Abstract:
A method and apparatus related to the utilization of flowing medium is provided including a turbine blade comprising at least one protrusion along at least a portion of a surface of said blade and a twisted portion.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/538,318, titled “Methods and Devices for Utilizing Flowing Power”, filed on Jan. 21, 2004, which is hereby fully incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to methods and devices for producing energy. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The term “alternative energy” may refer to energy produced by sources that are not based on the burning of fossil fuels or the splitting of atoms. Some examples of alternative energy are water and wind power. 
         [0004]    Modern turbines fall into two basic groups, horizontal axis turbine designs and vertical axis turbine (VAT) designs. Horizontal axis turbines have blades that spin in a vertical plane like airplane propellers. The blades utilized in a horizontal axis design typically have a special shape that allow them to move more rapidly over one side when fluid passes over them. This creates a low-pressure area behind the blade and a high-pressure area in front of the blade, which produces a lift force. This pressure differential causes the blades to spin. 
         [0005]    The blades of certain vertical axis machines work on the same lift-based principles as horizontal axis machine. In a vertical axis machine, however, the blades spin in a plane that is parallel to the ground like an eggbeater. The shape of the blades causes a pressure differential when the fluid passes over them, which causes the entire assembly to spin. Turbines are made in a variety of sizes, and therefore can be created for different power ratings. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  depicts a side view of a VAT of one embodiment the present application having flared and twisted blades. 
           [0007]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict a blade for use in a VAT of one embodiment the present application having a flared portion and showing the twist of the blade. 
           [0008]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  depict a blade for use in a VAT of one embodiment the present application having the flared portion, ridges for resistance, and showing the twist of the blade. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  depict a VAT of one embodiment the present application having a space between the blades that allows unobstructed flow through the center of the VAT. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  depict a blade for use in a VAT of one embodiment the present application having dimples on the outside surface of the blade. 
       
    
    
     DEFINITIONS 
       [0011]    Actuator: a device that causes the operation of an electrical or mechanical device to perform work, including, but not limited to a rotor, an actuator, a mill, or a generator. 
         [0012]    Brake: device used for stopping an action or component. 
         [0013]    Cut in Speed: the wind speed to initiate turning the blades of a wind turbine. 
         [0014]    Cut out Speed: the wind speed at which a braking system on a wind turbine will feather or stop the blades from turning. 
         [0015]    Gear box: a component of the power train for converting power of the VAT into power to turn the generator. 
         [0016]    Gigawatt (GW): a measure of electricity; one Gigawatt equals one million watts. 
         [0017]    Inverter: an electronic mechanism to vary the frequency of alternating current produced by the generator. 
         [0018]    Kilowatt (kW): a measure of electricity; one Kilowatt equals one thousand watts. 
         [0019]    Megawatt (MW): a measure of electricity; one thousand Kilowatts equals one Megawatt. 
         [0020]    Nacelle: the cowling or housing which covers the generator, brakes and gears of a wind-turbine. 
         [0021]    Penstock: the pipeline that delivers water to a water-turbine. 
         [0022]    Vertical Axis Turbine (VAT): a turbine on which the blades revolve around a vertical (up and down) axis; often compared to eggbeaters in appearance. 
         [0023]    VAT Generator a device which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy and may be of any type including, but not limited to, synchronous and asynchronous generators and can have multiple poles, such as, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 or more poles. 
         [0024]    Wind Turbine Tower: the tower of a wind turbine that supports a VAT and can carry a generator or other assembly to do work. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, construction materials and flow mediums described herein and as such may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which will be limited only by the appended claims. 
         [0026]    As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a “blade” is a reference to one or more such blades and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. 
         [0027]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices and materials are now described. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a VAT of the present application is depicted having flared and twisted blades  20 . This particular embodiment depicts two blades; however, other embodiments may include more than two blades. The blades  20  are coupled to upper and lower end plates  10  and  15 , respectively. In one embodiment, blades  20  are made of sturdy yet flexible material that is adapted to withstand both vibration and fatigue. In one embodiment, blades  20  are symmetrically opposed and are each part of a “hemisphere.” Blades  20  may be straight or curved. In one embodiment, curved blades are concaved on the inside surfaces of blades  20 . 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, end plates  10  and  15  may have slots that are configured to interact with the ends of blades  20  to keep blades  20  in place. In other embodiments, such as that shown in  FIG. 1 , a central shaft in conjunction with end plates  10  and  15  may be used to keep blades  20  in place. End plates  10  and  15  may be made of any sturdy material that resists vibration and atmospheric elements. In one embodiment, end plates  10  and  15  may be made from carbon fiber. In other embodiments, end plates  10  and  15  may be made of fiber-reinforced thermoplast, plastic, fiberglass, metal, epoxy, or other similar materials with similar properties. Lower end plate  15  may be connected to shaft  50 , which extends from lower end plate  15  through rotor  60  and stator  70  inside generator cover  80 . 
         [0030]    In various embodiments, shaft  50  may be made of a hardened metal or sturdy composite and rotate within upper bearing  40  and lower bearing  45 . In one embodiment, shaft  50  may be the central axis of the turbine and may be at least as long as blades  20 . Upper and lower bearings  40  and  45  may also facilitate rotation of rotor  60  with respect to stator  70 . Rotor  60  and stator  70  may interact within generator cover  80  and may rotate about shaft  50 . Centrifugal shield  30  protects the portion of shaft  50  that may be located within upper and lower bearing  40  and  45  and rotor and stator  60  and  70 , respectively. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, centrifugal shield  30 , bearings  40  and  45 , shaft  50 , rotor  60  and stator  70  comprise the generator portion of the VAT and may be generally covered to prevent damage from exposure to the atmosphere. In the embodiments disclosed in the present application, generator refers to the portion of the embodiment that generates or transmits power and may be more broadly termed as an actuator. In one embodiment, rotor  60  may be connected to an actuator. The actuator may be a generator, a mill, a pump, or any other device that performs work. In one embodiment, the rotor may have at least one gear that is a part of a gear box (not shown). In various embodiments, the gear box may have a range of rotation of about 2:1, about 3:1, about 4:1, about 5:1, about 6:1, about 7:1, about 8:1, about 9:1, to about 10:1. In various embodiments, the rotor may be adapted to have a pulley, a sprocket and the like. 
         [0032]    When blades  20  are exposed to a flowing medium such as air or water, for example, the force of the flowing medium may cause them to rotate. As blades  20  turn, the forces against them may rotate between hemispheres, creating continual rotation as the blades  20  are exposed to the flowing medium. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  depicts one embodiment of the blades used in the VAT of the present application. In this embodiment the blades are both flared and twisted. The middle portion  90  of blade  20  has a wider diameter, or flare, allowing more swept area. This may result in greater power production. The flared portion of the blade may impart improved performance to the blade, which may be attributable to factors such as a greater surface area and a greater transfer of energy from one blade to another blade in the turbine. The flare may be exactly in the middle of blade  20  or may be distributed about the middle portion. Blade  20  also preferably has a twist  95 . Twist  95  may be twisted at an angle from about 95 degrees to about 180 degrees. In the embodiment shown, there are two blades  20  that have a 180-degree twist  95 . In an alternative embodiment, three blades  20  may be provided, each having a 120-degree twist  95 . Because the blades are symmetrically opposed, the sum of their angles may be 360 degrees. Hence, in still another embodiment, there may be 4 blades, each with a 90-degree twist  95 . Twist  95  may be a linear twist through the entire shape of blade  20 , regardless of its height. Twist  95  may be distributed evenly along the length of blade  20 . In other embodiments, twist  95  may be distributed unevenly or may be twisted immediately before an end plate. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  depicts another embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, one or more of blades  20  have ridges  100 , also referred to as “fish scales”. Ridges  100  are shaped to curve in one direction. The curve of ridges  100  may trap and slows the flow medium in one direction but allows the flow medium to flow more freely in the opposite directions. Such control of medium flow may achieve more torque and produce more power. Blades  20  may have ridges along the entire length of blades  20  or in discrete sections of blades  20 . Blades  20  may be adapted to have any number of ridges. In some embodiments, ridges  100  may be at least partially recessed on a surface of blades  20 . In other embodiments, ridges  100  may at least partially protrude from a surface of blades  20 . Ridges  100  may be on the interior or exterior portions of blades  20 , and may be placed at any angle, vertically or horizontally along the blade  20 .  FIG. 3  also shows twist  95 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  depicts still another embodiment of a VAT. In this embodiment, the assembly does not have a central shaft. Blades  20  fit into upper and lower end plates  110  and  115 . Upper and lower end plates  110  and  115  are may be configured to have slots  120  and  125 . Upper and lower end plates  110  and  115  may be made of any sturdy material that resists vibration and atmospheric elements. In a one embodiment, upper and lower end plates  110  and  115  are made from carbon fiber. In other embodiments, upper and lower end plates  110  and  115  may be made of fiber-reinforced thermoplast, plastic, fiberglass, metal, epoxy, or other similar materials with similar properties. In an alternative embodiment, the slots  120  and  125  may be substituted with molded flanges. In another embodiment, an adhesive, such as methylacrylate may be used to provide a secondary means of attachment between blades  20  and end plates  110  and  115 . In an embodiment of the present application without a shaft, medium flow between the hemispheres is less turbulent, which may generate power more efficiently because there is no obstruction in the flow path. In this embodiment, blades  20  preferably overlap each other at approximately the central axis of rotation. There may be a space between blades  20  where they overlap. 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  depicts an embodiment in which blades  20  have dimples  130 . In this embodiment, the dimples may provide improved performance of the blade. This improved performance of the blade may be attributable to improving the flight of the blade through the air. The flight of a blade having dimples is analogous to the improved flight characteristics observed with a golf ball having a dimpled surface. The dimples may be uniform or variable in dimension, and may be placed according to a predetermined pattern or randomly placed on the blade. 
         [0037]    Various other embodiments of the present application may include other dimpled surfaces. For example, in one embodiment, the dimples may be raised simples. Thus, in various embodiments, the dimples may be either concave or convex. In other embodiments a combination of concave dimples, convex dimples and ridges may occur. 
         [0038]    The turbine described in the present application may be mounted on a variety of supports. Such supports may include a post, tripod, tower, roof mount, deck, dock, floating platform or slab. Embodiments of turbines of the present application may be mounted on a surface to provide an angle within a range of approximately 90 to approximately 180 degrees with respect to the surface upon which it is mounted. Embodiments of turbines of the present application may also be used in conjunction with a wind augmentation device to increase the amount of medium that the turbine is exposed to. Such augmentation devices may include an airfoil, a wind guide, a focus array, or any mechanical equivalent. 
         [0039]    Embodiments of the turbines of the present application may be any size. Size may be best determined by a target amount of output energy/power, which is a factor of the turbine size and medium flow. Below are exemplary turbine energy/power outputs calculated based upon size, velocity, and target output. For example, Table 1 shows residential turbine energy/power outputs for smaller turbines that can be used to generate power on a smaller scale. 
         [0040]    The RC4v (cb) is a turbine that has a blade set that is four (4) meters in length. This unit was designed for residential use with the size being dictated by, among other things, potential height restrictions and zoning standards. Based on the swept area of the unit and its projected output capabilities, it generates enough electricity to power the average American home during the course of a year at an average wind speed of 9 mph. This unit may be sited at or on the home and connected to the home through an inverter and then through the meter of the home to the grid. Net metering laws in place through local utilities would apply for energy buy back when the unit provides more power than what is required by the site. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Residential Turbine Outputs RC-4v (cb) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Velocity 
                 Velocity 
                 Annual 
                 Annual 
               
               
                 met/sec 
                 mph 
                 Output in Watts 
                 Output in KWH 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 2 
                 4.5 
                 1030 
                 9023 
               
               
                 3 
                 6.7 
                 1545 
                 13534 
               
               
                 4 
                 9.0 
                 2060 
                 18046 
               
               
                 5 
                 11.2 
                 2575 
                 22557 
               
               
                 6 
                 13.4 
                 3090 
                 27068 
               
               
                 7 
                 15.7 
                 3605 
                 31580 
               
               
                 8 
                 17.9 
                 4120 
                 36091 
               
               
                 9 
                 20.2 
                 4635 
                 40603 
               
               
                 10 
                 22.4 
                 5150 
                 45114 
               
               
                 11 
                 24.6 
                 5665 
                 49625 
               
               
                 12 
                 26.9 
                 6180 
                 54137 
               
               
                 13 
                 29.1 
                 6695 
                 58648 
               
               
                 14 
                 31.4 
                 7210 
                 63160 
               
               
                 15 
                 33.6 
                 7725 
                 67671 
               
               
                 16 
                 35.8 
                 8240 
                 72182 
               
               
                 17 
                 38.1 
                 8755 
                 76694 
               
               
                 18 
                 40.3 
                 9270 
                 81205 
               
               
                 19 
                 42.6 
                 9785 
                 85717 
               
               
                 20 
                 44.8 
                 10300 
                 90228 
               
               
                 21 
                 47.0 
                 10815 
                 94739 
               
               
                 22 
                 49.3 
                 11330 
                 99251 
               
               
                 23 
                 51.5 
                 11845 
                 103762 
               
               
                 24 
                 53.8 
                 12360 
                 108274 
               
               
                 25 
                 56.0 
                 12875 
                 112785 
               
               
                 26 
                 58.2 
                 13390 
                 117296 
               
               
                 27 
                 60.5 
                 13905 
                 121808 
               
               
                 28 
                 62.7 
                 14420 
                 126319 
               
               
                 29 
                 65.0 
                 14935 
                 130831 
               
               
                 30 
                 67.2 
                 15450 
                 135342 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0041]    The RC6v was designed as a Commercial Unit. Table 2 shows turbine energy/power outputs for turbines that may be used to generate power on a larger scale. This unit has a blade set that is six (6) meters in length. The output may be significantly higher than the four (4) meter unit due to its increased swept area. This unit was designed to be installed on commercial structures ranging from skyscrapers to industrial parks to large mansion type homes. It may be installed in “suites” or groups of units to provide enough power for the needs of the structure. An average wind speed of 9 mph was used for the rating as this is a low wind speed average and proves the efficiency of the unit. This unit may be sited at or on the structure and connected to the structure through an inverter and then through the meter of the structure to the grid. Net metering laws in place through local utilities would apply for energy buy back when the unit provides more power than what is required by the site, 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Commercial Turbine Outputs RC 6v model 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Velocity 
                 Velocity 
                 Annual 
                 Annual 
               
               
                 met/sec 
                 mph 
                 Output in Watts 
                 Output in KWH 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 2 
                 4.5 
                 2,308 
                 20,218 
               
               
                 3 
                 6.7 
                 3,462 
                 30,327 
               
               
                 4 
                 9.0 
                 4,616 
                 40,436 
               
               
                 5 
                 11.2 
                 5,770 
                 50,545 
               
               
                 6 
                 13.4 
                 6,924 
                 60,654 
               
               
                 7 
                 15.7 
                 8,078 
                 70,763 
               
               
                 8 
                 17.9 
                 9,232 
                 80,872 
               
               
                 9 
                 20.2 
                 10,386 
                 90,981 
               
               
                 10 
                 22.4 
                 11,540 
                 101,090 
               
               
                 11 
                 24.6 
                 12,694 
                 111,199 
               
               
                 12 
                 26.9 
                 13,848 
                 121,308 
               
               
                 13 
                 29.1 
                 15,002 
                 131,418 
               
               
                 14 
                 31.4 
                 16,156 
                 141,527 
               
               
                 15 
                 33.6 
                 17,310 
                 151,636 
               
               
                 16 
                 35.8 
                 18,464 
                 161,745 
               
               
                 17 
                 38.1 
                 19,618 
                 171,854 
               
               
                 18 
                 40.3 
                 20,772 
                 181,963 
               
               
                 19 
                 42.6 
                 21,926 
                 192,072 
               
               
                 20 
                 44.8 
                 23,080 
                 202,181 
               
               
                 21 
                 47.0 
                 24,234 
                 212,290 
               
               
                 22 
                 49.3 
                 25,388 
                 222,399 
               
               
                 23 
                 51.5 
                 26,542 
                 232,508 
               
               
                 24 
                 53.8 
                 27,696 
                 242,617 
               
               
                 25 
                 56.0 
                 28,850 
                 252,726 
               
               
                 26 
                 58.2 
                 30,004 
                 262,835 
               
               
                 27 
                 60.5 
                 31,158 
                 272,944 
               
               
                 28 
                 62.7 
                 32,312 
                 283,053 
               
               
                 29 
                 65.0 
                 33,466 
                 293,162 
               
               
                 30 
                 67.2 
                 34,620 
                 303,271 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0042]    The RC40v is a turbine that was designed for wind farm installations. Table 3 shows turbine energy/power outputs for turbines that may be used to generate power in area such as a wind farm. The RC40v has a blade set length of 40 meters with a total structure height of approximately 250 feet. This unit was designed to be installed in a wind farm setting with other units of its size, for example, in a new development or to retrofit existing, aging wind farms. The industrial power of this unit may be fed into a substation along with the output of the other units in the farm and then the power may be brokered on the open market. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Turbine Outputs &amp; Revenues RC-40 “V” Models 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Velocity 
                 Velocity 
                 Annual 
                 Annual 
               
               
                 met/sec 
                 mph 
                 Output in Watts 
                 Output in KWH 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 2 
                 4.5 
                 102,532 
                 898,180 
               
               
                 3 
                 6.7 
                 153,798 
                 1,347,270 
               
               
                 4 
                 9.0 
                 205,064 
                 1,796,361 
               
               
                 5 
                 11.2 
                 256,330 
                 2,245,451 
               
               
                 6 
                 13.4 
                 307,596 
                 2,694,541 
               
               
                 7 
                 15.7 
                 358,862 
                 3,143,631 
               
               
                 8 
                 17.9 
                 410,128 
                 3,592,721 
               
               
                 9 
                 20.2 
                 461,394 
                 4,041,811 
               
               
                 10 
                 22.4 
                 512,660 
                 4,490,902 
               
               
                 11 
                 24.6 
                 563,926 
                 4,939,992 
               
               
                 12 
                 26.9 
                 615,192 
                 5,389,082 
               
               
                 13 
                 29.1 
                 666,458 
                 5,838,172 
               
               
                 14 
                 31.4 
                 717,724 
                 6,287,262 
               
               
                 15 
                 33.6 
                 768,990 
                 6,736,352 
               
               
                 16 
                 35.8 
                 820,256 
                 7,185,443 
               
               
                 17 
                 38.1 
                 871,522 
                 7,634,533 
               
               
                 18 
                 40.3 
                 922,788 
                 8,083,623 
               
               
                 19 
                 42.6 
                 974,054 
                 8,532,713 
               
               
                 20 
                 44.8 
                 1,025,320 
                 8,981,803 
               
               
                 21 
                 47.0 
                 1,076,586 
                 9,430,893 
               
               
                 22 
                 49.3 
                 1,127,852 
                 9,879,984 
               
               
                 23 
                 51.5 
                 1,179,118 
                 10,329,074 
               
               
                 24 
                 53.8 
                 1,230,384 
                 10,778,164 
               
               
                 25 
                 56.0 
                 1,281,650 
                 11,227,254 
               
               
                 26 
                 58.2 
                 1,332,916 
                 11,676,344 
               
               
                 27 
                 60.5 
                 1,384,182 
                 12,125,434 
               
               
                 28 
                 62.7 
                 1,435,448 
                 12,574,524 
               
               
                 29 
                 65.0 
                 1,486,714 
                 13,023,615 
               
               
                 30 
                 67.2 
                 1,537,980 
                 13,472,705 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0043]    While the above detailed description describes various embodiment of the present invention, it should be understood that the present invention is susceptible to modification, variation and alteration without deviating from the scope and fair meaning of the subjoined claims.