Vertical Runner Axis Patents (Class 415/4.4)
  • Patent number: 11946449
    Abstract: A flow turbine rotor whose operation is based on aerodynamic profiles with leading and trailing edges clearly defined by their construction, adapted for nominal operation at specific speed blade speed greater than 1.5 of the incoming wind speed, characterized in that the angle angle ?, measured as a shift in the blade rotation axis (1) between the angular position of the blade trailing edge, from ¼ to ½ of the rotor height is at least 20 percent smaller than the angle ?, measured as a shift in the blade rotation axis (1) between the angular position of the trailing edge of the blade, from ½ to ¾ of the height of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventor: Jan Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 11795914
    Abstract: A self-excited wind power system with at least one self-excited panel, each arranged to create periodic motion in response to wind velocity, and a support tower. The self-excited panel is segmented, with at least three segments: a first segment forming a master segment, a second segment, and a third segment defining a tail segment. The first segment of the self-excited panel has a first length and a first height, the second segment has a second length half the length of the first segment and a second height one-third the height of the first segment, and the third segment has a third length half the length of the first segment and a third height one-third the height of the first segment. Furthermore, the second and third segments are connected to the proximal and distal ends of the first segment via a bearing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventor: Khalid Alsaif
  • Patent number: 11795908
    Abstract: A vertical-axis renewable-power generator is an apparatus that is used to efficiently generate power in various weather conditions using renewable energy sources. The apparatus includes a vertically-oriented foil and a fluid turbine. The foil is designed to generate areas of relative high fluid velocity and low pressure on one side and relative lower fluid velocity and higher pressure on the opposite side. The foil is also self-directing so that the foil can follow the direction of the fluid flow. The fluid turbine is integrated into the foil so that the fluid turbine can be rotated by the high-speed fluid flow. The rotation of the fluid turbine can be used to generate electricity. The apparatus conforms to the Bernoulli's principle that is proven to increase the speed of the fluid flow over the foil, which is used to increase the speed of the fluid flow impacting the fluid turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventor: Carl Almond Fausett
  • Patent number: 11767826
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar power generating apparatus comprising: a body (100) having a three-dimensional shape so as to enable air flowing from the outside to be lifted, and having an acceleration flow path (142) formed on the top thereof so as to induce a bottleneck phenomenon of the air to be lifted; and a power generating fan (200) installed in the acceleration flow path (142). Accordingly, the air flowing into the body (100) is heated by sunlight and is lifted so as to operate the power generating fan (200) and enable power generation, such that eco-friendly energy can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventor: Jae Won Seo
  • Patent number: 11655798
    Abstract: A multistage wind turbine or network of wind turbines with improved and optimized wind-directing, wind-shaping, and wind-power conversion features indicates that the shapes of these features directly affect the ability of the multistage wind turbine to use the power of moving air, such as wind, to spin a rotor and create torque on a rotor shaft to generate electricity. The wind-power-conversion mechanical efficiency described significantly improves upon previous designs by conversion of wind energy into electrical power at a superior price-to-performance ratio compared with existing alternative energy technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventor: Daniel Maurice Lerner
  • Patent number: 11629684
    Abstract: The multi-staged cowl described herein allows to increase and maximize water mass flow and pressure drop at the runner cross-section of a hydrokinetic turbine so as to maximize produced power output, while respecting dimensional constraints provided by a shallow body of water, a river for example, in which the hydrokinetic turbine can be submerged. The multi-staged cowl described herein can thus be configured so as to allow water to flow through the hydrokinetic turbine at a substantially stable water mass flow, eliminating instability, avoiding vortices, minimizing cavitation and avoiding fluid separation to negligible levels, and can include an inlet, an outlet and multiple stages which can extend between the inlet and the outlet, so that water can flow therethrough in a water flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TELESYSTEME ENERGIE LTEE
    Inventor: Imad Hamad
  • Patent number: 11549485
    Abstract: The windmill converts the kinetic energy of a flowing fluid into rotational energy that can be used to power a mechanical load. The turbine incorporates a plurality of plate structures, a plurality of sail/wing structures, and a drive shaft. The plurality of plate structures attach to the plurality of sail/wing structures such that the passage of the flowing fluid through the plurality of sail/wing structures rotates the combined structure. The combined structure formed by the plurality of plate structures and the plurality of sail/wing structures rotates around an axis of rotation. The drive shaft attaches to the combined structure formed by the plurality of plate structures and the plurality of sail/wing structures such that the rotation of the combined structure rotates the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Inventor: Clay Plemmons
  • Patent number: 11519384
    Abstract: A wind harvesting assembly for a wind turbine, having: a Venturi tube having a hollow interior having a first air pressure; an open top end having a first diameter; an open bottom end having the first diameter; a tube length spanning between the open top end and the open bottom end; and a constricted section located above the bottom end, the constricted section adapted to increase a velocity of air passing through by having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; a plurality of vertical wind turbine blades arranged around the Venturi tube, an outlet disbursement blade assembly disposed below the bottom open end of the Venturi tube and a port fan positioned coaxially with the Venturi tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Inventor: Mark Monto
  • Patent number: 11319929
    Abstract: A wind-energy-power-generating device is disclosed for flotation on a body of water. The device includes a turbine assembly having rotor blades rotating about a rotation axis for harnessing kinetic energy from an airflow. The device includes a cowl at least partially surrounding said turbine assembly and defining an airflow passageway between a cowl inlet and outlet, having an inlet and outlet axis, respectively. The inlet and outlet axis intersect at a redirect angle. The device includes a base platform adapted to support the turbine assembly and cowl on the water. The cowl is rotatably mounted on the base platform such that it is rotatable around the turbine assembly to self-align with a wind direction. Stabilising arms extend from the base platform and are spaced circumferentially around a platform axis, to stabilise it on the water. A wind-energy-power-generating device secured to the ground or other fixed non-floating structure is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: SEAMACH LTD
    Inventor: Glenn Andrew Hunt Whitfield
  • Patent number: 11255308
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wind tower (10) for delivering wind flow to a turbine. The wind tower (10) including includes a support structure (12) mounted to a support surface (14) and a wind intake section 16 rotatably mounted to the support structure (12) and elevated with respect to the support surface (14). The intake section (16) includes a plurality of internal passageways (32) extending between a plurality of wind-facing inlets (22) and a plurality of outlets (34). The plurality of inlets (22) are orientated for concurrently receiving an oncoming wind-flow W. Each of the inlets (22) are in fluid communication with one of the outlets 34 via one of the passageways (32). The wind tower (10) further includes an output passageway (42) for collecting wind flow W from the plurality of outlets (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventor: Vaclav Puta
  • Patent number: 11204016
    Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine is supported by a durable and lightweight composite mast comprising a foam material and a support material, wherein the foam material is either (i) layered within or (ii) distributed among the support material. The foam material may be selected from polyethylene, cross-linked polyethylene, ethafoam, polyester, polyether, ether-like-ester, expanded polystyrene, and/or polyurethane. The support material may be selected from steel, metal, carbon nanotubes, and/or plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, polylactic acid, polycarbonate, acrylic, acetal and/or nylon. A mixture ratio between the foam material and the support material may be at least 15:1. The mast may comprise a central core layer of foam and a peripheral layer of the support material. In an embodiment, adjacent layers of the central core layer and the peripheral layers alternate between the core and support materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventor: Rudolph Oelofse
  • Patent number: 11150017
    Abstract: A novel solar chimney-based liquid desiccation system includes a solar collector, an embedded desiccator with a novel structure, and a heated chimney. The solar collector heats up an incoming external airflow with solar radiation, and mobilizes the heated air to pass through the embedded desiccator. The embedded desiccator contains a liquid solution or another content that can undergo a thermal transfer process upon contacting the heated air from the solar collector. Typically, this thermal transfer process involves desiccation of the liquid solution and vaporization of some liquid or other elements. This desiccation process may be utilized to separate liquid from remaining contents, or as a purification process. The embedded desiccator is further connected to the heated chimney with a heated inner surface to minimize undesirable reflux and condensation within the chimney structure. A liquid recovery unit may also be added to the system to collect condensed liquid after desiccation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventor: Sanza T. Kazadi
  • Patent number: 10876519
    Abstract: A power generating device for generating an electrical current from an updraft in a tower includes a tower, a rotor assembly, and a set of generators. The tower is hyperboloid type so that the tower is configured to generate a pressure differential between a base and a top of the tower. A set of openings that is positioned in the tower proximate to the base is configured to allow passage of air from the base through the top. The rotor assembly is coupled to and positioned in the tower so that a set of blades of the rotor assembly is configured to be rotated due to the air passing through the tower. Each generator is operationally coupled to a drive shaft of the rotor assembly so that the set of generators is configured to convert kinetic energy of the air to an electrical current as the drive shaft is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas Chaapel
  • Patent number: 10837422
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ducted wind turbine having a turbine rotor assembly which extracts kinetic energy from air flowing there past. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of rotor blades having rotor tips at their outermost ends which define a rotor tip sweep circumference. A duct assembly at least partially surrounds said rotor tip sweep circumference and a base platform supports the ducted wind turbine. The duct assembly is mounted on the base platform by way of a weathervane bearing arrangement such that the duct assembly may weathervane around the turbine rotor assembly in response to changes in wind direction. A semi-submersible support platform, wave energy capture apparatus, torsional bearing mechanism and a latticework wind turbine tower associated with the ducted wind turbine are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Seamach Ltd.
    Inventor: Glenn Andrew Hunt Whitfield
  • Patent number: 10765789
    Abstract: An impeller for a pump is disclosed herein. The impeller can include a hub having a fixed end and a free end. The impeller can also have a plurality of blades supported by the hub. Each blade can have a fixed end coupled to the hub and a free end. The impeller can have a stored configuration and a deployed configuration, the blades in the deployed configuration extending away from the hub, and the blades in the stored configuration being compressed against the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: TC1 LLC
    Inventors: Zijing Zeng, Phyllis Yuen, Michael R. Butler
  • Patent number: 10443570
    Abstract: A method and system for generating electrical energy from wind are described. In an example, a method includes capturing wind in an intake on an exterior surface of a structure. The method also includes directing, via a duct, the wind from the intake to a centrifugal fan and, while directing the wind from the intake to the centrifugal fan, compressing and accelerating the wind in the duct. The method further includes receiving, in the centrifugal fan, the wind from the duct and rotating, via the received wind, a fan blade assembly in the centrifugal fan. The method still further includes generating electrical energy, via a generator, based on the rotation of the fan blade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Mathew A. Coffman
  • Patent number: 10054107
    Abstract: A present invention describes unique wind turbine assembly in a shape of closed hollow cylinder formed by two sets of three adjustable to positive and negative pitch horizontal blades supported instead of central shaft by three vertical cylindrical blades, which makes this turbine responsive to omni-directional wind. Proposed design concept provides with: Significant increase of turbine efficiency exceeding 60%, which after coupling this rotor with a generator of 60% efficiency leads to overall wind generator efficiency exceeding 40%. Low turbine inertia requiring moderate start up winds and reducing turbine vibrations. Noiseless turbine operation due to its rotation around vertical axis. Environmental friendliness as low operating speed does not generate strong turbulent air flow capable to challenge birds and bugs existence. No electronic control of blades angle of attack. Ease of manufacturing and maintaining together with their reduced cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Bowie State University
    Inventors: Mikhail Goloubev, Joshua Brown
  • Patent number: 9657712
    Abstract: A wind power station with wind concentrating structure includes a wind concentrating structure, which includes a multiple of floors and a hollow cylindrical central tower (28) running through the multiple of floors; a concentrated drive shaft assembly (2) is provided at a center point O of the central tower (28) being coaxial with a ground central axis (1) and running through each floor of the central tower (28); a impeller (3) is installed on the concentrated drive shaft assembly (2) in each floor of the central tower, the impeller is a vertical axis impeller or a horizontal axis impeller; two or more sub-buildings are radially provided from a original point which is a center O of the central tower (28), outer walls of the sub-buildings are connected with a outer wall of the central tower (28) to form a speed-increasing type windage with the floor (29), a ceiling cover (13) and a ceiling cover supporting truss (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventors: Zupeng Fang, Dan Fang, Fang Fang, Yafeng Zhao
  • Patent number: 9562518
    Abstract: A wind turbine configured to be mountable to a support post includes a first support element having a first track positioned around a central axis and configured to be connectable to the support post. A fan assembly is engaged with the first support element and is rotatable relative thereto. The fan assembly includes a plurality of first trolleys each being coupled to the first support element and spaced relative to each other. The plurality of first trolleys are traversable along the first track to cause rotation of the fan assembly relative to the first support element. A plurality of fan blades are coupled to respective ones of the plurality of first trolleys. At least one off-axis electrical generator is engaged with the fan assembly and includes at least one rotating gear driven by at the fan assembly when the fan assembly rotates relative to the first support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: LILU ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Mahesh N. Patel, Darmesh M. Patel, Mark Goodley
  • Patent number: 9284944
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Darrieus windmill, and more specifically, to a vertical axis type Darrieus windmill that enables self-start in the low wind velocity range. The Darrieus windmill, in which a primary vertical shaft is rotated by the lift forces generated by primary blades, has a starting means for assisting the starting or rotation of the primary shaft at a low wind velocity. The present invention provides advantages of enabling self-start and rotation due to the lift generated by the blade in low wind velocity conditions and enabling the generation of rotating moments in any wind direction or wind velocity, thereby easily starting even in urban areas with very low wind velocities or large variations in wind direction, and thus enabling the generation of electricity over a wide range of wind velocities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: CYGNUS POWER CO., LTD
    Inventor: Yang Il Yoon
  • Publication number: 20150139778
    Abstract: Systems are provided for increasing the power to be extracted from a wind stream by a wind turbine, including placing a duct and nozzle system, or cluster of such systems, up-stream of the wind turbine. In certain embodiments, the nozzles are convergent and the blades of the wind turbine are embedded in a narrower cylinder thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Michael C. Fong
  • Patent number: 9022721
    Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine formed from a concentric arrangement of fixed stator blades to provide fluid flow acceleration into an arrangement of rotatable blades secured to a generator for invoking electrical power generation. The stator blades are maintained in a fixed position by use of an upper and lower stator plate. The rotor blades include an upper and lower plate, the upper plate coupled to the upper stator plate, and the lower rotor plate coupled to the generator. The amount of stator and rotor blades may be scaled in number and size depending upon the type of generator to be driven and associated mechanical energy to be obtained. The stator blades are designed for air deflection in a direction for optimal rotor blade rotation by accelerating air flow into a pre-swirl before the flow contacts the rotor blades. Each stator blade is oriented at a sufficient stagger angle so that an angle of the relative velocity does not exceed the stall angle of said rotor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Wind Power Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Gecheng Zha, Bertrand Dano
  • Publication number: 20150104293
    Abstract: A V-shaped arrangement of turbines adapted to orient in such a manner that crosswind enters the arrangement in a direction that is substantially parallel to the axis bisecting the arrangement is described. The V-shaped arrangement includes clockwise rotating turbines and counterclockwise rotating turbines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Anna CRAIG, John Oluseun DABIRI
  • 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
  • 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: 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: 8894348
    Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are provided. The wind turbine system includes a plurality of coaxial, counter-rotating turbine assemblies. First and second shroud assemblies define a generally spherical volume containing the first and second turbine assemblies. The first and second shroud assemblies each include a shroud member that can selectively shield or expose portions of the respective turbine assemblies to the wind by changing the rotational position of the shroud members about the system axis. The turbine assemblies are interconnected to a generator for the production of electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Andrew Carlton Thacker, II
  • Publication number: 20140334912
    Abstract: The active windmill with the rotation axis transverse to the wind direction with at least one windmill module containing an assembly of counter-rotating impellers operating in the tandem setting and provided with a two-part guiding plate that covers the impeller parts moving against the wind, wherein each of the guiding plates is located between the mast and one of the impellers, characterized in that the guiding plate's right and left parts are separate elements and are connected with each other by tensioning assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: WINENERG SPÓLKA Z OGRANICZONA ODPOWIDEDZIALNOSCIA
    Inventor: Piotr Doerffer
  • Patent number: 8882441
    Abstract: A portable, selectively deployable power supply and storage arrangement includes a frame, a floor securable to the frame and having a longitudinally extending guide member provided thereon, a mast assembly having a first end pivotally connected to a tractor element slidable along the guide member and a second end opposite the first end, and a wind turbine receivable at the second end of the mast assembly. A support is pivotally connected to and extends between both the frame and a portion of the mast assembly so that, upon displacement of the tractor element along the guide member, the support produces movement of the mast assembly between retracted and deployed positions. To facilitate transportation and relocation of the power supply and storage arrangement, the frame, the floor, the mast assembly, the wind turbine, and the support are configured to define a single unit and are collectively receivable in a shipping container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: ATOPIA Research
    Inventors: Jane Harrison, David Turnbull, Doug King
  • Patent number: 8882439
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a guiding apparatus, a wind turbine system, and methods related thereto. In an embodiment, a guiding apparatus for guiding a flow of a fluid for use with a rotor, the rotor comprising an annular radial vane assembly surrounding a central space which is enclosed save via the vane assembly and being arranged to rotate about a vertical axis, includes a screening for guiding the fluid to circulate substantially about the vertical axis within the central space in the same direction as the rotor during use, wherein the screening comprises an inner guide array concentrically surrounded by the vane assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Guy Andrew Vaz
  • Patent number: 8814495
    Abstract: A wind blade device for rotating a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine generates wind-generated electric power in residential, business, industrial, and electric utility applications. The wind blade device comprises a drive shaft mountable to the wind turbine. A first wing extends from one side of the drive shaft and a second wing extends from an opposite side of the drive shaft. At least a portion of the first wing distant from the drive shaft is curved in a first direction and at least a portion of the second wing distant from the drive shaft is curved in a second direction. The first wing and the second wing maximize surface area to the wind and receive the wind from any direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventor: Douglas Soucy
  • Patent number: 8807917
    Abstract: Disclosed is an assembled helical turbine system, which can prevent its assembly/disassembly from being hindered by a rotational force generated during the assembly/disassembly process. The assembled helical turbine system includes a helical turbine formed with a plurality of blades in such a manner as to continuously generate a rotational force under unidirectional or multidirectional fluid flow; a housing assembly for rotatably supporting the helical turbine while surrounding the helical turbine; stoppers formed on a peripheral surface of the housing assembly in such a manner as to protrude to a predetermined height from the peripheral surface; and a housing supporter for supporting the housing assembly in such a manner that the housing assembly can be inserted into and withdrawn from the housing supporter, the housing supporter having catch grooves that are recessed in a shape corresponding to the stoppers so as to fix the stoppers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI)
    Inventors: Jin Soon Park, Kwang Soo Lee, Ki Dai Yum, Seong Eun Kim, Myoung Hak Oh, Choong Beom Lee, Hyung Jin An
  • Patent number: 8790069
    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: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: No Fossil Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Bruce Elliot Anderson
  • Patent number: 8740545
    Abstract: Disclosed is an assembled helical turbine system, which can strengthen weakenings of a housing assembly, and simultaneously can be easily assembled/disassembled. The assembled helical turbine system comprises the housing assembly including a plurality of bearing spiders for rotatably supporting a rotating shaft of a helical turbine, and a plurality of side posts for connecting and fixing the respective bearing spiders to each other, the side posts being fixed in such a manner as to radially protrude by a predetermined length from peripheral surfaces of the bearing spiders; filling members for filling and reinforcing spaces between the peripheral surfaces of the bearing spiders and outlines of protruding portions of the side posts; and a housing supporter for supporting the housing assembly in such a manner that the housing assembly can be inserted into and withdrawn from the housing supporter, the housing supporter having catch grooves that are recessed in a shape corresponding to stoppers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI)
    Inventors: Jin Soon Park, Kwang Soo Lee, Ki Dai Yum, Seong Eun Kim, Myoung Hak Oh, Choong Beom Lee, Hyung Jin An
  • Patent number: 8734084
    Abstract: The Wind Wing converts wind energy into electrical energy utilizing an oscillating vertical unarticulated wing, and in one of its two models, employs a new type of electrical generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Andrew Lovas
  • Patent number: 8721259
    Abstract: A planet wind sail mechanism includes a main axis, a first driving unit, and a wind sail body. The first driving further includes a rotation frame with a plurality of ribs, a transmission gear attached on the rib, a fixed gear which is disposed on the main axis and engaged with the transmission gear and a rotary gear is disposed on the edge of the rotation frame and engaged with the transmission gear. The wind sail body includes one rotation axis and the rotation axis is disposed on the edge of the rotation frame. When the wind sail body revolves along the main axis, both the rotary gear and the wind sail body also rotate itself. And the fixed gear rotates in an opposite direction with the rotary gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Nai-Wen Fan
  • Publication number: 20140079535
    Abstract: A wind turbine for harvesting energy from both horizontal and vertical wind currents having an open frame structure and a central passage through the structure with at least three wind energy harvesting generally vertically disposed and rotatably mounted blades positioned about the central passage and at least three wind energy harvesting generally horizontal blades projecting radially from the central vertical axis of the device. The open frame structure includes a unique rod and cable central structure offset from the periphery of the frame. In one embodiment, the frame structure is suspended from a rotatable hub at the top of a stationary mast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel P. Coffey
  • Patent number: 8613586
    Abstract: A vortical energy wind apparatus translates wind gusts to vertical air streams that disrupt the streams of air in the atmosphere that pose high tornado-risks. The apparatus comprises a lower half-spheroid part and an upper half-spheroid part both placed by their convexities to each other. A toroidal-shaped axial-symmetric core has a set of curved blades attached to the core. Streams of air penetrate a rotary wheel inside it, and the blades attached to the core rotate the wheel. Essentially, the upper part acts like an upside-down wing at streamlining the wind and an exit hole centered at a top of the upper part provides means for the vortical stream of air to leave the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Qualitics, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuriy Konstaninovich Krasnov, Dmitry Gennadievich Yankelevich
  • Patent number: 8602719
    Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine having a plurality of upright airfoils pivotally engaged. A continuous adjustment of the angle of attack of the airfoils to oncoming wind is provided by rotation of a control plate connected to the vanes which are mounted upon a rotating drive plate. A vane can be employed to rotate the control plate to affect the continuous adjustment of the airfoils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: AF Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Samuel Thomas Kelly
  • Patent number: 8602718
    Abstract: A turbine, suitable for use as a water or wind turbine, for generating rotary motion from fluid flow wherein the axis of rotation of the turbine is transverse to the direction of flow. The turbine has two foils, which may meet at the axis of rotation, and the turbine is helical and tapered. The turbine has a quasi-conical base. The non-mount end of the turbine is preferably tilted downstream with the turbine axis of rotation in the range of about 5° to 15° from perpendicular to the flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: ART Turbine Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Byron Rhys Rokeby-Thomas
  • Publication number: 20130315703
    Abstract: A turbine, for example a wind turbine, is equipped with a rotor (1) with a vertical axis and a screens system (31, 32) for conducting wind and fluid to the rotor. The turbine is equipped with a direction device (57) which produces a direction signal, and a way (55, 56) to direct the screens system (31, 32) depending on the direction signal. The rotor blades are fitted on the sides turned towards the axis with an open curl shape 34.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Walter Dacus, Joan Baetens
  • Patent number: 8591171
    Abstract: The generator (10) includes an essentially cylindrical stator assembly (12) defining a central turbine void (14) in which a wind turbine (16) rotates to power an electrical generator (18). The wind turbine (16) includes vanes (48) having a width (52) less than 25 percent of a diameter (58) of the turbine (16). The turbine (16) defines an open void (60) between the vanes (48) for unrestricted passage of air through the wind turbine (16). Non-planar stators (34A-34H) extend between a base and an upper truss (20, 26) to strengthen the stator assembly (12) and to direct air exiting directional ducts (36A-36H) to move in a first rotational direction (42) within the turbine void (14). A plurality of geodesic truss segments (96A-96H) form the base and upper trusses (20, 26) to produce a strong, light-weight wind generator (10) that is easily assembled on-site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Mark Maynard
  • Patent number: 8591169
    Abstract: A power generation system that generates power in low flow situations is disclosed. The system includes a set of vanes, wherein each vane is mounted on a corresponding mast, so as to selectively transmit energy from the flow medium to a rotor shaft or to freely deflect in the direction of flow, depending on whether the flow impinges on the vanes in an energy-producing or a non-energy-producing direction. This is achieved by mounting each vane on its mast, so that it deflects in the flow direction when the vane is subjected to non-energy-producing flow energy, and also coupling each vane to the mast of an adjacent vane, so that the vane exerts a pull force on the mast of the adjacent vane, when the vane is capturing energy-producing flow energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventors: Sergei Breus, Valentin Breus
  • Publication number: 20130309062
    Abstract: Embodiments related to wind turbines and methods of guiding a flow of a fluid using a wind turbine. In one embodiment, a wind turbine includes a framework including an annular upper guide means and an annular base guide means; and an annular rotor assembly surrounding a central space, the rotor assembly comprising a plurality of rotor vanes, each rotor vane being held in position between the upper guide means and the base guide means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventor: Guy Andrew VAZ
  • Publication number: 20130294886
    Abstract: A prime mover that is powered by the energy of a fluid is provided. Such a prime mover may include a first fairing, a second fairing spaced apart from the first fairing to define a gap therebetween and a blade assembly mounted on a shaft that extends between the first and second fairings. The first and second fairings each have a curved peripheral edge for directing a fluid into the gap. When the fluid flows into the gap it contacts the blade assembly to thereby rotate the blade assembly about an axis that is defined by the shaft. The prime mover may be mounted on a cell phone tower and used to generate electricity for powering components of the tower and/or for providing electricity to the power grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Dominick Daniel Martino
  • Patent number: 8562282
    Abstract: A large capacity wind power generator is provided, which includes an outer rotor including an upper partitioning plate having a plurality of spokes formed along a circular circumference of the upper partitioning plate at equal intervals and a side partitioning plate formed on one side surface of the outer rotor, the outer rotor having a lower surface and the other side surface which are open; and a windmill formed inside the outer rotor to be rotated by wind flowing through the outer rotor. The side partitioning plate is formed to have an area that is smaller than a half of the entire circumferential area of the outer rotor, and spaces between the respective spokes are open so as to facilitate an inflow of the wind through the side surface of the outer rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: Boo-Hyeon Bang
  • Patent number: 8556572
    Abstract: A wind power turbine includes a frame, a drag-type fan unit and a lift-type fan unit. The frame has a base, a shaft, an electricity generator and a plurality of air-guiding plates. The air-guiding plates are disposed on the base, and the shaft has one end connected to the electricity generator. The drag-type fan unit has a plurality of drag-type blades coupled to an outer circumference of the shaft. The lift-type fan unit has a plurality of lift-type blades disposed around the drag-type blades. Each of the air-guiding plates has a first side and a second side, and the first and second sides are parallel to the shaft. An air inlet is formed between the first sides of adjacent two of the air-guiding plates, and an air outlet is formed between the second sides of adjacent two of the air-guiding plates. The air inlet is larger than the air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: National Pingtung University of Science & Technology
    Inventors: Chang-Hsien Tai, Uzu-Kuei Hsu
  • Patent number: 8545168
    Abstract: Arrangements of turbines are described. The turbines are staggered or aligned in the downwind direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: John Oluseun Dabiri, Robert W. Whittlesey
  • Patent number: 8534987
    Abstract: A wind turbine for harvesting energy from both horizontal and vertical wind currents having an open frame structure and a central passage through the structure with at least three wind energy harvesting generally vertically disposed and rotatably mounted blades positioned about the central passage and at least three wind energy harvesting generally horizontal blades projecting radially from the central vertical axis of the device. The open frame structure includes a unique rod and cable central structure offset from the periphery of the frame. In one embodiment, the frame structure is suspended from a rotatable hub at the top of a stationary mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Daniel P. Coffey
  • Patent number: 8511965
    Abstract: A guiding apparatus for guiding a flow of a fluid for use with a rotor, the rotor comprising an annular radial vane assembly surrounding a central space which is enclosed save via the vane assembly and being arranged to rotate about a vertical axis, the guiding apparatus comprising a screening for guiding the fluid to circulate substantially about the vertical axis within the central space in the same direction as the rotor during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Guy Andrew Vaz