Architectural Optimization of Wall-to-Roof Interface to Enhance Wind Turbine Efficiency

Abstract

An aerodynamic form mounted at the interface between a building's wall and roof having an aerodynamic form that intercepts oncoming wind and directs it over the edge of the roof as laminar flow directed toward a wind turbine mounted on or proximal to the roof. This directed airflow channeled toward the rotors of the one or more wind turbines increases power generation while reducing noise from turbulent flow.

Claims

1. An apparatus for improving the efficiency of a building-mounted wind turbine comprising: providing a building having at least one wall and a roof, wherein an interface is formed at the juncture of the wall and roof; and at least one wind turbine mounted on the roof; and a first aerodynamic form mounted at the interface, the first aerodynamic form having a cross-section of an airfoil configured to intercept an oncoming wind and direct the wind as a substantially laminar flow toward the at least one wind turbine.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the first aerodynamic form is mounted along a plurality of edges of said building's perimeter.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the first aerodynamic form is configured to direct the wind over the edge of the roof and through a rotor of the at least one wind turbine.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of vertical supports mounted on said roof, said vertical supports having a neutral aerodynamic cross-section; and a second aerodynamic form supported by the vertical supports and positioned above the at least one wind turbine, the second aerodynamic form having an airfoil cross-section.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein: a lift surface of the first aerodynamic form and a lift surface of the second aerodynamic form are oriented to face said at least one wind turbine, thereby channeling an increased mass flow of wind through the at least one wind turbine.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: at least one ringed airfoil, wherein the ringed airfoil surrounds a rotor of the at least one wind turbine, the lift surface of the at least one ringed airfoil oriented to face the rotor of the at least one wind turbine to direct flow therethrough.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a detail, perspective view of the invention on a building with roof-mounted wind turbines;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a detail, perspective view of an iteration of the invention on a building with roof-mounted wind turbines;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a detail, perspective view of an additional iteration of the invention on a building with roof-mounted wind turbines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] FIG. 1, depicts an embodiment 100 of the invention on a building. An aerodynamic form 112 has an airfoil cross section and is mounted on a building 110 at the interface between the building walls and roof. Wind turbines 114 are mounted on the rooftop of the building in fluid communication with airflow over the top of the aerodynamic form. The angle of attack of the aerodynamic form 112 directs flow over the edge of the building 110 toward the wind turbines 114. Wind that would otherwise become turbulent flow upon meeting a rectilinear edge at the interface of a building wall and rooftop, is directed as laminar flow toward the wind turbines 114. One skilled in the art understands that in some embodiments, the aerodynamic form 112 may be mounted on edges about the perimeter of a building to direct flow from any direction, toward one or more turbines mounted on the roof of the building. In other embodiments, particularly when prevailing winds tend to encounter the building 110 from the same or similar direction during a majority of the time, the embodiment may be mounted on one edge of the building as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0014] FIG. 2 depicts an iteration of the embodiment 200. A first aerodynamic form 212 has an airfoil cross section and is mounted on a building 210 at the interface between at least one building wall and roof. Wind turbines 214 are mounted on the rooftop of the building in fluid communication with airflow over the top of the aerodynamic form. The angle of attack of the first aerodynamic form 212 directs flow over the edge of the building 210 toward the wind turbines 214. Wind that would otherwise become turbulent flow upon meeting a rectilinear edge at the interface of a building wall and rooftop, is directed as laminar flow toward the wind turbines 214. vertical supports 216 have neutral aerodynamic cross sections and support a second aerodynamic form 218. A neutral cross section is one that has a curved front end similar to the leading edge of an airfoil, without however, a lift surface and pressure surface common to airfoils but with a symmetrical form providing minimal wind resistance with neither lift nor pressure. One skilled in the art can see by end surfaces that show the airfoil cross sections, of the first aerodynamic form 212 and the second aerodynamic form 218, that the lift surface, commonly known as the top surface of an airplane wing of both aerodynamic forms 212/218, face the wind turbines 214. In this manner, greater mass flow is directed to the wind turbines 214 than would otherwise flow through the wind turbines 214 if the wind were to flow past the edge of the building between the wall and roof.

[0015] FIG. 3 depicts an iteration of the embodiment 300. An aerodynamic form 312 has an airfoil cross section and is mounted on a building 310 at the interface between at least one building wall and roof. Wind turbines 314 are mounted on the rooftop of the building in fluid communication with airflow over the top of the aerodynamic form. The angle of attack of the aerodynamic form 312 directs flow over the edge of the building 310 toward the wind turbines 314. Ringed airfoils 316 surround the rotor of the wind turbines 314.

[0016] One skilled in the art understands that the lift surface, of the ringed airfoils 316 as well as the aerodynamic form 312, face the wind turbines 314. In this manner, increased mass flow is directed to the wind turbines 314.