Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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OSCILLATING ENERGY CAPTURE MECHANISM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION¨FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the capture of energy from natural sources such as
wind and water.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION¨PRIOR ART
US Patent Documents:
US Pat. 6914345 July 5, 2005 Webster 290/54.
US Pat. 4348594 September 7, 1982 Lipfert 290/54.
US Pat. 6153944 November 28, 2000 Clark 290/54.
US Pat. 4476397 October 9, 1984 Lawson 290/54.
US Pat. 6273680 August 14, 2001 Arnold 416/1
US Pat. 6217284 April 17, 2001 Lawrence 416/83
US Pat. 7045912 May 16, 2006 Leijon et at. 290/42
US Pat. 4228360 October 14, 1980 Navarro 290/43
US Pat. 2604882 July 1952 Schnacke 123/185.4
US Pat. 6581562 June 24, 2003 Goebel , et at.
123/185.3
US Pat. 6726440 Mar 22, 2002 Pollard 415/41
US Pat. 4595336 Jun 17, 1986 Gross 416/82
US Pat. 6652232 Jan 3, 2002 Maxime Lambert
Bolduc 416/24
Foreign Patent Documents:
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DE3130002 March 3, 1983 Braun F03D5/06;
FO3D5/00
GB2131490A June 20, 1984 Bentley Roger William
W02008111849 Al September 18, 2008 Langlee Wave Power
AS/Espedal Julius
W081/00285 Al February 5, 1981 Q Corp
W082/00321 Al February 4, 1982 Lipfert D
Other References:
Oscillating Wing - Vortex Oscillation Technology, Inc.
http://www.vortexosc.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=87
Windbelt ¨ http://www.humdingerwind.com/windbelt.html
The inventions shown in the Prior art above utilize impractical and
inefficient
means of capturing energy from wind and water.
Several of the inventions, such as US Patent 6652232 may function, but their
structure is impractical for scaling. This particular example would produce a
limited quantity of energy relative to modern standards, and when scaled would
be lack the structural integrity and performance to justify its cost.
The examples cited in the URL above relate to oscillating wings. The designs
however, work in only one wind direction (The oscillating wing structure),
would
not retain their intended airfoil shape while curving and buckling (at least
not
without internal structures that would prevent oscillation entirely. Some are
so
grandiose as to be structurally impossible to construct (The valley wide idea)
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Other inventions such as 6726440, attempt to modify the flapping wing
concept that has been rejected long ago as impractical. The patent 4595336
uses
two wings to create a flapping motion as well.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION¨OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
The objects of this invention are:
1. To provide a cost-effective means of capturing the energy in a wind or
water flow
2. To maximize energy extraction from wind and water currents
This invention has the following advantages:
1. Prior hydro-oriented energy capture devices rely upon rotary turbines,
water diversion and damming to generate energy. These devices are very
expensive to build and greatly interrupt the aquatic life and natural flows of
water bodies. This invention is not visible to the casual passer-by because
it is placed under the surface of a flowing water body. It operates without
halting the flow of water and aquatic life or unduly affecting surface use of
the water body.
2. This invention has the capability to use multiple flexible sheets to
capture
energy from the full width of a fluid flow.
3. Arrays of this invention can be used in succession along the course of a
water body in hydro energy capture applications, distributing power
generation along the length of a flowing water body.
4. The operating principle is one of lift and stall, making the capture of
energy
from a fluid more efficient than drag-type devices.
5. The functional complexity of this invention is simplified over existing
tower-
based HAVVT (Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines) and hydroelectric turbines.
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6. The capability of operating in shallow bodies of water (in hydro energy
capture applications) conceivably increases the potential sites the invention
can be applied to.
7. The flexible sheet is much less likely to harm birds in wind energy
applications, and much less likely to harm aquatic life in hydro energy
applications.
Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of
the drawings and ensuing description in this application.
SUMMARY
The mechanism is an energy capture device utilizing one or more flexible
sheets of material suspended between two or more pivots. The pivots are
attached to a platform, either stationary or rotary depending on the medium in
which the mechanism to operate. The pivots may operate independent of each
other or may be interconnected so as to operate in a synchronous fashion upon
urging by the flexible sheets.
DRAWINGS¨FIGURES
Figure
Figure WM*
Number
1 Perspective view of an oscillating energy capture mechanism in
accordance with the first embodiment of the invention
2 Side view of the oscillating energy capture mechanism of FIG. 1,
situated in a water flow
3 Top view of the oscillating energy capture mechanism of FIG. 1
4 Perspective view of an embodiment with two flexible sheets
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Figure
Figure Name
Number
End view of an embodiment suspended in water flow
6 Top view of the oscillating energy capture mechanism of FIG. 5
7 Side view of pivot of oscillating energy capture mechanism of FIG. 5
8 Perspective view of an embodiment with a rigid frame
9 Side view of pivot of oscillating energy capture mechanism of FIG. 8
Perspective view of an embodiment with a rigid frame and floats
11 Perspective view of an embodiment with a rotary plafform
12 Energy Capture Mechanism Cycle (1 of 8)
13 Energy Capture Mechanism Cycle (2 of 8)
14 Energy Capture Mechanism Cycle (3 of 8)
Energy Capture Mechanism Cycle (4 of 8)
16 Energy Capture Mechanism Cycle (5 of 8)
17 Energy Capture Mechanism Cycle (6 of 8)
18 Energy Capture Mechanism Cycle (7 of 8)
19 Energy Capture Mechanism Cycle (8 of 8)
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DRAWINGS-REFERENCE NUMERALS
Reference Numeral Reference Name
188 Flexible Sheet
188a Flexible Sheet Side
188b Flexible Sheet Side
190 Pivot
190a Pivot (Upstream)
190b Pivot (Downstream)
192 Pivot Mounting Base
194 Pivot Pole
196 Flexible Sheet Carrier
198 Pivot Arm
200 Suspending Member
202 Suspension Pivot Arm
204 Connection Pivot Arm
206 Connecting Member
208 Energy Output Shaft
210 Ground
212 Fluid Flow
214 Reference Plane
216 Energy Conversion Device Support
218 Bearing
220 Anchor
222 Anchor Member
224 Energy Conversion Device
226 Rotational Hanger
228 Frame Member
230 Floatation Frame Member
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Reference Numeral Reference Name
232 Rotary Base
234 I Frame Rotation Wheel
DETAILED DESCRIPTION¨PREFERRED EMBODIMENT¨FIGS. 1, 2, 3
The perspective view in FIG. 1 shows the invention as utilized within a fluid
flow such as a stream, river or other current. Multiple Pivot Mounting Bases
192
are affixed to the ground beneath a fluid flow such as a stream, river or
other
current. The Pivot Mounting Bases 192 may also be attached to a singular vane-
type structure in wind-oriented applications.
Pivot Poles 194 are attached to each respective Pivot Mounting Base 192 via
a circular Bearing 218 as shown in the side view in FIG. 2. The Pivot Poles
194
are attached perpendicular to the Reference Plane 214 as shown in FIG. 1.
Each Pivot 190 is composed of a Pivot Pole 194 that has attached to it
multiple
Suspension Pivot Arms 202 and Connection Pivot Arms 204. The Suspension
Pivot Arms 202 and Connection Pivot Arms 204 provide connection points for
Suspending Members 200 and Connecting Members 206 as shown in FIG. 1
The Connection Pivot Arms 204 on each Pivot 190 are connected to
Connection Pivot Arms 204 on adjacent Pivots 190 via Connecting Members 206,
creating a tensile connection between all Pivots 190.
The Suspension Pivot Arms 202 of a Pivot (Upstream) 190a are connected to
the corresponding Suspension Pivot Arms 202 of another Pivot (Upstream) 190a
via Suspending Members 200, forming an upper and lower support tensile
structure that enables single or multiple Flexible Sheets 188 to be supported
at
the upstream location via a Flexible Sheet Carrier 196.
The Suspension Pivot Arms 202 of one Pivot (Downstream) 190b are
connected to the corresponding Suspension Pivot Arms 202 of another Pivot
(Downstream) 190b via Suspending Members 200, forming an upper and lower
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support tensile structure that enables single or multiple Flexible Sheets 188
to be
supported at the downstream location via a Flexible Sheet Carrier 196.
The Suspending Members 200 support single or multiple Flexible Sheets 188
via Flexible Sheet Carriers 196 affixed at the Suspending Members (Upstream)
200a and Suspending Members (Downstream) locations that in turn attach to
Flexible Sheets 188.
Internal to single or multiple Pivot Poles 194 are fixed Energy Conversion
Device Supports 216 that are affixed to their respective Pivot Mounting Bases
192, with a singular example being shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Each Energy
Conversion Device Support 216 is attached to an Energy Conversion Device 224
as shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the Pivot Pole 194 is lengthened so as
to protrude above the surface of the fluid flow forming what is then termed an
Energy Output Shaft 208 as shown in FIGS 1 and 2. The Energy Output Shaft
208 attaches to an Energy Conversion Device 224 as shown in FIG. 2. The
Energy Conversion Device 224 may also be located within or below the Fluid
Flow 212.
The side view in FIG. 2 shows the invention attached to the Ground 210 that
forms the foundation. The invention itself is situated within the Fluid Flow
212.
The Reference Plane 214 is shown as the surface of the Ground 210 at the
location of the Pivot Mounting Bases 192.
Embedded in the Ground 210 are multiple Pivot Mounting Bases 192. Pivots
(Upstream) 190a and Pivots (Downstream) 190b are attached to these Pivot
Mounting Bases 192 via circular Bearings 218. In this view, only one of each
Pivot position (Upstream and downstream) is visible.
The Pivot (Upstream) 190a and Pivot (Downstream) 190b are situated fore
and aft of the Flexible Sheet Carriers 196 which in turn attach to single or
multiple
Flexible Sheets 188. In this view, only one Flexible Sheet 188 and its
corresponding Flexible Sheet Carriers 196 is visible.
The Pivot (Downstream) 190b in this view shows the fixed Energy Conversion
Device Support 216 embedded into a Pivot Mounting Base 192. The Energy
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Output Shaft 208 forms an outer shell about the Energy Conversion Device
Support 216 and is supported via a circular Bearing 218 above the Fluid Flow
212 surface in addition to the circular Bearing 218 at the Pivot Mounting Base
192.
The top view in FIG. 3 shows the Pivot Poles 194 with their affixed Connection
Pivot Arms 204 and Suspension Pivot Arms 202. The Connecting Members 206
are strung between the attachment points of the Connection Pivot Arms 204.
The Suspending Members 200 are strung between the attachment points of the
Suspension Pivot Arms 202.
The Flexible Sheet Carriers 196 are attached to the Suspending Members
200. In this view a single Flexible Sheet 188 is attached to the Flexible
Sheet
Carriers 196.
FIG. 3 also shows the Energy Conversion Device Support 216 centered within
the Energy Output Shaft 208.
OPERATION¨PREFERRED EMBODIMENT¨FIGS. 1, 12-19
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a Fluid Flow 212 approaches the
upstream end of a single Flexible Sheet 188, and strikes the leading edge of
the
upstream Flexible Sheet Carrier 196 which splits the Fluid Flow 212 at this
point
into Flexible Sheet Side 188a and Flexible Sheet Side 188b. The Pivots 190
(See FIG. 1) are fixed perpendicular to their respective Pivot Mounting Bases
192, and are free to pivot about their longitudinal axis via a Bearing 218
assembly. The Pivots 190 (See FIG. 1) are synchronized in their rotational
pivoting motion via the Connecting Members 206 that create a tensile
connection
around the perimeter of the invention.
FIGS. 12-19 show a sequence of time steps as the Fluid Flow 212 flows
through the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 12, the curvature of the Flexible Sheet 188 forces the Fluid
Flow 212 into separate positive (as indicated by the "+" symbols) and negative
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(as indicated by the "2 symbols) pressure areas on each side of the Flexible
Sheet 188, depending upon the angle of attack presented by the Flexible Sheet
188.
The lift generated by the negative pressure on the Flexible Sheet Side 188a
causes the shape to become convex on the Flexible Sheet Side 188a, at which
point the lift generated is focused at the downstream end of the Flexible
Sheet
Side 188a as shown in FIG. 13. This lift force is then transmitted into the
downstream Flexible Sheet Carrier 196 which in turn pulls the downstream
Suspending Members 200 in the direction of the lift force.
This pulling force in turn causes the downstream Suspension Pivot Arms 202
to also move in the direction of the lift force. Because of the tensile
connection
formed by the Connecting Members 206 between all four Pivots 190 in this
embodiment (As shown in FIG. 1), the upstream Suspension Pivot Arms 202
move in the opposite direction to the downstream Suspension Pivot Arms 202.
As shown in FIG. 14, the motion generated by the lift continues as in FIG. 13
until the relative position of the upstream end of the Flexible Sheet 188 and
the
downstream end of the Flexible Sheet 188 begin to create a concave pocket on
the Flexible Sheet Side 188b.
In FIGS. 15 and 16, the lift being generated by the negative pressure at the
downstream end of the Flexible Sheet Side 188a is still strong enough to
continue pulling in the direction established in FIGS. 13 and 14. However, the
upstream end of the Flexible Sheet 188 is now moving into a position where a
large negative pressure area is forming on the Flexible Sheet Side 188b near
the
upstream end. In FIG. 16, the negative pressure on the Flexible Sheet Side
188b, midway along, is set to overcome the negative pressure being generated
on the Flexible Sheet Side 188a.
This causes the Flexible Sheet 188 to reverse shape as shown in FIG. 17,
creating a focused negative pressure area near the downstream end of the
Flexible Sheet Side 188b. This transmits force into the downstream Flexible
Sheet Carrier 196 toward the Flexible Sheet Side 188b, which in turn transmits
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the force into the downstream Suspension Members 200 and downstream
Suspension Pivot Arms 202. This reverses the motion of all four Pivots 190 via
the Connecting Members 206.
FIG. 18 shows the continued motion toward in the direction of the Flexible
Sheet Side 188b.
FIG. 19 shows the downstream end of the Flexible Sheet Side 188b near its
maximum lift extent prior to the pivoting cycle beginning again as shown in
FIG.
12 due to the increasing negative pressure on the upstream Flexible Sheet Side
188a side.
The pivoting motion is transmitted into the Energy Output Shaft 208, at which
time it is converted into electrical, mechanical or other forms of energy.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION¨ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT¨FIG. 4
The perspective view in FIG. 4 shows an embodiment with two Flexible Sheets
188 spaced along the Suspending Members 200. This embodiment is composed
of the same elements as described in the "DETAILED DESCRIPTION¨
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT¨FIGS. 1, 2, 3" section, with the addition of a
second Flexible Sheet 188, attached via a second set of Flexible Sheet
Carriers
196.
OPERATION¨ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT¨FIG. 4
The operation of this embodiment is identical to that described in the
"OPERATION¨PREFERRED EMBODIMENT¨FIGS. 1, 12-19" section, with the
addition of a second Flexible Sheet 188 spaced at an adequate distance so as
to
generate optimal lift without interfering with the lift generated by the first
Flexible
Sheet 188. This enables the Flexible Sheets 188 to move in synchronous
fashion in terms of their contours, so as to generate optimal energy output.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION¨ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT¨FIGS. 5, 6, 7
The alternate embodiment in FIG. 5 is composed of the same components and
interconnections as described in the "DETAILED DESCRIPTION¨PREFERRED
EMBODIMENT¨FIGS. 1, 2, 3" section, with the following exceptions:
As shown in the end view of the alternate embodiment in FIG. 5 it does not
make use of Pivot Mounting Bases 192 (See FIG. 1) but instead attaches the
Pivot Poles 194 to Rotational Hangers 226. As shown in FIG. 7, one Rotational
Hanger 226 is attached via a Bearing 218 at one end of a Pivot Pole 194 and
another Rotational Hanger 226 is attached via a Bearing 218 at the other end
of
the same Pivot Pole 194. In FIG. 5, The Rotational Hangers 226 are connected
via Anchor Members 222 to Anchors 220 embedded into the Ground 210 of a
riverbed, streambed or other flowing water body bottom or shoreline. The
Pivots
190 are aligned on a Reference Plane 214 independent of the Anchor 220
locations.
An Energy Output Shaft 208 passes through a Rotational Hanger 226 on one
end of a selected Pivot Pole 194 and into an Energy Conversion Device 224.
Anchor Members 222 suspend the Energy Conversion Device 224 above the
Fluid Flow 212 by connecting to the Energy Conversion Device 224 housing and
to the Anchors 220. In addition the Energy Conversion Device 224 could be
supported by the Rotational Hanger 226 that the Energy Output Shaft 208 passes
through.
FIG. 6 shows this embodiment from a top view. The Anchors 220 attach to the
Rotational Hangers 226 via the Anchor Members 222.
FIG. 7 shows a side view of the Pivot 190 mechanism used in this
embodiment. A Pivot Pole 194 with shaft extensions at each end and attached
Pivot Arms 198 is coupled with the Rotational Hangers 226, one at each end. A
Bearing 218 is used to enable the Pivot Pole 194 and Pivot Arms 198 to rotate
freely according to their constraints while the Rotational Hangers 226 are
held
stationary.
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OPERATION¨ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT¨FIG. 5, 6, 7
The operation of this embodiment is identical to that described in the
"OPERATION¨PREFERRED EMBODIMENT¨FIGS. 1, 12-19" section, with the
following exceptions:
The Pivots 190 are free to rotate within the constraints of the other
components via their Bearing 218 connections to the Rotational Hangers 226.
The Rotational Hangers 226 are held stationary by their connections to the
Anchor Members 222 and by extension their respective Anchors 220. This
structure provides the same support to the Pivots 190 as the Pivot Mounting
Bases 192 of the preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION¨ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT¨FIGS. 8,9
The perspective view in FIG. 8 shows an embodiment with multiple Frame
Members 228 connecting the Pivots 190 to form a rigid frame structure. This
embodiment is composed of the same elements as described in the "DETAILED
DESCRIPTION¨PREFERRED EMBODIMENT¨FIGS. 1, 2, 3" section, with the
following exceptions:
As shown in FIG. 8 this embodiment does not make use of Pivot Mounting
Bases 192 (See FIG. 1) but instead attaches the Pivot Poles 194 to rigid
intersections of the Frame Members 228.
FIG. 9 shows a detailed side view of a Pivot 190 of FIG. 8. The intersections
of the Frame Members 228 are located at both ends of the Pivot Pole 194. The
Pivot Poles 194 have shaft-like extensions that are passed through the
intersections and supported via Bearings 218. An Energy Conversion Device
Support 216 is shown mounted to one of the Frame Members 228.
Shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 is a Pivot 190 having a further extension at one
end of the Pivot Pole 194 that forms an Energy Output Shaft 208.
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OPERATION¨ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT¨FIGS. 8,9
The operation of this embodiment is identical to that described in
"OPERATION¨PREFERRED EMBODIMENT¨FIGS. 1, 12-19" section, with the
following exceptions:
The Pivots 190 are free to rotate within the constraints of the components
they
are connected to via their Bearing 218 connections to the intersections of the
Frame Members 228.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION¨ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT¨FIG. 10
The perspective view in FIG. 10 shows an embodiment with multiple Frame
Members 228 and multiple Floatation Frame Members 230 connecting the Pivots
190 to form a rigid frame structure. This embodiment is composed of the same
elements as the alternate embodiment as described in the "DETAILED
DESCRIPTION¨ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT¨FIGS. 8, 9" section, with the
following exceptions:
As shown in FIG. 10, the Floatation Frame Members 230 form a box shape
connecting the Pivots 190 at the top of the structure, while the Frame Members
228 form a box shape connecting the Pivots 190 at the bottom of the structure.
OPERATION¨ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT¨FIG. 10
The operation of this embodiment is identical to that described in
"OPERATION¨PREFERRED EMBODIMENT¨FIGS. 1, 12-19" section, with the
following exceptions:
The Pivots 190 are free to rotate within the constraints of the components
they
are connected to via their Bearing 218 connections to the intersections of the
Frame Members 228 and intersections of the Floatation Frame Members 230.
This embodiment would operate with buoyancy, and could alternately substitute
Floatation Frame Members 230 for the Frame Members 228 to increase
buoyancy.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION¨ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT¨FIG. 11
The perspective view in FIG. 11 shows an embodiment with a rigid structure
composed of Frame Members 228 that is supported via Frame Rotation Wheels
234 riding on a Rotary Base 232. This embodiment is composed of the same
elements as the alternate embodiment as described in the "DETAILED
DESCRIPTION¨ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT¨FIGS. 8, 9" section, with the
following exceptions:
As shown in FIG. 11, the Pivots 190 have attached Frame Rotation Wheels to
one end, which ride atop a circular Rotary Base 232 to enable 360 degree
rotation capability.
OPERATION¨ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT¨FIG. 11
The operation of this embodiment is identical to that described in
"OPERATION¨PREFERRED EMBODIMENT¨FIGS. 1, 12-19" section, with the
following exceptions:
The Pivots 190 are free to rotate within the constraints of the components
they
are connected to via their Bearing 218 connections to the intersections of the
Frame Members 228. The rigid structure formed by the Frame Members 228 is
rotatable so as to position the Flexible Sheet 188 into a parallel orientation
to a
fluid flow. The primary application for this embodiment is in fluid flows that
change directions.
CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE
While my above description contains many specifities, these should not be
construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an
exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are
possible. For example:
1. Scaling of the Flexible sheet to increase energy capture
2. Alternate shapes of pivot structures to optimize fluid flow around them
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3. The use of tension/compression and tension-only Connection Members
and Support Members.
4. The use of natural and synthetic materials for the Connection Members and
Support Members.
5. The use of multiple Energy Output Shafts, attached to separate Pivots, to
distribute force to multiple Energy Conversion Devices.
6. The use of tension/compression Anchor Members.
7. Optimizations to riverbeds/streambeds to enhance performance.
8. Optimizations to water courses to enhance performance. (e.g. Narrowing)
9. Addition of the device to high-rise building structures
10. Application of the invention embodiments normally intended for wind to
water, and vice versa.
11. Other shapes for the flexible sheet that encourage improved lift
generation
12. Other appendages to the structure of the mechanism to encourage fluid
flow speed increases past the mechanism.
13. Use of the water-based embodiments in tidal areas of oceans or in areas of
strong current movement.
14. Floating the water-based embodiments upon the surface of the water,
suspending their energy capture components below the water surface.
15. Refinements to the structure and flexible sheet to improve performance
16. The use of synthetic or natural materials for the flexible sheet,
including
semi-rigid and rigid materials.
17. The optimization of the layout of the mechanical components such that the
disturbances to fluid flow are minimized.
18. The stacking of multiple vertical or horizontal flexible sheets and
related
structure to enable operation in a deeper/shallower fluid flow
19. Adjustable height flexible sheets and related structure to enable
adjustment
for fluid flow depth.
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20.To optimize the layout of multiple Oscillating Energy Capture Mechanisms
as described, to create a greater result than an individual mechanism, or
optimized to avoid detrimental effects.
21.The use of synthetic or natural materials for the structure of the
mechanism
including composites.
22. The use of the flexible sheet as a public advertising or information
medium,
including the projection of images onto the surface.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the
embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal
equivalents.
