Combined solar and wind powered generator with spiral surface pattern

• US 5,075,564 A
• Filed: 02/23/1990
• Issued: 12/24/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John J. Hickey
• Original Assignee: John J. Hickey
• Inventors: Hickey, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoover, R. L.
• Application Number:
  US07/484,042
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 290/44, 290/55
• US Class Current: 290/55
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 11/18 Aerodynamic features
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 21/10 using other surface properties, e.g. roughness
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 1/0608 characterised by their aerodynamic shape
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/007 the wind motor being combined with means for converting solar radiation into useful energy
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/25 the apparatus being an electrical generator F03D9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/301 Cross-section characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2250/15 spiral
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2250/25 helical
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/10 Drag reduction

Abstract

A combination solar and wind powered generator including a wind generator, responsive to the flow of air currents, for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. The wind generator includes a plurality of air engaging vanes which are rotatably supported by the wind generator, and operative for intercepting the flow of air currents for producing mechanical energy. The wind generator also includes an electric generator apparatus coupled to the plurality of air engaging vanes, for transforming the mechanical energy into a first source of electrical energy. A plurality of light sensitive cells, disposed proximate the air engaging vanes, are adapted for transforming light energy into a second source of electrical energy. The air engaging vanes may includes a plurality of surface deviations for altering the flow of air currents intercepted by the vanes and for directing light energy onto the light sensitive cells.

Claims

1. A combination solar and wind power generator comprising:

a wind generator, responsive to the flow of air currents, for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy;

said wind generator including a plurality of air engaging vanes having at least first and second surfaces, said first and second surfaces forming a cavity internal to said air engaging vanes, said air engaging vanes rotatably supported by said wind generator and operative for intercepting a flow of air currents for producing mechanical energy;

said wind generator also including an electric generator apparatus coupled to said plurality of air engaging vanes, for transforming said mechanical energy into a first source of electrical energy;

at least one of said first and second surfaces of said air engaging vanes including a material which is light energy transparent;

at least a first plurality of surface deviations disposed on at least one of said first or second surfaces, said plurality of surface deviations arranged in a plurality of curvilinear deviation sets, said plurality of deviation sets extending radially from a central point and forming a spiral pattern of said surface deviations; and

a plurality of light sensitive cells, disposed within said cavity internal too said air engaging vanes, responsive to light energy striking said light sensitive cells through at least one light energy transparent surface of said air engaging vanes, and adapted for transforming light energy striking said light sensitive cells into a second source of electrical energy.

2. The system of claim 1 in which said at least one light energy transparent surface includes a plurality of convex surface deviations, for directing and converging said light energy passing through the at least one surface of said air engaging vanes onto said light sensitive cells disposed in the cavity of the vane.

3. The system of claim 1 in which said spiral deviation sets radiate from a central common deviation.

4. The system of claim 3 in which said common central deviation includes a convex deviation, for directing and converging said light energy striking at least one surface of said air engaging vane onto said light sensitive cells disposed in the cavity of said air engaging vane.

5. The system of claim 1 in which said at least one transparent surface includes an ultraviolet light filter for preventing ultraviolet light energy from reaching said plurality of light sensitive cells.

6. The system of claim 1 in which said electric generator apparatus produces AC electrical energy, and said plurality of light sensitive cells produce DC electrical energy.

7. The system of claim 6 further including means for converting one of said AC or DC electrical energy into the other type of electrical energy.

8. The system of claim 1 further including a second plurality of light sensitive cells disposed within said cavity internal too said air engaging vanes, responsive to light energy striking said light sensitive cells through a second light energy transparent surface of said air engaging vanes, for transforming light energy striking said second plurality of light sensitive cells into a second source of electrical energy.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said first plurality of deviations are concave.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said first plurality of deviations are convex.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said first plurality of deviations include both concave and convex deviations.