TURBINE WITH DYNAMICALLY ADAPTABLE SAVONIUS BLADES

• US 20160123301A1
• Filed: 11/05/2014
• Published: 05/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hassan Mohajer
• Original Assignee: Hassan Mohajer
• Inventors: Mohajer, Hassan
• Granted Patent: US 9,683,549 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/002 the axis being horizontal
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/007 using the Magnus effect
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/02 having a plurality of rotors
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/062 characterised by their construction elements
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/068 mechanically controlled by the rotor structure
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/31 of changeable form or shape
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/311 flexible or elastic
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/921 kept aloft due to aerodynamic effects
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/74 Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction

Abstract

An apparatus may include a cage that rotates around a cage axis and a turbine located at an end of the cage and rotating around a turbine axis. A turbine blade may have an adaptable shape. A frame of the turbine blade may have a first frame portion that pivots relative to the second frame portion. The curvature of the turbine blade may be controlled by shortening a connection while concurrently lengthening another connection. Controllers may control the rotation of the cage(s) and/or turbine(s) based on a speed, a direction, a velocity, an acceleration of wind, and/or a load carried by the apparatus. The apparatus may be a Savonius machine. Rotation of the cage(s) and/or turbine(s) may induce a Magnus effect. A seat and user controls near the seat may be included. The user controls may control the rotation of the cage(s) and/or turbine(s).

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a cage configured to rotate around a cage axis; and

a turbine located at an end of the cage, wherein the turbine is configured to rotate around a turbine axis different from the cage axis, and wherein the turbine comprises a turbine blade having an adaptable shape.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the turbine blade comprises a frame, wherein the frame comprises a first frame portion and a second frame portion coupled to the first frame portion, and wherein the first frame portion is configured to pivot relative to the second frame portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a first connection between a first side of an end of the frame and a center region of the frame; and

a second connection between a second side of the first end of the frame and the center region of the frame.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a turbine controller, wherein the turbine controller is configured to at least maintain, shorten, or lengthen at least the first connection or the second connection.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first frame portion is further configured to pivot relative to the second frame portion when the at least first connection or the second connection is at least shortened or lengthened.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the adaptable shape of the turbine blade comprises a flat shape when a length of the first connection is similar to a length of the second connection.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the adaptable shape of the turbine blade comprises a curvature when a length of the first connection is different from a length of the second connection.

8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the turbine controller is further configured to control the curvature of the turbine blade by shortening the first connection while concurrently lengthening the second connection or by shortening the second connection while concurrently lengthening the first connection.

9. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a cage controller configured to control the rotation of the cage around the cage axis.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least:

the cage controller is further configured to control the rotation of the cage based on at least a speed, a direction, a velocity, an acceleration of wind, or a weight of a load;

or

the turbine controller is further configured to control the rotation of the turbine based on at least the speed, the direction, the velocity, the acceleration of the wind, a rotational speed of the cage, a location of the turbine blade relative to the turbine axis, or a location of the turbine on a circular path around the cage axis.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the cage controller is further configured to control the rotation of the cage based on a mode of the apparatus, and wherein the turbine controller is further configured to control the rotation of the turbine based on the mode of the apparatus.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the cage controller is further configured to inhibit the rotation of the cage around the cage axis when the apparatus is in the mode, and wherein the turbine controller is further configured to allow the rotation of the turbine around the turbine axis when the apparatus is in the mode.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the cage controller is further configured to allow the rotation of the cage around the cage axis when the apparatus is in the mode, and wherein the turbine controller is further configured to control the rotation of the turbine around the turbine axis when the apparatus is in the mode.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the cage controller is further configured to inhibit the rotation of the cage around the cage axis when the apparatus is in the mode, and wherein the turbine controller is configured to control the turbine blade to remain in a horizontal position relative to ground and inhibit the rotation of the turbine around the turbine axis when the apparatus is in the mode.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cages and a plurality of turbines, wherein the apparatus is a Savonius turbine, and wherein blades of the Savonius turbine extend more horizontally than vertically relative to ground.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein at least the rotation of the cage around the cage axis or the rotation of the turbine around the turbine axis induce a Magnus effect, and wherein the Magnus effect lifts the apparatus above the ground.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is configured to be connected to a motor, wherein the motor is configured to at least convert a kinetic energy from the rotation of the cage around the cage axis to electric energy or convert a kinetic energy from the rotation of the turbine around the turbine axis to electric energy.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus comprises a seat and user controls near the seat, wherein the user controls are configured for use by a user seated on the seat, and wherein the user controls are further configured to control at least the cage controller or the turbine controller.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least a plurality of cages, wherein a number of the plurality of cages is based on the lift needed to lift the apparatus and a load above ground.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least a plurality of turbines, wherein a number of the plurality of turbines is based on a size of the cage, or a force needed to lift the apparatus and a load above ground.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the turbine controller is further configured to control the rotation of the turbine based on the location of the turbine on a rotational path of the cage.

22. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the turbine blade is configured to be pulled along the blade such that at least a distance between end motors of the cage is extended or a distance between arm connectors on each cage axis is extended.