented main shaft. A blade assembly is coaxially aligned with and rotatably engaged about the main shaft. The blade assembly provides an at least one blade radially projecting therefrom. A housing is rotatably engaged with the main shaft and configured for selectively encompassing the blade assembly. A first screen is integral with the housing and configured for shielding a return portion of the blade assembly. A second screen is rotatably engaged with the housing and configured for selectively moving between a retracted position, wherein the second screen is positioned substantially adjacent to the first screen such that a catch portion of the blade assembly is exposed, and a deployed position, wherein the second screen is rotated away from the first screen for at least partially shielding the catch portion from the wind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Aurelio Izquierdo Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 8998562
    Abstract: A hollow rotor core assembly for a wind turbine with at least one set of cylindrical stacks having a plurality of guiding vanes on the internal surface of the cylindrical stacks, having at least one set of air openings to accept airflow into the hollow rotor core for creating when in rotation a vortex inside the hollow rotor core, having at one end a partial blocking device as such to allow the exhaust of only a fraction of the peripheral portion of the vortex and to redirect the remaining central portion of the vortex towards the other end of the hollow rotor core where the bulk of the airflow will be exhausted from the hollow rotor core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Horia Nica
  • Patent number: 8994207
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for generating electrical energy from wind energy, said system being characterized in that the design makes use of small air currents and does not require a large amount of air in order to generate electrical energy or power. This system incorporates two generating technologies designed based on the vertical rotation axis concept, achieving movement that is independent of wind direction. The invention combines two technologies, namely: one based on drag forces, ideal for low speed conditions; and another based on lift force, which is best for high speed work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignees: Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Ecopetrol S.A.
    Inventors: Mauricio Giraldo Orozco, Cesar Nieto Londoño, Diego Andres Florez Londoño, Ana Cecilia Escudero, Santiago Lopez Ruiz, Maria Camila Fernandez
  • Publication number: 20150069759
    Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine system having a vertical mast with one or more turbine units supported thereon. The turbine units are of modular construction for assembly around the foot of the mast; are vertically moveable along the height of the mast by a winch system; and are selectively interlocking with the mast to fix the turbine units in parked positions. The turbine system and each turbine unit includes a network of portals and interior rooms for the passage of personnel through the system, including each turbine unit. The electrical generators, and other sub-components, in the turbine units are of modular construction that permits the selective removal and replacement of component segments, including the transport of component segments through the portals and interior rooms of the turbine system while the turbine units remain supported on the mast. The electrical generators are also selectively convertible between AC generators and DC generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: VERT WIND ENGERGY, LLC
    Inventors: Jorge Aranovich, Frank W. Cooper, JR., José Jorge Gayarre Villoria
  • Publication number: 20150063978
    Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine system is provided that converts wind energy into electrical or mechanical energy. The turbine comprises at least one turbine rotor with a plurality of curved blades for receiving head-on wind generated airflow. Shield means mountable around at least a portion of the rotor serve to protect the upstream-moving blades from head-on wind airflow and thereby reduce drag. In one embodiment, load compensation means are provided to adjust the moment of inertia of the turbine rotor. One or more of the turbine rotor blades is hollow and defines a closed volume for holding a fluid, the fluid being displaceable in use through baffle means towards or away from the vertical axis of the rotor as the rotational velocity of the rotor changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Bertram Poole
  • Patent number: 8967946
    Abstract: A modular wind and solar energy converting and structurally self-supporting assembly including a plurality of conjoined tubular wind turbine modules angularly extendable in different directions and solar panels attachable to said wind turbine modules for joint and sequential energy collection and conversion into electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Serge Kimberg
  • Patent number: 8961103
    Abstract: An omni-directional vertical axis wind turbine includes an axial flow turbine rotor to supply force to operate an electrical generator mounted for rotation on a vertical shaft. A shroud surrounds the turbine rotor forming a circular chamber coaxially with the turbine rotor, enclosing the airflow entry face and leaving the discharge face uncovered. Wind entering the shroud from any direction flows inwardly through air passages, where a set of baffles surrounding the circular chamber redirect incoming airflow into a stream within the circular chamber. A cylindrical enclosure mounted concentrically with the turbine rotor within the circulation chamber houses an array of stationary vanes positioned to extend across the entry base and in close proximity to the turbine rotor and aligned at angles relative to the axis of rotation, form flow-through passages to intercept the airflow and redirect it vertically into the swept area of the turbine rotor in the form of laminar streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: John George Wolff
  • Patent number: 8933575
    Abstract: A hydroelectric machine and system is disclosed comprising an electric generator and water turbine configured for direct immersion into a naturally flowing body of water such as the ocean, stream, or a tidal basin. In one embodiment, the water turbine includes a rotor having plurality of pivotably moveable blades which sequentially open and close to capture fluid or kinetic energy when exposed to the water current from any direction. In one embodiment, the blades are arranged in overlapping relationship to maximize the number of blades and active blade surface area for capturing fluid energy and reducing flow turbulence around the water turbine. Various embodiments include arcuately curved blades and reverse curved trailing edges for early capture of fluid and initiation of the blade extension outwards from the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: Harold Lipman
  • Patent number: 8926261
    Abstract: A turbine assembly is provided assembly having rotor defines a plurality of recesses disposed about an axis of rotation (Ar). Each of the recesses having a wide end and a narrow end. The recesses are disposed in the alternating orientations such that the wide ends and the narrow ends of the adjacent recesses are proximate to one another to minimize wake turbulence, thereby optimizing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: 4sphere LLC
    Inventor: David Michael Patrick
  • Publication number: 20140361541
    Abstract: A power transfer system comprising a turbine for capturing wind energy; a plurality of driven devices which can be coupled to the turbine to be driven thereby; and a controller adapted to monitor a parameter relating to the energy output of the turbine and selectively load or unload one or more of the plurality of driven devices to maximise the efficiency of the turbine and maximise efficient power transfer from the turbine to one or more of the driven devices. The present invention efficiently power matches the available turbine energy with the energy capacity of the driven devices to thereby ensure the turbine and driven devices operate within an optimum range to minimise energy wastage and increase energy transfer efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen Todd
  • Patent number: 8905704
    Abstract: A wind turbine comprising a drive shaft; at least one vane connected to the drive shaft; and a torque converter attached to the vane, the torque converter comprising an airfoil, the torque converter being adapted to capture air for use in aiding the vane to rotate. Certain embodiments include the vane comprising a first surface and a second surface positioned opposite to the first surface, the first surface comprising a plurality of wind disrupters. Certain embodiments include a plurality of vanes rotatably connected to the drive shaft, the plurality of vanes comprising a plurality of strakes adapted to capture air and direct air to the drive shaft. Yet certain embodiments include a first air scoop connected to the vane, the first air scoop comprising a first air scoop portion at an angle relative to the vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Sauer Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Dieter Sauer
  • Publication number: 20140356130
    Abstract: A enclosed vertical axis fluid rotor used as a wind turbine of two designs having multiple sails that are concave on the inside and convex on the outer side which allows omni-directional wind or other fluids to engage sails to create optimum fluid momentum. These are sectional segmentation of each rotor that can be stacked upon one another at locating lug points to be attached to each rotor to keep radial alignment precise during assembly. The preferred embodiment would be of composite materials or plastics that can be molded to a given design of three or more stages. The advantage of this turbine is using the fluids to their optimum efficiency. These designs have low starting speed, low precession, and low drag. One design has a central axis that turns with bearings with the rotor and the other design is a central static (non-turning) axis shaft that allows the turbine to turn on bearings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: No Fossil Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Bruce Elliot Anderson