Patent ID: 6710469
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: F03D,F04D,F05B,Y02E

Abstract:
A fluid-powered energy conversion device for converting energy in a moving fluid into mechanical energy, said device comprising:a rigid cylindrical frame having an upstream annular chamber and a downstream annular chamber centered around a longitudinal axis, each of said chambers having sides that are open to allow entry of the moving fluid in a direction approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, said upstream and downstream chambers being separated by an annular divider having a central aperture therein; a longitudinal drive shaft centrally mounted along the longitudinal axis and passing through the central aperture; a turbine mounted on the drive shaft in the central aperture; means for creating in the upstream chamber, an upstream drive vortex rotating in a first direction when the moving fluid enters the upstream chamber through the upstream chamber's open sides; means for creating in the downstream chamber, a downstream extraction vortex rotating in a direction opposite to the first direction when the moving fluid enters the downstream chamber through the downstream chamber's open sides; and means for causing the drive vortex to flow downstream and pass through the turbine, said turbine being rotated by the drive vortex as the drive vortex passes through the turbine and reverses direction to match the direction of the extraction vortex.