Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to wind turbine apparatus, and more particularly to improvements to the construction, efficiency, and usefulness of such devices.  
         [0002]     Wind turbine devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,766,765 to Savonius, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,293,274 to Gillman. There is need for improvements to such devices, and particularly to improvements as referred to above, enabling efficient generation of electrical power.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     It is a major object of the invention to provide wind turbine apparatus basically comprising  
         [0004]     a) an upright shaft defining an upright axis,  
         [0005]     b) at least two blades operatively connected to the shaft to rotate about the shaft axis as the blades are wind driven about that axis,  
         [0006]     c) the lowermost portion of each blade being offset, azimuthally, relative to the uppermost portion of each blade,  
         [0007]     d) baffles carried by the blades to project directionally to receive impingement of wind for creating torque transmitted to the blades to effect blade rotation about said axis.  
         [0008]     As will be seen, the baffles typically project from each blade generally toward the axis, along the baffle lengths, which are elongated in parallel relation.  
         [0009]     Another object includes provision of vertically spaced ribs integral with each blade, and operatively connected to the shaft. As will be seen, the ribs may be operatively connected to the shaft, as via bearings, with groups of the baffles located between successive ribs. Plates may be provided to be integral with the ribs, to be mounted on bearings at the shaft.  
         [0010]     A further object includes provision of spacing between ends of the baffles and the ribs, defining air flow channels adjacent the ribs. As will be seen, baffles are typically located in rows, the baffles in at least one row being concave in directions away from the blade.  
         [0011]     Yet another object includes provision of blades, each of which has curved foil configuration extending lengthwise at blade edge extent farthest from the shaft, to face toward the baffles. Also, the blades preferably have portions that extend in proximity to said post, but a flow vent or gap or gaps is or are defined between said portions of the blade, and the post, such a gap or gaps allowing air flow venting to prevent noisiness of blade operation.  
         [0012]     A further object of the specific invention is to efficiently capture and convert the impulse available in the wind into rotational torque that is translated into mechanical energy or directly into electricity by blade driving of an electrical generator or other suitable power converter.  
         [0013]     Another object of the specific invention is to provide an apparatus and method to convert uneven and turbulent incoming air into useful mechanical or electrical energy. It is yet another object of the invention to provide blades that accept incoming air flow from any direction, the turbine thereby being omni-directional.  
         [0014]     Yet another object of the specific invention is to produce useful mechanical and electrical energy while being visible to birds and other wildlife minimizing any danger or impact to indigenous life forms.  
         [0015]     An additional object is provision of blade configuration for self-starting, in very low wind speeds, and also to operate reliably in the outdoor environment, coping with temperature cycling and extremes, humidity changes, vibrations, particulates in air flow, airborne debris, and other externalities faced in an outdoor deployment. Another object invention is to provide for efficient conversion of wind energy into electricity or mechanical energy over a wide range of wind speeds, and especially at low wind speed, and high wind speed conditions without over speeding the wind generator. Another object is provision for self-starting in low wind speeds under load, to increase the suitable sites at which wind generators can be employed. Yet another object is to provide rugged apparatus to survive hurricane strength wind speeds without the need for any mechanical or electrical over speed protection or braking.  
         [0016]     Another object is to reliably operate over a large range of wind speeds with near silent operation. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a means of communications by providing a rotating symmetrical working surface to which words, images, logos and other communications may be posted and displayed. Another object of the present invention is the integration to the device or blades of light emitting diodes, fluorescent strips, or electroluminescence lighting elements or plurality of elements that emit light during nighttime and or daytime operation, for use as safety beacons, warning lights, area and sign lighting and other lighting applications including advertising.  
         [0017]     An added object is to provide a highly efficient wind responsive generator apparatus for generating useful work from moving air in the form of mechanical or electrical energy. The invention can also be applied in underwater applications for converting the energy of flowing water into electrical or mechanical energy capable of doing useful work. The apparatus can be partially or totally submerged, and can be employed as a power converter for underwater environments, salty or fresh, with an appropriately sealed electrical interconnection.  
         [0018]     These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following specification and drawings, in which: 
     
    
     DRAWING DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of blades or wing elements rotating about a central upright element;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a schematic top plan view of a simple blade or wing element;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the inner side of a blade or working surface wing element;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of a central post, with associated bearings;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of blade rib brackets adapted for assembly to bearings on the post;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the  FIG. 5  brackets at the lower end of the blade, and an associated power train element;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a vertical section taken through the power train, shown in schematic form;  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is a lateral cross-section taken through a blade or wing element;  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  is a longitudinal view taken in section through the blade, showing baffles, or cross-sections through ribs;  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of two blades rotating about an associated post;  
         [0029]      FIG. 11  is a schematic horizontal section showing principles of operation of two blades;  
         [0030]      FIG. 12  is a schematic showing principles of operation; and  
         [0031]      FIG. 13  is another schematic showing principles of operation.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0032]     To achieve the above and related aims, the present invention provides an apparatus shown in perspective at  1  in  FIG. 1 , and comprising a shaft or post  2  extending upright or at other angle, depending on orientation to which the apparatus is attached and deployed in the field. Single element blade, or wing sections  3  are deployed as shown. They may be molded by roto-molding, or injection molding, or other known molding techniques. Wing elements or sections  3  are attached to the main support shaft  2  symmetrically, in pairs or higher numbers by employing a molded rib element or elements  9 ,  14 ,  15  and  16  integrated into the wing element.  
         [0033]     The wing element  3  comprises a straight section  4  terminating transversely at an arc section  5  of a circle to be described in detail below. Preferably, arc extends through an angle from about 105 to 125 degrees. The structure  4  and  5  of wing or blade section  3  is twisted over the upright length  10  of the wing by an angle of about pi/3 which is about 60 degrees. This turning angle may be from 15 to 89 degrees, with 60 degrees as a general preferred embodiment. Thus, the lowermost portion of each blade or wing section is offset, azimuthally relative to the uppermost portion of each blade. The turning angle starts at the top of the wing straight section  4  and extends through to the bottom of the wing indicated at  13 , having terminal arc section  11 . Integrated into the single wing section  3  are the support rib elements  9 ,  14 ,  15  and  16 , these being spaced apart as shown. A plurality of baffles are also integrated into the wing section  3 . These are shown at  17 ,  18  and  19 , in three laterally extending rows, the baffles spaced apart and extending generally upright. The baffles may extend in the space through the length of the wing element from top to bottom. The baffles are better seen in detail in  FIG. 8 , to be discussed.  
         [0034]     The baffles  17 - 19  and grooves therebetween provide additional wind resistance on the downwind side of the wing element providing more grip and therefore more extraction of impulse from the moving air upon the working surfaces. The bifacial wing element  3  performs several simultaneous functions. It has an enhanced ability to extract impulse from the wind by maximizing its resistance to the wind on the down stream side of the element when the wind impinges from various obtuse angles. The element has an un-textured and smooth upstream side to minimize resistance to the wind as the wing or blades rotate 360 degrees per cycle, or turn as viewed from center axis of rotation about the support shaft  2 . The wing elements with generally horizontal ribs  9 ,  14 ,  15  and  16  integrated and protruding from the wing element working surfaces produce a high tensional strength sturdy wing element  3 . The rotational azimuthally turned angle from top to bottom of the wing element adds structural integrity to the element, and strength for survivability in high wind speed environments.  
         [0035]     The rib elements  9 ,  14 ,  15  and  16  provide an efficient means for bracketing the wing elements to the center shaft  2 . The plurality of baffles  17 - 19  also provide structural integrity to the molded wing element and great strength, giving further enhanced utility to the apparatus, especially in high wind speeds. Usable plastic materials include high density polyethylene, polypropylene and other equivalent materials.  
         [0036]     The invention provides a method for choosing revolutions per minute rates for given wind speeds and wind zone areas. Lower average wind zones enable use of a shorter blade height to width ratio, i.e. less than one, to provide a longer moment arm and produce more torque at low revolutions per minute and low wind speeds. Conversely, a higher height to width ratio, greater than one, provides higher revolutions per minute but with less torque. Variations in dimensions of the apparatus enable optimization of power output, conversion efficiencies as tuned to the actual site specific characteristics of the wind resource, and the provision of hardware to extract useful work. A preferred height to width ratio is phi, approximately 1.618, also referred to as the golden section. Height to width ratio can be adjusted.  
         [0037]     The bottom of the wing  3  working surface follows the same lateral configuration as the top, starting with a laterally straight section  13 , and terminating at an arc section  12 . The azimuth turning angle extends from the top straight section  4  to the bottom straight section  13 . This turning angle can be within a range from 15-89 degrees. Using a 15 degree turning angle allows presentation of more blade surface area to the wind at any given moment and is suitable for low wind speed sites. Using an 89 degree turning angle is desirable for high wind speed sites. For a general case, about 60 degrees of turning angle is preferred. The rib sections  9 ,  14 ,  15  and  16 , of each wing section  3  and  23 , when assembled, wrap around seating bearings  24  that are affixed to the support shaft  2 , the wing sections or blades  10  and  23  being alike. The ribs on the blades terminate at integral plates  6  that are assembled by suitable fastening, to embrace the post at plate defined holes  8 .  
         [0038]     Attached to the bottom bracket defined by plates  6  integral with bottom ribs  16  of the two blades is a power rotor  190  that is comprised of a spur gear or friction roller  20  that translates the motion of the blades or wing elements  3  and  23  into a uniform circular motion transferred to spur gear  20   a . Gear  20   a  turns the shaft of a power converter such as a direct current generator, permanent magnet alternator or other mechanical or electrical power converter  21  supported by a mounting bracket  22  that attaches to the support shaft  2 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the bifacial working surface wing area. The working surface is formed by a straight or flat section  25  terminating at curved section  26  extending through 105 degrees of arc. Section  26  terminates at straight section  26   a . The length of the segment  26  from  26  to  26   a  is a fraction of straight section  25  length, preferred to be 0.33-0.86 times the straight section length. This combined surface defined as a straight section connecting to the curved section at the end points produces a composite structure. That structure rotates about a center shaft center axis  34   a  such that a gap  35  is created between the surface of the center shaft  34  and the wind working surface as described. Gap  35  allows moving air, or water working against the wing surface to escape the blade once impulse has been extracted from the moving fluid medium such as air. Providing a central means of exit flow allows the stream of air, or water, impinging on the blades to have enhanced statistical opportunity to impart impulse to the working surfaces. The gap  35  operates as a pressure relief zone that stays constant throughout the vertical length of the twisted blade and also provides for free flow or working fluid, wind or water, or other fluid, behind the working surface as it moves into the working fluid stream.  
         [0040]     The gap width is preferably between 1/32 and 1/16 (preferably about 1/24 th)  the lateral length of the straight section  25 , and remains about the same throughout the turning angle of the working surface  25  and  29 . The working surface elements  25  and  26  are azimuthally turned or twisted throughout the height of the blade, at a preferred angle of pi/3 which is 60 degrees. This turning angle gives the working surface increased structural strength, and provides for blade acceptance of wind from any direction, aiding in the initial turning of the working surface at low wind speeds. The bottom of the working surface is a straight section  29  terminating in a curved arc  30  of a circle. Arc  30  is preferably about 105 degrees.  
         [0041]     The endpoints  31  on the top and  32  on the bottom of the blade are connected by the trailing edge  33  that extends the entire upright length of the working surface. This blade configuration provides the means for accepting wind from any lateral direction, and wind that is laminar or turbulent, and converts that wind force into rotational torque acting about the support shaft axis and transferred to the power rotor means driving to the electrical generator or alternator, converting rotational torque into mechanical or electrical power. The working surface  28  that forms a continuous surface from top elements  25  and  26  down to bottom elements  29  and  30  is preferably bifacial, with texturing on the inside, and a smooth surface on the opposite side. This bifacial working surface presents the most resistance to wind slippage when wind of flowing water strikes the inside surface, with ram pressure, and the least resistance to wind slippage when the wind of flowing water impinges the outside surface. This dual functioning increases the efficiency of the power conversion. Another preferred embodiment involves both surfaces being smooth. This adds utility in high wind speed zones, as the functional form of the wind surfaces work as described above.  
         [0042]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the bifacial working surface wing element  43  showing additional aspects of the specific invention. This single element may be formed as follows: rib elements  50  (corresponding to  9 ,  14 ,  15  and  16 ) are incorporated and integrated into the blade working surface. The fundamental surface, as described above follows the preferred, but not limited to, formula of a straight section  37  terminating laterally with the arc segment  38  of circle forming an arc of 105-125 degrees. This shape is then twisted azimuthally at a turning angle of 60 degrees, preferred, over the entire length of the surface from top to bottom, ending with a bottom straight section  44  that terminates at  45  with an arc of a circle. The leading edge  43  forms continuity between the top elements  37  and  38  and the bottom elements  44  and  45 . A bottom rib element  72  is shown incorporating a half circle at  45 . Two or more of these wing elements each oriented opposite each other about the support shaft and separated about the shaft axis by an angle of pi, or 180 degrees. If three wing elements are used then the angle of separation about the shaft axis would be 120 degrees. The laterally opposite rib elements are suitably fastened together at plates  49  by nuts and bolts or other such fastener means to produce the preferred embodiment, though not limited to this disclosure.  
         [0043]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , this wing element  43  incorporates a series of laterally spaced baffles  48  that comprise raised surfaces that extend between the rib elements running laterally along the length of the wing working surface, all ribs and baffles being on the blade inside surface with the outside surface being smooth. A multiple number of these longitudinally running baffles give increased structural strength to the wing element. Further, baffles  42 ,  49  and  48  produce an increased utility in that the working surface has more exposure, surface area, to moving air and cap increase the impulse extracted from moving air across the working surface. The baffles at  42 ,  47  and  48  are convex in shape along their longitudinal lengths, with a raised surface peaking from 6-22 millimeters above the blade inner surface. This is a preferred height. The baffles  47  are formed in a concave shape and comprise grooves in the blade working inner surface. Concave baffles  47  provide increased structural integrity in a molded, fabricated or cast part. Note azimuthally offset or turned extent between  37  and  44 . The array of baffles functions to provide more surface area exposed to the wind flow at obtuse angles about the blade axis of rotation about the central post. A consistent hole pattern  41  in the flat plate section  49  of the ribs  50  provides a means of interconnection of two, or more, wing sections at the same level, to produce an integral structure. The backside  39  of the working surface is smooth to lower resistance to the working fluid when the working surface turns into the wind in its 360 degree rotational cycle. In  FIG. 3, 42  indicates a lowermost array of baffles;  36  is the inner terminus of  37 ;  40  is the inner edge of blade  43 ; and  46  is the turned edge of foil  39 .  
         [0044]     Two or more of these blades are mounted with a 180 degree rotation about the center support shaft. Their bifacial working surfaces catch the wind downstream, and turn into the wind upstream, alternating between the textured inside surface with maximum resistance, and the smooth side that presents a minimum resistance. A plurality of surfaces alternate through the rotational cycle such that a textured high resistance side is always available for the ram pressure of the impinging working fluid.  
         [0045]      FIG. 4  shows a center support post  56 , which may be a pipe preferably of Schedule  80  or greater strength. Double sealed marine or military grade bearings are secured around the pipe at equal spacing to match the rib pattern described above. These bearings  52 ,  53 ,  54  and  55  are typically sealed bearings, and made of chrome steel. Bushings or other types of bearings can be used, but the preferred embodiment comprises double sealed bearings. The bearing outside diameter is matched to the rib plate inside diameter as discussed above. The bearings may be secured to the support shaft  56  with the use of epoxy. A preferred epoxy is Master Bond polymer adhesive EP21TDC. The center support shaft or pipe  51  can be fabricated from materials such as steel, aluminum, carbon fiber and other know pipe materials.  
         [0046]      FIG. 5  shows a bracket assembly  57  in exploded view, that mounts the blades that catch the moving air and translate that impulse into rotational torque. The brackets  58  and  63  are positioned above and below the levels of ribs  61  and  62 . Brackets  58  and  63  have center holes  59  and  64  with diameters that exceed the diameter of the support shaft to allow free blade rotation. Four holes  60  and  65  line up with holes placed in each rib plate  61   a  and  62   a . The entire assembly is then interconnected with fasteners. The brackets  58  and  63  provide the assembly or integration of both halves  61   a  and  62   a  of the ribs  61  and  62  about the bearings and center shaft described in  FIG. 3 . This integration of elements provides the utility of balance about the center axis of rotation, and provides an interconnection close to the center axis of rotation enabling a reduction of centripetal forces acting on the fasteners and other interconnecting elements.  
         [0047]     The brackets  58  and  63  provide the proper spacing and secure each working surface through the aforementioned ribs to the bearings, with a minimum of materials and a maximum of strength required to translate the enormous forces of high wind speeds while presenting a minimum cross-section exposed to the wind for interconnection. As in  FIG. 4 , a center bearing  66  is seated on the support shaft and is encased by the  FIG. 5  elements as shown.  
         [0048]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of elements of the power train  67 . A power rotor disk  79  such as a spur gear attaches to the bottom of a bracket  77  corresponding to bracket  63  in  FIG. 5 . This element  79  power rotor comprises a disk with a center hole  80  tapped with a diameter exceeding the diameter of the center support shaft, preferably by several millimeters for sufficient clearance, so that disk  79  rotates with the blades, free of interference with the shaft.  
         [0049]     The power rotor  79  attaches to the bottom of the working surfaces of plates  71  and  72  through holes  81  that match the hole pattern of the brackets  58  and  63  as described above in  FIG. 5 . Fasteners known in the art are attached through the holes  70  and  81  and secure the power rotor  79  to the blade.  
         [0050]     The outer diameter of the power rotor  79  is such as can be to provide the optimum gearing ratio for the alternator or power converter attached to the power rotor. The edge  82  of the power rotor  79  such as a spur gear is configured to translate rotational torque to drive an electrical power converter. The power rotor edge  82  can also be grooved to seat a belt drive or other means to transfer power from the rotor to a suitable power converter such as an electrical generator, permanent magnet alternator, self-excitation alternator or other known electrical or mechanical power converters. The rib elements such as plates also are made with a hole pattern  75  that matches the hole patterns  70  and  78  and  81  on the various elements. The power rotor center hole  80  is sized just larger than the center shaft, not shown, for clearance and free movement. Brackets are shown at  68  and  76 , with center holes  69  and  77 . Ribs are shown at  73  and  74 .  
         [0051]      FIG. 7  is a cross section view of the power train  83  attached to the rotating blades. A top mounting bracket  85  has two wing sections  86  and  87  and bottom bracket  88  above power rotor  89 . Below the power rotor and at  90  attached to the center pipe  84  is a mounting bracket  93  that supports a power converter  92  such as a permanent magnet alternator, direct current generator, self-exciting alternator or other such electrical or mechanical power converts in singular or multiple units.  
         [0052]     The rotational torque of the power rotor  89  is transferred to the alternator or other power converter  92  through a right angle drive  91  mounted on the drive shaft  95  of the power converter  92 . This combination of elements provides the utility of transferring the impulse derived from the impact of moving air, or water, upon the described blades into rotational torque that is in turn transferred to power converter  92 . See output terminals  92   a  of the converter or generator  92 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 8  is a lateral cross-section view of the wing or blade working surface indicated at  96 . The configuration includes a straight section  101  terminating at arc  102  of a circle that has a segment length preferably about 0.6 times the lateral length of the straight section  101 . Section  101  joins section  102  at  140 . The arc  102  is defined as a range from 105 to 125 degrees about center  142 . In low wind speed zones, the larger arc near 125 degrees is used, and for high wind zones the arc value near 105 degrees is used. The preferred general wind zone arc is about 110 degrees. Cross sections like  96  but taken at successively lower elevations are twisted azimuthally through turning angles between 15 and 89 degrees, and preferably about 60 degrees. The wing section  96  has rib structure  97  that is molded with a matching hole pattern  98  with a semi circle  99  such that when two of the plates  100  are attached to one another, a tight fit is achieved at edge  100   a . The rib element  97  then tapers laterally to the end point  110 .  
         [0054]     Baffles  104  are formed into the surface of the wing or blade  96  to provide an enhanced structural integrity and function to provide additional friction for the working fluid, wind or water that impinges upon the blade. The baffles extend longitudinally from the top to the bottom of the blade inner working surface. Formed as a ridge, a typical baffle  104  begins at a height of between 2-6 millimeters at one end of the baffle and increases to maxima preferred to be 6-22 millimeters at locations near the middle of the baffle and declining again to the 2-6 millimeters height value near the opposite end of the baffle. An array of baffles, convex from the blade working surface is formed in a parallel plurality laterally along the blade working surface. The tops of these baffles  103  are angled and typically tapered, to provide a wave guide effect, to minimize drag when the working surface turns into the wind. Additional concave baffles  105 ,  106  and  107  are formed as recesses into the blade working surface. These concave baffles provide additional strength when the element is formed either by casting, injection, roto molding, or other forming means. As the blade working surface rotates through a 360 degree cycle the working surface on the textured side, that is the side with the baffles  104  and  105  produces a resistance to the working fluid such as wind. The blade surface is smooth on the other side  110  producing a minimum resistance when that surface turns into the wind. Maximum resistance to air flow is provided on the textured side, and a minimum of resistance to air flow is produced on the other side. In case of roto molding, or other such means known in the art, the wing element  96  typically is hollow. The concave channels  105 - 107  are indented from the textured surface such that in the molding process additional material bonds beyond the normal wall thickness inside the hollow part. This increased material adds substantial strength to molded parts, and increases the utility and survivability of the wing element when subjected to high ram pressures, further increasing the utility of the present invention.  
         [0055]      FIG. 9  is a longitudinal cross section view  111  of the blade. The rib elements  112 - 115  correspond to those described above and are shown in cross section. The convex baffles are shown beginning at one end  116  with a measurement of between 2-6 millimeters in height and increase in height to location  118 . A space of about 5-15 millimeters separates the baffles from the ribs. In the case of four ribs  112 - 115  three baffle sections are formed along the longitudinal dimension of the working surface. The middle baffle  119  begins at a height equal to the height at  118  and continues to a maximum height at  120  of 6-15 millimeters, and then tapers down to location  121  that is equal in height to location  119 . The third baffle section starts at  122  with height equal to that at  121 , and tapers down to a height at  124  equal to height at  116 . These segmented baffle structures with this convex shaping provide a means for increasing the blade working surfaces&#39;ability to catch the ram pressure of a moving working fluid across the surface, and provides a wave guide to lower resistance when the textured surface becomes a trailing edge as it moves into the wind or water during is rotational cycle. This bifacial working surface is therefore textured on the baffle side, and smooth on the other side  117 . This plurality of baffles also provide an increased strength of the blade critical for surviving and functioning in high wind or water speeds.  
         [0056]      FIG. 10  is a top view of an assembly  118 , as described. Two blades are shown at  119  and  120 , oriented and deployed opposite each other, with respect to center support shaft  121 . Working fluid, wind or water, impinges on the blades which are attached to each other by the brackets  122  and  123  as described. Once these are fastened to each other about a seated bearing, the two elements  119  and  120  become one structure. The curved sections  126  and  127  become leading and trailing edges as the working surfaces  119  and  120  rotate about the center shaft  121 . The baffles  124  that are convex, and baffles  125  that are concave are shown. Shown as a top view  118  it will be appreciated that the device iscapable of efficient functioning with working fluids impinging from any direction.  
         [0057]     Regardless of the incident direction of the working fluid, such as from direction  128 , the working surfaces  119  and  120  will only turn in one direction, clockwise in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0058]     Using Bernoulli&#39;s principle that the faster a fluid moves the lower its pressure, the improved apparatus uses pressure differences, or gradients to induce a rotation from a resultant ram pressure that results when a working fluid impinges the specific invention. By exposing the textured working surface to the moving working fluid, the ram pressure produced exerts an impulse onto the working surface. As this working surface comes around into the wind, it presents its smooth surface that offers the least resistance to the working fluid. The greater the difference between these ram pressures, the greater the extraction of energy.  
         [0059]     To further explain the principle of operation, a top view of the basic wing element structure is shown at  129  in  FIG. 11 . Straight section  131  and  144  are shown. Each terminates with an arc of a circle  132  and  133  respectively, about a center post  136 . Flow  139  of a working fluid either wind or moving water, impinges on the cupped side of the blade. Impingement of the moving working fluid with the blade at  143  acts to slow the incident moving fluid thereby increasing the pressure. A gap  138  is formed between the working surface  130  and the center shaft  136 . The flow  140  of working fluid is shown impinging the blade on the upstream side. This flow  140  is constricted about the leading edge  135  and will follow the curve. This produces a low pressure boundary layer on the leading edge surface  135  producing an acceleration of the working fluid around the leading edge, inducing a Venturi effect.  
         [0060]     This produces a low pressure zone relative to the pressure of the working fluid  140  before it impinges, and low pressure relative to the air or water (i.e. fluid) pressure behind the working surface at this point. This effect on the leading edge induces a force from the relative higher pressure zone  134  behind the surface with the low pressure boundary layer at  141  resulting in a lower resistance presented to the working surface as the wing element  133  turns into the wind. As the working surface  144  moves into the flow, a low pressure zone  137  is induced behind the working surface  137  as it moves into the flow of the working fluid. Gaps  146  and  145  are held constant as the blades rotate through 360 degrees. The gapping provides an escape for the working fluid to exit by passing through the gaps  145  and  146 . This enhances extraction of energy from the wind.  
         [0061]     As the working surfaces  130  and  133  rotate about center shaft  136 , a cycling of pressures is produced. Pressure gradients are induced to efficiently and effectively use a moving working fluid to induce device mechanical rotation in one direction, independent of the direction of the moving fluid, which in turn can be used directly, or to power a suitable electrical power converter such as a direct current generator, or an alternator to produce electricity.  
         [0062]     Low wind speed zones and areas of low average wind speed have been considered poor wind sites, because of the low power levels available in the wind. This invention has increased utility in that the working surfaces as described above effectively convert working fluid impinging from any direction into mechanical or electrical power. For low wind speed zones a schematic view  147  is shown of a device intended to be used with the present invention to effectively increase the relative speed of an impinging working fluid to allow for its effective and efficient conversion to energy. A ring element  149  is formed with a diameter ranging from 0.6-1.1 times the diameter of the device wing working surfaces. A secondary ring  151  ranging in diameter of 1.1-2.1 times the diameter of the first ring  149  is oriented above the first ring. These rings are connected by a surface  154  forming a truncated conic section. A secondary structure  154  identical to the first is inverted and oriented below the first structure with an open zone formed between the elements. This secondary structure includes a ring  157  that ranges from 0.6-1.1 in diameter compared with the diameter of the working surfaces of the device of the present invention. A secondary ring  158  is formed with a diameter of 1.1-2.1 times the diameter of the first ring  157  with a surface  160  formed between the two rings producing a truncated conic surface with an inverted orientation to the first  154  with a zone  150  between them. An impinging flow  153  of working fluid, such as wind, or flowing water has a ram pressure associated with it.  
         [0063]     When the working fluid  153  impinges the two elements  148  and  159  a Venturi effect is produced as shown. As the working fluid impinges the  154  and  160  a constriction is produced at  155  on the working fluid, resulting under Bernoulli&#39;s principle, with a higher velocity and lower pressure. As the working fluid  155  exits the zone  150  a lower velocity and higher pressure is induced. Each element has a hollow inside volume  162  and  161  respectively, allowing the placement therein of balance of systems electronics further protecting the control circuits and systems from the environment in the field.  
         [0064]     View  162  in  FIG. 13  shows the device used with the constricting elements described above. The flow constricting element  168  is formed by a primary ring  166  and a secondary larger diameter ring  165  connected by a continuous surface  170  forming a truncated conic section centered by the support shaft  164 . A secondary constricting element  176  is similarly formed, and inverted in orientation to the first element, by a primary smaller ring  174  and a larger diameter secondary ring  173  connected by a continuous surface  175  also forming a truncated conic section. A reduced flow area region  171  is formed between the flow constricting elements  168  and  176 .  
         [0065]     A moving working fluid flow  169  impinging on the constricting elements  168  and  176  experiences an acceleration by Venturi effect, that results in an increase in working fluid velocity in region  171  resulting in a lower pressure consistent with Bernoulli&#39;s principle. The device of the present invention is placed in zone in between the constricting elements  168  and  176  and is subjected to the increase in velocity of the working fluid  171 . This increase in working fluid relative velocity effectively concentrates the working fluid increasing the amount of energy per unit volume within the working fluid, allowing more effective conversion of the power available in the impinging ram pressure of the working fluid. The constricting elements combine to increase the effectiveness of the power conversion even in low average wind speed sites.  
         [0066]     Those learned in the art will appreciate the improved utility and efficiency of this process and apparatus as disclosed herein. Variations and modifications of the present invention still fall under the claims disclosed herein, and do not detract from the spirit or scope of the specific invention.

Technology Category: 2