Oscillating microturbine

• US 6,398,490 B1
• Filed: 01/04/2000
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Antonsson, Erik K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lopez, F. Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kershteyn, Igor
• Application Number:
  US09/477,159
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 604/84, 603/27, 73/12.2, 73/12.7, 73/13.6, 73/14.1, 251/12, 137/829, 416/79, 416/80, 416/81, 416/82, 416/83, 415/141
• US Class Current: 415/141
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 1/20 traversed by the working-fluid substantially axially
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 5/02 Blade-carrying members, e.g. rotors rotors of non-bladed type F01D1/34; stators F01D9/00 ; selecting particular materials F01D5/28
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2230/14 Micromachining
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2250/82 Micromachines
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2250/84 Nanomachines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft

Abstract

An oscillating micro turbine is formed of a turbine that oscillates back and forth. The turbine is formed with a flexure which is pressed by fluid flow to oscillate in specified directions.

Claims

1. An oscillating turbine assembly comprising:

a first moving portion having a magnetic element therein having an outer surface with fluid contacting portions on at least a portion thereof;

a first flexing portion, whereby said first moving portion oscillates on said first flexing portion.

2. An oscillating turbine assembly comprising:

a first moving portion having an outer surface with fluid contacting portions on at least a portion thereof;

a first flexing portion, whereby said first moving portion oscillates on said first flexing portion; and

an additional moving portion and an additional flexing portion, located in a different location than said first moving portion and the first flexing portions, and positioned to move out of phase with respect to the first portions.

3. An assembly as in claim 2 wherein said turbines are located in series with respect to a direction of fluid flow.

4. An oscillating turbine assembly comprising:

a first moving portion having an outer surface with fluid contacting portions on at least a portion thereof; and

a first flexing portion, whereby said first moving portion oscillates on said first flexing portion;

wherein the fluid contacting portions are located on the first moving portion such that a flow of fluid moves said first moving portion to expose a part of said outer surface which does not have said fluid contacting portions thereon.

5. An assembly as in claim 4 wherein only a specified portion of said weighted portion has said fluid contacting portions thereon.

6. An assembly as in claim 4 further comprising providing fluid flow to only a portion of said weighted portion to bend the flexure.

7. An oscillating turbine assembly comprising:

a first moving portion having an outer surface with fluid contacting portions on at least a portion thereof; and

a first flexing portion, whereby said first moving portion oscillates on said first flexing portion;

wherein said turbines oscillate linearly.

8. A method of operating a microturbine, comprising:

applying a fluid flow to a microturbine such that said microturbine oscillates first in a first direction and then in a second direction, wherein said directions are linear directions.

9. A method of operating a microturbine, comprising:

applying a fluid flow to a microturbine such that said microturbine oscillates first in a first direction and then in a second direction; and

wherein said applying comprises pushing said turbine to a location where it no longer is pressed by fluid flow, subsequently allowing said turbine to return to its original location.

10. A method of operating a microturbine, comprising:

applying a fluid flow to a microturbine such that said microturbine oscillates first in a first direction and then in a second direction, wherein only a portion of an exterior surface includes fluid contacting elements thereon.

11. A method of operating a microturbine, comprising:

applying a fluid flow to a microturbine such that said microturbine oscillates first in a first direction and then in a second direction; and

wherein said turbine has a surface that can be moved by fluid flow, to an area is positioned in a location where its surfaces cause it to be pushed out of the way of fluid flow.