Mini notched turbine generator

• US 9,618,002 B1
• Filed: 09/03/2014
• Issued: 04/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: University of South Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of South Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Cabra, Henry, Thomas, Sylvia W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuevas, Pedro J
• Application Number:
  US14/475,663
• Time in Patent Office: 951 Days
• Field of Search: 290 52, 290 54
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/00 Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus if the apparatus aspects are predominant, see the relevant subclasses for such apparatus, e.g. H02K7/18; Power stations or aggregates incorporating only machines or engines of positive-displacement type F03C; hydraulic engineering aspects E02B; combinations with wind energy converters F03D9/008
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/20 within closed fluid conduits, e.g. pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/7068 equipped with permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/123 Nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/30 Characteristics of rotor blades, i.e. of any element transforming dynamic fluid energy to or from rotational energy and being attached to a rotor
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2250/82 Micromachines
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2250/84 Nanomachines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel

Abstract

The present invention is turbine generator capable of integration into a bio-physiological or microfluidic system. The generator can convert biomechanical energy into electrical energy by using electromagnetic subsystems to transform the kinetic energy to electricity. These systems have the potential to convert hydraulic energy (such as flow of body fluid, blood flow, contraction of blood vessel, dynamic fluid in nature) into electric energy that may be sufficient for self-powering nano/micro devices and systems, such as artificial organs, valves, sensors, micro motors, and micro robots. The system incorporates a new turbine model having, notched blades; a rotor in levitation; and a special casing capable of integration into a bio-physiological or microfluidic system.

Claims

1. A rotor, comprising:

a plurality of blades, wherein each blade has a proximal edge, a distal edge, and a length running between the proximal edge and the distal edge, the proximal edges of the blades are disposed at a predetermined concentric orientation about a rotational axis of the rotor; and

a notch centrally and adjacently disposed on the proximal edge of each blade.

2. The rotor of claim 1, further including a central hub axially aligned with the rotational axis of the rotor, and the axial hub having a lateral surface in communication with the proximal edge of each blade.

3. The rotor of claim 2, wherein the hub has a cylindrical shape with a radius that is equal to half of a total radius of the rotor.

4. The rotor of claim 1, further including a first support disc and a second support disc, wherein each support disc is axially aligned with the rotational axis of the rotor and in communication with a side of each blade in the plurality of blades.

5. The rotor of claim 1, wherein the notch in each blade is semicircular in shape and has a radius equal to or less than half of a radius of one of the blades.

6. A turbine generator, comprising:

a turbine casing, wherein the turbine casing further includes an inlet section, a nozzle fluidly coupled to the inlet section, a rotor chamber fluidly coupled to the nozzle, an outlet section fluidly coupled to the rotor chamber, and hollows adapted to receive inductor coils;

a rotor disposed in the rotor chamber, the rotor including a plurality of blades, wherein each blade in the plurality of blades has a central transversal axis, a distal edge, a proximal edge disposed at a predetermined concentric orientation about a rotational axis of the rotor and a notch disposed along the central transversal axis;

a magnet generator assembly further comprising;

at least one permanent magnet disposed on the rotor; and

at least one inductor coil disposed in the hollows of the turbine casing in an orientation perpendicular to the centrifugal movement of the at least one permanent magnet.

7. The turbine generator according to claim 6, further comprising a levitation system including a plurality of permanent magnets disposed in a first wall of the turbine casing, a plurality of permanent magnets disposed in a second wall of the turbine casing, and a plurality of permanent magnets disposed in the rotor, wherein the permanent magnets disposed in the rotor and turbine casing are configured to magnetically suspend the rotor in the rotor chamber such that the rotor is not in contact with the turbine casing.

8. The turbine generator according to claim 6, wherein the rotor further includes a cross-flow design such that the notch on each blade is adjacent to the proximal edge of each blade.

9. The turbine generator according to claim 6, wherein the rotor further includes a cylindrical hub axially aligned with the rotor'"'"'s axis of rotation, wherein the hub includes a lateral surface in communication with the proximal edge of each blade.

10. The turbine generator according to claim 9, wherein the hub has a radius that is generally equal to half of a total radius of the rotor.

11. The turbine generator according to claim 6, wherein the at least one inductor coil includes a plurality of inductor coils having a 3-phase, 9-slot winding layout, where each phase has three circular coils separated by 120 degrees in a star configuration and connected in series.

12. The turbine generator according to claim 6, further comprising each part of the turbine generator made of or coated in a biocompatible material.

13. The turbine generator according to claim 6, wherein the inlet section and outlet section of the turbine casing are separated by an angle of one hundred degrees with respect to the rotational axis of the rotor.

14. The turbine generator according to claim 6, further including a first support disc and a second support disc, wherein each support disc is axially aligned with the rotational axis of the rotor and in communication with a side of each blade.

15. The turbine generator according to claim 6, wherein the notch in each blade is semicircular in shape and has a radius equal to or less than half of the radius of one of the blades.

16. A turbine generator, comprising:

a turbine casing, wherein the turbine casing further includes;

an inlet section;

a nozzle fluidly coupled to the inlet section;

a rotor chamber fluidly coupled to the nozzle;

an outlet section fluidly coupled to the rotor chamber;

hollows adapted to receive inductor coils; and

one hundred degrees of separation between the inlet section and the outlet section;

a rotor disposed in the rotor chamber, wherein the rotor further includes;

a central hub;

a plurality of blades, wherein each blade has a central transversal axis, a distal edge, a proximal edge attached to the central hub, and a notch disposed along the central transversal axis adjacent to the proximal edge;

a first support disc and a second support disc, wherein each support disc is axially aligned with the rotational axis of the rotor and in communication with a side of each blade;

a magnet generator assembly further comprising;

at least one permanent magnet disposed in the rotor;

at least one inductor coil disposed in the hollows of the turbine casing in an orientation perpendicular to the centrifugal movement of the at least one permanent magnet; and

a levitation system including a plurality of permanent magnets disposed in a first wall of the turbine casing, a plurality of permanent magnets disposed in a second wall of the turbine casing, and a plurality of permanent magnets disposed in the rotor, wherein the permanent magnets disposed in the rotor and turbine casing are configured to magnetically suspend the rotor structure in the rotor chamber such that the rotor structure is not in contact with the turbine casing.

17. The turbine generator according to claim 16, wherein the at least one inductor coil includes a plurality of inductor coils having a 3-phase, 9-slot winding layout, where each phase has three circular coils separated by 120 degrees in a star configuration and connected in series.

18. The turbine generator according to claim 16, wherein the hub of the rotor has a cylindrical shape with a radius that is generally equal to half of a total radius of the rotor.

19. The turbine generator according to claim 16, wherein the notch in each blade is semicircular in shape and has a radius equal to or less than half of the radius of one of the blades.