Method for efficiently obtaining mechanical work and/or generating power from fluid flows and apparatus thereof

Abstract

The invention describes a method for more efficient way of obtaining mechanical work and/or power generation from fluid flows with the oscillating motion of the blade and the counterweight in a direction that is perpendicular to the flow of fluid in conjunction with a smooth and periodic change of the angle of the blade to the flow of fluid over the sine wave which is characterized by being carried out by: rotating the surface of the blade to the direction of the fluid's flow and/or; changing the amplitude of the oscillation of the blade with respect to the fluid's flow rate and/or; changing the amplitude of the angle of the blade with respect to the fluid's flow rate; capturing mechanical work in the form of torque or tensile/compressive force to propel attached machinery or generate power from the arm of the counterweight. The invention further describes the apparatus to carry out this method.

Claims

1. An apparatus for obtaining mechanical work and/or generating power from fluid flows with increased effectiveness comprising: a vertical arrangement of a blade and a counterweight pivoting on a pivot joint, wherein the pivot joint (3) of the blade (1) is coupled with the counterweight (5) via an arm (2b) of the counterweight, wherein the arm (2b) of the counterweight is coupled with at least two mechanisms belonging to a system of control mechanisms comprising: a first mechanism (A) for taking torque or tensile/compressive force containing a first rod (20), a first pivot joint (22), a first articulated mounting (21) and a flywheel (10), wherein an electric generator is attached to the flywheel (10); the first mechanism (A) further comprising a mechanism (D1) for changing the amplitude of the oscillation of the blade with respect to the fluid's flow rate containing a first linear actuator (101) coupled to the first articulated mounting (21), and/or a mechanism (D2) for changing the amplitude of the oscillation of the blade with respect to the fluid's flow rate containing a second linear actuator (102) coupled to the first pivot joint (22); a second mechanism (B) for continuously and periodically changing an angle alpha of the blade in relation to direction of the flow of fluid in a range from 0 to max.90 throughout an oscillation containing a second rod (23), a second pivot joint (25), an angle lever (4) and a second articulated mounting (24); the second mechanism (B) further comprising a mechanism (C) for continuously rotating a surface of the blade into a direction of the fluid's flow containing a length-adjustable member incorporated into the second rod (23); the second mechanism (B) further comprising a mechanism (E1) for changing the amplitude of the angle of the blade with respect to the fluid's flow velocity containing a third linear actuator (103) coupled to the second articulated mounting (24), and/or a mechanism (E2) for changing the amplitude of the angle of the blade with respect to the fluid's flow velocity containing a fifth linear actuator (104) coupled to the angle lever (4).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the length-adjustable member is a fourth linear actuator (100).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blade (1) is located above the counterweight (5) and the pivot joint (3) of the blade (1) is located above the center of gravity, and wherein the angle beta of oscillation of the blade (1) in relation to the vertical is from 0 to max.90 and the apparatus is in the form of a wind turbine.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pivot joint (3) of the blade (1) is located in the center of gravity, and wherein the angle beta of the oscillation of the blade (1) in relation to the horizontal is from 0 to max.90 of the oscillation and the apparatus is in the form of a wind turbine.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blade (1) is a water turbine blade, wherein the blade (1) is located under the counterweight (5) and the pivot joint (3) of the blade (1) is located above the center of gravity, and wherein the angle beta of the oscillation of the blade (1) in relation to the vertical is from 0 to max.90 and the apparatus is in the form of a water turbine.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pivot joint (3) of the blade (1), counterweight (5), flywheel (10), the first mechanism (A) and the second mechanism (B) are integrated in a container located on the surface or below the surface of the ground or mounted on a boat or in a building.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pivot joint (3) of the blade (1), counterweight (5) are installed integrated in an auxiliary container.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blade (1) comprises at least two blades (1) are arranged in a multiple linear line-up and at least two mechanisms (A) or at least two mechanisms (B) are coupled together or are mutually independent.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blade (1) comprises at least two blades (1) are arranged in a multiple radial line-up and at least two mechanisms (A) or two mechanisms (B) are coupled together or are mutually independent.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The more efficient way of obtaining mechanical work and/or generating power from fluid flows and the apparatus for more efficient obtaining of mechanical work and/or power generation from fluid flows based on the invention are further described in the specific embodiments shown in the figures:

(2) FIG. 1a illustrates the basic structural layout of a wind turbine for above-ground installations with a mechanism for capturing torque or tensile/compressive force and a mechanism for smooth and periodic variations in the alpha angle of the blade.

(3) FIG. 1b illustrates the container assembly of a wind turbine for underground installation.

(4) FIG. 1c shows a graph with the sine wave of the smooth change of the blade's angle.

(5) FIG. 2a illustrates the mechanism for a smooth rotation of the surface of the blade rotation boundaries to the direction of the fluid's flow.

(6) FIG. 2b shows the graph of the surface rotation of the blade to the direction of the fluid's flow.

(7) FIG. 3a illustrates the first mechanism for changing the amplitude of the oscillation of the blade with respect to the fluid's flow rate.

(8) FIG. 3b illustrates the second mechanism for changing the amplitude of the oscillation of the blade with respect to the fluid's flow rate.

(9) FIG. 3c shows the graph of decreasing the amplitude of the oscillation of the blade.

(10) FIG. 4a illustrates the first mechanism for changing the amplitude of the blade's angle with respect to the fluid's flow rate.

(11) FIG. 4b illustrates the second mechanism for changing the amplitude of the blade's angle with respect to the fluid's flow rate.

(12) FIG. 4c shows the graph of decreasing the amplitude of the blade's angle.

(13) FIG. 5 illustrates a water turbine assembly for a boat arrangement.

(14) FIG. 6a illustrates the linear line-up of three wind turbines, for simplicity's sake drawn only coupled with mechanisms for capturing torque or tensile/compressive force and with mechanisms for smooth and periodic variations in the alpha angle of the blade, and a schematic performance characteristic per cycle.

(15) FIG. 6b illustrates the linear line-up of three wind turbines, for simplicity's sake drawn only with independent mechanisms for capturing torque or tensile/compressive force and with independent mechanisms for smooth and periodic variations in the alpha angle of the blade, and a schematic performance characteristic per cycle.

(16) FIG. 7a illustrates the radial line-up of three wind turbines, for simplicity's sake drawn only coupled with mechanisms for capturing torque or tensile/compressive force and with mechanisms for smooth and periodic variations in the alpha angle of the blade, and a schematic performance characteristic per cycle.

(17) FIG. 7b illustrates the radial line-up of three wind turbines, for simplicity's sake drawn only with independent mechanisms for capturing torque or tensile/compressive force and with independent mechanisms for smooth and periodic variations in the alpha angle of the blade, and a schematic performance characteristic per cycle.

(18) FIG. 8a shows the structural layout of a device for more efficient obtaining of mechanical work from airflow with a mechanism for capturing the torque to drive a carousel located in an amusement park.

(19) FIG. 8b shows the structural layout of a device for more efficient power generation for the needs of refugees in a humanitarian reception camp.

(20) FIG. 9a shows the structural layout of a device for more efficient obtaining of mechanical work from airflow in the basic container embodiment.

(21) FIG. 9b shows the structural layout of a device for more efficient obtaining of mechanical work from airflow with one main container and one attached expansion container with a single blade in the linear line-up.

(22) FIG. 9c shows the structural layout of a device for more efficient obtaining of mechanical work from airflow with one main container and one attached expansion container with two blades in the linear line-up.

(23) FIG. 9d shows the structural layout of a device for more efficient obtaining of mechanical work from airflow with one main container and two attached expansion containers with single blades in the radial line-up.

(24) FIG. 9e shows the structural layout of a device for more efficient obtaining of mechanical work from airflow with one main container and five attached expansion containers with two blades each in the radial line-up.

EXAMPLES

(25) It is evident that the individual embodiments of the more efficient way of obtaining mechanical work and/or generating power from fluid flows and corresponding apparatus according to the present invention are presented by way of illustration only and not as their restrictions. Skilled experts in the art will be able to ascertain many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention using no more than routine experimentation. Then even such equivalents shall fall within the scope of the following patent claims.

(26) Skilled experts in the art shall not find it difficult to design the dimensions of the apparatus for more efficient obtaining of mechanical work and/or generating power from fluid flows and to make a suitable choice of materials and design layout, so these characteristics have not been addressed in detail.

Example 1

(27) This example of a specific embodiment of the present invention describes a more efficient way of obtaining mechanical work and/or generating power from fluid flows, the operation of which is evident from FIGS. 1 and 2. The method uses the pendular motion of the blade and the counterweight in a direction that is perpendicular to the flow of fluid in conjunction with a smooth and periodic change of the angle of the blade to the flow of fluid over the sine wave. Furthermore, the method performs: the rotation of the surface of the blade rotation boundaries to the direction of the fluid's flow and/or if a change in the direction of the flow of wind or water occurs; changes in the amplitude of the oscillation of the blade with respect to the fluid's flow rate and/or if this does not suffice, then also changes in the amplitude of the angle of the blade with respect to the fluid's flow rate; capturing mechanical work in the form of torque or tensile/compressive force to propel attached machinery or generate power from the arm of the counterweight.

Example 2

(28) This example of a specific embodiment of the present invention describes the construction of the apparatus for a more efficient way of generating power from fluid flows, as a modification to a wind turbine mounted below the ground level 26 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The core of the structure is comprised of a pendular arrangement of a vertical blade 1 and a counterweight 5 pivotally mounted onto a pivot joint 3 with the axis 6 of oscillation and installed in static elements 16. In this case, the blade 1 is located above the counterweight 5 and the pivot joint 3 of the blade 1 is located above the center of gravity. The essence of the invention lies in the fact that the pivot joint 3 of the vertical blade 1 with a symmetrical aerodynamic profile and its axis 7 and the arm 2a of the blade 1 is coupled with the counterweight of a slightly higher weight than the blade 1 via the arm 2a of the counterweight 5, while the arm 2a of the counterweight 5 is coupled with the following control mechanisms. The first is the mechanism A with an incorporated flywheel 10 with its axis 17 of rotation, the first articulated mounting 21 with trajectory 18, the first rod 20 and the first pivot joint 22 to capture torque. The electric generator 12 is connected to the flywheel 10. A series of magnets 13 with varying polarities are mounted onto the perimeter of the disc of the electric generator. There are static coils 14 positioned in the magnetic field of these magnets 13. The second is the mechanism B mounted on the shaft 11 with a crank 15 with the contained second articulated mounting 24 with trajectory 19 the second rod 23 the second pivot joint 25 and the lever 4 for the angle of attack for smooth and periodic changes in the alpha angle between 0 and 80 up to 90 of the blade 1 over the entire oscillation from one outermost position 8 to the other outermost position 9 against the direction of the fluid's flow, as shown in the graph in FIG. 1c. The third is the mechanism C for the smooth rotation of the surface of the blade rotation boundaries to the direction of the fluid's flow containing a length-adjustable member that is placed in the second rod 23. The length-adjustable member is the fourth linear actuator 100, as shown in FIG. 2a and in the graph in FIG. 2b. The fourth is the mechanism D1 for changing the amplitude of the oscillation of the blade 1 with respect to the fluid's flow rate with the first linear actuator 101 attached to the first articulated mounting 21, as shown in FIG. 3a, or with the alternative fifth mechanism D2 for changing the amplitude of the oscillation of the blade 1 with respect to the fluid's flow rate with the second linear actuator 102 attached to the first pivot joint 22, as shown in FIG. 3b. The effects of the fourth and/or the fifth mechanism D1, D2 on changing the amplitude of the oscillation of the blade 1 from the vertical at the beta angle between 0 and 60 up to 90 to the flow rate of the fluid are shown in the graph in FIG. 3c. The sixth is the mechanism E1 for changing the amplitude of the blade's angle with respect to the fluid's flow rate with the third linear actuator 103 attached to the second articulated mounting 24, as shown in FIG. 4a, or with the alternative seventh mechanism E2 for changing the amplitude of the blade's angle with respect to the fluid's flow rate with the fifth linear actuator 104 attached to the lever 4 of the angle of attack, as shown in FIG. 4b. The effects of the sixth and/or the seventh mechanism E1, E2 on changing the amplitude of the blade's angle with respect to the fluid's flow rate are shown in the graph in FIG. 4c.

Example 3

(29) This example of a specific embodiment of the present invention describes the applications of the apparatus for more efficient obtaining of mechanical work and/or generating power from wind. The structure is described in detail in Example 2. FIG. 1a illustrates a container-type application anchored to the ground, which is also suitable for placement on isolated islands with a small population. FIG. 1b illustrates a container-type application located/buried under the ground, which is suitable for placement in suburban locations on the outskirts of housing developments.

Example 4

(30) This example of a specific embodiment of the present invention describes the construction of the apparatus for a more efficient way of generating power from flowing liquid (water), as a modification to a water turbine, as shown in FIG. 5. The core of the structure is comprised of a pendular arrangement of the vertical blade 1 and the counterweight 5 pivotally mounted onto the pivot joint 3, with the structure anchored to a boat or pontoon, as already described in Example 2. The difference of the structure lies in the fact that the blade 1 is located below the counterweight 5 and the pivot joint 3 of the blade 1 is located above the center of gravity, while the beta angle of the amplitude of the oscillation of the blade 1 to the vertical is a maximum of 90 of the oscillation.

Example 5

(31) This example of a specific embodiment of the present invention describes the applications of the apparatus for more efficient obtaining of mechanical work and/or generating power from wind for multiple line-ups. The structure of individual apparatuses is described in detail in Example 2. FIG. 6a illustrates the linear line-up of three wind turbines, for simplicity's sake drawn only coupled with mechanisms A for capturing torque or tensile/compressive force with one common crank and only coupled with mechanisms B for smooth and periodic variations in the alpha angle of the blade with one common crank. The attached scheme illustrates the performance characteristic per cycle reaching values from zero to two maximums.

Example 6

(32) This example of a specific embodiment of the present invention describes the applications of the apparatus for more efficient obtaining of mechanical work and/or generating power from wind for multiple line-ups. The structure of individual apparatuses is described in detail in Example 2. FIG. 6b illustrates the linear line-up of three wind turbines, for simplicity's sake drawn only with independent mechanisms A for capturing torque or tensile/compressive force with three independent cranks and with independent mechanisms B for smooth and periodic variations in the alpha angle of the blade with three independent cranks. The attached scheme illustrates the performance characteristic per cycle reaching values with six minimums and six maximums.

Example 7

(33) This example of a specific embodiment of the present invention describes the applications of the apparatus for more efficient obtaining of mechanical work and/or generating power from wind for multiple line-ups. The structure of individual apparatuses is described in detail in Example 2. FIG. 7a illustrates the radial line-up of three wind turbines, for simplicity's sake drawn only coupled with mechanisms A for capturing torque or tensile/compressive force with one common crank and coupled with mechanisms B for smooth and periodic variations in the alpha angle of the blade with one common crank. The attached scheme illustrates the performance characteristic per cycle reaching values with six minimums and six maximums.

Example 8

(34) This example of a specific embodiment of the present invention describes the applications of the apparatus for more efficient obtaining of mechanical work and/or generating power from wind for multiple line-ups. The structure of individual apparatuses is described in detail in Example 2. FIG. 7b illustrates the radial line-up of three wind turbines, for simplicity's sake drawn only with independent mechanisms A for capturing torque or tensile/compressive force with three independent cranks and with independent mechanisms B for smooth and periodic variations in the alpha angle of the blade with three independent cranks. The attached scheme illustrates the performance characteristic per cycle reaching values from zero to two maximums.

Example 9

(35) This example of a specific embodiment of the present invention describes an application of the apparatus for more efficient obtaining of mechanical work from wind. The structure of the apparatus is described in detail in Example 2. FIG. 8a shows the structural layout of the device, for simplicity's sake drawn only with the mechanism A for capturing the torque to drive a carousel located in an amusement park.

Example 10

(36) This example of a specific embodiment of the present invention describes an application of the apparatus for more efficient power generation from wind. The structure of the apparatus is described in detail in Example 2. FIG. 8b shows the structural layout of the device, for simplicity's sake drawn only with the mechanism A for the needs of refugees in a humanitarian refugee camp. It is basically an energy container that also contains associated photovoltaic systems 200 with batteries 201, a diesel engine 202 and storage systems with water 203 and a water treatment apparatus 204.

Example 11

(37) This example of a specific embodiment of the present invention describes modular applications of the apparatus for more efficient obtaining of mechanical work and/or generating power from wind for multiple container line-ups. The structure of individual apparatuses is already described in detail in Example 2. FIG. 9a shows the structural layout of the device for more efficient obtaining of mechanical work from airflow in the basic container assembly with a single blade 1 and one electric generator 12. FIG. 9b shows the structural layout of the device for more efficient obtaining of mechanical work from airflow with one main container with a single blade 1 and one electric generator 12 and one attached expansion container with a single blade 1 in the linear line-up. FIG. 9c shows the structural layout of the device for more efficient obtaining of mechanical work from airflow with one main container with a single blade 1 and one electric generator 12 and one attached expansion container with two blades 1 in the linear line-up. FIG. 9d shows the structural layout of the device for more efficient obtaining of mechanical work from airflow with one main container with a single blade 1 and one electric generator 12 and two attached expansion containers with a single blade 1 each in the radial line-up. FIG. 9e shows the structural layout of the device for more efficient obtaining of mechanical work from airflow with one main container with a single blade 1 and one electric generator 12 and five attached expansion containers with two blades 1 each in the radial star line-up.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

(38) The more efficient way of obtaining mechanical work and/or generating power from fluid flows and corresponding apparatuses based on the invention can find their application especially in the power engineering industry, as well as a drive for pumps, winches, carousels, etc.