INFLATABLE DEVICE FOR CONCENTRATION OF WIND POWER

Abstract: An inflatable, funnel-like device (2) for concentration of wind power and increase of wind velocity in wind power systems, which can fly as an air ship and float as a boat, comprises walls (4, 5) having a space (6) between them which is filled with gas, liquid or other loose material to support the device. The device is provided with means (3) to produce energy, said means comprising a propeller, turbine or rotor, for making it self-supporting with energy.

Description: INFLATABLE DEVICE FOR CONCENTRATION OF WIND POWER Aim of the invention is to increase the possibilities of inflatable, fillable or combined inflatable/fillable funnel¬ like devices, according to my Swedish patent application no 80000144, PCT-application no SE80/00357, to catch the wind from each direction and at different altitudes, and also, to fly as an airship (fig 1) in first hand from the building site (the factory) to the place of using, and also, to float as a boat (fig 2) in first hand when transported from the building-site (the factory) to the place of using. ϊhe invention is explained by the following example construc¬ tion: •* • As in other known funnel-like devices based on the ideas of * Bernuli and Yenturi for concentration of the wind and increa- ■ sing of the velocity of the wind, is the wind (1) meeting the inflatable, fillable or combined inflatable/fillable funnel-like device (2), is concentrated and passes with in¬ creased speed the propeller, rotor or turbine (3). As different from other known funnel-like devices for concent ration of the wind and increasing of the velocity of the wind which are supported by solid materials, is the suggested device (2) supported- by gas, liquid or other loose material (6) filling the space between the walls (4) and (5) which are of flexible type (of balloon- or airshipwall type) . The propeller, rotor or turbine (3) is running the electric generator (7). The electric generator (7) can also in its turn run the propeller or turbine (3) when the device is to be transported as an airship or a boat, on condition that electric power is taken from the complex electric power stati¬ on/heat-pump/electric batteries (12). The diesel- or gasmotor of the complex 1 ) can also be used for running of the heat-pump which heats or cools the gas (6) in the device (2) for up- and downflights when the device is " used as an airship. The heat-pump can. also use the surplus heat from the diesel- or gasmotor for heating of the gas (6) in the device (2) at upflights. The heat-pump can also be used for concentration of the heat when the device is also used as solar collector - by being made in a dark colour. The electric generators (7) ca get electric power from solar cells for forward or rear motion of the device, or from the electric battery complex. The device (2) can be anchored on anchores (8) or other object by help of the wire (9) or other binding construction. The device (2) is turned facing the wind by help of the stabilizors (10), and then, keeps the wind direction (as a wheather vane). The device can have living quarters, hotel, restaurant, e.t.c (11). * (.12) is a motori electric generator, heat-pump and electric "* batteries. The motor can run the heat-pump or the electric generator. ' - The energy produced by the propeller, rotor or turbine (3) when the device (2) is directed facing the wind, can be used directly via heat elements, or, via heat pump, for heating of the gas (6) at upflights of the device (2) when it is functioning as an airship, (and also for forward motion). This heating of the gas (6) is made easier if the device is made in a dark colour * and can absorb the sun energy. The energy from the propeller, turbine, rotor (3) can also be used for cooling of the gas (6), via the heat-pump, at downflights of the device (2). The known funnel-like devices, as the suggested device, have the advantages of being able to use winds of lower velocity, that falling of ice from the propeller is eliminated, and, that the noice from the propeller is considerably reduced since the propeller is partly incapsulated in. the funnel. The known funnel-like devices are however more expensive to build and this is valid in first hand for larger construction A large funnel cast in concrete or made ' of metal is a rela- tively heavy and expensive.device, considerably more expen¬ sive than conventional wind power devices. Further, infla¬ table constructions also absorbs noice better than solid constructions and mechanic waves, such as water waves for instance. Wind power systems is as a rule built on high places, rich in winds and difficult to reach, or, on coasts, and these places often miss means of communications. The transport of building material and personnel to these places is relatively expensive and complicated. To build in open air is difficult and relatively non-produc¬ tive. To be able to build the wind power system ready in a factory, under roof, with highly efficient series production, and then to transport the device ready-made to the place of using, have obvious technical and aconomical advantages. The suggested inflatable device can be build ready in a factory and can be transported folded-up or as an airship or boat to practically any place of using. The suggested inflatable device, which can be folded up, has . a many times smaller volume at transport besides having a many times lower weight, compared to other known devices made of solid materials. Besides its to the environment less disturbing, lower, noice level (since the propeller, rotor or turbine 3 is half-incapsu lated in a sound absorbing funnel) has the suggested device also a more to the environment suitable shape, similar to shapes existing in nature; * for example the shape of a whale (fig 2) when the device is to be used on water surfaces, the shape of a bird (fig 1) when the device is to be used flying or hovering in the air. The artificial whale (fig 2) 100 will not be disturbing with its shape but on the contrary wi be an attraction and a gigantic wheather vane which also can be observed from a long distance. The device can be made as long and broad as possible in order to isolate the noice from the propeller, rotor, tur- 105 bine (3) maximally. .. - The device (2 can, when it is lighter than air, very easily and fast be used for building a wind- power system in moun¬ tain areas, such as mountain passes, mountain valleys, e.t.c which are difficult to reach (fig 3 and fig 3A). 110 The device can then be used as a cover over roads in moun¬ tain passes (fig 3 and 3A), and as an air pontoon bridge (fig 3 and 3A). The device (14), (fig 4 and fig 6), is an inflatable body, for example of"cylinder shape, (which can also fly as a 115 balloon to the place of using), which tightens the wires (or the net), (15), and hangs together with them (or it) as a ruck sack, which can be used for anchoring of the wind power system, an an avalanche control system, and as a solar collector. 120 If an extra inner wall (16) is added to the device (14) is in inflatable pipe (18) made, which can be flewn as a bal¬ loon to the place of using and also can be used as a pipe¬ line. The device (2), (fig 5), can be an energy source for a boat 125 (a suitable shape in this case is the disc-shape), a life- . saving construction in case of a. catastrophe, and, a flying means of transportation from-the boat to places on land. Some of the energy which the device (2) produces can be used for heating of the gas, liquid e.t.c (6) in the device, in 130 order to keep the device (2) free from ice and snow and also to keep the water surroundering the device (2) free from ice and snow. The device (2) can, as other airships and boats, be used as flying or floating living-quarters in areas afflicted by 135 earth quakes.

Claims: AMENDED CLAIMS (received by the International Bureau on 30 March 1983 (30.03.83)) 1 . Using of the known, through ray application PCT/SE80/00357, inflatable/ fillable funnel-like constructions , as for instance a shrouά with flexib walls and no skeleton, for concentration of the wind and increasing of i velocity in windpower systeπi fj for a new special purpose ; running of heat pump by wind energy in a body lighter than air, as for example in the suggested device 2 , in order to by wind energy via heatυump heat or cool the lifting- fluid, as warm air or helium, for increasing or decreasing of the fluid 's lifting power. The heatptnro is at the same time keeping the surface of the body li-rhter than air 2 free from, snow and ice , as a side-effect. 2. Using of heatpimrp for a new special piumose; to heat or to cool the lifting fluid, as warm air or helium, in a body lighter than air, and in this way to increase or decrea.se the fluid""s lifting power. 3. Kethod for anchoring of devices 2 on mountain passes, valleys or waters, fig 3 and 3A; characterized by, that the devices 2 are incaυsulated in net , wires or textile which are anchored in the two sloυing sides of the pass , valley or water , and stretched over the pass or valley builds a bridge , an air pontoon bridge - since the devices 2 have lifting τ>cwer. This bridge can be useful also as protection for the traffic a-ainst sno ice , rain, avalanches and against strong winds in the nass which the construction will brake up . 4. Inflatable , nipe-like device which can be lighter than air, for anchorin of the device 2 (an airship-windnower system) j characterized by, that the infl?tεble rioe-like device 14 (on fig ά) or 18 (on fig 6 and 7) is surround ered by net , wires or textile 15 , which are anchored to the ground and tightened around the devices 2 when the inflatable , pioe-like device 14 or 18 is inflated . The device 14 on fig 4 has only one outer wall 14. The device 18 on fig 6 and has double walls, 14 and 16, enclosing the gas 17. The device 14 or 18 can be useful as avalanche control system, roof, solar collector, plant(forest) protection and means of transportation. 5. Method for using of the devices 2 (fig 5) in combination with ship; characterized by, that the devices 2 are used for transportation of passengers, personnel and goods from the ship and to the ship, including for saving when the ship is in danger, and " , that the devices 2 are suppl ing the ship with energy, for example to a battery complex, so that the ship can be run with electricity. The devices 2 are using the ship as anchoring place. " X EDITORIAL NOTE The applicant failed to renumber the amended claims in accordance with Section 205 of the Administrative Instructions. In the absence of any specific indication from the applicant as to the corres¬ pondence between original and amended claims, these claims are published as filed and as amended.

Inventors: DENEV MARTIN, DENEV, MARTIN
Applicants: DENEV MARTIN, DENEV, MARTIN
Application year: 1982
Main classification: F03D11
IPC codes: F03D1