MICRO TURBINE

The present invention discloses a micro turbine which can be a power source of a distributed pneumatic turbine generator and comprises: a first outer casing comprising a gas inlet, a first accommodating space and a first connecting part; a second outer casing comprising a second accommodating space, a second connecting part and a bearing seat, wherein the second outer casing is connected with the first outer casing by the connection between the second connecting part and the first connecting part; a stator being disposed in the first accommodating space; and a rotor being disposed in the second accommodating space and comprising a rotor body and a rotating shaft, wherein one end of the rotating shaft is pivotally coupled to the center of the stator, and another end of the rotating shaft being pivotally coupled to the center of the bearing seat of the second outer casing and extending toward the outside of the second outer casing.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a micro turbine, and more particularly to a pneumatic turbine having a micro dimension and high speed and being used for the power source of a turbine generation system.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Generally, the power source of a portable electronic product is provided by one or more batteries. Owing to a conventional disposable battery can not to be recharged after exhausting all power, that should be discarded or recycled. The conventional disposable battery is not green as well as a waste of money for consumers. Therefore, a rechargeable battery is popular for used in the portable electronic product nowadays. When the power of the rechargeable battery is exhausted, it can be recharged with an AC (alternating current) power or a direct current generator.

However, if the rechargeable battery is exhausted in a place lacking a charging source or under a urgent condition, the rechargeable battery can not provided sufficient power to the portable electronic product timely, thus the use of the rechargeable battery is limited. In view of this, if a portable generation device can be provided, it not only can charge the rechargeable battery anytime, but also can provide power to the portable electronic product directly. By this way, it should be very convenient for the consumers.

For the above requirements, a micro turbine generation system is a very suitable solution. In recent years, the micro turbine generation system always holds a place in every solution of alternative energy sought by every country in the world. A common micro turbine generator has a dimension of a few centimeters, and the amount of generated electricity can be up to 20 W˜150 W, which is sufficient for the requirement of the portable electronic product. Owing to the micro turbine generator is small-sized and portable, it is appropriate to be developed into the power source of the portable electronic product.

A conventional micro turbine generation system must have a combustion chamber. After the fuel and air being mixed and burning in the combustion chamber, the volume of the air is expanded and the motive power is generated for moving the blades of the turbine, so as to generate power by the rotational kinetic energy of the blades of the turbine.

However, this burning type of micro turbine generation system is not suitable for applying to the portable electronic product because a high temperature will be produced after burning the fuel, and the high temperature may easily cause damage to the portable electronic product. Furthermore, the gas and the high temperature produced by burning the fuel are not in accord with the requests of environment protection and power saving.

In view of this, it is necessary to provide a new micro turbine, which can utilize green energy for generating motive power and then drive a generator to generate power, so as to reach the effect of generating power in a portable manner and conform to the concept of environment protection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above shortcomings of the prior art, the inventor of the present invention resorted to past experience, imagination, and creativity, performed experiments and researches repeatedly, and eventually devised the present invention, a micro turbine.

The major objective of the present invention is to provide the micro turbine, which is small-sized and lightweight and suitable to be the motive power source of the portable generation device.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide the micro turbine, which can utilize green energy to generate motive power and then drive the generator to generate power, so as to reach the requirement of environment protection and power saving.

According to the above objective, the present invention provides a micro turbine comprising: a first outer casing comprising a gas inlet, a first accommodating space and a first connecting part, wherein the first connecting part is disposed on an open lateral of the first accommodating space; a second outer casing comprising a second accommodating space, a second connecting part and a bearing seat, wherein the second connecting part is disposed on an open lateral of the second accommodating space, and the second outer casing being connected with the first outer casing by the connection between the second connecting part and the first connecting part; a stator being disposed in the first accommodating space and connected with the first outer casing; and a rotor being disposed in the second accommodating space and comprising a rotor body and a rotating shaft which is axially passed through and fixed on the center of the rotor body, wherein one end of the rotating shaft is pivotally coupled to the center of the stator, and another end of the rotating shaft being pivotally coupled to the center of the bearing seat of the second outer casing and extending toward the outside of the second outer casing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a complete understanding of the aspects, structures and techniques of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a micro turbine according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the micro turbine according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a front view of a first outer casing according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a back view of the first outer casing according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3C is a lateral view of the first outer casing according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the first outer casing according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a front view of a second outer casing according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a back view of the second outer casing according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4C is a lateral view of the second outer casing according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the second outer casing according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a front view of a stator according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a back view of the stator according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5C is a lateral view of the stator according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5D is a perspective view of the stator according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a front view of a rotor according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a back view of the rotor according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6C is a lateral view of the rotor according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6D is a perspective view of the rotor according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a generation system according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

To achieve the foregoing objectives and effects, the inventors improve the conventional micro turbine which utilizes high pressure gas as the power source, thus achieving a micro turbine of the present invention. Hereinafter, the micro turbine according to a first preferred embodiment and a second preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail for illustrating the structural features and principles of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the micro turbine according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the micro turbine according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The micro turbine 1 includes a first outer casing 100, a second outer casing 110, a stator 120, a rotor 130, and a bearing cover 140.

The first outer casing 100 includes a gas inlet (not shown in the figures), a first accommodating space 102 and a first connecting part 103, wherein the first connecting part 103 is disposed on an open lateral of the first accommodating space 102. The external diameter of the first outer casing 100 is 25 mm, and the internal diameter of the first outer casing 100 is 20 mm.

The second outer casing 110 includes a second accommodating space 111, a second connecting part 112 and a bearing seat 113, wherein the second connecting part 112 is disposed on an open lateral of the second accommodating space 111, and the second outer casing 110 is connected with the first outer casing 100 by the connection between the second connecting part 112 and the first connecting part 103. The external diameter of the second outer casing 110 is 25 mm, and the internal diameter of the second outer casing 110 is 20 mm.

The stator 120 is disposed in the first accommodating space 102 and connected with the first outer casing 110. The stator 120 includes a plurality of stator blades 121 which is disposed on the lateral of the stator 120, and the diameter of the stator 120 is 20 mm.

The rotor 130 is disposed in the second accommodating space 111 and includes a rotor body 131 and a rotating shaft 132 which is axially passed through and fixed on the center of the rotor body 131. One end of the rotating shaft 132 is pivotally coupled to the center of the stator 120, and another end of the rotating shaft 132 is pivotally coupled to the center of the bearing seat 113 of the second outer casing 110 and extending toward the outside of the second outer casing 110. The rotor 130 includes a plurality of rotor blades 133 which is disposed on the lateral of the rotor body 131 and has the shape of three-dimensional configuration. The diameter of the rotor body 131 is 20 mm.

The bearing cover 140 is disposed on the external side of the bearing seat 113 of the second outer casing 110 and provided with a center part for the rotating shaft 132 of the rotor 130 to pass through. The bearing cover 140 is able to protect the bearing seat 113 and enhance the support for the rotation of the rotating shaft 132 of the rotor 130.

In the above first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the material of the first outer casing 100, the second outer casing 110, the stator 120, the rotor 130, and the bearing cover 140 can be stainless steel, aluminum or aluminum alloy.

Subsequently, the above components of the micro turbine 1 according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention are described in detail respectively.

Referring to FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D, wherein FIG. 3A is a front view of the first outer casing, FIG. 3B is a back view of the first outer casing, FIG. 3C is a lateral view of the first outer casing, and FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the first outer casing. The first outer casing 100 includes the gas inlet 101, the first accommodating space 102 and the first connecting part 103, wherein the first connecting part 103 is disposed on the open lateral of the first accommodating space 102. The major function of the first outer casing 100 includes guiding the entrance of the high pressure air, coupling to the stator 120 and rectification. The first outer casing 100 is connected with an external air guiding component (such as a plastic tube) by the gas inlet 101 and then guides the high pressure air to enter the inner part of the micro turbine 1 through the gas inlet 101, so as to drive the rotation of the rotor 130.

Referring to FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D, wherein FIG. 4A is a front view of the second outer casing, FIG. 4B is a back view of the second outer casing, FIG. 4C is a lateral view of the second outer casing, and FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the second outer casing. The second outer casing 110 includes the second accommodating space 111, the second connecting part 112 and the bearing seat 113, wherein the second connecting part 112 is disposed on the open lateral of the second accommodating space 111. The major function of the second outer casing 110 is to couple with the first outer casing 100 by the connection between the second connecting part 112 and the first connecting part 103, and the second outer casing 110 is provided for accommodating the rotor 130. The rotor 130 can rotate stably in the second accommodating space 111, and the air flow can be rectified and then discharged for decreasing the influence of the air flow on the working of the micro turbine 1.

Referring to FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D, wherein FIG. 5A is a front view of the stator, FIG. 5B is a back view of the stator, FIG. 5C is a lateral view of the stator, and FIG. 5D is a perspective view of the stator. The stator 120 includes plural stator blades 121 which are disposed on the lateral of the stator 120. The major function of the stator 120 is to make an ideal gas to be in the condition of static temperature and stagnation temperature on the process of stable and heat-insulated flow when the speed of the stator 120 is zero. In order to coordinate with the flow direction of the air, the angle of the leading-edge 121a of the plurality of stator blades 121 is designed as the angle which is parallel with the flow direction of the air, and the angle of the trailing-edge 121b of the plurality of stator blades 121 is designed as the angle which is coordinate with the leading-edge of the plurality of the rotor blades 133, so as to make the Flow Coefficient ψ be 2.2.

Referring to FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D, wherein FIG. 6A is a front view of the rotor, FIG. 6B is a back view of the rotor, FIG. 6C is a lateral view of the rotor, and FIG. 6D is a perspective view of the rotor. The rotor 130 includes the rotor body 131, the rotating shaft 132 and the plurality of rotor blades 133, wherein the rotating shaft 132 is axially passed through and fixed on the center of the rotor body 131, and the plurality of rotor blades 133 are disposed on the lateral of the rotor body 131. Through planning and designing repeatedly and considering the moving path of the air when the rotor 130 is rotate, the shape of the plurality of rotor blades 133 is designed as three-dimensional configuration. The major function of the rotor 130 is to compress the flow of the air.

Referring to FIG. 7, which is a schematic diagram of a generation system according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The second preferred embodiment applies a micro turbine 200 to a generation system 2, wherein the generation system 2 further contains a high pressure gas source 210 and a generation device 220.

First, the micro turbine 200 is connected with the high pressure gas source 210 (such as a small-scale gas cylinder) through an external air guiding component 211 (such as a plastic tube), and then the high pressure air in the high pressure gas source 210 can enter the micro turbine 200 through the air guiding component 211, so as to drive the rotor 201 to rotate.

Subsequently, the micro turbine 200 is connected with the generation device 220 by an extended rotating shaft 202 of the rotor 201. When the rotor rotates, the rotating shaft 202 drives the generation device 220 to work, and then the generation device 220 generates power. The micro turbine 200 of the present invention is a centimeter-sized turbine, which is defined as that the diameter of the blades is 10−3˜10−4 m, the rotation speed is 100,000˜500,000 rpm, and the power of generation is 10˜100 W.

The power generated by the generation device 220 can be directly provided for a portable electronic product 230 to work. The portable electronic product 230 includes a notebook, a mobile phone and a 3C electronic product. Except for the portable electronic product 230, the generation system 2 can provide power to the fields including illumination, back-up power, an electric vehicle (such as a bicycle and a motorcycle), and an assistive device of a motor system.

By the detailed description of the overall structure and technical content of the present invention, the following advantages of the present invention can be derived:

The micro turbine of the present invention has advantages of small size and light weight, thus the micro turbine is very suitable to be a power source of a portable generation device.

The micro turbine of the present invention utilizes green energy to produce motive power and then drive a generator to generate electric power, it is accordant with the requirement of environment protection and energy saving.

The micro turbine of the present invention has a simple structure and fewer components, thus the cost can be lowered, the time of fabrication can be decreased, and the manufacturing efficiency can be increased.

The micro turbine of the present invention utilizes the high pressure air as the driving source, thus the micro turbine has advantages of high rotation speed and high charging speed.

It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention described herein are merely illustrative of the technical concepts and features of the present invention and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art, after reading the present disclosure, will know how to practice the invention. Various variations or modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. All such equivalent variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

As a result of continued thinking about the invention and modifications, the inventors finally work out the designs of the present invention that has many advantages as described above. The present invention meets the requirements for an invention patent, and the application for a patent is duly filed accordingly. It is expected that the invention could be examined at an early date and granted so as to protect the rights of the inventors.

Claims

1. A micro turbine comprising:

a first outer casing comprising a gas inlet, a first accommodating space and a first connecting part, wherein the first connecting part is disposed on an open lateral of the first accommodating space;
a second outer casing comprising a second accommodating space, a second connecting part and a bearing seat, wherein the second connecting part is disposed on an open lateral of the second accommodating space, and the second outer casing being connected with the first outer casing by the connection between the second connecting part and the first connecting part;
a stator being disposed in the first accommodating space and connected with the first outer casing; and
a rotor being disposed in the second accommodating space and comprising a rotor body and a rotating shaft which is axially passed through and fixed on the center of the rotor body, wherein one end of the rotating shaft is pivotally coupled to the center of the stator, and another end of the rotating shaft being pivotally coupled to the center of the bearing seat of the second outer casing and extending toward the outside of the second outer casing.

2. The micro turbine according to claim 1, wherein the material of the first outer casing, the second outer casing, the stator, and the rotor is selected from the group consisting of:

stainless steel, aluminum and aluminum alloy.

3. The micro turbine according to claim 1, wherein the stator comprises a plurality of stator blades disposed on the lateral of the stator.

4. The micro turbine according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the stator is 20 mm.

5. The micro turbine according to claim 1, wherein the rotor comprises a plurality of rotor blades disposed on the lateral of the rotor body.

6. The micro turbine according to claim 5, wherein the shape of the plurality of rotor blades is three-dimensional configuration.

7. The micro turbine according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the rotor body is 20 mm.

8. The micro turbine according to claim 1, wherein the external diameter of the first outer casing is 25 mm, and the internal diameter of the first outer casing being 20 mm.

9. The micro turbine according to claim 1, wherein the external diameter of the second outer casing is 25 mm, and the internal diameter of the second outer casing being 20 mm.

10. The micro turbine according to claim 1, further comprising a bearing cover disposed on the external side of the bearing seat of the second outer casing and provided with a center part for the rotating shaft of the rotor to pass through, wherein the bearing cover is able to protect the bearing seat and enhance the support for the rotation of the rotating shaft of the rotor.

Patent History
Publication number: 20120093640
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 28, 2011
Publication Date: Apr 19, 2012
Applicant: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY (TAIWAN) (Hsinchu)
Inventors: Hsiao-Wei D. Chiang (Hsinchu), Chih-Neng Hsu (Nantou City), Shun-Yao Chuang (Tong-xiao Township), Chee-Chang Chen (Hsinchu)
Application Number: 13/073,015
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Casing With Mounting Means (415/213.1)
International Classification: F01D 25/28 (20060101);