SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TETHERED WIND TURBINES

• US 20080296905A1
• Filed: 07/15/2008
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magenn Power, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Magenn Power, Inc.
• Inventors: Ferguson, Frederick D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,602,077 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/55
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 13/20 Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/002 the axis being horizontal
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/062 characterised by their construction elements
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/25 the apparatus being an electrical generator F03D9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/201 using the Magnus-effect
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/212 of the Darrieus type
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/213 of the Savonius type
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/917 attached to cables
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/921 kept aloft due to aerodynamic effects
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/922 kept aloft due to buoyancy effects
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/30 Wind power
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/728 Onshore wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/74 Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction

Abstract

According to some embodiments, an airborne body extends horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point. The body may be, for example, at least partially filled with a gas. Two or more vanes may be provided airborne with the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis, are operable to cause rotation about the axis. Moreover, one or more tethers may be coupled to anchor the body to a third point, and one or more electrical generators may be airborne with the body to convert rotational energy produced by the rotation about the axis into electrical energy. According to some embodiments, each vane comprises a horizontal blade panel attached to and extending along the body.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

an airborne body extending horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point, wherein the body is at least partially filled with a gas;

two or more vanes airborne with the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis, are operable to cause rotation about the axis, each vane comprising a horizontal blade panel attached to and extending along the body;

one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to a third point; and

one or more electrical generators airborne with the body to convert rotational energy produced by the rotation about the axis into electrical energy.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the rotation caused by the wind force comprises rotation of the body about the axis.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the rotation is to generate a lifting force on the airborne body.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the lifting force comprises a Magnus effect lifting force.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the blade panel is formed of at least one of:

(i) a fabric, or (ii) a plastic.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the blade panel is attached to the body along a first horizontal edge.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the blade panel is detachably attached to the body along the first horizontal edge.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the blade panel is detachably attached via at least one of (i) matching Velcro portions, (ii) snaps, or (iii) removable ties.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein each blade panel further includes an inflatable edge extending along a second horizontal edge opposite the first horizontal edge.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the blade panel is flexibly attached to the body along the first horizontal edge.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein the blade panel is deformable.

12. The system of claim 6, wherein the blade panel is to be shaped at least partially by a horizontal inflatable cushion attached to the body substantially along, and proximate to, the first horizontal edge of the blade panel.

13. The system of claim 6, wherein the blade panel is to be shaped at least partially by at least one anchor line coupling a second horizontal edge of the blade panel, opposite the first edge, to the airborne body.

14. The system of claim 6, wherein the blade panel is to be shaped by at least partially by at least one strut coupling first horizontal edge of the blade panel to a second horizontal edge of the blade panel, opposite the first edge.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the strut comprises at least one of:

(i) an inflatable balloon strut, or (ii) a flexible pole strut.

16. The system of claim 6, wherein a cross-section of the blade panel is to have a curve substantially corresponding to a ballistic trajectory.

18. The system of claim 6, wherein the blade panel comprises a chevron blade having a height near a center portion of the blade panel higher than heights near edge portions of the blade panel.

19. The system of claim 6, wherein the blade panel defines an envelope area.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the envelope area is further defined by side portions associated with opposite ends of the horizontal blade panel.

17. The system of clam 6, wherein an angle between the blade panel and a proximate surface of the airborne body is approximately forty-five degrees.

21. A system, comprising:

an airborne body extending horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point, wherein the body includes;

an inflatable envelope at least partially filled with a gas, and

a net structure substantially surrounding and constraining the inflatable envelope;

two or more vanes airborne with the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis, are operable to cause rotation about the axis;

one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to a third point; and

one or more electrical generators airborne with the body to convert rotational energy produced by the rotation about the axis into electrical energy.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the net structure comprises a set of cables or straps.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the net structure is associated with at least one of (i) a plurality of spiral structures, (ii) a double helix, or (iii) a series of lateral structures substantially parallel to the horizontal axis.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the vanes are coupled to the net structure.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the inflatable envelope is super-pressurized with the gas.

26. A system, comprising:

an airborne body extending horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point, wherein the body includes;

an inflatable envelope at least partially filled with a gas, and

a structure to adjust the volume associated with the inflatable envelope, the structure including at least one of;

(i) a pair of balloonets, each balloonet being located at substantially opposite sides of the axis, (ii) a center balloonet located within the inflatable envelope and substantially at a center point between the first and second points, or (iii) at least one structure to provide expandable tension for the inflatable envelope along the axis;

two or more vanes airborne with the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis, are operable to cause rotation about the axis;

one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to a third point; and

one or more electrical generators airborne with the body to convert rotational energy produced by the rotation about the axis into electrical energy.

27. A system, comprising:

an airborne body extending horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point, wherein the body is at least partially filled with a gas;

two or more vanes airborne with the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis, are operable to cause rotation about the axis;

a surface airborne with the body to direct at least some of the wind force into an area defined by a vane;

one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to a third point;

one or more electrical generators airborne with the body to convert rotational energy produced by the rotation about the axis into electrical energy.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the surface comprises a passive surface.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the surface comprises an active surface.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the surface is associated with at least one of:

(i) a stabilizer bar, (ii) a wing, (iii) a kite, or (iv) a rudder.

31. The system of claim 27, further comprising:

a flow divider surface airborne with the body to direct at least some of the wind force away from an area defined by a vane.

32. The system of claim 27, wherein the surface further provides lift for the airborne body.

33. A system, comprising:

an airborne body extending horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point, wherein the body is at least partially filled with a gas;

two or more vanes airborne with the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis, are operable to cause rotation about the axis;

a surface airborne with the body to, in response to the wind force, orient the airborne body in a position substantially normal to the wind force;

one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to a third point;

one or more electrical generators airborne with the body to convert rotational energy produced by the rotation about the axis into electrical energy.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the surface comprises a passive rudder.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the passive rudder is located substantially at one side of the horizontal axis.

36. The system of claim 34, wherein the passive rudder is substantially disk shaped and is associated with a height approximately double a height associated with a vane.

37. The system of claim 33, wherein surface comprises a pair of passive rudders located substantially at opposite side of the horizontal axis.

38. The system of claim 33, wherein the surface comprises an active surface.

39. The system of claim 33, wherein the surface is coupled to at least one of:

(i) a spreader bar, or (ii) a portion that provides lift for the airborne body.

40. A system, comprising:

a first unit, including;

a first airborne body extending horizontally along a first axis between a first point and a second point associate with the first body, wherein the first body is at least partially filled with a gas,

two or more vanes airborne with the first body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the first axis, are operable to cause rotation about the first axis,

one or more tethers coupled to anchor the first body, and

a first electrical generator airborne with the first body to convert rotational energy produced by the rotation about the first axis into electrical energy;

a second unit, including;

a second airborne body extending horizontally along a second axis between a second point and a second point associate with the second body, wherein the second body is at least partially filled with a gas,

two or more vanes airborne with the second body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the second axis, are operable to cause rotation about the second axis,

one or more tethers coupled to anchor the second body, and

a second electrical generator airborne with the second body to convert rotational energy produced by the rotation about the second axis into electrical energy; and

one or more tethers coupled to anchor the first and second units to a ground point.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the first and second units are aligned substantially vertically.

42. The system of claim 40, wherein the first and second units are aligned substantially horizontally.

43. The system of claim 40, wherein the first and second units are part of matrix of airborne units tethered to the ground point.

44. A system, comprising:

a rotatable ground station turntable;

an airborne body extending horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point, wherein the body is at least partially filled with a gas;

two or more vanes airborne with the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis, are operable to cause rotation about the axis;

one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to the ground station turntable;

one or more electrical generators airborne with the body to convert rotational energy produced by the rotation about the axis into electrical energy to be transmitted via a path defined by the tethers coupling the body to the ground station turntable.

45. A system, comprising:

an airborne body extending horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point, wherein the body is at least partially filled with a gas;

two or more vanes airborne with the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis, are operable to cause rotation about the axis;

one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to a third point;

an airborne power transfer apparatus to transfer rotational energy associated with the rotation about the axis; and

one or more electrical generators airborne with the body to convert the transferred energy into electrical energy.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the power transfer apparatus includes a rigid power transfer ring located substantially at a side of the horizontal axis.

47. The system of claim 45, wherein the power transfer apparatus further includes at least one of:

(i) a power transfer track, (ii) a power transfer wheel, (iii) a power transfer pulley, (iv) a belt, (v) a chain, or (vi) a friction drive.

48. The system of claim 45, wherein the power transfer apparatus includes a plurality of gears.

49. A system, comprising:

an airborne body extending horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point, wherein the body includes;

an first inflatable envelope at least partially filled with a first gas, and

a second inflatable envelope, located substantially within the first inflatable envelope, at least partially filled with a second gas;

two or more vanes airborne with the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis, are operable to cause rotation about the axis;

one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to a third point; and

one or more electrical generators airborne with the body to convert rotational energy produced by the rotation about the axis into electrical energy.

50. A system, comprising:

an airborne body extending horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point, wherein the body is at least partially filled with a gas;

two or more vanes airborne with the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis, are operable to cause rotation about the axis;

one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to a third point;

one or more electrical generators airborne with the body to convert rotational energy produced by the rotation about the axis into electrical energy; and

a gas producing device operable to use a portion of the electrical energy to produce the gas filling the airborne body.