Power Generation Coupler

• US 20120190497A1
• Filed: 04/02/2012
• Published: 07/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airgenesis LLC
• Original Assignee: Airgenesis LLC
• Inventors: Smith, Danny J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,247,918 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 476/57
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 1/0608 characterised by their aerodynamic shape
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 1/0658 Arrangements for fixing wind-engaging parts to a hub
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 15/00 Transmission of mechanical power
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 15/10 using gearing not limited to rotary motion, e.g. with oscillating or reciprocating members
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 80/70 Bearing or lubricating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/25 the apparatus being an electrical generator F03D9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/4031 as in toothed gearing
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2270/1016 in variable speed operation
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2270/20 to optimise the performance of a machine
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction

Abstract

The inventive technology described herein generally relates to the field of power generation. More specifically, methods and apparatus for a power generation coupler utilizing perhaps multiple generators coupled through a power generation coupler to at least one rotational movement element such that said coupled connection is dynamically movable across the surface the rotational movement element so as to maintain an electrical output at a constant generator rotation(s) per minute (RPM) according to the varying rotational velocity along the radius of a rotational movement element. In some embodiments such coupled generators may be sequentially loaded and disengaged to such rotational movement element to maintain an electrical output at a constant generator RPM. Certain embodiments may include a static power generation coupler as well as an electrically dynamic power generation coupler such that the current applied to the stator of a generator may dynamically alter that generators resistance.

Claims

1-408. -408. (canceled)

409. A power generation coupler comprising:

(a) at least one generator responsive to a generator drive shaft;

(b) at least one gyrator element adjustably coupled to said generator drive shaft;

(c) at least one non-rotational gyrator support element securing said gyrator element to at least one coupler drive shaft track spanning a rotating element such that said gyrator element is adjustable along said rotating element'"'"'s surface;

(d) at least one load engagement device responsive to a coupler controller so as to load and/or un-load said gyrator element onto the surface of said rotating element in response to at least one output parameter; and

(e) at least one gyrator position calibrator to which said coupler drive shaft track is responsive and responsive to said coupler controller so as to dynamically adjust said gyrator element adjustably coupled to at least one generator drive shaft along the surface of said rotating element in response to at least one output parameter.

410. A power generation coupler as described in claim 409 wherein said rotating element comprises a platen.

411. A power generation coupler as described in claim 409 wherein said rotating element is rotationally powered by a force selected from the group consisting of:

wind force;

pressure force;

water force;

thermal force;

steam force;

kinetic force; and

magnetic force.

412. A power generation coupler as described in claim 409 and further comprising a gyrator disengagement element such that said gyrator is decoupled from said generator drive shaft.

413. A power generation coupler as described in claim 409 wherein said load engagement device comprises a load engagement device selected from the group consisting of:

a spring actuated load engagement device;

a motorized load engagement device;

a servo-motor load engagement device;

a clutch load engagement device;

a magnetized load engagement device; and

a hydraulic load engagement device.

414. A power generation coupler as described in claim 409 wherein said coupler controller comprises at least one coupler controller responsive to a sensor.

415. A power generation coupler as described in claim 409 and further comprising at least one coupler support mount.

416. A power generation coupler as described in claim 409 wherein said generator drive shaft comprises at least one pliant generator drive shaft.

417. A power generation coupler as described in claim 409 and further comprising at least one generator drive shaft tractable connector mechanically mated with said generator drive shaft and a generator rotor.

418. A power generation coupler as described in claim 409 and further comprising at least one generator drive shaft support bearing.

419. A power generation coupler as described in claim 409 wherein said non-rotational gyrator support element comprises at least one slideable generator drive shaft engagement aperture.

420. A power generation coupler as described in claim 409 wherein said gyrator position calibrator comprises at least one gyrator position calibrator selected from the group consisting of:

a slide calibrator;

a rail calibrator;

a magnet calibrator;

a electric motor calibrator;

a spring calibrator;

a servo-motor calibrator; and

a hydraulic calibrator.

421. A power generation coupler as described in claim 409 wherein said coupler drive shaft track comprises a bearing drive shaft track.

422. A power generation coupler as described in claim 409 and further comprising at least one generator disconnect element responsive to said coupler controller such that the resistance current applied to said generator may be dynamically adjusted.

423. A power generation coupler as described in claim 409 and further comprising at least one gyrator load adjustor.

424. A power generation coupler as described in claim 423 wherein said gyrator load adjustor comprises a gyrator load adjustor selected from the group consisting of:

at least one gyrator pre-load adjustor; and

at least one gyrator pre-load driver.

425. A static rotational power generation coupler comprising:

(a) at least one generator responsive to a generator drive shaft;

(b) at least one gyrator element coupled to said generator drive shaft by at least one non-rotational gyrator support element securing said gyrator element proximate to a rotating element; and

(c) at least one load engagement device responsive to a coupler controller so as to load and/or un-load said gyrator onto the surface of said rotating element in response to at least one output parameter.

426. A static rotational power generation coupler as described in claim 425 wherein said rotating element is rotationally powered by a force selected from the group consisting of:

wind force;

pressure force;

water force;

thermal force;

steam force;

kinetic force; and

magnetic force.

427. A static rotational power generation coupler as described in claim 425 wherein said rotating element comprises a platen

428. An electrically dynamic power generation coupler comprising:

(a) at least one generator responsive to a generator drive shaft;

(b) at least one gyrator element coupled to said generator drive shaft by at least one non-rotational gyrator support element securing said gyrator element proximate to a rotating element;

(c) at least one load engagement device responsive to a coupler controller so as to load and/or un-load said gyrator onto the surface of said rotating element in response to at least one output parameter; and

(d) at least one generator disconnect element responsive to said coupler controller such that the resistance current applied to said generator may be dynamically adjusted.

429. An electrically dynamic power generation coupler as described in claim 428 wherein said rotating element is rotationally powered by a force selected from the group consisting of:

wind force;

pressure force;

water force;

thermal force;

steam force;

kinetic force; and

magnetic force.

430. An electrically dynamic power generation coupler as described in claim 428 wherein said rotating element is a platen.