Abstract:
A system and method for generating electrical power using an improved wind turbine blade is described herein. Specifically, a wind turbine blade assembly can include a one or more curved blade mount, each parallel to the other, having a ratio of a linear blade length to a curve depth between 15/99 and 17/99, and a blade, wherein blade is mounted to said one or more blade mounts, wherein said blade comprises a thin flexible material capable of conforming to one or more curved blade mount.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to a system and method for generating electrical power using an improved wind turbine blade. 
         [0002]    In recent years, demand for power has increased. However, most power generation methods have been inefficient, costly, and bad for the environment. To combat environmental issues, people have looked to clean forms of energy production, including solar and wind. Today, various methods exist for generating power using wind turbines. Typically, turbines were built using a vertical axis rotor shaft. However, often such system produces much less power because the wind turbines are typically located closer to the ground. Additionally, most proposed airborne wind turbine designs involve various types of reciprocating actions, requiring airfoil surfaces to backtrack against the wind for part of the cycle. Backtracking against the wind leads to inherently lower efficiency. 
         [0003]    As such it would be useful to have an improved system and method for generating electrical power using an improved wind turbine blade. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A system and method for generating electrical power using an improved wind turbine blade is described herein. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, a wind turbine blade assembly can include a one or more curved blade mount, each parallel to the other, having a ratio of a linear blade length to a curve depth between 15/99 and 17/99, and a blade, wherein blade is mounted to said one or more blade mounts, wherein said blade comprises a thin flexible material capable of conforming to one or more curved blade mount. 
         [0006]    Additionally, the wind turbine blade assembly can also comprise a one or more curved blade mounts wherein said one or more blade mounts comprise 6061 T-6 aluminum, and a blade, wherein blade is mounted to said one or more blade mounts, wherein said blade comprises a thin flexible 6061 T-6 aluminum sheet capable of conforming to one or more curved blade mount. 
         [0007]    Finally, in one embodiment, the turbine blade assembly can further comprise a hub, a plurality of sets of blade mounts, for each set, each said blade mount within said set parallel to other said blade mounts, wherein each of said sets is mounted to hub equally spaced radially from adjacent sets, further wherein each blade mount comprising a ratio of a linear blade length to a curve depth between 15/99 and 17/99, and a plurality of blades, wherein each blade is mounted a unique set of blade mounts, wherein each of said blades comprises a thin flexible material capable of conforming to one or more curved blade mount. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a wind turbine shroud system mounted on a flat roof at the edge of a structure on a prevailing wind edge. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a shroud system. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a turbine system mounted to a shroud system. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates wind shrouds. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5A  illustrates blade mounts on a blade set. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5B  illustrates blade mount curvature. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates a multiple blade set wind turbine shroud system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Described herein is a system and method for generating electrical power using an improved wind turbine blade. The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention as claimed and is provided in the context of the particular examples discussed below, variations of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation (as in any development project), design decisions must be made to achieve the designers&#39; specific goals (e.g., compliance with system- and business-related constraints), and that these goals will vary from one implementation to another. It will also be appreciated that such development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the field of the appropriate art having the benefit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but are to be accorded their widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a shroud system  100  mounted on a flat roof at the edge of a structure  101  on a prevailing wind edge  102 . Structure  101  can include, but is not limited to, a building, oilrig, platform, or trailer. Shroud system  100  can support or otherwise mount around a turbine system  103 , and can help direct wind toward or away from key points of turbine system  103 . Such wind direction can help achieve more efficient electricity generation by turbine system  103 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates shroud system  100 . Shroud system  100  can comprise of a frame  201  and a one or more wind shrouds  202 . In one embodiment, frame  201  can include a substantially vertical support structure having a top portion and a bottom portion, and a base  203  to connect shroud system  100  to structure  101 . Base  203  can connect to a bottom portion of frame  201 , or can be a portion of frame  201 . In one embodiment, base  203  can include horizontal beams. In another embodiment, base can include fasteners to connect frame  201  to structure  101 . Wind shrouds  202  can mount to frame  201 . The shape of frame  202  can vary depending on the placement of shroud system  100 , e.g., a building, oilrig, platform, etc., but in each configuration can support wind shroud  202  so that wind shroud  202  is positioned properly to direct wind. Shroud system  100  can be comprised of a hard weatherproof material. Wind shrouds  202  can comprise an upper wind shroud  202   a  and/or a lower wind shroud  202   b . Frame  201  can also include a one or more surface mounts. Surface mounts enable shroud system  100  to stay affixed to structure  101  during high winds. 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates a turbine system  103  mounted to shroud system  100 . Turbine system  103  can comprise a shaft  301 , a hub  302 , a plurality of blade mounts  303 , and/or a plurality of blades  304 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , blades  304  can connect to hub  302  via blade mounts  303  around a shaft  301 , referred to together as a blade set. Hub  302  can rotate around shaft  301 , using bearings or any other rotary mechanism commonly known in the art. In one embodiment, turbine system  103  can connect to frame  201  using attachment methods such as, but not limited to, bearing mounts. In another embodiment, turbine system can mount to a separate turbine support structure. In such embodiment, shroud system would surround, and in some cases, attach to turbine support structure. 
         [0019]    Turbine system  103  receives wind in an intake  305  and a blade return orifice  306 . At intake  305 , blade  304  can be curved. In a preferred embodiment, blade  304  is curved with edges tending toward intake  305 , thereby “cupping” the wind as it enters intake  305 . In one implementation wind shroud system  100  and turbine system  103  can be used in conjunction with each other, mounted on a prevailing wind edge  102  of structure  101 . A one or more drive gears  307  can be mounted on shaft  301 . A chain  308  or other similar device known in the art can connect drive gears to a generator. Thus as blades  304  move, shaft  301  rotates, causing generator to turn. 
         [0020]    Lower wind shroud  202   b  can be connected to frame  201  in front of blade return area  306 . In such configuration, lower wind shroud  202   b  can prevent prevailing winds from blowing against blade  304  as it returns. In one embodiment, lower wind shroud  202   b  can be placed vertically, as shown in  FIG. 3 . In another embodiment, wherein prevailing wind edge  102  rises above structure  101 , prevailing wind edge  102  can replace lower wind shroud  202   b . Another factor that can increase turbine system  103  efficiency is a differential pressure created when wind built up on prevailing wind edge  102  and lower shroud  202   b , accelerates into a lower pressure above and behind lower shroud  202   b . Such pressure differential can add additional uplift of air into intake  305 . 
         [0021]    Upper wind shroud  202   a  can connect to frame  201  above turbine system  103 . Upper wind shroud  202   a  can be positioned with the face of upper shroud  202   a  fixed at an angle  309  to the oncoming wind. Such configuration can accelerate and direct the wind to blades  304  in their moment of downswing at intake  305 . In one embodiment, angle  309  can be between thirty and seventy-five degrees, such that a front portion of upper wind shroud  202   a  extends higher than a rear portion of upper wind shroud  202   a . In another embodiment, angle  309  can be 45 degrees. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  illustrates wind shrouds  202 . Winds shrouds  202  can connect to frame  201  at shroud mount portions  401  of frame  201 . In one embodiment, shroud mounts can connect to wind shroud  202  on opposite ends of wind shroud  202 . One or more support bars can go across wind shroud  202  horizontally and/or vertically for structure support. The use of wind shrouds can diminish turbulence, produce or enhance a beneficial vortex effect, and significantly increase the amount of wind entering blades  304 , thus significantly increasing electrical power generation. 
         [0023]    Wind shrouds  202  can be comprised of 6061 T-6 aluminum or any other material suitable in the art. Using 6061 T-6 aluminum can increase longevity and function of shroud system  100 . Coastal areas have much wind but are often harsh environments. The 6061 T-6 and 7075 have an appropriate strength-to-weight ratio and are also resistant to corrosion. Additionally, this aluminum retains its shape, strength, and smooth surfaces. Such material can offer efficient, smooth, and noise-free operation over time. 
         [0024]      FIG. 5  illustrates blade mount  303 .  FIG. 5A  illustrates blade mounts  303  within a blade set. Blade  304  and blade mount  303  can, in one embodiment, comprise of  6061  T- 6  aluminum. Blades  304  can comprise of a sheet attached to blade mounts  303 . As blade  304  is mounted, it will take on the curved shape of blade mounts  303 .  FIG. 5B  illustrates blade mount curvature. The curvature of blade mount  303  affects the efficiency of turbine system  103 . Measurement of curvature can be by the ratio a linear blade length  501  and a curve depth  502 . For purposes of this disclosure, linear blade length  501  is measured as a straight line from a top blade grip  503  to a bottom blade grip  504 , and curve depth  502  is the deepest point of blade mount  303  curvature, measured perpendicularly from a line along linear blade length  501 . In one embodiment, curve depth to linear blade length ratio can be between 15 to 99 and 17 to 99. In one embodiment, curve depth to linear blade length ratio can be 16 to 99. In such embodiment, a blade with an eight-inch curve depth would have a 49.5-inch linear blade length. These particular curvatures have an anti-drag and a lift characteristic, which can increase efficiency. The surface of blade  303  can be smooth, in order to provide a quick exit of wind so that additional oncoming wind has the opportunity to hit blade  304  with minimal disturbance. To help maintain curvature, one or more battens can be placed along blade. Battens can be the same dimensions as blade mount  303 , but do not connect to hub. 
         [0025]      FIG. 6  illustrates a multiple blade set wind turbine shroud system. In one embodiment, shaft  301  can comprise a plurality of blade sets spaced along shaft  301 . In such embodiment, upper shroud or lower shroud can be sized and positioned to cover multiple blade sets. In another embodiment, multiple separate upper shrouds  202   a  and lower shrouds  202   b  can be positioned to cover multiple blade sets. Frame  201  can be expanded to support multiple shrouds  200  or enlarged shrouds  201 , or a plurality of frames  201  can be used. 
         [0026]    Various changes in the details of the illustrated operational systems are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims. Some embodiments may combine the activities described herein as being separate steps. Similarly, one or more of the described steps may be omitted, depending upon the specific operational environment the system is being implemented in. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.”