Patent Abstract:
A new type of diverging nozzle is used to convert wind energy and subsurface ocean current energy into electrical energy. A new design for an atmospheric engine uses a pressure energy sink created by fluid flow through the small end of the diverging nozzle. An esthetically pleasing and economical way is presented to convert wind energy into electricity. Offshore, no moving parts are employed.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to the conversion of the energy of the wind and subsurface ocean currents into electrical energy. In particular the invention relates to the conversion of pressure energy from these sources into electrical energy.  
         [0003]     2. The Prior Art  
         [0004]     Wind and subsurface ocean currents are fluids possessing mechanical energy. The two relevant components of mechanical energy are pressure energy and kinetic energy. Up to now only some few efforts hve been made to convert the pressure energy of these fluids into electricity. Yet the pressure energy of these two fluids as they naturally occur is far greater than their kinetic energy.  
         [0005]     Hydroelectric turbine generators are a prime example of devices which convert pressure energy into electrical energy. A pressure head is artificially built up in differentiation with the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere. Theoretical power output is calculated as this pressure difference multiplied by the rate of flow.  
         [0006]     The relevant technology for converting the pressure energy of the wind into electrical energy is U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,419 to Roskey. Pressure energy is converted to kinetic energy by using a Venturi flume with the kinetic energy compounded with the use of a manifold. The manifold lies outside the Venturi flume so the advantage of using a manifold is also minimized since pipe friction can be very great.  
         [0007]     For converting the pressure energy of subsuface ocean currents into electricity the U.S. patent most relevant to this invention is U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,181 B1 to Hassard et al. Here an airflow is drawn through an air turbine ashore through a pipe to an offshore Venturi tube&#39;s throat, as may sometimes be observed with a manometer. The speed of the current as it is accellerated through the throat determines the speed of the airflow. But to avoid large energy losses through the airpipe due to friction a large and expensive pipe is needed.  
         [0008]     This problem is overcome by the present invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     There is first of all a teardrop-shaped object elevated into the midst of a fluid current. The object is oriented so its blunt end is made to face the oncoming current. The object is in two separate portions the division being on a plane through the object&#39;s widest diameter called an anterior dome and either a posterior cone or a posterior dome. There is sufficient structure to unite the separated parts of the object together. Through the center of the anterior dome shped portion is a hole and by this hole is a tube leading to an atmospheric engine apparatus elsewhere. As fluid flows past this teardrop shaped object fluid tends to be drawn through this hole at high velocity and out between the rims of the anterior and posterior portions of the object at the prevailing current velocity.  
         [0010]     The working fluid within the atmospheric engine is water. The waterline is at the end of the tube near the hole in the anterior dome.  
         [0011]     The first object of this invention is to overcome the stated problem of the prior art.  
         [0012]     The second object is to provide inexpensive and effective electric power from wind and subsurface ocean currents.  
         [0013]     The attainment of the foregoing and related objects, features and advantages should be more readily apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts after a review of the following more detailed description of the invention, taken together with the drawings in which: 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention where the passing fluid is the wind.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2 . is a perspective view of the invention as it applies to subsurface ocean currents.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3 . is a view of the energy conversion apparatus of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     FIRST PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]     Turning to  FIG. 1  we see base  16  upon which the invention rests. Erected on base  16  is hollow pole  15 . Telescoped over pole  15  is pole  13  upon which teardrop-shaped object  1  is fixedly attached. Thrust bearings  24  alows object  1  and pole  13  to revolve concentricly about pole  15  as governed by the response of fin  2  to the prevailing wind. Races in the wall of pole  13  prevent the vertical motion of hollow object  1 .  
         [0018]     Pipe  4  is concentric with pipes  13 , 15  and has a moveable connection  14  allowing that section of pipe  4  above connection  14  to rotate as teardrop shaped object  1  is made to rotate by the wind. The rims of anterior dome  5  and posterior cone  6  are connected by struts  3  positioned so air can pass through the struts.  
         [0019]     Pipe  4 , which is full of water, is led to atmospheric engine  12 .  
       SECOND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]     Turning now to  FIG. 2  we see instead of a teardrop shaped object a spherical object  24  fixedly attached to tower  25  which in its turn is fixedly attached to the ocean floor. Anterior dome  5  nd posterior dome  6  as well as pipe  4  and struts  3  exist as in the First Preferred Embodiment.  
         [0021]     Ashore pipe  4  is led into energy conversion apparatus  44 . In  FIG. 3  all the parts of energy conversion apparatus  44  are shown. Atmospheric engine  12  contains piston  26  which in its turn has two passages through it, each containing a check valve  27   a , 27   b.  These valves each allow water to pass in opposite directions. Arrow directions show the flow of water in operation of the invention. Items  29 , 32  are also check valves, pipes  28 , 30  are led into the volume of the engine to the left of piston  26  and pipes  31 , 33  are led into the volume of the engine to the right of piston  26  Pipe  35  is an air inlet and pipe  4  leads to the object.  
         [0022]     Both pipes are filled with water to the same level. Valve control may be effectuated by mechanical devices as in U.S. Pat. No. 32,455(Shaw) or U.S. Pat. No. 170,813(Burger) or by electronic devices which are not a part of this invention. Shaft  36  is driven by piston  26  and is connected to shaft  37  to be mde to rotate cam  38 . Shafts  39 , 41 , drive gear transmission  40  and D.C. generator  34 , which is connected to output cable  20  and battery  42 .  
         [0023]     In operation,water current flowing past sphere  24  draws water through inlet  43  at a faster rate than the velocity of the current. This lowers the water pressure in pipe  4  providing an energy sink to drive atmospheric engine  12 . To move piston  26  to the right valves  29 , 34   a  are opened and valves  32 , 34   b  are closed.  
         [0024]     Once the maximum pressure differential is established valve  34   a  is closed. Or valve  34   b  at this point in the cycle if motion of piston  26  is to be to the left.  
         [0025]     Pipes  4 , 30 , 31  and  35  as well as the volumes on both sides of piston  26  are water-filled. Assuming a water current flowing past sphere  24  the absolute water pressure of the volume of wter to the right of piston  26  as shown in  FIG. 3  will fall below atmospheric pressure. But the water in the volume to the left of piston  26  will be maintained at atmospheric pressure. The size of the valve openings  27   a,b  must be controlled to be such that as piston  26  is forced to the right by the uneven pressure on either side of piston  26  the resulting displacement of water through valve  27   b  will result in no transfer of pressure through valve  27   b.    
         [0026]     Movement of piston  26  to the right causes cam  38  to be made to revolve clockwise crankshaft  39  which in its turn is made to operate D.C. generator  34  causing electricity to be fed into battery  42 . Crankshaft  39  may be connected to other atmospheric engines  12  to insure less fluctuation in power output.  
         [0027]     Motion of piston  26  to the left is accomplished by opening vlves  32 , 34   b  and simultaneously closing valves  29 , 34   a.    
         [0028]     If the teardrop shaped object  1  is placed in the wind then the working fluid of the atmospheric engine remains water. The water-line is near hole  43 .  
         [0029]     From the above description it is apparent that the preferred embodiments achieve the object of the present invention. Alternative embodiments and various modifications of the depicted embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5