Method for creating micro/nano wind energy gathering devices

• US 7,950,143 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2007
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tamiras Per Pte Ltd LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Genedics Clean Energy, LLC (Genedics, LLC)
• Inventors: Merritt, Edward, Fein, Gene S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Donghai D.
• Application Number:
  US11/842,441
• Publication Number:
  US 20080148549A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,379 Days
• Field of Search: 295/921, 295/96, 29831-833, 298/54, 297/29, 290/44, 290/55, 310/40.MM, 310/328, 310/339, 415/4.2, 415/4.3, 977/840, 977/882
• US Class Current: 29/832
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 15/00 Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/005 the axis being vertical
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/212 of the Darrieus type
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2250/25 helical
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2250/82 Micromachines
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2250/84 Nanomachines Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating B82Y15/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/30 Wind power
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/74 Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49009 Dynamoelectric machine
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4932 Turbomachine making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5313 Means to assemble electrical device

Abstract

Method for manufacturing small wind energy gathering devices, for example, of geometrical dimensions tip to ⅛^th of an inch (microdevices), employing micro-fabrication techniques. For example, three-dimensional single chemical composition parts of a small wind energy gathering device are manufactured using two-photon three dimensional lithography. Preferably, a plurality of such parts are manufactured in parallel, thereby optimizing the production process. The plurality of parts may be handled and assembled using precision instruments such as micro-tweezers, micro-scissors, and holographic lasers. Nanowires may be used to interconnect a plurality of the microdevices together, or to connect components of a particular microdevice. These nanowires are produced in nanowire arrays and are attached to a common base structure. Additionally, a form of injection molding and polymer materials may be utilized in the manufacturing of the small wind energy gathering devices (microdevices), which provide protective coatings and surfaces of reduced friction.

Claims

1. A method of fabricating a wind energy gathering microdevice, the method comprising:

producing micro-components of the wind energy gathering microdevice using three-dimensional lithography;

producing at least one array of nanowires;

manipulating the micro-components and nanowires using optical cutting lasers and optical trapping lasers;

assembling the micro-components of the wind energy gathering micro-device and nanowires, the nanowires electrically interconnect the micro-components to form the wind energy gathering microdevice.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein producing micro-components of the wind energy gathering microdevice includes producing a microturbine and at least one magnet.

3. A method as in claim 2 further comprising:

attaching the at least one magnet to the microturbine; and

configuring the microturbine to rotate around a longitudinal axis of the microturbine to cause the at least one magnet to move along a circular path.

4. A method as in claim 3 wherein assembling the micro-components of the wind energy gathering microdevice includes incorporating at least a first nanowire into the microturbine and configuring the at least first nanowire to harness an electrical flow upon movement of the at least one magnet.

5. A method as in claim 4 wherein assembling the micro-components of the wind energy gathering microdevice includes coupling at least a second nanowire to the microturbine component, and configuring the at least second wire to transfer the harnessed electrical flow away from the micro-turbine and at least first nanowire.

6. A method as in claim 1 wherein producing the at least one array of nanowires includes growing the nanowires from a metallic substrate.

7. A method as in claim 6 wherein manipulating the micro-components includes separating the nanowires from the metallic substrate using optical cutting lasers, and moving the nanowires using optical trapping lasers.

8. A method as in claim 1 wherein producing and assembling the micro-components of the wind energy gathering microdevice includes producing and assembling a plurality of components in parallel.

9. A method as in claim 1 further comprising mounting the wind energy gathering microdevice on a sheet with a plurality of other wind energy gathering microdevices.

10. A method as in claim 1 further comprising testing the micro-components, the wind energy gathering microdevice, and the sheet of wind energy gathering microdevices for durability.