Solar powered compressor fan driven turbine grid scale electricity generation system

Abstract

Systems and methods for generating electricity using solar panels to power compressor fans that force air into a nacelle that turns a spiral turbine. The turbine is connected to a gearing system that is connected to a generator. The generator is connected to a master control unit and a transformer. The master control unit decides whether to store the electricity in batteries, power the compressor fans or send the surplus electricity to the grid. The horizontal or vertical embodiments of the invention do not require a tower or the long blades connected to a hub.

Claims

1. A system for generating electrical energy, said system comprising: a nacelle for housing electronic components; a plurality of batteries; a plurality of compressor fans; a plurality of solar panels for providing power to the compressor fans and/or the batteries; a turbine; a generator coupled to the turbine for generating electricity; a master control unit operable to determine whether to send generated electricity to a power grid, the batteries, the compressor fans, or for internal use; a transformer capable of increasing or decreasing a voltage of the generator; a plurality of air intakes that allow air to enter the nacelle from the atmosphere; a holding tank that captures air exhausted by the turbine, wherein the holding tank has a plurality of outlets to vent exhausted air into the atmosphere; wherein the holding tank is functional to protect birds from the turbine; wherein the plurality of said compressor fans force air into the nacelle, creating a compressed air, and said compressed air drives said turbine; and wherein an existing wind turbine's nacelle and internal components are repurposed without a blade hub, long blades attached to the blade hub, and a tower.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the turbine is spiral shaped.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a gearbox connected between the turbine and the generator.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said system can be oriented vertically or horizontally.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of said solar panels provides power to said compressor fans, thereby eliminating the need for an external wind.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of compressor fans are placed within or adjacent to said air intakes.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said system is placed in urban areas allowing the usage of existing power lines.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said system is used to supplement wind or solar farms.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a drawing of a horizontal embodiment of the invention with an air holding tank.

(2) FIG. 2 is a drawing of a horizontal embodiment without a holding tank.

(3) FIG. 3 is a drawing of a vertical embodiment of the invention with an air holding tank.

(4) FIG. 4 is a drawing of a vertical embodiment of the invention without an air holding tank.

(5) FIG. 5 is a drawing of the view below the turbine.

(6) FIG. 6 clarifies the relationship between the Fan and the Air Intake Aperture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) The sun's rays hit the solar panels (1) that can charge the batteries (2) and/or are used to power the compressor fans (3) that force the outside air into the nacelle towards the exhaust outlets (10). The solar panels, batteries, and MCU are connected with electric cables (13). The exhaust outlets are located in an air holding tank (12). The intake air comes from outside the nacelle at the bottom or sides of the structure (9). The man-made compressed air (via fans) forces the air inside the containment vessel/nacelle (11) this action ultimately turns the spiral turbine (4) at the end of the structure.

(8) The spiral turbine is connected to the nacelle. There is an aperture below the turbine (14). The compressed air enters the aperture and then turns the turbine in order to escape/equalize the pressure. The nacelle (11) serves as a wind tunnel. Also, an existing nacelle of a wind turbine could also be used as the containment structure. The blades, the hub and the tower of a standard 100-300 ft. wind turbine would be removed and a modified turbine hub would be added. The turbine (4) turns a gearbox (5) that drives a generator (6) that creates and sends the electricity to a transformer (8) the electricity is sent through a transmission network (the grid) that sends the power to buildings. The potential exists for the gearbox (5) to be an optional unit.

(9) A computerized Master Control Unit (MCU) (7) governs where the electricity will be sent. The activation and speed of the fans, the output, governing and interaction of all of the devices, the charging of the batteries, interconnectivity with other similar devices, the monitoring of the entire system, self diagnosis of the system, alerts to interested parties while it also continually monitors the entire system internally. It has the potential to be connected to other similar devices and send information via the internet back to headquarters.

(10) The majority of the electricity produced is sent to the grid. A portion of the electricity can be transformed into a lower voltage and inverted from alternating current to direct current so that it can be used to both charge the batteries and/or power the fans. The compressor fans can be alternating current and/or direct current.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(11) 1. Solar Panels 2. Batteries 3. Compressor Fans 4. Turbine 5. Gearbox 6. Generator 7. Master Control Unit (MCU) 8. Transformer 9. Air Intake Aperture 10. Exhaust Outlet 11. Nacelle 12. Air Holding Tank 13. Electric Cable 14. Aperture below the turbine