Method of power generation

• US 8,482,150 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2012
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airgenesis LLC
• Original Assignee: Airgenesis LLC
• Inventors: Smith, Danny J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US13/589,931
• Publication Number:
  US 20120326450A1
• Time in Patent Office: 323 Days
• Field of Search: 290/43, 290/44, 290/54, 290/55
• US Class Current: 290/55
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 1/0608 characterised by their aerodynamic shape
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 1/0658 Arrangements for fixing wind-engaging parts to a hub
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 15/00 Transmission of mechanical power
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 15/10 using gearing not limited to rotary motion, e.g. with oscillating or reciprocating members
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 80/70 Bearing or lubricating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/25 the apparatus being an electrical generator F03D9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/4031 as in toothed gearing
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2270/1016 in variable speed operation
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2270/20 to optimise the performance of a machine
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction

Abstract

The inventive technology described herein generally relates to the field of power generation. More specifically, methods and apparatus for a power generation coupler utilizing perhaps multiple generators coupled through a power generation coupler to at least one rotational movement element such that said coupled connection is dynamically movable across the surface the rotational movement element so as to maintain an electrical output at a constant generator rotation(s) per minute (RPM) according to the varying rotational velocity along the radius of a rotational movement element. In some embodiments such coupled generators may be sequentially loaded and disengaged to such rotational movement element to maintain an electrical output at a constant generator RPM. Certain embodiments may include a static power generation coupler as well as an electrically dynamic power generation coupler such that the current applied to the stator of a generator may dynamically alter that generators resistance.

Claims

1. A method of power generation comprising the steps of:

slideably coupling at least one gyrator element to a generator drive shaft;

securing said gyrator element to a non-rotational gyrator support element;

adjustably securing said non-rotational gyrator support element to least one drive shaft track;

rotating at least one rotational movement element;

loading said gyrator element onto the surface of said rotational movement element;

activating at least one gyrator position calibrator, to which said gyrator element is responsive, adjusting said gyrator element across the surface of said rotational movement element in response to an output parameter;

innervating at least one generator coupled to said generator drive-shaft; and

generating an electrical output.

2. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 wherein said step of rotating at least one rotational movement element comprises the step of rotating at least one rotational movement element selected from the groups consisting of:

rotating at least one rotational movement element using wind power;

rotating at least one rotational movement element using pressure force;

rotating at least one rotational movement element using thermal power;

rotating at least one rotational movement element using steam power;

rotating at least one rotational movement element using kinetic force;

rotating at least one rotational movement element using magnetic force; and

rotating at least one rotational movement element using hydropower.

3. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 wherein said step of loading said gyrator element onto the surface of said rotational movement element comprises the step of loading said gyrator element onto the surface of said rotational movement element selected from the group consisting of:

spring loading said gyrator element onto the surface of said rotational movement element;

motor loading said gyrator element onto the surface of said rotational movement element;

servo-motor loading said gyrator element onto the surface of said rotational movement element;

clutch loading said gyrator element onto the surface of said rotational movement element;

magnet loading said gyrator element onto the surface of said rotational movement element;

horizontally loading said gyrator element onto the surface of said rotational movement element;

vertically loading said gyrator element onto the surface of said rotational movement element and roller loading said gyrator element onto the surface of said rotational movement element.

4. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 wherein said step of activating at least one gyrator position calibrator, to which said gyrator element is responsive, adjusting said gyrator element across the surface of said rotational movement element in response to an output parameter comprises the step of activating at least one gyrator position calibrator selected from the group consisting of:

activating at least one slide position calibrator;

activating at least one slide rail position calibrator;

activating at least one magnet position calibrator;

activating at least one electrical position calibrator;

activating at least one servo-motor position calibrator;

activating at least one motorized position calibrator;

activating at least one spring activated position calibrator;

activating at least one hydraulic position calibrator;

rotating at least one threaded rod; and

rotating at least one all-thread rod.

5. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 wherein said step of activating at least one gyrator position calibrator comprises the step of activating a plurality of gyrator position calibrators.

6. A method of power generation as described in claim 5 wherein said step of activating a plurality of gyrator position calibrators comprises the step of synchronously activating a plurality of gyrator position calibrators.

7. A method of power generation as described in claim 5 wherein said step of activating a plurality of gyrator position calibrators comprises the step of asynchronously activating a plurality of gyrator position calibrators.

8. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 wherein said step of innervating at least one generator coupled to said generator drive-shaft comprises the step of maintaining approximately constant generator RPM in response to at least one output parameter.

9. A method of power generation as described in claim 8 wherein said step of maintaining approximately constant generator RPM in response to at least one output parameter comprises the step of maintaining an optimal generator RPM specific to that generator'"'"'s make and/or model in response to at least one output parameter.

10. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 wherein said step of generating an electrical output comprises the step of generating an approximately constant electrical output in response to at least one output parameter.

11. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 wherein said step of generating an electrical output comprises the step of outputting an approximately constant electrical output to a grid in response to at least one output parameter.

12. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 and further comprising the step of activating at least one gyrator position calibrator, to which said gyrator element is responsive, adjusting said gyrator element along the surface of said rotational movement element prior to loading said gyrator onto the rotational movement element in response to an output parameter.

13. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 and further comprising the step of de-coupling said gyrator element from said generator drive shaft.

14. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 and further comprising the step of de-coupling said gyrator element from said rotational movement element by adjusting said gyrator element to a disengagement position.

15. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 and further comprising the step of braking said rotational movement element.

16. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 and further comprising the step of braking said gyrator element.

17. A method of power generation as described in claim 15 or 16 and wherein said step of braking comprises the step of braking selected from the group consisting of:

pressure braking;

hydraulic braking;

disc braking;

load breaking; and

friction braking.

18. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 wherein said step of loading said gyrator element onto the surface of said rotational movement element comprises the step of load buffering said gyrator element.

19. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 and further comprising the step of pre-load adjusting said gyrator element.

20. A method of power generation as described in claim 19 wherein said step of pre-load adjusting said gyrator element comprises the step of pre-load driving said gyrator.

21. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 wherein said step of slideably coupling at least one gyrator element to a generator drive shaft comprises the step of inserting said generator drive shaft through a gyrator engagement aperture such that said gyrator may slide along the generator drive shaft while maintaining a secure rotatable connection.

22. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 and further comprising the step of sensing at least one output parameter and communicating it to a controller element.

23. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 wherein said step of activating at least one gyrator position calibrator, to which said gyrator element is responsive, adjusting said gyrator element across the surface of said rotational movement element in response to an output parameter comprises the step of activating at least one gyrator position calibrator to which said drive shaft track is responsive.

24. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 wherein said step of activating at least one gyrator position calibrator, to which said gyrator element is responsive, adjusting said gyrator element across the surface of said rotational movement element in response to an output parameter comprises the step of activating at least one gyrator position calibrator to which said non-rotational gyrator support element is responsive.

25. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 wherein said step of innervating at least one generator coupled to said generator drive-shaft comprises the step of innervating at least one generator tractably coupled to said generator drive-shaft.

26. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 wherein said step of generating an electrical output comprises the step of activating a controller element to regulate the loading and adjustment of said gyrator element.

27. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 wherein said step of rotating at least one rotational movement element comprises the step of rotating at least one platen.

28. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 wherein said step of adjusting said gyrator element across the surface of said rotational movement element comprises the step of adjusting said gyrator element to a position of higher rotational velocity in response to an output parameter.

29. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 wherein said step of adjusting said gyrator element across the surface of said rotational movement element comprises the step of adjusting said gyrator element to a position of lower rotational velocity in response to an output parameter.

30. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 and further comprising the step of field load adjusting at least one generator.

31. A method of power generation as described in claim 30 wherein said step of field load adjusting at least one generator comprises the step of automatically dynamically adjusting said field load to said generator to achieve a desired resistance using a controller element.

32. A method of power generation as described in claim 30 wherein said step of field load adjusting at least one generator comprises the step of applying an increasing field load to said generator to achieve a desired resistance.

33. A method of power generation as described in claim 30 wherein said step of field load adjusting at least one generator comprises the step of maintaining zero field load while loading said gyrator element onto the surface of said rotational movement element then applying an increasing field load to said generator to achieve a desired resistance.

34. A method of power generation as described in claim 30 wherein said step of field load adjusting at least one generator comprises the step of removing said field load prior to de-coupling said gyrator element from the surface of said rotational movement element.

35. A method of power generation as described in claim 1 wherein said step of rotating at least one rotational movement element comprises the step of rotating at least one turbine.

36. A method of power generation as described in claim 35 wherein said step of rotating at least one turbine comprises the step selected from the group consisting of:

rotating a wind responsive turbine;

rotating a pressure responsive turbine;

rotating a thermal power responsive turbine;

rotating a kinetic responsive turbine;

rotating a magnetic responsive turbine;

rotating a steam responsive turbine; and

rotating a hydropower responsive turbine.

37. A method of power generation as described in claim 35 wherein said step of rotating at least one turbine comprises the steps of:

rotating at least one wind-responsive blade coupled to at least one differential gearing element;

activating said differential gearing element responsive to a rotational movement element.

38. A method of power generation as described in claim 36 wherein said step activating said differential gearing element responsive to a rotational movement element comprises the step of activating a plurality of independent differential gearing elements responsive to a rotational movement element.

39. A method of power generation as described in claim 36 wherein said step rotating at least one wind-responsive blade comprises the step of rotating at least one set of dual independent variable pitch blades.

40. A method of static rotational power generation comprising the steps of:

securing at least one gyrator element to a generator drive shaft;

positioning said generator drive shaft and gyrator proximate to a rotational movement element;

rotating at least one rotational movement element;

activating at least one load engagement device so as to load and/or unload said gyrator element onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element in response to at least one output parameter;

innervating at least one generator coupled to said generator drive-shaft; and

generating an electrical output.

41. A method of static rotational power generation as described in claim 40 wherein said step of rotating at least one rotational movement element comprises the step of rotating at least one platen.

42. A method of static rotational power generation as described in claim 40 and further comprising the step of sensing at least one output parameter and communicating it to a controller element.

43. A method of static rotational power generation as described in claim 40 wherein said step of activating at least one load engagement device comprises the step of activating a plurality of load engagement devices so as to load and/or unload a plurality of gyrator elements onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element in response to at least one output parameter thereby innervating a plurality generators.

44. A method of static rotational power generation as described in claim 40 wherein said step of activating a plurality of load engagement devices comprises the step of sequentially activating a plurality of load engagement devices in response to at least one output parameter.

45. A method of static rotational power generation as described in claim 40 and further comprising the step of securing at least one gyrator element to a generator drive shaft through a non-rotational gyrator support element.

46. A method of static rotational power generation as described in claim 45 and further comprising the step of securing said non-rotational gyrator support element in a position proximate to a rotational movement element.

47. A method of static rotational power generation as described in claim 40 wherein said step of rotating at least one rotational movement element comprises the step of rotating at least one rotational movement element selected from the groups consisting of:

rotating at least one rotational movement element using wind power;

rotating at least one rotational movement element using pressure force;

rotating at least one rotational movement element using thermal power;

rotating at least one rotational movement element using steam power;

rotating at least one rotational movement element using kinetic force;

rotating at least one rotational movement element using magnetic force; and

rotating at least one rotational movement element using hydropower.

48. A method of static rotational power generation as described in claim 40 wherein said step of loading said gyrator element onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element comprises the step of loading said gyrator element onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element selected from the group consisting of:

spring loading said gyrator element onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element;

motor loading said gyrator element onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element;

servo-motor loading said gyrator element onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element;

clutch loading said gyrator element onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element;

magnet loading said gyrator element onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element;

horizontally loading said gyrator element onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element;

vertically loading said gyrator element onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element; and

roller loading said gyrator element onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element.

49. A method of static rotational power generation as described in claim 40 and further comprising the step of field load adjusting at least one generator.

50. A method of static rotational power generation as described in claim 40 wherein said step of activating at least one load engagement device so as to load and/or unload said gyrator element onto and/or from to the surface of said rotational movement element in response to at least one output parameter comprises the step of load buffering said gyrator element.

51. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation comprising the steps of:

establishing a plurality of generators each coupled to a generator drive shaft positioned proximate to at least one rotational movement element;

slideably coupling at least one gyrator element to each of said generator drive shafts;

securing each of said gyrator elements to at least one non-rotational gyrator support element;

adjustably securing each of said non-rotational gyrator support elements to least one drive shaft track;

rotating said rotational movement element;

loading a first gyrator element onto the surface of said rotational movement element;

activating a first gyrator position calibrator, to which said first gyrator element is responsive, adjusting said first gyrator element across the surface of said rotational movement element in response to an output parameter;

sequentially loading and/or unloading additional gyrator elements onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element in response to an output parameter;

sequentially activating additional gyrator position calibrators, to which additional gyrator elements are responsive, adjusting said additional gyrator elements across the surface of said rotational movement element in response to an output parameter; and

sequentially innervating and/or de-enervating said plurality of generators in response to an output parameter.

52. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 51 wherein said step of rotating at least one rotational movement element comprises the step of rotating at least one platen.

53. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 51 and further comprising the step of sensing at least one output parameter and communicating it to a controller element.

54. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 51 wherein said step of rotating at least one rotational movement element comprises the step of rotating at least one rotational movement element selected from the groups consisting of:

rotating at least one rotational movement element using wind power;

rotating at least one rotational movement element using pressure force;

rotating at least one rotational movement element using thermal power;

rotating at least one rotational movement element using steam power;

rotating at least one rotational movement element using kinetic force;

rotating at least one rotational movement element using magnetic force; and

rotating at least one rotational movement element using hydropower.

55. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 51 wherein said step of loading and/or unloading said gyrator elements onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element comprises the step of loading and/or unloading said gyrator elements onto and/or from surface of said rotational movement element selected from the group consisting of:

spring loading and/or unloading said gyrator elements onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element;

motor loading and/or unloading said gyrator elements onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element;

servo-motor loading and/or unloading said gyrator elements onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element;

clutch loading and/or unloading said gyrator elements onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element;

magnet loading and/or unloading said gyrator elements onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element;

horizontally loading and/or unloading said gyrator elements onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element;

vertically loading and/or unloading said gyrator elements onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element; and

roller loading and/or unloading said gyrator elements onto and/or from the surface of said rotational movement element.

56. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 51 wherein said step of activating at least one gyrator position calibrator comprises the step of activating at least one gyrator position calibrator selected from the group consisting of:

activating at least one slide position calibrator;

activating at least one slide rail position calibrator;

activating at least one magnet gyrator position calibrator;

activating at least one electrical position calibrator;

activating at least one servo-motor position calibrator;

activating at least one motorized position calibrator;

activating at least one spring activated position calibrator;

activating at least one hydraulic position calibrator;

rotating at least one threaded rod; and

rotating at least one all-thread rod.

57. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 51 wherein said step of activating a first gyrator position calibrator, to which said first gyrator element is responsive, adjusting said first gyrator element across the surface of said rotational movement element in response to an output parameter comprises the step of adjusting a first gyrator to a position of higher rotation velocity in response to an output parameter.

58. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 51 wherein said step of activating a first gyrator position calibrator, to which said first gyrator element is responsive, adjusting said first gyrator element across the surface of said rotational movement element in response to an output parameter comprises the step of adjusting a first gyrator to a position of lower rotational velocity in response to an output parameter.

59. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 51 wherein said step of sequentially activating additional gyrator position calibrators comprises the step of adjusting a plurality of gyrator elements to positions of higher rotation velocity in response to an output parameter.

60. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 51 wherein said step of sequentially activating additional gyrator position calibrators comprises the step of adjusting a plurality of gyrator elements to positions of lower rotation velocity in response to an output parameter.

61. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 51 wherein said step of adjusting at least one gyrator element across the surface of said rotational movement element in response to an output parameter comprises the step of adjusting at least one gyrator element to a position of lower rotational velocity in response to the sequential loading of at least one additional gyrator element onto the surface of said rotational movement element.

62. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 61 wherein said step of adjusting at least one gyrator element across the surface of said rotational movement element in response to an output parameter comprises the step of adjusting at least one gyrator element to a position of higher rotational velocity in response to the sequential loading of at least one additional gyrator element onto the surface of said rotational movement element.

63. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 51 wherein said step of adjusting at least one gyrator element across the surface of said rotational movement element in response to an output parameter comprises the step of adjusting a plurality of gyrator elements to positions of higher rotation velocity in response to the sequential unloading of at least one additional gyrator element from the surface of said rotational movement element.

64. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 51 wherein said step of adjusting at least one gyrator element across the surface of said rotational movement element in response to an output parameter comprises the step of adjusting a plurality of gyrator elements to positions of lower rotational velocity in response to the sequentially loading of at least one additional gyrator element onto the surface of said rotational movement element.

65. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 51 wherein said step of adjusting at least one gyrator element across the surface of said rotational movement element in response to an output parameter comprises the step of adjusting a plurality of gyrator elements to positions of independent rotational velocity in response to the sequentially unloading and/or unloading of at least one gyrator element from the surface of said rotational movement element.

66. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 65 wherein said step of adjusting a plurality of gyrator elements to positions of independent rotational velocity comprises the step of adjusting a plurality of gyrator elements to positions of independent rotational velocity so as to maintain approximately constant RPM in each of said plurality of generators in response to at least one output parameter.

67. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 66 wherein said step of adjusting a plurality of gyrator elements to positions of independent rotational velocity so as to maintain approximately constant RPM in each of said plurality of generators in response to at least one output parameter comprises the step of maintaining an optimal RPM specific to that generator'"'"'s make and/or model in each of said plurality of generators in response to at least one output parameter.

68. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 51 and further comprising the step of generating an approximately constant electrical output from each of said plurality of generators in response to at least one output parameter.

69. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 51 and further comprising the step of outputting an approximately constant electrical output from each of said plurality of generators to a grid in response to at least one output parameter.

70. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 51 and further comprising the step of activating at least one gyrator position calibrator, to which said gyrator element is responsive, and adjusting at least one gyrator element over the surface of said rotational movement element prior to loading said gyrator onto the rotational movement element in response to an output parameter.

71. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 51 wherein said step of establishing a plurality of generators each coupled to a generator drive shaft positioned proximate to at least one rotational movement element comprises the step of vertically stacking a plurality of generators responsive to at least one rotational movement element.

72. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 51 wherein said step of establishing a plurality of generators each coupled to a generator drive shaft positioned proximate to at least one rotational movement element comprises the step of horizontally stacking a plurality of generators responsive to at least one rotational movement element.

73. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 51 wherein said step of rotating said rotational movement element comprises the step of independently rotating a plurality of detachable rotational movement elements capable of being coupled to a plurality of generators.

74. A method of sequential multi-generator power generation as described in claim 51 wherein said step of generating an electrical output comprises the step of activating a controller element to regulate the sequential loading and/or adjustment of said gyrator elements.