Abstract:
A device or system for capturing kinetic energy from the flow of air, water or other fluid, from a building&#39;s heating, cooling, ventilation, air conditioning or water system. The device or system comprises placing a energy capturing device in the stream of air, water, or other fluid. The energy capturing device contains a bladed rotor, fan or turbine on a rotatable shaft connected to a power head, alternator or generator. The flow of air, water or other fluid turns the rotor or turbine, which activates the power head to generate line or low voltage electrical energy which is transmitted by wires for re-use, storage or sale to an electric company.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 61/271,701 filed Jul. 24, 2009. The disclosure thereof is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a device, system and method for capturing the kinetic energy from a building&#39;s heating, air conditioning, ventilation and/or water system and converting that energy to electrical energy for re-use or storage. The devices can be installed in residential, commercial and industrial buildings wherever kinetic energy is created by the movement of air, water or other fluid caused by the building&#39;s heating or air conditioning systems, and becomes integral with those systems. 
         [0003]    Nearly every home or commercial building creates energy that is lost or wasted. HVAC and ventilation systems create kinetic energy when air is flowing through air ducts throughout the building. Similarly, forced hot-air heating systems operate by the flow of hot air that has kinetic energy that is not utilized. Window air conditioners, external air-conditioning condensation units and cooling towers also create air flow and thus kinetic energy. Further, internal water systems in buildings create kinetic energy by the movement of water through the pipe system. Such kinetic energy is wasted in that it is not captured and converted to any form that can be reused. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there arises a need for a device or a system that is readily installable in a home or commercial system that captures the kinetic energy from air or water flow. The device needs to be energy efficient such that it is easily activated by the force of the air or water to drive a generator, alternator or power head to create line or low voltage. The device needs to be simple, easy to install, operate and maintain. 
         [0005]    There is also a need for a device or system that converts the kinetic energy from air or water flow into electric energy that can be used, stored or sold to an electric company. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A principle object of the present invention is to provide a device or system that is easily installed in a home or commercial system where kinetic energy is created by the flow or air, water or other fluid. It is also a principle object of the present invention to provide a device or system for capturing the kinetic energy created by the flow of air, water or other fluid and converting that kinetic energy to usable electrical energy. 
         [0007]    The embodiments of the present invention are designed to be installed in the flowing air stream of an HVAC, heating or similar system of any size to capture the energy of the moving air with a fan, squirrel cage, air or rotor bladed turbine connected to a shaft connected to a generator to create line or low voltage. The line voltage is then re-introduced into a home or commercial power system in the same manner that a solar or wind power system is utilized. Thus, the kinetic energy of the flowing air is converted to mechanical and then to electrical energy that can be used or stored. Similarly, embodiments of the present invention are designed to capture the kinetic of the fluid side of a water system using a small turbine encased with an inlet and outlet so the fluid would spin the internal shaft attached to a generator—thus utilizing the flow of water, stream or fluid from a heating or domestic water system. The device would capture the energy created each time the water was run or the boiler was on or the steam came on and would return that energy via the line or low voltage generator back into the home energy system, in the same manner as a solar or wind system. 
         [0008]    In accordance with the above objectives, a device and system for capturing the kinetic energy of flowing air, water or other fluid and converting that kinetic energy to electrical energy is provided. A device and system according to the embodiments of this invention comprises a frame or other support, usually constructed of non-corrodible light-weight metal, that supports an energy capture device such as a fan, squirrel cage, bladed rotor or turbine mounted on a rotatable shaft. The energy capture device can be aligned parallel to the flow of air or water, such that the flow of air or water engages the device on its side or edge, such as when a turbine or squirrel cage is used. Alternatively, when a fan or bladed rotor is used as the energy capture device, the device is aligned perpendicular to the flow of air, water or other fluid, so that the force of the fluid flow engages the device along the broader surface area of the blades, allowing more of the force of the fluid flow to be utilized, maximizing energy capture efficiency. 
         [0009]    The frame may support one or more of the energy capture devices of the within invention. For example, when bladed rotor turbines are used, two or more of the turbines can be positioned along the length of the shaft. The number or turbines used is determined by the length of the shaft and the velocity of the air flow. Moreover, depending on the size dimensions of the system where the device is installed, more than one shaft containing turbines can be used, each shaft being connected to its own generator or power head. 
         [0010]    When the energy capture device is intended for installation into a water or other liquid system, turbine type rotors are preferred. In addition, the frame in these applications comprise an enclosed structure or encasement for containing and directing the low of the liquid. In these embodiments, the turbine is necessarily aligned in the direction of the flow of the liquid. 
         [0011]    For a full understanding of the present invention, reference should now be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an energy capture device system in a residential heating/cooling system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2   a  is a top view of an energy capture device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2   b  is a first side view of an energy capture device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2   b  is second side view of an energy capture device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a side view of an energy capture device system in a water system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5   a  is a side view of an energy capture device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5   b  is a top view of an energy capture device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention for a window air conditioning system; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention for an external air conditioning condenser system; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention, installed in a roof-top cooling system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the  FIGS. 1-9  of the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are designated with the same reference numerals. 
         [0025]    An energy capture device  10  for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy, having features which make it particularly suited for residential or commercial building heating, cooling or water systems is described. The energy capture device generally includes a system for converting the flow of air, water or other fluid, into rotational mechanical motion and further converting the mechanical motion into electrical energy that can be utilized immediately, stored or transported using a conventional electrical wiring system. Accordingly, the energy capture device is installed in a building&#39;s heating/cooling system, or water supply. It will be understood how other energy capture devices may embody the principles and features of this invention. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 1-2   a, b  and  c  illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the energy capture device of the present invention, generally designated by the reference number  10 . The energy capture device  10  comprises a frame  12 , usually made of metal, through which a shaft  14  is positioned horizontally and perpendicular to the flow air. The shaft  14  is rotationally connected to low resistance bearings  18 , which can be selected from those commercially available. A generator or power head  20  is located on at least one end of shaft  14  such that when shaft  14  is rotated, it operates the power head to generate low or line voltage energy. 
         [0027]    Positioned along shaft  14  are fan blades or rotors  22 , aligned perpendicularly to shaft  14  which makes them parallel to the flow of air. At least one rotor  22  is necessary although multiple rotors are preferred, the number depending on the length of the shaft  14  and the particular application of the energy capture device. The flow of air engages the rotors  22  causing them to and therefore shaft  14  spin. When shaft  14  is thus spinning, electrical low or line voltage energy is generated by power head  20 , which is then channeled through wires  24 , and made available to the electrical system of the residence or business, or can be stored in batteries or sold to the electric companies. The amount of electrical energy generated by power head depends on the speed in rpms of shaft  14 , caused by the velocity of the air flow. Further, the power head  20  should be selected to provide high efficiency of conversion of mechanical to electrical energy as well as low resistance of operation of the power head. Thus, if the components of the energy capture device are properly selected, electricity can be generated for even the slightest amount of air flow velocity. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment of the energy capture device  10  installed in a typical residential heating/air conditioning system (“HVAC”). The HVAC system generally comprises an air handler or furnace  26  for heating, and an air conditioning unit  28  having cooling coils  30 . Air is channeled the system by a duct system  36 , which has an intake (or return) duct  32  as well as an outflow. Air flows in the intake  32 , through the furnace  26  and across the coils  30  of the air conditioning unit, and out the outflow  34 . The energy capture device  10  is installed, in this embodiment, above the air conditioning unit  28  and furnace  26 , wherein shaft  14  is positioned horizontally to the direction of the flow of air such that the rotors  22  are aligned parallel to the air flow direction. In this orientation, the air flow  16  engages the rotors  22  from the edge of the rotors  22 , thereby causing rotors  22  to turn and spin shaft  14  which generates low voltage electrical power in power head  20 . This embodiment shows four rotors  22 , although any practical number could be used, and usually depends on the length of shaft  14 . 
         [0029]      FIGS. 2   a, b and c  illustrate an embodiment of the energy capture device  10  itself, as could be employed in an air flow system as described herein or would be known to one of skill in the art. Energy device  10  comprises a frame  12  in which shafts  14  are mounted. Two shafts  14  are shown although any number of shafts  14  could be used depending on the dimensions of frame  12  as well as the air flow parameters of the system in which the device  10  is to be installed. For example, in larger systems or systems with higher velocity air flow, more shafts  14  could be used. Similarly, multiple rotors  22  are positioned perpendicularly along the shafts  14  to be engaged by the flow of air, the number of rotors  22  to be determined by the dimensions of the frame  12  and the velocity of the air flow.  FIG. 2   a  is a top view of this embodiment while  FIGS. 2   b  and  2   c  illustrate alternate side views.  FIG. 2   c  shows one side of frame  12  on which multiple power heads  20  are positioned at the ends of shafts  14 . Wires  24  extend from power heads  20  to transmit the electricity generated to its intended use.  FIG. 2   b  shows the frame side opposite to that shown in  FIG. 2   c , on which there are bearings  18  at this end of shafts  14 . 
         [0030]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate an embodiment of the energy capture device of the within invention in the form of a turbine  40  designed to capture energy from the flow of water or other liquid, with  FIG. 3  being a side view and  FIG. 4  being a front view. The turbine  40  comprises a circular encasement  44  that contains the flow of water. Encasement  44  contains an inlet  46  and an outlet  48  through which water flows in direction  38 . Mounted within encasement  44  is a bladed turbine  42  which is mounted on shaft  14  perpendicularly to the flow of the water, so that the flow of the water causes the bladed turbine  42  to rotate. The speed of rotation of the bladed turbine  42  is governed by the water pressure at the inlet side  46  of the device. The shaft  14  is mounted on bearings  18  at each end of shaft  14 . A power head  20  is connected at one end of shaft  14 , such that the rotation of shaft  14  activates power head  20  and causes the conversion of the rotational energy of shaft  18  into electrical energy, which is collected through wires  24 . 
         [0031]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  depict an embodiment of the energy capture device  10  of the within invention for installation into a flowing air stream in a horizontal or flat orientation with respect to the air flow such that the air flow engages the device along a much broader surface area. Similar to other embodiments described herein, the energy capture device  10  comprises a frame  12  and a shaft  14  on which is positioned a bladed rotor turbine  22  which, when contacted by the flowing air, causes the rotor turbine and the shaft to spin. The shaft  14  is held in place at the center of the frame  12  by a support arm  50  at each end of the shaft  14 . Each support arm  50  contains a bearing  18  into which each end of the shaft  14  is inserted, allowing for free rotation of the shaft. A power head  20  is also positioned on at least one end of the shaft  14 . When shaft  14  is spun by the airflow, the power head  20  is activated and low voltage electrical energy is generated. 
         [0032]    As depicted in  FIG. 5   a , a side view of this embodiment, the energy capture device  10  is positioned perpendicularly to the direction of the flow of air  16 . One advantage of this embodiment is that larger turbine or fan blades may be used than in other embodiments. Thus, in this position, the airflow is directed to the broader surface of the rotor turbine blades thereby providing a maximum efficiency of the kinetic force of the airflow to spin the turbine. As in other embodiments, the amount of electrical energy generated is determined by the velocity of the airflow and therefore the speed of the turbine. 
         [0033]    For larger airshafts such as may be found in commercial buildings or warehouses, multiple units of the energy capture device of  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  may be combined in a single frame  12  ( FIG. 6 ). This solves the problem of not having to manufacture a single large rotor turbine, that may to too expensive or cumbersome to operate as efficiently than a smaller unit. A further advantage is that multiple power heads  20  would be used, thus increasing the amount of electrical energy generated over the use of a single turbine with a power head. When multiple energy capture units are used in this manner, the frame  12  is not an entirely open structure, but generally comprises a solid piece  52 , usually metal, containing openings  54  for the rotor turbines  22 . In this manner, the air flow is directed to the turbines  22  and is not lost in open spaces between them. 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  depicts an embodiment of the energy capture device  10  of the within invention installed in a window air conditioning unit such as is found in many residences and offices. In this embodiment, a bladed rotor turbine  22  is positioned at the exhaust end of the air conditioner housing  56 , and can be held in place by supports  58  or other similar means. The rotor turbine  22  is of the same design and construction as depicted in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b . Similarly, the energy capture device of this invention can be mounted on the housing  60  of an outside air conditioner condenser unit, as seen in  FIG. 8 . In this embodiment, a rotor turbine may be used or an alternator/generator  62  can be attached to the exhaust fan of the a/c unit housing  60 , wherever there is the best velocity of airflow. 
         [0035]      FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment of the invention mounted at the top, or exhaust, of a rooftop chiller or cooling tower.  66 . The cooling tower  66  contains chiller coils  64  arranged generally in a “V” formation, with air flow  16  coming in from the sides and exiting through an opening at the top of the coils  64 . The energy capture device of this embodiment can be in the form of the rotor turbine of  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , mounted by supports  58  in the space at the top of the coils  64 , causing the exhaust air to spin the rotor turbine  22 , which is connected to the alternator/generator device  62  to generate electricity. 
         [0036]    The preceding preferred embodiments are illustrative of the practice of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that other expedients known to those of skill in the art, or disclosed herein, may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.