Abstract:
The present invention relates to the field of energy generation. More specifically, it concerns a capture device and method which replaces and improves upon blades typically used for harnessing wind or water for power generation. The capture device is capable of efficient operation in a range of environmental conditions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/925,860. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of energy generation. More specifically, it concerns a capture device that replaces and improves upon blades typically used for harnessing wind or water for power generation. The capture device is capable of efficient operation in a range of environmental conditions. The invention disclosed provides a device and method capable of capturing wind and water for production of a constant, readily available and renewable source of energy. 
     Power generation is critically important globally, and demand for renewable, efficient energy sources continues to grow. Wind and water power has been harnessed for centuries to provide power; the capture of kinetic energy from these fundamental elements has fascinated inventors and inspired entrepreneurs, scientists and commercial ventures throughout the world. Wind farms, hydroelectric facilities, and the technology that supports them have been growing and improving rapidly, in part due to large research investments and public policy shifts favoring the use of alternative and renewable energy resources. 
     The quantity of economically extractable power available from wind or water depends on the equipment used for capture, conversion and storage. To capture the force of wind and water, blades are typically engaged by the moving wind or water and pushed to rotate a turbine, creating mechanical energy. The spinning blades are attached to a hub and shaft, which powers a generator that converts the mechanical energy from the rotation of the blades into electric energy. 
     Blades for capturing wind and water power have been described and used in many shapes, relative orientations and dimensions. Blade shape is one vital contributor to efficiency of any power generation system, and optimization of the shape optimizes element capture. Flat, twisted, helical, spheroid and many other blade shapes have been explored. Blade length, width, pitch, number, weight and distribution about the axis must be considered. New designs are needed for continued improvement in efficiency of currently operating and new wind and water power generation systems. 
     The invention disclosed herein is a new design for a highly efficient, aerodynamic, hydrodynamic, and cost effective alternative to blades for wind and water generation. The disclosed capture devices can be manufactured and retrofitted for use with many existing generators currently operating or commercially available. Instead of a blade system, the invention and method described utilizes a capture body as specified herein. Power generated from captured elements can be harvested and stored for future use. 
     All patents, patent applications, provisional patent applications and publications referred to or cited herein, are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent they are not inconsistent with the teachings of the specification. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is a device and method of use for capture of fluid elements for renewable wind and water power generation. The capture body is effective when used in conjunction with vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT&#39;s), and offers advantages over traditional flat or helical twist blades. It comprises a vertical axis disposed, horizontally mounted body which includes a pressure relief outlet. It functions well in high wind and water pressure environments, and is also efficient at low wind and water speeds. The device is noise free, environmentally friendly and safe for birds. One end of the capture device comprises an aperture for element intake, while the other end is aerodynamically or hydrodynamically disposed to optimize rotation potential. In one embodiment, the capture body is conically disposed, and curves around a hub, which is oriented perpendicular to a rotor. The body captures wind or water through the intake aperture as it passes through the air or water. This aperture has a relatively large diameter which tapers down to a smaller relative diameter at the tip, or apex; air or water flow into the aperture results in pressure increases inside relative to outside of the body. Flow into the body builds in velocity as it is compressed towards the apex, resulting in extremely efficient rotational force on the hub and rotor. The shape, specifically wide at the one end and tapering to a relatively narrow portion or apex, concentrates the flow and thereby increases speed of the element (air or water) within the capture body, resulting in enhanced push on the rotor. Although the preferred embodiment is conically disposed, the capture body can be made in a variety of shapes, including but not limited to square, rectangular, deltoid, triangular, ovoid or rounded configurations. The size and shape of the capture body determines the energy output; larger capture bodies can capture more of the element and therefore potentially generate more pressure directed to turning the rotor, but must be made of a stronger material capable of withstanding such pressure. This invention contemplates capture devices made of a spectrum of materials, including but not limited to metal, plastic, ceramic or other appropriate materials suited to and sized for the environmental conditions in which the invention operates. 
     The device described by this invention further comprises a pressure relief outlet, which releases the wind or water from inside the body, allowing avoidance of potential over-spin. This relief outlet is positioned near the apex of the body, and comprises a relief body that is contoured, following the capture body shape, but smaller. As air and water exit the body, thrust is enhanced. The relief outlet also allows for drainage, and is sized according to conditional requirements. In the preferred embodiment the relief body includes a scooped lip that diminishes turbulence in and around the body, which stabilizes the device, substantially enhances function and reduces maintenance over time. 
     In one possible configuration, a plurality of capture devices are mounted onto a hub, with the relief outlet oriented at the bottom, or underside. Bodies and pressure relief outlets are sized and shaped to optimize conditions and capture. The size of each capture device, shape, and number of devices used is predominantly dependent upon the geographic, geologic and hydrologic circumstances. Site conditions that impact choice of size and shape include but are not limited to average wind or water speed and materials used to construct the capture device. Capture bodies may be straight or curved around the rotatable hub and attached to a central shaft. Utilization of a conical shape for the capture body results in captured air or water acceleration and pressure increases as the captured element passes through the cone towards the apex, and is ultimately released out through the relief aperture. The central shaft is turned by the force generated when air is captured within the device and forced into the narrowing capture body by the rotational movement of the hub through the air or water, which creates and amplifies air pressure resulting in force directed to the central shaft and ultimately to a power generator. 
     This invention avoids the challenges associated with wind and water direction; capture occurs from all directions at all times due to the plurality of capture devices used. When multiple devices are mounted on a rotatable hub, capture occurs in a three hundred and sixty degree radius. Because capture of wind and water elements is omni-directional, capture bodies are able to catch wind and water without tracking. This enhances reliability in a variety of environmental conditions. This can be especially effective and a distinct advantage when mounted upon a vertical axis wind turbine. 
     Another advantage of the invention is that it does not require high towers or specialized mounting. Capture devices and their corresponding power generation systems can be mounted on houses, high rise buildings, on beaches and offshore locations including ships, buoys and ocean rigs, at airports, upon vehicles utilizing rechargeable electric batteries, and essentially anywhere there is moving air or water. Where necessary, the device can be placed under a roof, overhang or cover to protect it from ice formation or other matter that may impact it from above. 
     A further advantage of the invention is that it will not generally break or clog with debris. With typical blades used in the prior art, debris striking the blade from the surrounding wind or water can damage or break a blade. In the present invention, the shape protects the capture device from debris strikes, as it is attached to and supported by the hub. The capture body, by virtue of its shape, is more resistant to debris strikes than a flat blade. Also, any debris that enters the intake aperture and does not get forced out of the relief aperture will be removed by the element flow when the rotor reaches the opposite direction and pressure within the capture device is removed or reversed. 
     A different advantage of the present invention is that a plurality of hub-mounted capture devices can be stacked upon one or more rotors to allow multiple capture devices to work in concert, thereby increasing element capture and consequent pressure on the rotor, enhancing rotor spin. In this way, energy harvest can potentially be significantly increased. 
     A separate advantage over present wind and water generation systems is that the present invention does not require tremendous height or depth for efficient element capture. The generator, electric box, transformers, etc. can be at or near ground or water level, where they can be easily accessed for maintenance or replacement. Rows of capture devices can be mounted upon a hub and placed at spacing appropriate to the on-site environmental conditions, thereby potentially reducing the elevation of towers required with typical flat blades. 
     Still another advantage to this invention is that the intake and relief apertures can include a variable open and close function, which could be manual or automated. This way, the device can be adjusted to restrict or increase air flow, providing added flexibility for use in a range of environmental conditions. 
     DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMBERS AND LETTERS 
     
         
           10  Capture body 
           20  Apex 
           30  Intake aperture 
           40  Relief outlet 
           50  Hub 
           60  Relief aperture 
           65  External relief body 
           70  Rotational direction 
           80  Element flow direction at intake 
           90  Element flow direction at relief outlet 
       
    
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view from the underside of a hub showing the preferred embodiment of the invention mounted upon the hub. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a conical embodiment of the invention with an exploded view of the relief outlet. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a plurality of the capture devices mounted on hubs and positioned on the rotor of a wind or water power generation system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts a plurality of the capture device invention mounted upon the outside edge of a typical vertical axis hub  50  used in wind and water power generation. As the fluid element (air or water) moves in the area of the capture body  10 , it flows into and around it, with a portion entering the capture body  10  through the intake aperture  30 . The direction of the elemental movement is shown by the arrow at  80 . Pressure created from the moving element passing through the intake aperture  30 , then down through the capture body  10  pushes the hub  50  about its axis upon a central shaft, connected to a rotor, which drives a turbine capable of generating mechanical or electrical energy. The direction of rotation of the hub around its axis is depicted by the arrow at  70 . The capture body  10  narrows dimensionally from the intake aperture  30  to the apex  20 . As the element moves through the capture body  10 , the decrease in width or diameter results in concentration of the force and consequent pressure of the element within the capture body  10 , resulting in rotation of the hub  50  about the axis, turning the rotor. The moving element is forced out through the relief outlet  40  at the relief aperture  60 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with an exploded view of the relief outlet  40 . The embodiment shown in this figure comprises a straight conical shaped capture body  10 , but it may be curved around the hub  50 . Other shapes that allow entry into, and surround a portion of the moving element can be used; those skilled in the art would recognize that a deltoid, rectangular, square, rounded or ovate shape would also allow for capture of the element. The element flow direction at intake  80  is depicted by the arrow so marked. As flow moves into the increasingly narrow capture body  10  towards the apex  20 , it is concentrated, and builds pressure, applying force on the rotor that turns it. The pressurized element is then released through the relief aperture  60  of the relief outlet  40  within the relief body  65 . The exploded view depicted within the circle shown in  FIG. 2  shows the relief outlet  40  of this conical embodiment. The relief outlet  40  and body  65  follow the contours of the capture body  10  itself, and the relief body  65  is cut out from or mounted onto the capture body  10 , and opens to the capture body  10 . The element moves from inside the capture body  10  to outside it through the relief aperture  60  with element flow direction at relief outlet  40  as shown by the arrow at reference number  90 . 
     A method of use for the invention comprises mounting the capture device on a traditional and commercially available hub  50  or other structure capable of interface with the rotor of a wind or water power generation system. A plurality of capture devices may be so mounted. This embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 3 . Multiple mounted capture devices are disposed at a distance from each other calculated to optimize fluid element capture based on the conditions at the site used, including typical wind or water speed. The mounted capture device, hub  50 , and related power generation equipment is placed in the path of the moving fluid element, where it flows into the capture body  10  through the intake aperture  30 , down though the body and exits the relief outlet  40  through the relief aperture  60 . Multiple mounted capture devices around a circular huh  50  allow for capture of the fluid element from every possible direction, and may be stacked upon the rotor shaft to increase power generation potential. 
     While the description above discloses preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is contemplated that numerous variations and modifications of the invention are possible and are considered to be within the scope of the claims that follow.