Axial Flow Runner Patents (Class 415/4.3)
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Patent number: 8657581Abstract: A blade comprises a lightweight core, a composite material disposed on the core, and a skin located on the composite material. The composite material comprises fibers incorporated into a thermoplastic resin matrix in the form of a prepreg sheet or wet layup. The rotor blade may also comprise a front edge member attached along at least a portion of a leading edge of the core, a rear edge member attached along at least a portion of a trailing edge of the core, and a skin located over the core, the front edge member, and the rear edge member. The rotor blade may also comprise a spar extending through the core along a longitudinal axis of the rotor blade, and a skin located over the core and the spar. The edge members and the spars may be fabricated from thermoplastic material.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Gordon Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Edward Pilpel, Benjamin Pilpel
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Patent number: 8651798Abstract: A kinetic hydropower generation system has a turbine and a generator coupled to the turbine. An underwater intake nozzle assembly is fluidly coupled to the turbine. For one embodiment, an underwater tower nozzle may be fluidly coupled between the turbine and the underwater intake nozzle assembly. The underwater intake nozzle assembly may include a collector and a converging nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2009Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Sheer Wind, Inc.Inventor: Daryoush Allaei
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Patent number: 8622688Abstract: A fluid turbine comprises a turbine shroud, an ejector shroud, and a means for extracting energy from a fluid stream. The means for extracting energy is located in the annulus between the turbine shroud and the ejector shroud. High-energy fluid can flow through the turbine shroud to bypass the means for extracting energy. Energy is extracted from the fluid passing through the means to form a low-energy fluid stream. The high-energy fluid and the low-energy fluid can then be mixed. The turbine shroud and/or the ejector shroud has mixing lobes to increase the mixing of the two fluid streams.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: FloDesign Wind Turbine Corp.Inventors: Walter M. Presz, Jr., Michael J. Werle, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, William Scott Keeley, Robert H. Dold
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Patent number: 8616829Abstract: A turbine that allows for the conversion of the kinetic energy of waterway to mechanical power for use in an energy accepting apparatus is described. The turbine has complimentary components that improve the power efficiency of the turbine. The turbine may include a blade shroud and a plurality of blades that are connected to the blade shroud. On the external surface of the blade shroud, a drive mechanism and/or a brake mechanism may be disposed. An inlet nozzle and outlet diffuser may be used in combination with the turbine. The turbine may be useful in a number of settings, including, but not limited to, streams, rivers, dams, ocean currents, or tidal areas that have continuous or semi-continuous water flow rates and windy environments.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2009Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Concepts ETI, Inc.Inventors: Frederick E. Becker, Kerry N. Oliphant, Andrew R. Provo
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Publication number: 20130320678Abstract: A Barrage apparatus is a method and device for extracting energy from flowing fluids in an open flow by means of a submerged barrage or barrages that obstruct and channel flows at increased velocities to downstream turbine power take off modules. Increasing the velocity of the flow increases the amount of power available for extraction thereby providing opportunities to extract energy from low flow sites and facilitate the use of low cost small marine turbines to provide an ecologically sound, efficient and cost effective method of renewable energy extraction from fluid flows.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2011Publication date: December 5, 2013Inventor: Peter John Kittel
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Publication number: 20130315702Abstract: A banded turbine configuration has an integral outer band support structure capable of providing two point simple support for a multiplicity of blades. A large scale vertical array has a set of twelve 23 m-diameter banded turbines with up to nine blades and resting on an Open Web Steel Joist (OWSJ) platform. The banded turbine configuration is supported off of a main shaft hub assembly, which is supported by forward and aft pillow block bearing assemblies. The banded turbine allows for a protective screen for bird- and bat-kill prevention. Each banded turbine employs DC alternators to provide a switchable output which is subsequently fed to a dedicated set of high efficiency grid-compatible solid state invertors or, alternatively, to energy storage.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Inventor: William R. RICHARDS
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Patent number: 8579575Abstract: A wind turbine has a spindle, a first fan device and a second fan device. The first fan device is rotatably mounted around the spindle and has a first pivot hole and at least two first blades. The first pivot hole is formed through a center of the first fan device and is mounted around the spindle. The at least two first blades are radially mounted on and protrude from an external surface of the first fan device. The second fan device is rotatably mounted around the spindle, abuts with the first fan device and has a second pivot hole and at least two second blades. The second pivot hole is formed through a center of the second fan device and is mounted around the spindle. The at least two second blades are mounted on and protrude from an external surface of the second fan device.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Inventor: Shun-Tsung Lu
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Patent number: 8579576Abstract: A support system for at least one water drivable turbine (1) that when in operation is immersed in a column of flowing water, characterized in that the system includes a deck or raft (3) for supporting said at least one turbine when immersed, the deck or raft (3) having an inherent buoyancy which is such as to enable the deck or raft (3) to rise through the column of water upon reduction of the buoyancy, the arrangement being such that the associated turbine or turbines (1) can be raised above the surface of said column in order to access the turbine for maintenance purposes.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2004Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Marine Current Turbines LimitedInventor: Peter L. Fraenkel
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Publication number: 20130294885Abstract: A fluid turbine apparatus for use with a turbine comprising a convergent section, a fluid turbine section adjacent to an outlet of the convergent section, and a divergent section adjacent to the fluid turbine section. The fluid enters through the convergent section and exits through the divergent section. The convergent and divergent sections are constructed using a modular grid-like structure supporting retractable wall panels. The internal vacuum created by the diffuser and the wind shear stresses on the convergent and divergent sections can be limited. Configurations of the convergent and divergent sections can be adjusted to suit prevailing wind velocities. Barriers of rotating deflectors are used to increase the effective area of the convergent and divergent sections during low wind conditions. Horizontally mounted aerodynamic deflectors may be used to decrease wind shear and drag on the divergent section, the turbine section, and on side walls of the convergent section.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: ORGANOWORLD INC.Inventor: Frederic Churchill
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Publication number: 20130287543Abstract: A shrouded fluid turbine includes a support structure, a nacelle body rotationally coupled to the support structure and configured to pivot about a pivot axis passing through the support structure, a rotor coupled to the nacelle body and having a rotor plane passing therethrough, the rotor plane being offset from the pivot axis, and an aerodynamically contoured turbine shroud surrounding the rotor and having a leading edge, a trailing edge and a plurality of mixing elements disposed therein. A center of pressure may be located downstream of the rotor plane with respect to direction of a fluid flow, and a combination of the nacelle body, the rotor, and the aerodynamically contoured turbine shroud may be configured to pivot about the pivot axis in response to a force exerted on the combination by the fluid flow such that the leading edge faces into the direction of the fluid flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: FLODESIGN WIND TURBINE CORP.Inventors: Robert H. Dold, Skye H. Morse
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Patent number: 8562296Abstract: Additional lightning protection system for intermediate wind turbine blade joints comprises a metal fairing that covers the blade connector elements while shielding and protecting the internal connector elements from getting hit by lightning.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Gamesa Innovation & Technology, S.L.Inventors: Ion Arocena De La Rua, Anna Candela Garolera, Eneko Sanz Pascual
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Publication number: 20130272847Abstract: A variable turbine geometry may have a blade bearing ring and guide blades, each rotatably mounted therein via one of a plurality of respective blade bearing pins. An adjusting ring for adjusting the rotary position of the guide blades may be arranged on a side of the blade bearing ring facing away from the guide blades. The cover disc may define through-openings aligned with the blade bearing pins of the guide blades. The blade bearing ring may define at least one channel configured to create a pressure equalization between the control space and the flow space.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: Bosch Mahle Turbo Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Anatolij Martens, Thomas Streich, Senol Soeguet
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Publication number: 20130272841Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to shrouded fluid turbines that include a turbine shroud and a rotor. The turbine shroud includes a an inlet, an outlet and a plurality of mixer lobes circumferentially spaced about the outlet. The rotor can be disposed within the turbine shroud and downstream of the inlet. The rotor includes a hub and at least one rotor blade engaged with the hub. The shrouded fluid turbines further include a passive yaw system for regulating a yaw of the shrouded fluid turbine. The shrouded fluid turbine defines a center of gravity and a center of pressure. The center of gravity can be offset from the center of pressure. Example embodiments are also directed to methods of yawing a shrouded fluid turbine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: FLODESIGN WIND TURBINE CORP.Inventors: Søren Hjort, Rune Rubak
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Patent number: 8556571Abstract: A wind-powered turbine has a housing with an inlet and an outlet. Located in the housing is a cylindrical stator array having a plurality of spaced-apart stators located in it. An annular cylindrical rotor array having a plurality of cups rotates about a central axis, fits inside of the stator array. The stators are positioned to cause air which flows around the outer periphery of the stator array to impinge on the rotors and an air handling system causes air entering the housing to be distributed substantially around the periphery of the stator array.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Zephyr International, Inc.Inventor: Joe C. Cassidy
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Patent number: 8550769Abstract: A wind turbine comprising a tower and a nacelle which is rotatably mounted on the tower and whose alignment is adjustable by way of a yaw system, wherein the yaw system has at least one adjusting drive, a rotatable yaw bearing, at least one brake disk and at least two brake units which can exert a braking torque on the brake disk, wherein the at least one of the brake units has a first brake pad with a first coefficient of friction, and at least one of the brake units has a second brake pad with a second coefficient of friction, wherein the first and the second coefficient of friction are different from each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbHInventors: Merten Behnke, Andre Sievers
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Patent number: 8547558Abstract: A wind power rotor with measuring device (3) for measuring rotor deflection. A measuring cavity (20), which has a transmitter/receiver (31/32) at one end and a reflector device (33) at the other end, extends in a longitudinal direction of the rotor. The transmitter/receiver (31/32) is accommodated in a housing (50), which is fastened to an intermediate plate (10) with three-point mounting (12, 13, 14).Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Baumer Innotec AGInventors: Michael Weigel, Joachim Tiedeke
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Publication number: 20130251506Abstract: A wind turbine electricity generating apparatus includes a wind collecting unit having a funnel-shaped wall and terminating at inlet and internal-port ends to define an air channel for passage of a main stream of incoming wind, and a rotor unit having a rotor rotated by united wind streams dashing into a rotor housing so as to generate electricity by a generator. A wind-stream accelerating unit disposed outwardly of the funnel-shaped wall to speed up the velocity of a side stream taken up through an uptake port such that an accelerated side stream of wind is delivered into the air channel and entrained in the main stream to induce a negative pressure, thereby forming the united stream with an increased velocity.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2012Publication date: September 26, 2013Inventor: David-Yu Chu
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Patent number: 8496428Abstract: A banded turbine configuration has an integral outer band support structure capable of providing two point simple support for a multiplicity of blades. A large scale vertical array has a set of twelve 23 m-diameter banded turbines with up to nine blades and resting on an Open Web Steel Joist (OWSJ) platform. The banded turbine configuration is supported off of a main shaft hub assembly, which is supported by forward and aft pillow block bearing assemblies. The banded turbine allows for a protective screen for bird- and bat-kill prevention. Each banded turbine employs DC alternators to provide a switchable output which is subsequently fed to a dedicated set of high efficiency grid-compatible solid state invertors or, alternatively, to energy storage.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2009Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Inventor: William R. Richards
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Publication number: 20130118176Abstract: An offshore energy plant has a wave energy plant configured to convert energy of a circulating orbital flow of wave motion into mechanical energy of a rotor shaft or crankshaft, for example using the wave harrow principle. The energy plant additionally has at least one wind turbine.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2012Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Robert Bosch GmbH
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Patent number: 8419373Abstract: It is intended to provide a wind turbine blade with superior aerodynamic characteristics and rigidity, a wind turbine generator equipped with the wind turbine blade, and a method of designing the wind turbine blade. The wind turbine blade 1 is provided with a blade tip part 2, a blade root part 4 connected to a hub 112, and an airfoil part 6 disposed between the blade tip part 2 and the blade root part 4. The airfoil part 6 includes a flatback airfoil 10 with a blunt trailing edge 8 at least in an area in a longitudinal direction of the wind turbine blade 1 where a blade thickness ratio X is 40% to 50%. X indicates a ratio of a maximum thickness tMAX to a chord length LC. In the area where the blade thickness ratio X is 40% to 50%, the flatback airfoil has a trailing edge thickness ratio Y which is 5% to YH%, Y indicating a ratio of a trailing edge thickness tTE to the maximum thickness tMAX and YH has a relationship of YH=1.5X?30 with the blade thickness ratio X.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2012Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Koji Fukami
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Patent number: 8403644Abstract: A power generating apparatus of renewable energy type in which a hydraulic pipe between a hydraulic pump installed inside a nacelle and a hydraulic motor installed near a bottom part of a tower can handle the turning motion of the nacelle. In the power generating apparatus of renewable energy type, a hydraulic pump inside the nacelle and a hydraulic motor near a base end part of a tower are connected by a first double pipe and a second double pipe. The first double pipe is rotatably connected to the second double pipe. The first double pipe includes a first inner pipe and a first outer pipe. The second double pipe includes a second inner pipe and a second outer pipe. The first and second inner pipes communicate with each other to form an inner passage. The first and second outer pipes communicate with each other to form an outer passage.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2011Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhisa Tsutsumi, Takuro Kameda, Taku Ichiryuu
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Publication number: 20130069371Abstract: An impulse air turbine arrangement for use with a reversing bi-directional air flow in a wave power plant comprises an axial flow turbine rotor with volutes mounted one each side of the turbine rotor to direct the reversing air flow to and from the turbine rotor. Each volute extends circumferentially with respect to the turbine axis between a radially outer opening and a radially inner opening. The radially outer opening is oriented for input/output of the air in a tangential direction and the radially inner opening is oriented axially to impinge/receive swirling air flow onto/from the turbine rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: ALSTOM HYDRO FRANCEInventor: Lucy Littlewood
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Patent number: 8376686Abstract: Turbine systems for extracting energy from water traveling relative to the turbine system can include a rotor assembly for extracting the energy, a turbine shroud having a turbine shroud inner volume within which at least a portion of the rotor assembly is disposed, and an ejector shroud disposed adjacent to the turbine shroud. The turbine shroud and the ejector shroud can each have a terminus comprising a plurality of turbine shroud mixer elements or ejector shroud mixer elements, respectively. One or more of the mixer elements and ejector shrouds comprise a mixer/ejector pump which increases the energy extraction potential of the turbine system. One or more of the turbine shroud mixer elements, ejector shroud mixer elements, and ejector shroud and turbine shroud inlets can be asymmetric along a plane passing through the axis of rotation of the rotor assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: FloDesign Wind Turbine Corp.Inventors: Walter M. Presz, Jr., Michael J. Werle
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Patent number: 8371801Abstract: A system for installing and extracting a flowing water turbine below the surface of the water includes a flow inducer assembly for improving the conversation of the kinetic energy of a waterway to mechanical energy. The flow inducer assembly includes a nozzle that may be shaped as a cowling and a outlet diffuser. The system may be useful in a number of settings, including, but not limited to, streams, rivers, dams, ocean currents, or tidal areas that have continuous or semi-continuous water flow rates and windy environments.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2009Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Hydro Green Energy, LLCInventors: Frederick E. Becker, Kerry N. Oliphant, Andrew R. Provo, Tsukasa Yoshinaka
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Patent number: 8360724Abstract: To provide a horizontal axis wind turbine capable of reducing flutter, and by extension, reducing the load on the wind turbine, without controlling the yaw, regardless of the direction of the wind relative to the nacelle. When the wind speed is above a specific value, the yaw angle of the nacelle is held constant, the blade pitch angle is controlled according to the yaw angle Y of the wind direction relative to the nacelle, and the rotor is allowed to rotate freely. Even when the yaw angle of the nacelle is held constant, allowing the rotor to rotate freely makes it possible to reduce the load by avoiding flutter.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2008Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventor: Shigeo Yoshida
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Patent number: 8336687Abstract: It is intended to provide a vibration control apparatus that can be installed in a small pace and can be produced at low cost, as well as a wind turbine generator equipped with the vibration control apparatus and a vibration control method. The vibration control apparatus 7 includes a first vibration system 10 of inverted-pendulum type, second vibration systems 20 of inverted-pendulum type which are provided on both sides of the first vibration system 10, a restraining unit 30 which restrains a first weight 11 of the first vibration system 10 and a second weight 21 of the second vibration system 20 and a damper which damps vibration of the first weight 11 and the second weight 21. The vibration control apparatus 7 is installed on an upper floor 8a of a plurality of floors 8.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2011Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Minoru Kawabata, Keisuke Sasajima, Atsushi Kubo, Hideaki Harada
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Publication number: 20120301273Abstract: An adjustable exhaust apparatus for use with a pod having a pod housing formed with at least one exhaust opening comprises a number of exhaust panels each hinged to the pod housing in position to move between a closed position in which the at least one exhaust opening is sealed, and an open position in which the exhaust panels are oriented at up to about a 30° angle relative to the pod housing. The exhaust panels, when in the open position, are effective to create a negative pressure within at least the aft portion of the pod housing to draw air into the pod and to assists in maintaining or at least avoiding an appreciable drop in the kinetic energy of an air stream moving through the pod interior.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventor: John F. Justak
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Patent number: 8308438Abstract: A wind power generator is provided in which a reduction in weight is achieved by reducing the wall thickness of a nacelle, and an increase in the amount of heat input to the interior of the nacelle from sunlight is suppressed. In a wind power generator in which driving/power-generating mechanisms linked to a rotor head to which wind-turbine blades are attached are accommodated and installed inside a nacelle, a coating of high-reflectivity paint is formed on at least part of the outer wall that receives sunlight.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2011Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, LtdInventors: Takeshi Matsuo, Shinichi Miyamoto
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Patent number: 8303241Abstract: A KHP system turbine for the production of energy in an underwater environment including a yaw stop arrangement for use in flowing steams where the flow direction of water therein is changeable, including bi-directional and multi-directional current flows, so that a rotatably mounted turbine remains in an optimal position within such changing flow conditions. The KHP turbine includes a rotational portion and one or two passive yaw stop assemblies that will control turbine yaw and keep the turbine oriented to capture energy from changeable underwater current flows.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2007Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Verdant Power, Inc.Inventors: Dean Corren, John Gray, Christopher Gray
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Patent number: 8299640Abstract: A modular multi-turbine unit of fixed toroidal support structures having a rail system designed to allow each of the plurality of turbines to rotate to a most efficient position relative to the wind for generating power, a computer control system capable of positioning each of the plurality of turbines to most effectively generate power from the wind, preventing damage to the turbines, and providing a wind predictive model based on the wind characteristics for the area in which the wind turbine is located.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2008Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: KKR IP Limited Liability CompanyInventors: Karen Anne Pare, Philip Roger Pare
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Patent number: 8282351Abstract: A gearbox for a wind turbine, comprising a first planetary gear set; and a second planetary gear set having the same transmission ratio as the first planetary gear set; and, a load splitter to split the torque between the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set, wherein the load splitter is adapted to provide slip for absorbing deviations in the rotational position between the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set; and, wherein the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set are coupled in a split load arrangement for transmitting torque from a rotor shaft to a high speed shaft.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2011Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Jacob Johannes Nies
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Patent number: 8282352Abstract: A helical multi-piece auger that is rotatable by a moving fluid for the generation of energy is provided. The helical multi-piece auger may include several interior pieces and two tapered end-pieces mounted on a central shaft. The pieces may include an outer spiral flange perpendicular, in both directions, to a portion of helical auger. Each tapered end-piece may be tapered with respect to both the outer diameter of a helical auger portion, and the width of an outer spiral flange. Each tapered end-piece may have an outer edge that effectively merges with the central shaft of the multi-piece auger over a radial arc of between 90 and 180 degrees. The helical multi-piece auger may include wing-shaped nose cones that are axially offset with respect to each other and house hydraulic components. The helical multi-piece auger may be rotatable by the moving fluid to facilitate generation of energy.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2011Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Inventor: Winfield Scott Anderson, Jr.
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Patent number: 8277167Abstract: An apparatus and a method for operating a wind turbine capable of preventing the occurrence of damage of the blades by evading excessive irregular loads from acting on the blades in the slanting direction in the event of power failure when strong wind blows, are provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Masaaki Shibata, Toyoaki Furukawa, Yoshiyuki Hayashi, Yuuji Yatomi, Kazuhisa Tsutsumi
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Patent number: 8272831Abstract: A power generating apparatus suitable for use in extracting energy from the movement of water, in particular tidal movement, is disclosed. The apparatus includes an elongate, generally circular in cross section, buoyancy vessel (1), having depending from its underside on a mounting means, rotatable rotor blades (2). The rotor blades are connected to a power generating means whereby in use of the apparatus movement of water across the rotor blasé, drives them so as to generate power in the power generating means.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2005Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Scotrenewables (Marine Power) Ltd.Inventor: Barry Johnston
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Patent number: 8262338Abstract: A wind-powered turbine has a housing with an inlet and an outlet. Located in the housing is a cylindrical stator array having a plurality of spaced-apart stators located in it. An annular cylindrical rotor array having a plurality of cups rotates about a central axis, fits inside of the stator array. The stators are positioned to cause air which flows around the outer periphery of the stator array to impinge on the rotors and an air handling system causes air entering the housing to be distributed substantially around the periphery of the stator array.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Inventor: Joe C. Cassidy
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Patent number: 8257019Abstract: A wind energy systems includes a shroud for each turbine. The shroud is adapted to direct and accelerate wind towards the turbine. A strong adaptable support assembly is provided for securing turbines to a structure. An air glide yaw assembly facilitates rotational movement of the structure allowing the turbines to face oncoming wind. The turbine blades are optimized for use with a shroud.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2007Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Green Energy Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark L. Cironi, John W. Fedor
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Patent number: 8257020Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing the energy of wind currents by placing wind-driven turbines in vortices formed near one or more edges of a building's roof, where the wind currents are concentrated by deflection of the wind off the horizontal faces of the building. In one embodiment, a cylindrical wind turbine is placed near the edge of a building's rooftop. The turbine structure drives an electrical generator. The axis of rotation of the turbine is parallel to the ground and to the edge of the building. A concentrator may be used to concentrate vortex winds into the turbine. Turbines can be installed on multiple sides of the building to optimize the system for variations in wind direction with changes in seasons or weather conditions.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2007Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Inventor: John F. Graham, Sr.
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Patent number: 8251638Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for a wind diverter at least partially encircling a wind turbine support column to direct the wind from an area around a wind turbine to the rotor blades of the wind turbine. The wind diverter may also reduce turbulence and increases the laminar flow of the airstream delivered to the rotor blades. Additionally, the wind diverter increases both the volume of air and the velocity of the airstream reaching the rotor so as to increase the rotor speed. Increasing the rotor speed increases the energy available to the wind turbine. Energy increases as the cube of the rotor speed and the increased energy produces an increase in the power generated by the wind turbine. The wind diverter also allows a wind turbine to begin producing energy at lower initial wind speeds due to the concentration of air.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Inventor: Stephen David Boyd
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Patent number: 8226349Abstract: A method of using a delta shaped blade as an aircraft propeller, helicopter or autogiro rotor, or wind turbine propeller is presented. The invention combines the delta blade system with the use of torsion bars to achieve desirable control of blade twist. The invention uses blade twist to control the air loading on the craft; hence better control of maneuvering is achieved. The invention also optionally includes adjustable blade roots such that the sweep and aspect ratio of the delta blade is controllably variable. Compared to traditional propeller blade configurations, the invention boasts improved performance and enhanced aeroelastic properties. The invention is a far more efficient system providing economic advantages, higher speeds, and more durable designs.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2008Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Inventor: Marty A. Ferman
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Publication number: 20120139259Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for power generation using buoyancy-induced vortices. In one embodiment, among others, a vortex generation system includes a nucleating obstruction; an array of vanes distributed about the nucleating obstruction, the array of vanes configured to impart an angular momentum on air drawn through the array of vanes to form a columnar vortex over the nucleating obstruction; and a set of turbine blades positioned over the nucleating obstruction, the set of turbine blades configured to extract power from the columnar vortex. In another embodiment, a method for power extraction from a buoyancy-induced vortex includes establishing a thermal plume; imparting angular momentum to boundary layer air entrained by the thermal plume to form a stationary columnar vortex; and extracting power from the stationary columnar vortex through turbine blades positioned within the stationary columnar vortex.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2010Publication date: June 7, 2012Inventors: Ari Glezer, Mark Simpson
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Patent number: 8178991Abstract: The inventive technology described herein generally relates to the field of renewable energy production and/or more particularly wind power generation. More specifically, methods and apparatus for wind power generation utilizing perhaps multiple generators coupled through a radius adjustable coupler to at least one rotational movement element such that said coupled connection is dynamically movable across the surface the rotational movement element so as to maintain an electrical output at a constant generator rotation(s) per minute (RPM) according to the varying rotational velocity along the radius of a rotational movement element. In some embodiments such coupled generators may be sequentially loaded and disengaged to such rotational movement element to maintain an electrical output at a constant generator RPM. The inventive technology may be particularly suited to accomplishing such wind power generation across a broad range of wind and turbine rotational velocities.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2010Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Airgenesis LLCInventor: Danny J. Smith
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Patent number: 8174139Abstract: A wind turbine electrical generator may include a monopole tower extending upwardly from ground level. The wind turbine electrical generator may also include an electrical power generator carried by an upper end of the monopole tower and may include a horizontally extending drive shaft. The wind turbine electrical generator may further include a plurality of wind-driven blades carried by the horizontally extending drive shaft. The monopole tower may have an outer surface with a vertically extending outer corner therein defining a pair of adjacent vertical facets. The monopole tower may be positioned with the vertically extending outer corner aligned with the land-based radar site so that the pair of adjacent vertical facets reflects radar illumination away from the radar site to reduce an amount of the radar illumination reflected back to the land-based radar site.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Harris CorporationInventors: Francis Eugene Parsche, John Steven Seybold
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Patent number: 8162590Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine blade comprising one or more turbulence generating strips, where the strips are placed on a surface of the blade. The blade is characterized in that at least one joint area of the turbulence generating strips and the surface of the blade are completely or partially covered by sealing means. The invention further relates to a pitch controlled wind turbine comprising at least two pitch controlled wind turbine blades and pitch controlling means for pitching the blades. The pitch controlled wind turbine is characterized in that the blades comprises one or more turbulence generating strips, wherein at least one joint area of the turbulence generating strips and a surface of the blades are completely or partially covered by sealing means.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Michael Drachmann Haag
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Patent number: 8152464Abstract: A helical auger turbine and hydrokinetic device for use with electrical generators for producing electricity. A helical turbine blade may be mounted on a central shaft, and a flange extending perpendicularly to an edge of the turbine blade. The helical auger may be a multi-section auger having radial sections covering a radial arc of between 45 degrees and 180 degrees, and that are rotational molded with identical center sections. The auger may have tapered end sections. The radial and end sections may be interlockingly mounted onto the central shaft to enable the complete transfer of torque captured by the helical auger by a moving fluid media, such as a tidal water flow, to the central shaft. The adjacent surfaces of the radial and end sections may be flush with one another to reduce disruptions of the moving fluid flowing over the completed helical auger and rotating the assembled helical auger.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2010Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Inventor: Winfield Scott Anderson, Jr.
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Patent number: 8146219Abstract: A small, easily transportable wind turbine system has a square rail base secured to the ground by stakes and by its own weight. Slanted vertical legs connect a smaller square upper support perimeter to the base. A three-section telescoping mast is attached to the base and to the upper support. Winches and guy wires raise the second mast. As the second mast is raised, static guy wires raise the third mast. A wind generating turbine is attached to the top of the third mast. A controller senses the maximum output of the turbine and raises or lowers the height of the masts such that the minimum wind speed necessary to produce the maximum electric output is produced. The controller also feeds energy to a battery storage system and directly to a utility panel.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Inventor: Erik J. Monostory
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Patent number: 8137052Abstract: A wind turbine generator assembly comprising a support tower and a turbine assembly mounted in a downwind position with respect to the support tower. The turbine assembly comprises a cowling assembly and a spoked wheel having a plurality of relatively short blades mounted radially outward with respect to and downwind the cowling assembly. Each blade has an airfoil cross-sectional configuration of a predetermined structure to provide lift. The bladed wheel is coupled to a generator to produce electricity. The support tower has an upper tower portion having a biased hinge assembly with respect to the lower tower position to permit the turbine to pivot in high wind conditions. The support tower further has a rotating mechanism above the lower tower portion and below the biased hinge assembly to allow the turbine to rotate with respect to wind direction and a pivot assembly is provided to permit the turbine assembly to be brought to ground level for erecting and maintenance purposes.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2008Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Inventor: Dean J. Schlegel
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Patent number: 8134248Abstract: Disclosed herein is an aerogenerator having a rotation support unit for facilitating rotation of a rotational body. The aerogenerator includes a support pillar, a rotational body, vanes, a rotating force transmission unit, a generating unit and a rotation support unit. The support pillar has a hollow space therein and has a support extension on the upper end thereof. The rotational body is provided on the upper end of the support pillar so as to be rotatable using the rotation support unit. The vanes are provided on opposite ends of the rotational body. The rotating force transmission unit transmits rotating force of the vanes to the generating unit. In the present invention, the rotation support unit comprises a rotating plate which is provided between the rotational body and the support pillar, and first rollers which are provided in the rotating plate and are in contact with the rotational body and the support extension.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2008Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Dominic Investment, Inc.Inventors: Chris Wilson, John Nelson, Michael Baker
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Patent number: 8133023Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing wind turbine damage includes a propeller having a plurality of blades projecting radially from a hub. The blades may be adjustably combined to form variable cross-sections that either increase or decrease propeller rotation speed dependent on wind speed and weather conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2009Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Elliott Reitz
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Patent number: 8128338Abstract: A propeller, wherein the tip parts of the propeller blades of a horizontal-shaft windmill are tilted in the front direction of the propeller blades to form inclination parts. The inclination angle of the tilted parts is set within the range of 25 to 50° relative to the longitudinal direction of the propeller blades.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2005Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha BellsionInventor: Masahiko Suzuki
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Patent number: 8128364Abstract: A wind turbine blade includes a porous window defined in the suction side of the blade. The porous window is permeable to airflow from within an internal cavity of the blade through the suction side. A deployable cover member is configured with the porous window and is variably positionable from a fully closed position wherein airflow through the porous window is blocked, to a fully open position wherein airflow is established through an entirety of the porous window. An actuating mechanism is disposed within the internal cavity of the blade and is configured with the cover member to move the cover member between the fully closed and fully open positions in response to a control signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2010Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: David Samuel Pesetsky