Fluid Current Motor Patents (Class 417/334)
  • Patent number: 11892008
    Abstract: A ceiling fan blade moves air about a space, driven by the ceiling fan. The ceiling fan blade can include an upper surface and a lower surface spanning a root and a tip, and a leading edge and a trailing edge. The blade can include a first curved portion along the leading edge and a second curved portion along the trailing edge. The first and second curved portions can include convex upper surfaces and concave lower surfaces, with a flat portion spacing the first and second curved portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventors: Charles William Botkin, Bobby Neal Norwood
  • Patent number: 11578692
    Abstract: A tidal power generation device includes a container assembly and a power generation device arranged in the container assembly. A water inlet of the container assembly allows a tidal water flow to enter. An entrance guide plate of the container assembly causes the water flow to advance in the direction of the power generation device to push the power generation device's thrust plates, and thereby driving the power generation device's thrust plate traction mechanism to make a power generator of the power generation device convert kinetic energy into electrical energy. After the water flow pushes the thrust plates, it enters a pressure accumulating pool of the container assembly. Then, the water flow in the pressure accumulating pool flows to a backflow guide plate of the container assembly, and flows to a first pressure relief pool of the container assembly to continue pushing the thrust plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Inventor: Hung-Sen Chang
  • Patent number: 11566491
    Abstract: The pump-activated manual water well comprises a valve, a gate structure, a pulley structure, a cord, and a well. The gate structure, the pulley structure, and the cord attach to the valve. The valve installs in the well. The well is a mechanical structure that pumps underground water, commonly called ground water, to the surface of the ground. The gate structure, the pulley structure, and the cord control the flow of water through the well by controlling the flow of water through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Inventor: Keith Little
  • Patent number: 11365721
    Abstract: The present invention relates to wind energy park connected to an electrical grid, having airborne wind energy systems (AWES), e.g. with kites. The wind energy park has an electrical DC network connecting the plurality of AWES and a grid converter unit for converting DC to AC, and transmit AC to the electrical grid. The wind energy park control unit controls the AWES to produce electrical power to the electrical grid by alternating between a power production phase, and a recovery phase so to balance the supply of power to the electrical grid according a demanded setpoint. An advantage is that the grid converter may be smaller, as compared to an AC network, because the power is evened out with the negative power from the AWES being in recovery phase. In this way, the invention stabilizes the grid and has a grid forming capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Morten Lindholm, Thomas S. Bjertrup Nielsen, Torben Petersen, Lars Helle
  • Patent number: 11268493
    Abstract: A method is provided for braking a rotor of a wind turbine. The rotor comprises rotor blades. The wind turbine comprises a pitch adjustment system for adjusting a pitch of the rotor blades. The method comprises detecting a system failure of the pitch adjustment system, estimating a current wind speed, estimating an available brake torque and estimating a required brake torque, based on the estimated current wind speed. The method further comprises determining a suitable point in time for activating a rotor brake, based on the estimated available brake torque and the estimated required brake torque. The rotor brake is then activated at the determined suitable point in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Michael Riis Krabbe
  • Patent number: 11209022
    Abstract: The VEHICLE WITH TRAVELING WAVE THRUST MODULE APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS include force or forces applied to an arc-like flexible sheet-like material to create a deformed crenated strip fin with strained-deformations. The strained-deformations take on a sinusoid-like form that express the internal energy state of the flexible sheet-like material after it has been configured into a crenated strip fin. After being incorporated into a mechanism with couplings that prevent the crenated strip fin from returning to its un-strained state, the strained-deformations persist. Actuators may be used to sequentially rotate vertebrae attached to the fins causing the travel of sinusoid-like deformations along the fins. The fin, fin actuator or actuators, power source and central controller may be incorporated into a thrust module. Two thrust modules couple to each other via roll actuators and flexible coupling members may form a vehicle with exceptional maneuverability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Pliant Energy Systems LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Pietro Filardo, Daniel S. Zimmerman, Michael I. Weaker
  • Patent number: 10519926
    Abstract: The TRAVELING WAVE PROPELLER, PUMP AND GENERATOR APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS include force or forces applied to an arc-like flexible sheet-like material to create a deformed crenated strip fin with strained-deformations. The strained-deformations take on a sinusoid-like form that express the internal energy state of the flexible sheet-like material after it has been configured into a crenated strip fin. After being incorporated into a mechanism with couplings that prevent the crenated strip fin from returning to its un-strained state, the strained-deformations persist. Actuators may be used to sequentially rotate vertebrae attached to the fins causing the travel of sinusoid-like deformations along the fins. In a fluid medium, the traveling waves of sinusoidal deformations may exert force on the fluid causing the fluid to move and/or creating thrust. Arched blades affixed to the fins facilitate propulsion on hard surfaces such as ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Pliant Energy Systems LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin Pietro Filardo
  • Patent number: 10519687
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of erecting a tower such as a wind turbine tower tethered by a number of cables where each of the cables extend between the tower and an anchoring element on an anchor block. The method comprises attaching at least some of the tethering cables to the tower, detachably fastening a motorized winch on an anchor block and connecting the wire of the winch to the end of a tethering cable. The winch is then operated to wind up the wire of the winch pulling the cable end towards the anchor block and into position for fastening the cable end to the anchoring element, where the cable end is then fastened to the anchoring element while held in position by the winch. The invention further relates to the use of a motorized winch to connect a cable to an anchor block when erecting a tower tethered by a number of cables as mentioned above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Gunnar K. Storgaard Pedersen
  • Patent number: 10260369
    Abstract: Apparatus to enable rotation of a compressor, the apparatus comprising: a guide for insertion through a fan of a gas turbine engine to the compressor, the guide including: a surface arranged to guide a drive assembly through an interior portion of the gas turbine engine to the compressor; and a first fastener arranged to fasten the guide to the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Toby E Unna
  • Patent number: 9580925
    Abstract: A frangible guy wire of an airport mast, which breaks on impact without presenting a hazard or causing critical damage to the object impacting with it. The main part of the length of the guy wire consists of a tube or tubular profile made of composite material, the proportions of the dimensions and materials of which have been selected in such a way that in the event of impact, the tube (4) or tubular profile will break by fracturing, that is, by breaking into pieces. The wall thickness of the tube or tubular profile is selected to be so thin that the desired fracturing is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: EXEL COMPOSITES OYJ
    Inventor: Sami Heikkinen
  • Patent number: 9194362
    Abstract: A wind energy system includes an annular wind shroud surrounding the rotatable blades of a wind turbine. The shroud is configured to enhance the wind power delivered to the rotatable blades of the wind turbine by generating an efficient pressure differential between the blade upstream and downstream wind flows. A radially outwardly extending collar-shaped brim member is formed on an outside of an exhaust opening edge of an outlet of the wind tunnel body and an axially rearwardly extending tubular-shaped rim member is formed on the exhaust opening edge of the outlet of the wind tunnel body. The brim and rim cooperatively generate adjacent annular pressure zones in the downstream flow beneficially effecting the power delivered to the blades intermediate the upstream and downstream flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: GREEN ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas C. Merlini, III, Mark L. Cironi
  • Patent number: 8863511
    Abstract: This is a low-cost, ingenious, high-efficiency energy producing system from hydrokinetic energy in water waves, currents and tides. Cost advantages are due to the use of existing bridge structures to mount the water energy converter to withstand fierce wind and water forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Paul M Swamidass
  • Patent number: 8827660
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine being provided with a fluid displacement means for ensuring a certain increased pumping capacity at a certain reduced rotational speed of the main shaft of the rotor and thus of a drive shaft from a gear box of the wind turbine. The invention also relates to a wind turbine being provided with fluid displacement means for ensuring a certain increased pumping capacity at a certain increased rotational speed of the main shaft of the rotor and thus of a drive shaft from a gear box of the wind turbine. The means may be mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical. Additionally, the invention relates to a method for operating a wind turbine being provided with such fluid displacement means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Poul Spaerhage Frokjaer, Jens Demtroder
  • Publication number: 20140182263
    Abstract: The Maphbe Turbine is a system of nozzles, rotors, and energy storage devices used to generate consistent power from intermittent energy sources specifically wind. It uses sails, cables, and poles as a way to form large nozzles and rotors for power generation, these systems can be paired with other renewable sources for co-generation, and can be used for powering pumped storage hydro stations, excess energy can be stored in multi-layer carbon nanotube capacitors. Another application for the invention is offshore floating wind farms to make giant collapsible nozzles and turbines paired with solar, and or wave energy devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventor: Marc Gregory Allinson
  • Publication number: 20140183869
    Abstract: The invention uses wind turbine and/or solar energy to enhance the efficiency of an underwater and/or underwater in-soil bed of a compressed air energy storage system. The apparatus comprises a wind turbine and/or a photovoltaic panel to drive an onshore compressor, which provides compressed air energy into an underwater pressure vessel. The buoyant rigid-wall pressure vessel will be located and restrained under water or in-soil underwater. The pressure vessel may be horizontal or in vertical configurations as well as parallel or in perpendicular orientation to the shoreline. The pressure vessel may be constructed of high compression strength reinforced concrete or reinforced fiber plastic material that need not have a high thermal capacitance or high thermal conductivity because the exhaust from the pressure vessel feed a near constant air temperature to the turboexpander on the surface via several long vertical small diameter pipes through the 50 to 70 deg F. water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Ben M. Enis, Paul Lieberman
  • Publication number: 20140161642
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic water turbine system includes a frame structure, a horizontally-disposed rotor shaft supported by the frame structure, and a rotor secured to the rotor shaft. The rotor has a plurality of spaced-apart blades so that the flowing stream of water revolves the rotor. The flowing stream of water rotates the rotor shaft, which drives a liquid pump, which pumps a liquid to a desired location. Such as, for example, pumping water from tic flowing stream to an irrigations system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: DLZ Corporation
    Inventors: Vikram V. Rajadhyaksha, Roger Sam Huff, Mookencheril P. Cherian
  • Patent number: 8715496
    Abstract: A system for altering water properties in an outdoor body of water includes a holding vessel configured to hold water. The holding vessel has at least one wall extending above a mean surface water level. The system also includes at least one conduit extending downward from the holding vessel. The at least one conduit has a length extending to a depth at which at least one property of water at the depth differs substantially from that of water at the surface. The system further includes at least one aperture formed in at least one of the holding vessel or the at least one conduit and located at a distance below the mean surface water level. Further still, the system includes at least one one way valve coupled to the at least one aperture and allowing flow of water in only one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bowers, Kenneth G. Caldeira, Alistair K. Chan, William H. Gates, III, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, John Latham, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Stephen H. Salter, Clarence T. Tegreene, Willard H. Wattenburg, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 8702982
    Abstract: A system is described generally for providing a structure or structures for altering water surface temperature. The system includes a holding vessel configured to hold water. The holding vessel has at least one wall coupled to a lowermost portion. The at least one wall extends above the water level and the lowermost portion is configured to be submerged. At least one conduit extends from the lower side of the holding vessel. The at least one conduit has a length extending to a depth at which a property of water at the depth is substantially different from that of the water at the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bowers, Kenneth G. Caldeira, Alistair K. Chan, William Gates, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, John Latham, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Stephen H. Salter, Clarence T. Tegreene, Willard H. Wattenburg, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 8622719
    Abstract: A hydraulic pump unit includes a cylindrical member that is fit into an outer circumference of the main shaft and a hydraulic pump body arranged on an outer circumferential side of the cylindrical member. The hydraulic pump body includes a ring cam mounted on the outer circumference of the cylindrical member, a pump bearing, a pump housing, a plurality of pistons housed in the pump housing and actuated by the ring cam, and a plurality of cylinders which guide the plurality of pistons in a radial direction and are arranged in a circumferential direction. The hydraulic pump unit is configured such that the pump unit is insertably fixed to the main shaft by the cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Tsutsumi, Noguchi Toshihide, Yasuhiro Korematsu, Masayuki Shimizu, Alasdair Robertson, Uwe Stein, Hauke Karstens
  • Publication number: 20130209288
    Abstract: A wind turbine system that can comprise a wind power machine, a compressor, at least one energy accumulator, a dynamo, a pressurized heating system, and a depressurized cooling system; the wind power machine is driven by a wind power to transform wind energy into mechanical energy and to drive a compressor; the compressor pressurizes and stores gas in the energy accumulator; the energy accumulator stores and output the pressurized gas to drive the dynamo; the dynamo can comprise an air motor and an AC generator motor; wherein the air motor is driven by a gas outputted from the energy accumulator, and wherein the air motor drives the AC generator motor to generate electricity; the pressurized heating system can comprise a liquid/gas energy converter transforming hydraulic pressure into a gas pressure; the depressurized cooling system is connected between the energy accumulator and the dynamo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: Cheng-Te Wang
  • Publication number: 20120275937
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a circulation boosting and ventilating air compressor which comprises a compressor shell and a rotor, and which is characterized in that: the rotor consists of a wind gear and a drive shaft; the wind gear consists of a shaft sleeve, a wind gear plate and wind teeth; the wind gear is connected to the drive shaft through the shaft sleeve; the wind teeth are connected to the wind gear plate through wind tooth roots and formed by overlying a plurality of layers of wind tooth blades; a wind tooth air passage is provided between two adjacent wind tooth blades and has a wind tooth air passage inlet and a wind tooth air passage outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Junhao Lin
  • Publication number: 20120269657
    Abstract: A water pumping system having a wind machine driving an air compressor. The tower extends underground into the water saturated ground below the water table. The base of the tower has a water accumulator chamber with a one-way inlet valve such that water can pass into the water chamber. An outlet conduit communicates with the water chamber such that water within the chamber can be delivered to an external water tank by the compressed air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Herbert L. Williams
  • Publication number: 20120187694
    Abstract: A method compressing a gas, advantageously air, is disclosed. The gas is compressed by disposing one or more hydrofoils in a liquid flow for the purpose of generating a downpull and thereafter a lift by altering the angle of attack on the hydrofoil relative to the flow of liquid, advantageously water. The down force causes the load, advantageously air, to be submerged, and hence compressed proportional to the depth of liquid to which the air is subjected. The hydrofoil is attached to a mechanical device, which in turn is anchored or moored in the depth of the liquid and at or under the surface. The angle of attack of the hydrofoil is altered by mechanical devices connected to tension bars or strings or by flaps. The volume of air loaded in the hydrofoil is adapted such that the down force is greater than the buoyancy of the air. An accelerating effect is achieved by that the volume of air decreases inversely proportional to the increasing depth to which it is subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: ENGERVIK TECHNOLOGY AS
    Inventor: Terje Engervik
  • Patent number: 8226375
    Abstract: Wind powers a rotor causing a shaft to rotate, thereby transmitting power to one or more pumps to pump colder sub-surface water from the depths, one or more flywheels to provide gyroscopic stability to the entire platform; and to a propeller to help the wind powered sea pump remain in a stationary position. A hull provides a sump for a single hose connector to feed water to the pumps from a pickup hose of desired diameter to a desired depth. The force of the wind powers the sea pump to transport colder water from a lower depth to the sea surface. A sea anchor provides a pivot point to keep the wind powered sea pump oriented directly into the wind and a weather vane helps with the wind orientation as well as providing space for use as an advertising bill board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventors: Patrick J Dugas, Gary A Balinsky
  • Publication number: 20120107150
    Abstract: A pump includes a housing, an output member supported for eccentric rotation on a drive shaft of the housing, and a plurality of pumping assemblies supported on the housing about the drive shaft. Each pumping assembly includes a linear sliding pump shaft, a diaphragm oriented transversely to the shaft in sealing engagement with the housing to define a wall portion of a respective pumping chamber, an inlet check valve, and an outlet check valve. A linkage assembly connects the output member to the pump shafts of the pumping assemblies such that the pump shafts are arranged to be reciprocated along radially oriented axes about the drive shaft in response to rotation of the drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Bogdan Pawlak, Zbigniew Salek, Andrzej Falacinski
  • Publication number: 20120107149
    Abstract: A wind turbine energy storage system includes a hollow wind turbine tower shaft having a top end and a bottom end covered by top and bottom end caps respectively to form a tank. A compressor is coupled to the wind turbine for compressing air into the tank through a high pressure pipe and valve assembly. The compressed air stored in the tank can be released on demand or on a fixed schedule. A method of storing energy in a wind turbine is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Carlos Wong, Livia Wong, Zhaohui Xiong
  • Patent number: 8148840
    Abstract: An engine for reducing the temperature at the surface of a body of water during a storm includes at least one floatation member for supporting the engine, an elongate tube mounted on the floatation member configured to receive a stream of air therethrough, the elongate tube having first and second ends, a constricted center section therebetween and means for distributing water into the tube adjacent the constricted center section, a wind turbine having at least one rotor, a differential and a shaft connecting the rotor to the differential, a pump operatively connected to the wind turbine and extending into the body of water to a depth where the temperature of the water is less the water temperature at the surface and wherein water from beneath the surface of the body of water is pumped into the manifold and distributed into the elongate tube to cool the stream of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Randall Gradle
  • Publication number: 20120039725
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for powering a compressor are provided. Flowing water is supplied from a dam to a power generation mechanism via a compressor water channel. The flowing water is used to drive the power generation mechanism in order to generate power. One or more compressor stages of a heat engine are then driven using power generated by the power generation mechanism. The flowing water in the compressor water channel is driven at least in part by gravity due to head of the dam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Rene Carlos
  • Patent number: 8102068
    Abstract: A buoyant hydro turbine(31) for capturing and utilizing energy in the currents of flowing water. A driven component(33) produces electricity or other energy is coupled to and supported by a buoyant rotor(64), increasing efficiency and eliminating the need for an independent supporting structure. Tethered in flowing water, the current(71) rotates the rotors(32) and transfers rotatable energy to the central driven component(33) where electricity or other mechanical work is produced. A number of embodiments are adapted for optimizing and maintaining positioning in a stream of moving water. Additional embodiments optimizing the efficiency and effectiveness of the turbine in capturing and utilizing the current's kinetic energy as well as hydrostatic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventor: Brent Lee Gutekunst
  • Patent number: 8092192
    Abstract: A wind-power water supply pump includes a housing, a rotary disk, a vane wheel, a direction control vane, a linkage, and a plurality of expandable tubes, wherein the rotary disk is rotatably mounted to a top of the housing and the vane wheel and the direction control vane are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the rotary disk. The vane wheel is set in driving coupling with the linkage. The vane wheel, when rotated by winds, drives repeated expansion/compression of the expandable tube. The change of the volume of the expandable tube is used to deliver water so that the consumption of human labor and additional power supply that are used to deliver water in areas where power is not readily acquired but wind power is available can be cut down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventors: An-Shun Lo, Ying-Po Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20110247353
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for producing water from ambient air comprising a heat pump with a cooling unit and a receiver for collecting the water that formed as condensed water vapour on a cooling surface of the cooling unit. In accordance with the invention the cooling surface is located in a closed space and a water vapour permeable membrane separates the ambient air and the closed space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: Sybrandus Jacob Metz
  • Publication number: 20110233934
    Abstract: An energy storage and recovery system employs air compressed utilizing power from an operating wind turbine. This compressed air is stored within one or more chambers of a structure supporting the wind turbine above the ground. By functioning as both a physical support and as a vessel for storing compressed air, the relative contribution of the support structure to the overall cost of the energy storage and recovery system may be reduced, thereby improving economic realization for the combined turbine/support apparatus. In certain embodiments, expansion forces of the compressed air stored within the chamber, may be relied upon to augment the physical stability of a support structure, further reducing material costs of the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: LightSail Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen E. Crane, Danielle A. Fong, Edwin P. Berlin, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110206542
    Abstract: A system for producing mechanical energy. In some embodiments, the system includes a first source providing a first fluid, a fluid pressurization device, a second source supplying a second fluid, a first motor, and a second motor. The fluid pressurization device draws in the first fluid from the first source and increases the pressure of the first fluid. The first motor is driven by the second fluid, the second fluid decreasing in pressure and the first motor powering the fluid pressurization device as the second fluid passes through the first motor. The second motor receives a mixture of the first fluid from the first motor and the second fluid from the fluid pressurization device, whereby the second motor produces the mechanical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Walter Warren Weaver, Frank Benjamin Springett, Eric Trevor Ensley
  • Publication number: 20110187118
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for generating high pressure air. The device comprises a block having an external surface and an internal surface, said internal surface defining an internal cavity in said block. A rotor located inside said cavity is capable of rotating about under the influence of wind energy. The block is capable of moving relative to the rotor in a direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the rotor so as to vary the position of the rotor within the cavity. A plurality of vanes extend from the rotor, and are coupled to the rotor in such a manner that, in every position that the block is capable of adopting relative to the rotor, the rotor is capable of rotating within the cavity while maintaining a seal between each vane and the internal surface of the block. There is a gas inlet channel and a gas outlet channel on an opposite side of the block to the gas inlet channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Lloyd
  • Publication number: 20110171040
    Abstract: A wind powered sea pump comprises a propeller, rotor, one or more pumps and one or more flywheels. The present invention relates to a pump powered by the wind to move cold subsurface water from a lower level of the sea to the warmer surface water. The wind powers the rotor causing the shaft to rotate, thereby transmitting power to: one or more pumps, to pump colder sub-surface water from the depths; one or more flywheels to provide gyroscopic stability to entire platform and to a propeller to offset the force of the wind pushing back the wind powered sea pump. The hull provides a sump for a single hose connector to feed water to pumps from a pickup hose of desired diameter to a desired depth. The force of the wind powers the sea pump to transport colder water from a lower depth to the sea surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Patrick J. Dugas, Gary A. Balinsky
  • Patent number: 7944075
    Abstract: An energy storage system, and related method, comprises a plurality of wind turbines, each with a vertical shaft that passes through a support platform. One or more braces may be affixed to each vertical shaft at one end of this platform, at an angle of less than 60 degrees, preferably about 45 degrees. At least one heavily weighted device is configured and disposed to be raised with rotation of the wind turbine about its vertical shaft. The subsequent lowering of that weighted device generates electrical energies for immediate use. Alternatively, the weighted device may be suspended for storage of energy and subsequent use. Preferred embodiments include at least one energy storage system for holding excess unused energy. Representative devices include a weighted cylinder on a shaft or cable, and one or more railcars on a series of inclined tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventor: Daniel Boone
  • Publication number: 20110088382
    Abstract: A device for converting wind energy into a reciprocating motion. The device has a sail that extends in a main wind direction and pivotally oscillates when subjected to wind. The sail is connected to a first support that is configured to move in a first direction when the sail during its oscillation moves towards any of two outermost positions from a neutral position, and move in a second direction opposite the first direction when the sail during its oscillation moves towards its neutral position from any of its outermost positions, thereby creating a reciprocating motion of the first support when the sail is subjected to the wind. A further device, a method and a system are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Rikard Berthilsson, Mats Alakuela
  • Publication number: 20110033319
    Abstract: A wind-powered energy saving system has a power assembly, a temperature adjusting assembly and an increasing assembly. The power assembly has a fan device and an air compressor. The fan device has a rotating shaft. The air compressor is connected to the rotating shaft of the fan device. The temperature adjusting assembly is electrically connected to the power assembly and has a heat-eliminating device and a heating device. The heat-eliminating device is connected to the air compressor and has an inlet tube and multiple first tempering panels. The heating device is connected to the heat-eliminating device and has a linking tube and multiple second tempering panels. The increasing assembly is connected to the temperature adjusting assembly and has an air-feeding pipe, an exiting device and a spraying device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Hui-Fan Lin
  • Publication number: 20100316504
    Abstract: A positive displacement pumping system for use in deep wells includes a drive system and one or two pumps. In the preferred embodiment, the drive system includes an electrical motor, a speed reducer, and a rotary-to-reciprocal motion converter. Alternatively, the drive system includes a windmill, a variable transmission, and a counterbalance. The counterbalance can be either weights or a second alternating pump. The pumps include a central hollow discharge tube and one or more vertically aligned pumping chambers in fluid communication with the central discharge tube. Within each pumping chamber, a valve arrangement, which includes a piston or shuttle member and fluid intakes, causes fluid to fill and then drain from the pumping chambers as the central hollow discharge tube reciprocates. In operation, the drive system causes the central hollow discharge tube in the pump to reciprocate and thereby cause the fluid to travel from each pumping chamber into to the central discharge tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Larry Lack, Patricia Lack, Larry Lack
  • Publication number: 20100276935
    Abstract: A wind or water turbine mounted atop a support tower or tethered underwater drives a hydro-pumping system. The turbine converts wind or water energy into a driving torque applied to the hydro-pump. The hydro-pump forces water through a pipe transmission system to an onshore facility. On shore, the resultant pressurized fluid-flow propels a hydroelectric generating system to produce electricity or may first be used in a Reverse Osmosis desalinization process and the byproduct in part used to propel a hydroelectric generating system to produce electricity. The cold-water discharge from the hydroelectric generating system and/or from the desalinization process is used for onshore district or power plant cooling purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: DEHLSEN ASSOCIATES, L.L.C.
    Inventors: James G.P. Dehlsen, Christopher J. Grieco, William Peitzke
  • Publication number: 20100272579
    Abstract: A wind-power water supply pump includes a housing, a rotary disk, a vane wheel, a direction control vane, a linkage, and a plurality of expandable tubes, wherein the rotary disk is rotatably mounted to a top of the housing and the vane wheel and the direction control vane are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the rotary disk. The vane wheel is set in driving coupling with the linkage. The vane wheel, when rotated by winds, drives repeated expansion/compression of the expandable tube. The change of the volume of the expandable tube is used to deliver water so that the consumption of human labor and additional power supply that are used to deliver water in areas where power is not readily acquired but wind power is available can be cut down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: An-Shun Lo, Ying-Po Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20100263826
    Abstract: A cooling tower system, including a principal cooling tower; an auxiliary cooling tower for receiving a portion of the warm water flow into the main tower; a central shaft mounted vertically in the auxiliary tower; a turbine mounted on a portion of the shaft; a cooling blade mounted on the upper end of the shaft; a water jetting system delivering warm water under pressure from the main cooling tower into the auxiliary cooling tower to impart rotation to the turbine blades for imparting rotation to the cooling blade; a quantity of high efficiency film fill in that portion of the tower below the turbine for receiving the water coming off of the turbine blades; air flow produced by rotation of the cooling blade upward through the fill in order to cool the water before it is returned to the main cooling tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Vincent Wiltz
  • Patent number: 7804263
    Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine that has at least one rotor component proximate a stator that is axially displaceable from the stator in response to pressure of lubrication oil delivered to its lubrication system has a system for changing axial displacement of each axially displaceable rotor component from the stator to cause a corresponding change in rotor-stator magnetic flux interaction, comprising: a hydraulic pump for generating a flow of lubrication oil; and means for regulating the flow of lubrication oil to the machine to develop a corresponding lubrication oil pressure that controls axial displacement of each axially displaceable rotor component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Himmelmann, Mohammad Shahamat
  • Publication number: 20100232988
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for power generation using a tethered airfoil. In particular, the present invention provides a cost effective, environmentally friendly alternative to generate power for the oil, water, and electric industries or any other application where power is desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: WINDLIFT, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Creighton, John V. Mizzi
  • Patent number: 7785080
    Abstract: A downhole ram pump. A downhole pump system includes a flow restricting device which variably restricts fluid flow through an opening, the restricting device vibrating in response to the fluid flow, thereby alternately increasing and decreasing the fluid flow through the opening; and a pump device which generates a pressure differential in response to vibration of the restricting device. Another downhole pump system includes a flow restricting device which vibrates in response to fluid flow through an opening, thereby alternately increasing and decreasing the fluid flow through the opening, a pressure differential across the restricting device variably biasing the restricting device to increasingly restrict the fluid flow through the opening, and the pressure differential alternately increasing and decreasing in response to respective alternate increasing and decreasing flow through the opening; and a pump device which generates differential pressure in response to vibration of the restricting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Welldynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy R. Tips
  • Publication number: 20100158705
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (100, 200) for collecting the kinetic energy of a naturally moving fluid, that comprises: a first conversion means (112, 212) capable of converting the fluid movement into a driving movement for driving a pumping or compression means (116, 216); a pumping or compression means (116, 216) driven by the first conversion means (112, 212), said pumping means being capable of collecting a current from the fluid and of circulating the same and conveying it to remote energy storage (223) or conversion (121, 122, 221, 222, 226) means. The pumping or compression means include a multicellular centrifugal pump having a rotation axis that is parallel or substantially parallel to the current direction. The combination of these means provides for a quasi-continuous electric energy with a fixed and stable frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Paul Guinard
  • Publication number: 20100126160
    Abstract: In a method for converting fluctuating energy into a stable energy supply, the fluctuating energy is derived from the group of solar energy, wind power, waves or water currents, this energy being delivered to a first pump being integrated in a pressure circuit for delivering stable energy and the pressure circuit comprising a pressure amplifier with a double-cone device being driven by the liquid flow circulated by the first pump. This allows the stabilisation of fluctuating energy to be used e.g. in desalination plants without supplemental storage energy and without reverting to electric current conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: John Stark
  • Publication number: 20100122855
    Abstract: A wind-powered pneumatic engine including one or more impeller chambers and one or more impellers disposed in the impeller chambers is provided. One or more air inlets for receiving external wind resistance airflow are disposed on the impeller chambers, and the external wind resistance airflow entering the air inlets drives the impellers to operate to generate power output. The wind-powered pneumatic engine further includes an air-jet system for jetting HPCA into the impeller chambers, and the internal high-pressure compressed air jetted by the air-jet system in conjunction with the external wind resistance airflow entering the air inlets drives the impellers to operate to generate power output. In the present invention, the external resistance airflow around a motor vehicle moving at a speed is converted into power for use, which greatly reduces energy consumption and improves the moving speed of a motor vehicle. A motor vehicle equipped with wind-powered pneumatic engine is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventor: Yang CONG
  • Publication number: 20100032959
    Abstract: A wind turbine to convert wind energy into electricity by a positive displacement hydraulic pump is disclosed. The hydraulic pump is disposed adjacent a shaft coupled to a hub. In one embodiment, the rotation of the hub drives the hydraulic pump. In another embodiment, the hub rotates the shaft to drive the hydraulic pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Jacob Johannes NIES
  • Publication number: 20090230692
    Abstract: Systems, devices, processes, and techniques for harnessing the dynamic energy of a fluid body may be used to generate electric power. In particular implementations, the dynamic energy of a gaseous fluid body is used to drive a pump that pressurizes a pumping fluid. The pressurized pumping fluid may be used, at least in part, to drive an electrical generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Fernando Gracia Lopez