DYNAMIC FLUID ENERGY CONVERSION

• US 20090230692A1
• Filed: 03/12/2009
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fernando Gracia Lopez
• Original Assignee: Fernando Gracia Lopez
• Inventors: Lopez, Fernando Gracia
• Application Number:
  US12/402,765
• Publication Number:
  US 20090230692A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/55
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 1/02 having a plurality of rotors
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 15/10 using gearing not limited to rotary motion, e.g. with oscillating or reciprocating members
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/17 storing energy in pressurised fluids
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/25 the apparatus being an electrical generator F03D9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/28 the apparatus being a pump or a compressor
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2210/11 liquid, i.e. incompressible
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/2211 of the multibladed, low speed, e.g. "American farm" type
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/40 Use of a multiplicity of similar components
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/16 Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier

Abstract

Systems, devices, processes, and techniques for harnessing the dynamic energy of a fluid body may be used to generate electric power. In particular implementations, the dynamic energy of a gaseous fluid body is used to drive a pump that pressurizes a pumping fluid. The pressurized pumping fluid may be used, at least in part, to drive an electrical generator.

Claims

1. A system for utilizing movements of a gaseous fluid body for generating electrical power, the system comprising:

a first pumping mechanism comprising;

a flow-driven moveable member including a number of radially extending elements, the moveable member adapted to rotate in response to movement of a gaseous fluid body around the elements, and

a pump coupled to the moveable member and adapted to pressurize a pumping fluid in response to motion of the moveable member; and

an electrical power generation mechanism adapted to utilize the pressurized pumping fluid to generate electrical power.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a housing, the housing comprising an inner chamber from which the pump draws the fluid to be pressurized.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the chamber serves as a reservoir for the pumping fluid.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the moveable member comprises:

a hub to which the radially extending elements are coupled; and

an alignment system adapted to align the member with fluid body movements.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the pump comprises:

a container having a moveable piston housed therein;

at least one fluid inlet conduit coupled to the container;

a first one-way valve coupled to the at least one fluid inlet conduit;

at least one fluid outlet conduit coupled to the container; and

a second one-way valve coupled to the at least one fluid outlet conduit.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power conversion mechanism adapted to convey power from the moveable member to the pump.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the power conversion mechanism comprises a gear coupled to the movable member and an arm coupled to the pump, wherein the arm is driven by the gear.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second pumping mechanism, the second pumping mechanism comprising:

a fluid-driven moveable member including a number of radially extending elements, the moveable member adapted to rotate in response to movement of a gaseous fluid body around the elements; and

a pump coupled to the moveable member and adapted to pressurize a pumping fluid in response to motion of the moveable member.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a conduit system for combining the pressurized pumping fluid from the first pumping mechanism and the second pumping mechanism and conveying the combined fluid to the power generation mechanism.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the second pumping mechanism may cease supplying pressurized pumping fluid while the first pumping mechanism continues supplying pressurized pumping fluid.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second pumping mechanism may be replaced while the first pumping mechanism continues supplying pressurized pumping fluid.

12. The system of claim 9, further comprising a second conduit system for dispersing the fluid from the power generation mechanism to the pumping mechanisms.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a bypass conduit in communication with the first conduit system and the second conduit system; and

a bypass valve coupled to the bypass conduit, the bypass valve adapted to allow flow of the pressurized pumping fluid from the first conduit system to the second conduit system when a predetermined pressure of the pumping fluid is exceeded.

14. A system for utilizing movements of a gaseous fluid body for generating electrical power, the system comprising:

a plurality of pumping mechanisms, each pumping mechanism comprising;

a flow-driven moveable member including a number of radially extending elements, the moveable member adapted to rotate in response to movement of a gaseous fluid body around the elements, and

a pump coupled to the moveable member and adapted to pressurize a pumping fluid in response to motion of the moveable member; and

an electrical power generation mechanism operable to utilize the pressurized pumping fluid to generate electrical power.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a housing, the housing comprising an inner chamber from which the pump draws the fluid to be pressurized.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the chamber serves as a reservoir for the pumping fluid.

17. The system claim 14, wherein the pumping mechanisms comprise a power transmission mechanism adapted to convey power from the moveable member to the pump.

18. The system of claim 14, further comprising a conduit system for combining the pressurized pumping fluid from the pumping mechanisms and conveying the combined fluid to the power generation mechanism.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein a pumping mechanism may cease supplying pressurized pumping fluid while the other pumping mechanisms continue supplying pressurized pumping fluid.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising a second conduit system for dispersing the fluid from the power generation mechanism to the pumping mechanisms.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising:

a bypass conduit in communication with the first conduit system and the second conduit system; and

a bypass valve coupled to the bypass conduit, the bypass valve adapted to allow flow of the pressurized pumping fluid between the first and second conduit systems when a predetermined pressure of the pumping fluid is exceeded.

22. A method for utilizing movements of a gaseous fluid body for generating electrical power, the method comprising:

driving a pump using the rotation of a flow-driven moveable member that rotates in response to movement of a gaseous fluid body;

pressurizing a pumping fluid with the pump;

conveying the pressurized pumping fluid to an electrical power generator mechanism; and

generating power with the electrical power generator mechanism using the pressurized pumping fluid.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing the pumping fluid to a chamber from which the pump draws the fluid to be pressurized.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the chamber serves as a reservoir for the pumping fluid.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising aligning the movable member with fluid body movements.

26. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

driving a second pump using the rotation of a second flow-driven moveable member that rotates in response to movement of a gaseous fluid body;

pressurizing the pumping fluid with the second pump;

conveying the pressurized pumping fluid to the electrical power generator mechanism; and

generating power with the electrical power generator mechanism using the pressurized pumping fluid from the first pump and the second pump.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising combining the pressurized pumping fluid from the first pump and the second pump before it arrives at the electrical power generator mechanism.

28. The method of claim 26, further conveying the pumping fluid from the electrical power generator mechanism to the pumps.

29. The method of claim 26, further comprising ceasing to supply pressurized pumping fluid to the electrical power generator mechanism from the second pump while continuing to supply pressurized pumping fluid from the first pump.