Abstract:
A modular, electricity generating apparatus comprises an elongate, central member comprising a first end and a second end; at least one foil disposed about the central member in fluid interacting relation thereto; the first end and the second end dimensioned and configured to be connected to a connecting node; and, the elongate central member at least partially comprised of an electrically conductive material and configured to conduct electrical electricity from at least one of the connecting nodes to the other of the connecting nodes.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/444,306 filed on Apr. 11, 2012 and set to mature in U.S. Pat. No. 8,932,005 on Jan. 13, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is directed toward electricity generating apparatus, and particularly, those apparatus that are modular in nature and may be assembly into electricity generating assemblies for enhanced electricity production. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Electricity generating devices which are powered by wind or passing fluid which operate via vertical rotor are known within the art. For example a savonius-type rotor generally includes a foil disposed in parallel alignment with the central rotor. Additionally, such rotors only work in a vertical or horizontal position whereby they are typically used as singular structures, with no modular or constructive features. Additionally, efficiency is significantly decreased if the passing fluid is not substantially perpendicular to the foil of such a savonius-type rotor. 
     The present invention addresses these problems, and others known in the art, by providing a electricity generating apparatus, powered by wind or other passing fluid, which is both modular and scalable in nature and configured to produce electricity regardless of the wind or fluid direction relative to its central axis. Additionally, the present invention may be utilized as a structural assembly component, thereby providing auxiliary sources of electricity production in locations heretofore not possible, such as, within a truss of a bridge or a tower, enclosed spaces and the like. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the present invention is an electricity generating apparatus. The apparatus is modular in nature, as well as scalable in dimension. The apparatus includes an elongate central member about which a foil is disposed. The foil may be configured to interact with a passing fluid such that a force is generated on the foil via the passage of the fluid. When the central member is rotatably mounted between two fixed points, the force generated by the passage of fluid may induce a rotation of the foil and/or central member about a central axis of the apparatus. 
     In at least one embodiment, the foil comprises at least one surface which is disposed helically about the central member. As such, the power generated by the foil is generally independent of the direction of fluid flow relative to the apparatus. This is because the helical configuration allows at least some portion of the surface area of the foil to always be presented to the fluid flow. In other embodiments, any number of a variety of foil configurations may be appropriately utilized. 
     Additional features of certain embodiments of the apparatus include integral electricity generating structure within the apparatus. By way of example, the central member may be comprised of a central stator disposed along the length of the central member. Additionally, a hollow shell may then be rotatably disposed about the central stator and the foil attached to the shell, either unitarily or otherwise. Such a configuration lends itself to the inclusion of the various structures and features of an electrical generator commonly known as a dynamo, alternator, or otherwise, with the central member forming the stator of such a generator and the hollow shell forming the rotor of such a generator. 
     Yet another feature of the present invention is that it is modular and may be constructed into assemblies. For example, a plurality of substantially identical apparatus may be interconnected via a plurality of connecting nodes. A connecting node may, for example, include a collar, into which an end of the apparatus may be inserted for retention therein. Accordingly, a plurality of connecting nodes may be provided with a plurality of apparatus to construct a variety of configurations, such as pyramids, domes, towers, etc. which may be utilized in or as part of self-supporting, as well as external load-supporting, structures. 
     As an alternative embodiment, at least some of the electrical generator structuring may be disposed within the connecting node. By way of example one end of a central member may be rigidly connected to a rotor of an electric generator disposed within the connecting member. As such, when the central member rotates, due to the force of fluid passing the foil, the rotor of the electric generator will rotate accordingly. Alternatively, one end of the central member may form such a rotor and be inserted into receiving relation with a stator disposed inside the connecting node, thereby forming an alternative electric generator. 
     Additionally, in such assemblies as have been described heretofore, each of the connecting nodes and each of the apparatus may contain electrical contacts which may be interconnected, such that the electricity generated by each apparatus of an assembly may be conducted through the entire assembly to a single receptacle point on the assembly, thereby reducing the need to electrically connect each apparatus individually with external electrical contacts. 
     Yet another feature of the present invention is the ability to form structural assemblies from the apparatus and connecting nodes. The apparatus and connecting nodes of the present invention lend themselves to being formed of a variety of materials, plastics, metals, etc. As such, the present invention may be formed of material with sufficient structural integrity so as to allow the assemblies of the present invention to bear weight, for example, structural steel and/or other metals or alloys. Composite materials are also suitable for such an application. 
     Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the apparatus may be formed into weight bearing assemblies, for example, triangular structures, and further assembled into towers, domes, pyramids, bridge structures, enclosed spaces, and the like. As such, the assemblies of the present invention may be used to support external structures, for example, a roadway of a bridge or a roof which may be suspended from an assembly. Alternatively the present invention may be used to form towers such as, radio towers, water towers, etc. 
     In at least one embodiment of a structural assembly, the apparatus includes a rigid connection to each adjacent connecting node such that force may be transferred through adjacent apparatus and connection nodes. In this sense, the apparatus of the structural assemblies may be stressed members when disposed in weight supporting relation to an external structure, such as, but not limited to, a bridge roadway, suspended roof of an enclosed structure, reservoir of a water tower, one or more satellite receivers and/or broadcast antennae, etc. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side plan view of an electricity generating apparatus and connecting nodes according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a foil in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a section plan view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an assembly of apparatus and connecting nodes in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an assembly of apparatus and connecting nodes in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an assembly of apparatus and connecting nodes in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an assembly of apparatus and connecting nodes in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a side section view of one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  depicts an electricity generating apparatus  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus  100  as depicted includes an elongated central member  110 . The central member  110  serves in part to provide a mounting point for the foil  120 , as well as to interconnect the apparatus  100  between connecting nodes  200 . Additionally, the central member  110  may serve as an axle about which the apparatus  100  may rotate. For example, the central member  110  may be disposed in rotatable relation to the connecting nodes  200 . 
     The foil  120  of the present invention is an at least partially rigid structure connected to or disposed on or about the central member  110 . The foil  120  serves to transmit force to the central member  110  via interaction with a fluid travelling past the foil  120 . For purposes of the present invention any of a variety of foil shapes or configurations may suffice, such as a traditional airfoil or other shape. However in the depicted embodiment, the foil  120  is comprised of at least one helical surface  121  which is disposed about the central member  110 . As such, at least a portion of the foil is always presented to the passing fluid, which allows for smoother force input to the central member, and accordingly, smoother power input. Additionally, the foil  120  may comprise a tapered configuration, as at  122 , such that adjacently disposed foils  100  of adjacently disposed apparatus  100  do not collide, as will be explained further below. 
       FIG. 2  provides a top plan view of a foil  110  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention such that the general shape and configuration may be presented. 
       FIG. 3  presents a section plan view of a foil  120  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 , such that the general shape and configuration may be similarly presented. Accordingly, a cross-section of the foil  120  is presented. As can be seen, in the depicted embodiment, the cross-sectional area  123  of the foil  120  comprises a central portion  124  that substantially conforms to the central member  110  and gradually tapers toward a trailing edge  125  that is substantially thinner in cross section. It should be appreciated that the depicted embodiment is but one of many possible configurations encompassed by the present invention. One benefit of the depicted embodiment however, is that the enlarged central portion  124  of the foil  120  increases the bending moment resistance of the apparatus  100 . Additionally, the depicted embodiment is capable of producing a low pressure lifting force on the leeward side of the foil  120 , which supplements pressure on the windward side of the foil  120 , thereby increasing the amount of torque produced by the apparatus  100  as it rotates. 
     As another feature of the present invention, a plurality of apparatus  100  may be assembled into an assembly as exemplified in  FIGS. 4 through 7 . With continuing reference to  FIGS. 1, and 4 through 7 , the connecting nodes  200  may serve as junctions with which to interconnect the plurality of apparatus  100 . As such, one embodiment of a connecting node  200  may include a connecting node collar  210  into which an end  130 ,  140  may be disposed. As can further be seen, the tapered configuration  122 , which in the depicted embodiment comprises a reduced radial dimension at the first end  130  and second end  140 , serves to provide clearance between immediately adjacent apparatus  100 . 
     Additionally, the connecting nodes  200  may take any of a variety of desired configurations, as depicted in  FIGS. 4-7 , such configurations being mainly dictated by the shape of the desired assembly, as depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 7 . 
     Now turning to  FIG. 8 , depicted is one embodiment of an apparatus  100  according to the present invention that includes a stator  111  and a shell  112  within the central member  110 . As such, at least a portion of the structure required for an electric generator may be disposed within the central member  110 . Accordingly, the stator  111 , even though stationary in the present invention, may correspond structurally to a rotor as generally implemented in electric motors or generators, as it is centrally located within the central member  110 . Similarly, the shell  112 , even though dynamic, may correspond structurally with a stator as generally implemented in electric motors or generators, as it is disposed about the stator  111  of the present invention. Thus, the stator  111  and shell  112  are comprised of such electrically and/or magnetically conductive material so as to form an electric generator or otherwise take advantage of the known effects of induction when the shell  112  is rotated about the stator  111  in order to produce electricity. It should be understood that the depicted structure merely depicts one embodiment of the present invention and many other embodiments are suitable. For example, any number of electrical generator structure may be disposed within the connecting node  200 . For example, the central member  110  may be configured to rotate within at least a portion of the connecting node  200 , thereby providing a rotor as commonly implemented in electric generators. Additionally, substantially all of the electrical generator structure may be disposed within the connecting node  200 , and the central member  110  rigidly attached to the rotor therein, thereby driving the rotor when the central member  110  is rotated. 
     Furthermore, at least a portion of the central member  110  and connecting node  200  may be fabricated of electrically conductive material and having electrical contacts for electrical interconnection between adjacent central members  110  and connecting nodes  200 . As such, when deployed as an assembly  1000  with a plurality of apparatus  100 , electricity may be drawn from and conducted through each apparatus  100  such that only one exterior electrical connection need be made in order to draw electricity from the assembly. This may be accomplished, for example, by disposing a single electrical receptacle on a predetermined connecting node  200  of the assembly  1000 , and constructing the assembly  1000  such that each successive apparatus  100  and connecting node  200  is disposed in electrical interconnection with the predetermined connecting node  200 . Of course, in alternative embodiments, it may be desirable to utilize multiple electrical receptacles and/or other exterior electrical connections. 
     Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 
     Now that the invention has been described,