Patent Abstract:
Thermal wind turbines capable of capturing energy from both blowing wind, and rising air heated by sunlight or another source of heat. The thermal wind turbine is equipped with two turbines, one optimized for receiving rising air, and the other optimized for receiving lateral winds. These turbines are installed into a housing designed to funnel air effectively through both turbines. The housings equipped with adjustable louvers for optimizing flow through the turbine system as wind and heat conditions vary.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to clean sustainable energy generation. In particular, turbines for capture of both wind and thermal energy for conversion into electricity are described. 
         [0002]    Green sustainable energy generation is of critical importance as our world accelerates transition from fossil fuels to clean energy as part of the ongoing effort to stem worsening climate change, and reliance on foreign sources for importing energy supplies. Part of the portfolio of possible green energy sources in wind power. Utilities across the country have invested substantial sums in establishing large farms for capturing and generating power from the wind. However, known wind turbines are not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed. For example, existing wind turbines rely almost exclusively upon blowing wind for energy generation, and are ineffective when the wind comes to a standstill. For this reason, energy companies cannot rely exclusively on wind power, but must resort to types of base load power generation in situations where the wind may not be blowing, yet there is abundant sunshine. 
         [0003]    Conversely, solar generating systems do not rely upon wind, but are ineffective at night, and of reduced effectiveness during dark or overcast days. A combination of wind and solar power can cover both contingencies, however, such an implementation increases cost as two wholly different modes of energy generation must be built. 
         [0004]    Thus, there exists a need for wind turbines that improve upon and advance the design of known wind turbines. Examples of new and useful thermal wind turbines relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present disclosure is directed to a thermal wind turbine that is capable of capturing energy from both blowing wind, and rising air heated by sunlight or another source of heat. The thermal wind turbine is equipped two turbines, one optimized for receiving rising air, and the other optimized for receiving lateral winds. These turbines are installed into a housing designed to funnel air effectively through both turbines. The housing is equipped with adjustable louvers for optimizing flow through the turbine system as wind and heat conditions vary. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an example of a thermal wind turbine, showing the interior structures. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the thermal wind turbine shown in  FIG. 1  depicting the profile of the upper turbine blades and associated one-way ratcheting mechanism. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a cutaway side view of the thermal wind turbine shown in  FIG. 1  depict the relation of the upper and lower turbines. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  an exploded view of the thermal wind turbine shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    The disclosed thermal wind turbines will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skillet in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description. 
         [0011]    Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various thermal wind turbines are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example. 
         [0012]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , an example of a thermal wind turbine, thermal wind turbine  100 , will now be described. Thermal wind turbine  100  functions to capture energy both from wind, as well as thermal energy through heated rising air. Thermal wind turbine  100  ideally is designed to keep both wind and heated rising air separate as much as possible until passing through a series of turbines, so as to optimize energy transfer. The reader will appreciate from the figures and description below that thermal wind turbine  100  addresses shortcomings of conventional wind turbines. 
         [0013]    For example, by harnessing energy from both moving air and/or heated rising air, thermal wind turbine  100  can generate electricity during times when little wind is blowing, but abundant heated air is present. The converse holds true as well, with thermal wind turbine  100  being able to capture energy from wind alone when there is relatively little heated air, such as during cooler but windy conditions, as might be experienced at night. This ability to generate power from dual energy sources within a single generating facility dramatically reduces costs that would otherwise be incurred by having to build both wired and solar facilities. 
         [0014]    Further, by keeping wind and heated air separate until just prior to passing through the turbine stages, thermal wind turbine  100  maximizes efficiency of energy capture, as the rising motion of the heated air joins moving air from wind that has been directed in the same path of travel as the heated air. Thus, the heated air is protected from cooler wind that is moving at a direction perpendicular to naturally rising heated air. 
         [0015]    In  FIG. 1 , thermal wind turbine  100  includes a housing  102 , which is further comprised of a lower housing section  104  and an upper housing section  106 . The lower and upper housing sections  104 ,  106  define an internal cavity  108 . Lower housing section  104  and upper housing sections both include a plurality of openings  110  disposed so as to allow air to flow from outside lower housing section  104 , through internal cavity  108 , and escape internal cavity  108  through upper housing section  106 . A turbine assembly  112  is contained within upper housing section  106  in internal cavity  108 . Turbine assembly  112  is positioned within internal cavity  108  so as to interact with the air flowing through internal cavity  108 . 
         [0016]    As is demonstrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , lower housing section  104  is substantially frustoconical in shape, with the upper, narrower portion of lower housing section  104  being sued so as to receive upper housing section  106 . Lower housing section  104  is open on its upper end to allow air to flow through to upper housing section  106 . Upper housing section  106  is substantially cylindrical in shape, and is hollow on each end to receive airflow and exhaust it out the top of housing  102 . The conjunction of lower housing section  104  and upper housing section  106  creates continuous internal cavity  108 . Lower housing section  104  and upper housing section  106  can be constructed from metal, wood, plastic, composites, a combination of materials, or any other suitable material that is capable of supporting the internal structures while absorbing the load of winds while in use. Furthermore, lower housing section  104  and upper housing section  106  can be manufactured from different materials. Upper housing section  106  attaches and secures to lower housing section  104  by any method that allows for a secure air-tight fit. Alternatively, lower housing section  104  and upper housing section  106  can be manufactured as a single piece housing  102 . 
         [0017]    Housing  102  is preferably manufactured from a transparent or translucent material so as to allow for transfer of solar energy to heat the ground underneath thermal wind turbine  100 , maximizing the amount of heated air fed into thermal wind turbine  100 . 
         [0018]    One each of plurality of openings  110  are located on lower housing section  104  and upper housing section  106 .  FIGS. 1 and 2  show the location of each of plurality of openings  110 , with one of the openings  110  located just above the base of lower housing section  104 , and the second opening  110  located around the top of upper housing section  106 . Each of plurality of openings  110  provides a pathway for air to move into and through internal cavity  108 . Air flow through plurality of openings  110  can be controlled by a plurality of louvers  142  arranged radially around each opening  110 . Louvers  142  are preferably articulated to allow adjustment of each opening  110  with respect to wind direction, and to divert wind through internal cavity  108  at an optimized direction and speed. Thus, louvers  142 , in particular louvers  142  that ring upper housing section  106 , are able to utilize outside id in any direction to him the turbine system. Louvers  142  around lower housing section  104  likewise harness wind force from any direction, but direct it to go upward through internal cavity  108 . The dimension and number of louvers  142  may vary consistent with wind power and force as needed to maximize efficiency. Louvers  142  may be made from similar materials to housing  102 , or differing materials. 
         [0019]    Louvers  142  may be controlled by an automatic control mechanism as is known in the art which receives feedback from instrumentation that determines wind speed and direction and adjusts louvers  142  in response. Louvers  142  may further be individually articulated to create specific channels through housing  102  which direct wind across and/or through the turbine system. 
         [0020]    To aid in efficient use and direction of both and heated air, thermal wind turbine  100  further includes a frustoconical baffle  114  disposed within internal cavity  108  and substantially in lower housing section  104 , below turbine assembly  112 . Frustoconical baffle  114  further defines a hollow interior  116 , a smaller diameter opening  118  disposed proximate to turbine assembly  112 , and that opens to internal cavity  108 , and a larger diameter opening  120  positioned so as to receive outside air flow. Thus, frustoconical baffle  114  sits concentrically within lower housing section  104 . Due to its position within internal cavity  108 , frustoconical baffle  114  has an outer surface  122  that faces internal cavity  108 , disposed apart from and opposite to the interior of internal cavity  108 . 
         [0021]    Upon outer surface  122  are located a plurality of fins  124 , positioned so as to direct air flowing between outer surface  122  and lower housing section  104  into turbine assembly  112 . A substantial lower portion of frustoconical baffle  114  sits opposite to opening  110  located near the base of lower housing section  104 . Louvers  142  on opening  110  direct air onto plurality of fins  124 , which in turn guide the moving air up through internal cavity  108 . Plurality of fins  124  are depicted as being arranged in an essentially helical or spiral pattern in  FIGS. 1 and 4 ; however, the arrangement of plurality of fins  124  may be modified or adjusted to maximize efficient air flow depending upon the size and configuration of thermal wind turbine  100 . Correspondingly, heated air rises into larger diameter opening  120 , passes through hollow interior  116 , and through smaller diameter opening  118  to join with wind moving up through internal cavity  108  over outer surface  122  before reaching the turbine assembly  112 . Frustoconical baffle  114  is manufactured from similar materials as housing  102 . 
         [0022]    A shield  144  disposed immediately below plurality of openings  110  on lower housing section  104  extends radially away from lower housing section  104 . Below shield  144  is a second opening  146  through which heated air may be accepted through larger diameter opening  120  into hollow interior  116 , where it travels up through smaller diameter opening  118  so as to mix with cooler air accepted through opening  110  located on lower housing section  104 . Shield  144  serves to prevent wind from entering into second opening  146 , so that second opening  146  is limited to heated air only. 
         [0023]    Turning to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , turbine assembly  112  is comprised of a upper turbine  126  and a lower turbine  128 , wherein upper turbine  126  and lower turbine both rotate upon a common central shaft  130 . Upper turbine  126  is affixed to common central shaft  130  via a one-way clutch mechanism, such that lower turbine  128  may spin faster than upper turbine  126 , while upper turbine  126  cannot spin faster than lower turbine  128 . The one-way clutch mechanism is preferably comprised of a gear and pawl assembly, the mechanism and operation of which is well-known in the mechanical arts. As depicted, upper turbine  126  is secured to gear  134 , which are mounted atop common central shaft  130  via a bearing that allows common central shaft  130  to rotate independently from the assembly of upper turbine  126  and gear  134 . A plate with pawl  132  is affixed to and rotates with common central shaft  130  and lower turbine  128 . As can be seen, when lower turbine  128  spins aster than upper turbine  126 , the plate with pawl  132  rotates in synchronization with lower turbine  128 , while the pawl skips over teeth of gear  134 . Conversely, when upper turbine reaches the speed of lower turbine  128 , the teeth of gear  134  catches and holds the pawl, thereby imparting rotational force to plate with pawl  132 , common central shaft  130  and lower turbine  128  so as to cause the entire turbine assembly  112  to rotate at a single speed. 
         [0024]    It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the relevant art that one-way clutch mechanism can be implemented using any known method or mechanism for ensuring that lower turbine  128  spins at the same speed or faster than upper turbine  126  that is now known or later developed. 
         [0025]    Common central shaft  130  is mechanically linked to a generator  136  such that rotational energy imparted to common central shaft  130  by either or both turbines is imparted to generator  136 . Generator  136  is any device that can be used to generate electricity that is now known or later developed in the art. Alternatively, generator  136  can be implemented as a power take off for harnessing the raw mechanical power from the turbine assembly  112 . 
         [0026]    Lower turbine  128  is located approximately at the interface between lower housing section  104  and upper housing section  106 , and as such receives a substantially vertical air flow. Lower turbine  128  is preferably equipped with a plurality of adjustable-pitch blades  138 , which can be automatically controlled. Adjustable-pitch blades  138  enable lower turbine  128  to be optimized for harnessing power for either the wind, heated air, or blend of both received from lower housing section  104 . The same controller implemented for controlling plurality of louvers  142  positioned on plurality of openings  110  can coordinate the pitch of adjustable-pitch blades  138  to work in concert with the louvers  142  to optimize airflow through thermal wind turbine  100 . 
         [0027]    Considering  FIGS. 1 and 2 , upper turbine  126  is located near the top of upper housing section  106 , roughly concentrically within opening  110  on upper housing section  106 . At this position upper turbine  126  can capture wind blowing through opening  110  on upper housing section  106  as channeled by plurality of louvers  142 . Accordingly, upper turbine  126  is equipped with a plurality of angled blades  140 , as seen in profile in  FIG. 2 . The shape and positioning of plurality of angled blades  140  is such that wind blowing parallel to the plane of upper turbine  126  imparts rotational force. 
         [0028]    It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the relevant art that upper turbine  126  receives comparably little energy from vertically rising air coming from lower housing section  104 , as understood from the profile of plurality of angled blades  140 . Concurrently, the profile of angled blades  140  is designed to minimize cross section with respect to air rising from lower housing section  104 , to ensure maximal airflow through lower turbine  128 . Energy imparted from rising air is captured by lower turbine  128 . 
         [0029]    A person skilled in the relevant art will further understand that thermal wind turbine  100  can be manufactured a range of sizes, from small models that could fit on a desktop or in a yard, to large scale models that would be suitable for deployment in a commercial power generation facility. Finally, the design of thermal wind turbine  100  is such that its operation will not be substantially affected by covering the various openings with screens. Equipping the openings, such as plurality of openings  110 , with screens will prevent ingestion or ingress of foreign objects that could harm the internal mechanisms of thermal wind turbine  100 , and additionally with prevent possible harm to animals such as birds, fowl, and bats. This protection provides an advantage over existing open-air wind turbines that have been known to cause injury to wildlife. 
         [0030]    The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. 
         [0031]    Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8