Fluid flow energy converter
First Claim
1. A fluid flow oscillator device comprising:
- a curved sheet structure comprising a curved sheet and a tensioner, whereinsaid tensioner extends along a leading edge of said curved sheet;
wherein said curved sheet defines a curved sheet first major surface and a curved sheet second major surface, said curved sheet first major surface opposes said curved sheet second major surface;
wherein curved sheet first major surface direction of curvature of substantially all of said curved sheet first major surface points either outward from said curved sheet first major surface away from said curved sheet, or inward from said curved sheet first major surface into said curved sheet; and
wherein direction of curvature of substantially all of said curved sheet second major surface is the same as said curved sheet first major surface direction of curvature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A novel oscillator comprises a curved sheet structure. The curved sheet structure comprises a curved sheet and a tensioner. The curved sheet structure oscillates when the tensioner of the curved sheet structure is extended between two rigidly or semi rigidly fixed points and the curved sheet structure is exposed to a fluid flow. The oscillation results in oscillating tension in the tensioner and oscillating motion of the tensioner in directions perpendicular and parallel to the direction of fluid flow. Energy conversion devices to couple the energy out of the oscillator include a coupling in line with the tensioner and a coupling generally perpendicular to the extension of the tensioner.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fluid flow oscillator device comprising:
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a curved sheet structure comprising a curved sheet and a tensioner, wherein said tensioner extends along a leading edge of said curved sheet; wherein said curved sheet defines a curved sheet first major surface and a curved sheet second major surface, said curved sheet first major surface opposes said curved sheet second major surface; wherein curved sheet first major surface direction of curvature of substantially all of said curved sheet first major surface points either outward from said curved sheet first major surface away from said curved sheet, or inward from said curved sheet first major surface into said curved sheet; and wherein direction of curvature of substantially all of said curved sheet second major surface is the same as said curved sheet first major surface direction of curvature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification