PLENUM RESIDENT WIND TURBINE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEM

Abstract

A plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system includes: a wind turbine assembly for installation within a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit, the wind turbine assembly including a rigid body with a plurality of blades mounted on an outer surface of the rigid body, the wind turbine assembly including a transverse shaft positioned at an axis of the rigid body and configured for installation lengthwise perpendicularly to a flow of air within the HVAC unit; a generator in mechanical engagement with the transverse shaft of the wind turbine assembly, the generator further including an electrical connector for coupling the generator to a battery or a power grid; and a computing device in wireless data communication with a software application program (App) running on a mobile device, the computing device being configured to control operation of the wind turbine assembly and generator based on controls received from the App.

Claims

1. A wind turbine sustainable energy generating system comprising: a wind turbine assembly for installation within a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit, the wind turbine assembly including a rigid body with a plurality of blades mounted on an outer surface of the rigid body, the wind turbine assembly including a transverse shaft positioned at an axis of the rigid body and configured for installation lengthwise perpendicularly to a flow of air within the HVAC unit; a generator in mechanical engagement with the transverse shaft of the wind turbine assembly, the generator further including an electrical connector for coupling the generator to a battery or a power grid; and a computing device in wireless data communication with a software application program (App) running on a mobile device, the computing device being configured to control operation of the wind turbine assembly and generator based on controls received from the App.

2. The wind turbine sustainable energy generating system of claim 1 wherein the App and controls are configured to control operation for multiple users, parameters, restrictions, multiple turbines, multiple HVAC systems, multiple buildings, multiple locations and multiple air moving apparatuses.

3. The wind turbine sustainable energy generating system of claim 1 wherein the App and controls are configured to track and control both the wind turbine assembly and corresponding HVAC equipment.

4. The wind turbine sustainable energy generating system of claim 1 wherein the App and controls are configured to track and control both the wind turbine assembly and corresponding HVAC equipment based on an installation date, an installing contractor, a building location, a unit make, a unit year, a model number, a serial number, a tonnage, a size, or a capacity of the wind turbine assembly.

5. The wind turbine sustainable energy generating system of claim 1 wherein the App and controls are configured to track and control a location or destination to where generated energy is sent.

6. The wind turbine sustainable energy generating system of claim 1 wherein the App and controls are configured for use with a trained Artificial Intelligence (AI) model to alert or suggest runtimes, service, maintenance, upgrades, failures, repairs, or replacements, for the wind turbine assembly, corresponding HVAC equipment, or a plurality of air moving apparatuses.

7. The wind turbine sustainable energy generating system of claim 1 wherein the App and controls are configured to track and control the wind turbine assembly and corresponding HVAC equipment based on a service log.

8. The wind turbine sustainable energy generating system of claim 1 wherein the App and controls are configured to track and control the wind turbine assembly and corresponding HVAC equipment based on blower usage, an On/Off condition, a blower On/Off condition, blower speed, electrical current, electrical current produced, power spikes, power outages, time of failure, or scheduled outages.

9. The wind turbine sustainable energy generating system of claim 1 wherein the App and controls are configured for use with a trained Artificial Intelligence (AI) model to alert or suggest when the wind turbine assembly will ramp up or down, or turn On/Off based on parameters or on time of day, load, weather, or humidity.

10. The wind turbine sustainable energy generating system of claim 1 wherein the App and controls are configured for use with a trained Artificial Intelligence (AI) model to alert or suggest information about upcoming service, maintenance, grid management, or grid alerts.

11. The wind turbine sustainable energy generating system of claim 1 wherein the App and controls are configured to utilize grid optimization and energy management.

12. The wind turbine sustainable energy generating system of claim 1 including software or firmware that monitors the wind turbine sustainable energy generating system and tracks power created, power flow, and power usage and communicates with third party grid optimization and grid management software to control or distribute energy profits.

13. The wind turbine sustainable energy generating system of claim 1 wherein the App and controls are in data communication with energy grid management companies to receive information about upcoming events for opportunities to bid on cheaper energy rates.

14. The wind turbine sustainable energy generating system of claim 1 wherein the App and controls are configured to create reports based on usage, upcoming events, schedules, service, maintenance, repairs, outages, energy generation, energy saved, power sent to battery storage, and power sent to the grid.

15. The wind turbine sustainable energy generating system of claim 1 wherein the wind turbine assembly is configured with one or more of various types of upwind catching designs.

16. The wind turbine sustainable energy generating system of claim 15 wherein the various types of upwind catching designs include round cupped fins and honeycomb shaped fins.

17. The wind turbine sustainable energy generating system of claim 15 wherein the various types of upwind catching designs include individual rotating fins designed to ramp up or down based on set program parameters.

18. A method for generating wind turbine sustainable energy, the method comprising: installing a wind turbine assembly within a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit, the wind turbine assembly including a plurality of blades; positioning the wind turbine assembly perpendicularly to a flow of air within the HVAC unit; installing a generator proximate to the wind turbine assembly; coupling the wind turbine assembly in mechanical engagement with the generator; coupling an electrical connector of the generator to a battery or a power grid; causing the HVAC unit to generate an air flow to the wind turbine assembly; and installing a computing device in wireless data communication with a software application program (App) running on a mobile device, the computing device being configured to control operation of the wind turbine assembly and generator based on controls received from the App.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the App and controls are configured to track and control both the wind turbine assembly and corresponding HVAC equipment.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the wind turbine assembly is configured with one or more of various types of upwind catching designs.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates an HVAC system in which an example embodiment of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system is installed;

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a detail of an example embodiment of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system as installed in an HVAC system;

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a wind turbine assembly with a shaft and stators, which can be used in an example embodiment of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system as disclosed herein;

[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a wind turbine assembly with a shaft as coupled with a gearbox and a generator in an example embodiment; and

[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram representing a sequence of operations performed in a method according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the disclosed subject matter can be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

[0013] According to various example embodiments of the disclosed subject matter as described herein, there is disclosed, illustrated, and claimed a plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system. The example embodiments disclosed herein provide an apparatus, system, and method implemented as a plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system. Example embodiments of the disclosed energy generation system provide one or more wind turbine assemblies installed in a plenum of a conventional HVAC system. The wind turbine assemblies are positioned to be plenum resident and within the flow of air produced by the HVAC blower. The air flow produced by the HVAC blower causes the wind turbine assemblies to turn at a relatively constant rate of speed. A transverse center axle or shaft of each wind turbine assembly can be directly coupled to an electrical generator or coupled to the generator via a gearbox or gear linkage. The gearbox can be used to adjust for the appropriate speed of the wind turbine assembly shaft relative to the shaft of the generator. As the wind turbine assembly is turned by the air flow produced by the HVAC blower, the generator also turns and generates electrical power, which can be fed to a downstream electrical load, such as a battery or a power grid. Because the HVAC blower is required to be constantly active, the one or more wind turbine assemblies always receive the relatively constant air flow from the HVAC blower. As a result, the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system as described herein can leverage the air flow from the HVAC blower to produce sustainable electrical energy.

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an HVAC system 100 in which an example embodiment of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 is installed. Referring now to FIG. 1 in an example embodiment, the HVAC system 100 includes a plenum through which return air is received. An HVAC blower serves to move air from the return air intake duct, through the plenum, and out through an outflow duct provided in a supply chamber portion of the HVAC plenum. Because the HVAC blower will be constantly running at a relatively constant speed, a constant air flow at a constant rate is produced by the HVAC blower through the supply chamber portion of the HVAC plenum.

[0015] An example embodiment of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 can be installed or placed into the supply or return chamber portion of the HVAC plenum to take advantage of the constant air flow produced by the HVAC blower. The energy generating system 200 can be attached to the interior surfaces of the supply chamber or placed into the supply or return chamber on a separate support structure. The details of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 of an example embodiment are provided below.

[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a detail of an example embodiment of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as installed in an HVAC system 100. In an example embodiment, the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 can include one or more vertically and/or horizontally mounted wind turbine assemblies 210, each made from a rigid body (e.g., a light metal alloy, carbon fiber, or the like) and blades (e.g., aluminum, carbon fiber, plastic, or the like). Each of the wind turbines can be mounted on or integrated with a transverse shaft through the center of the wind turbine assembly 210 that spins as the wind turbine spins as a result of the air flow from the HVAC blower. Stators can also be provided on the shaft as stationary mounting points for the wind turbine assembly 210. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of these wind turbine assemblies 210 can be installed or placed into the supply chamber portion of the HVAC plenum. Each of the plurality of wind turbine assemblies 210 will spin as a result of the air flow from the HVAC blower.

[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a wind turbine assembly 210 with a shaft 215 with stators 212, which can be used in an example embodiment of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein. As described above, the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 can include one or more vertically and/or horizontally mounted wind turbine assemblies 210, each made from a rigid body (e.g., a light metal alloy, carbon fiber, or the like) and blades (e.g., aluminum, carbon fiber, plastic, or the like). Each of the wind turbines can be mounted on or integrated with a transverse shaft through the center of the wind turbine assembly 210 that spins as the wind turbine spins as a result of the air flow from the HVAC blower. Stators 212 can also be provided on the shaft as stationary mounting points for the wind turbine assembly 210.

[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates a wind turbine assembly 210 with a transverse shaft 215 as coupled with a gearbox 220 and a generator 230 in an example embodiment. As described above, the wind turbine assembly 210 along with the transverse shaft 215 spins as the wind turbine spins as a result of the air flow from the HVAC blower. As shown in FIG. 4, an end of the transverse shaft 215 can be coupled to or integrated with a first gear 222 of gearbox 220. First gear 222 can be sized relative to the typical or average speed at which the transverse shaft 215 is expected to turn in normal operation. A second gear 225 can be in mechanical engagement with first gear 222. The spinning motion of the first gear 222 will cause a corresponding spinning of the second gear 225. As shown in FIG. 4, the second gear 225 can be coupled to or integrated with a shaft of the generator 230. The spinning motion of the second gear 225 will cause a corresponding spinning of the shaft of the generator 230, which will cause the generation of electrical energy on wires 232. Second gear 225 can be sized relative to the typical or average speed at which the generator 230 is most efficient in normal operation. Typically, the first gear 222 and the second gear 225 are of different sizes. As a result of the structure and coupling of the wind turbine assembly 210, the gearbox 220, and the generator 230 in an example embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, the spinning motion of the wind turbine assembly 210 caused by the HVAC blower will cause a spinning of the first gear 222 of gearbox 220, which will cause a corresponding spinning of the second gear 225 of gearbox 220, which will cause a corresponding spinning of the shaft of the generator 230, which will cause the generation of electrical energy on wires 232. The electrical energy output from the generator 230 on wires 232 can be coupled and fed to a downstream electrical load, such as a battery 310 or a power grid. Thus, the example embodiments of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 can convert air flow from an HVAC blower into a source of sustainable electrical energy.

[0019] The example embodiments of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein can provide cylindrical wind turbines that will fit into blower HVAC plenums. The wind turbines can spin at pre-configured speeds based on a cubic feet per minute (CFM) air flow speed determined by the size of HVAC equipment. The plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein can produce electrical energy in kilowatts (KW) through the generator 230, which can be converted to useable AC power and transferred back to the electrical grid. The example embodiments as disclosed herein can provide a new wind turbine assembly designed for a constant air flow and configured to fit in a confined space, such as an HVAC plenum. Example embodiments of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 can be used in commercial buildings worldwide and can be used to help offset electrical costs of air conditioning these buildings. A dual power inverter can be used with 12v-48v batteries for power storage. Alternatively, a synchronized inverter 320 can transfer power to the electrical grid and enable an owner to receive credit from the utility company. In an example embodiment, the gearbox 220 can be installed to maximize the kinetic power from the shaft 215 on the low profile wind turbine assembly 210. The gearbox 220 attached to the wind turbine assembly 210 can be specifically designed for a constant CFM air flow. In an example embodiment, the gearbox 220 can be a step up gearbox, which will increase RPM of shaft gears, possibly up to a 90:1 ratio. This increase of RPMs will spin the shaft of the generator 230 with a fixed RPM and will produce the same amount of electrical power during unit operation. The amount of electrical power required by the system can be used to determine the size and quantity of wind turbine assemblies 210 to install. In example embodiments, HVAC equipment producing air flows at 12 mph and up to 80 mph can spin multiple wind turbine assemblies 210 located in an HVAC plenum. Depending on the size of the HVAC equipment and the quantity of wind turbine assemblies 210 installed inside of the HVAC unit, it is possible to completely offset the operational costs of running the HVAC units. The plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 of various example embodiments can use a constant cubic feet per minute (CFM) air flow and generate electrical power (KWH) from an airflow moving at 6 mph or more. Other embodiments can use air flows produced by the largest HVAC equipment that produces 300,000 CFM. Turbine blades can be designed to catch an optimum air flow at a high constant volume. Blades can also produce a small amount of CFM and may offset any potential blockage caused by the wind turbine assemblies.

[0020] The example embodiments of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein can be further configured to implement a method of controlling the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 utilizing Wi-Fi/Bluetooth controls sent to/from a software application program (App) running on a mobile device 201 and/or executed on a computing device 202 located centrally on a control board or computer controller both known and unknown. The App running on a mobile device 201 can be in wireless data communication with the computing device 202 located on or near the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200. The App and/or controls allow for multiple users, parameters, restrictions, multiple turbines, multiple HVAC systems, multiple buildings, multiple locations and multiple air moving apparatuses to be controlled via the App and/or controls.

[0021] The example embodiments of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein can be further configured to implement a method in which the App and/or controls track and control both turbine and HVAC equipment based on the HVAC unit with which they are working in tandem.

[0022] The example embodiments of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein can be further configured to implement a method in which the App and/or controls track and control both the turbine and the HVAC equipment based on the installation date, the installing contractor, the building location, the unit make, unit year, model number, serial number, tonnage, size, and/or capacity of turbine.

[0023] The example embodiments of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein can be further configured to implement a method in which the App and/or controls track and control a location or destination to where generated energy is sent(e.g., the grid, battery backup, charging stations, a power company, a third party, or some other known or unknown location).

[0024] The example embodiments of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein can be further configured to implement a method in which the App and/or controls can be used with a trained Artificial Intelligence (AI) model to alert or suggest runtimes, service, maintenance, upgrades, failures, repairs, replacements, for both the turbine, the HVAC equipment, and/or a plurality of air moving apparatuses.

[0025] The example embodiments of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein can be further configured to implement a method in which the App and/or controls can track both turbine and HVAC equipment based on a service log, including a date, time, service company, service technician, description of maintenance completed, description of repairs completed, parts replaced, parts ordered, or suggestions for more repairs or replacements.

[0026] The example embodiments of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein can be further configured to implement a method in which the App and/or controls can track both turbine and HVAC equipment based on blower usage, On/Off condition, blower On/Off condition, blower speed, electrical current, electrical current produced, power spikes, power outages, time of failure, or scheduled outages.

[0027] The example embodiments of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein can be further configured to implement a method in which the App and/or controls can be used with a trained Artificial Intelligence (AI) model to alert or suggest when the turbine will ramp up or down, turn On/Off based on parameters or on time of day, load, weather, humidity, or other conditions known or unknown.

[0028] The example embodiments of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein can be further configured to implement a method in which the App and/or controls can be used with a trained Artificial Intelligence (AI) model to alert or suggest information about upcoming service, maintenance, grid management, or grid alerts.

[0029] The example embodiments of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein can be further configured to implement a method in which the App and/or controls utilize grid optimization and energy management comprised of tracking of energy usage, amount of power created, a power flow model using an optimization algorithm to track power created, or power usage and power flow to the grid or storage devices.

[0030] The example embodiments of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein can be further configured to provide software/firmware that monitors the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 and can track power created, power flow, and power usage and can work with third party grid optimization and grid management apps to control/distribute energy profits.

[0031] The example embodiments of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein can be further configured to implement a method in which AI, the App, and/or control board 202 can allow energy grid management companies to send information about upcoming events for opportunities to bid on cheaper energy rates, which will also allow the turbine to ramp up or down based on the timed power event.

[0032] The example embodiments of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein can be further configured to implement a method in which the App and/or controls can allow AI and/or the App to create reports based on usage, upcoming events, schedules, service, maintenance, repairs, outages, energy generation, energy saved, power sent to battery storage, power sent to grid, power sent to EV stations, power needed to supply building, user sign on and reassignment of turbine to new HVAC equipment or building.

[0033] The example embodiments of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein can further provide multiple types of upwind catching designs, including round cupped fins and honeycomb shaped fins.

[0034] The example embodiments of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein can further provide multiple types of upwind catching designs, including individual rotating fins designed to ramp up or down based on set program parameters including specialized gears. In the upwind catching configuration, the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein provides blades of the turbine with the ability to cup the air, capture it, and push it back out, allowing for a stronger internal linkage within the gears. Various example embodiments can include many blade shapes designed to capture air in an enclosed confined space.

[0035] The example embodiments of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein can be further configured to capture air in a confined space, ductwork, and/or ducted compartment.

[0036] The example embodiments of the plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system 200 as disclosed herein can be further configured for capturing air from forced air movers, electrical fans, or electrical/solar moving motors used for ventilation.

[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram representing a sequence of operations performed in a method according to an example embodiment. In accordance with the example method 1000, the method comprises: installing a wind turbine assembly within a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit, the wind turbine assembly including a plurality of blades (operation 1010); positioning the wind turbine assembly perpendicularly to a flow of air within the HVAC unit (operation 1020); installing a generator proximate to the wind turbine assembly (operation 1030); coupling the wind turbine assembly in mechanical engagement with the generator (operation 1040); coupling an electrical connector of the generator to a battery or a power grid (operation 1050); causing the HVAC unit to generate an air flow to the wind turbine assembly (operation 1060); and installing a computing device in wireless data communication with a software application program (App) running on a mobile device, the computing device being configured to control operation of the wind turbine assembly and generator based on controls received from the App (operation 1070).

[0038] The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of components and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the description provided herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The figures herein are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

[0039] The description herein may include terms, such as up, down, upper, lower, first, second, etc. that are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting. The elements, materials, geometries, dimensions, and sequence of operations may all be varied to suit particular applications. Parts of some embodiments may be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. While the foregoing examples of dimensions and ranges are considered typical, the various embodiments are not limited to such dimensions or ranges.

[0040] The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

[0041] In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments have more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

[0042] As described herein, a plenum resident wind turbine sustainable energy generating system is disclosed. Although the disclosed subject matter has been described with reference to several example embodiments, it may be understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed subject matter in all its aspects. Although the disclosed subject matter has been described with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the disclosed subject matter is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather, the subject matter extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses such as are within the scope of the appended claims.