Column airflow power apparatus

• US 6,626,636 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2001
• Issued: 09/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AWA Research LLC
• Original Assignee: AWA Research LLC
• Inventors: Bohn, Jerry W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Look, Edward K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): White, Dwayne J.
• Application Number:
  US09/923,158
• Publication Number:
  US 20030026684A1
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 415/4.1, 415/4.2, 415/4.3, 415/4.4, 415/4.5, 415/909, 415/148, 415/150, 290/55
• US Class Current: 415/1
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 1/04 having stationary wind-guiding means, e.g. with shrouds or channels F03D9/35 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 13/20 Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/131 by means of vertical structures, i.e. chimneys
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/728 Onshore wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 415/909 Air stack or shaft having natural fluid current motor

Abstract

A column airflow power apparatus for creating mechanical power is provided. The column airflow power apparatus comprises a column structure having an open first end and an open second end with airflow moving through the column structure from the first end to the second end. A rotatable blade is mounted within the column structure with the airflow rotating the rotatable blade. A power shaft is connected to the rotatable blade with the power shaft rotating with the rotatable blade. A rotatable turret device is mounted to the second end of the column structure and an adjustable airfoil mounted to the rotatable turret. An air concentrator can be mounted within the column structure between the first end and the rotatable blade.

Claims

1. A column airflow power apparatus for creating mechanical power, the column airflow power apparatus comprising:

a column structure having an open first end and an open second end, airflow moving through the column structure from the first end to the second end;

a rotatable blade mounted within the column structure, the airflow rotating the rotatable blade;

a power shaft connected to the rotatable blade, the power shaft rotating with the rotatable blade;

a rotatable turret device mounted to the second end of the column structure; and

an adjustable airfoil mounted to the rotatable turret.

2. The column airflow power apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotatable blade is selected from the group consisting of two (2) blades, three (3) blades, and turbine-like blade.

3. The column airflow power apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power shaft is connected to a device selected from the group consisting of a generator, a pump, and industrial equipment.

4. The column airflow power apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotatable turret device has at least one adjustable port, the adjustable port being positioned on a windward side of the column structure.

5. The column airflow power apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotatable turret device is rotatable three hundred and sixty (360°

) degrees about the second end of the column structure.

6. The column airflow power apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising:

a heat device for initiating outbound air flow, intensifying outbound airflow velocity, and reducing icing on the column structure.

7. The column airflow power apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising:

an air concentrator mounted within the column structure between the first end and the rotatable blade.

8. The column airflow power apparatus of claim 7 wherein the air concentrator concentrates the airflow to the outer ⅓

of the rotatable blade.

9. The column airflow power apparatus of claim 7 wherein the shape of the air concentrator is selected from the group consisting of exponentially shaped and coneshaped.

10. The column airflow power apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising:

adjusting means for adjusting the airfoil, the adjusting means automatically raising and lowering the airfoil relative to the turret upon the occurrence of at least one predetermined event.

11. The column airflow power apparatus of claim 10 wherein the adjusting means are at least one sensor and an adjusting rod, the adjusting rod raising and lowering the airfoil when the sensor determines the occurrence of at least one predetermined event.

12. A column airflow power apparatus for creating mechanical power, the column airflow power apparatus comprising:

a column structure having a first end and an open second end, the first end being flared such that the diameter of the column structure at the first end is greater than the diameter of the column structure at the second end;

at least one slot formed nearingly adjacent the first end allowing airflow through the column structure from the first end to the second end;

a rotatable blade mounted within the column structure, the airflow rotating the rotatable blade;

a power shaft connected to the rotatable blade, the power shaft rotating with the rotatable blade; and

an air concentrator mounted positioned within the flared first end of the column structure between the first end and the rotatable blade.

13. The column airflow power apparatus of claim 12 wherein the air concentrator concentrates the airflow to the outer ⅓

of the rotatable blade.

14. The column airflow power apparatus of claim 12 wherein the shape of the air concentrator is selected from the group consisting of exponentially shaped and coneshaped.

15. The column airflow power apparatus of claim 12 and further comprising:

a heat device for initiating outbound airflow and reducing icing on the column structure.

16. The column airflow power apparatus of claim 12 and further comprising:

a rotatable turret device mounted to the second end of the column structure; and

an adjustable airfoil mounted to the rotatable turret.

17. The column airflow power apparatus of claim 16 wherein the rotatable turret device has at least one adjustable port, the adjustable port being positioned on a windward side of the column structure.

18. The column airflow power apparatus of claim 17 and further comprising:

adjusting means for adjusting the airfoil, the adjusting means automatically raising and lowering the airfoil relative to the turret upon the occurrence of at least one predetermined event.

19. A method for creating mechanical power from an airflow, the method comprising:

introducing an airflow through a column structure, the column structure having a first end and an open second end, the first end being flared such that the diameter of the column structure at the first end is greater than the diameter of the column structure at the second end;

concentrating the airflow within the flared first end to a rotatable blade;

rotating the rotatable blade with the airflow; and

concentrating low pressure at the airflow exit of the column structure.

20. The method of claim 19 and further comprising:

heating the air within the column to increase airflow.