Shaft-less radial vane turbine generator

• US 9,759,394 B2
• Filed: 05/26/2015
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael S. Aubuchon
• Original Assignee: Michael S. Aubuchon
• Inventors: Aubuchon, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Tulsidas C
• Assistant Examiner(s): REID JR, CHARLES H
• Application Number:
  US14/721,892
• Publication Number:
  US 20150267884A1
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 290 1 B, 290 44, 290 55, 290 54, 290 43, 416111, 416119, 416117, 416 85, 310 58, 310 60 R, 60398, 415 31
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 15/10 Adaptations for driving, or combinations with, electric generators
• 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: F03B 13/10 Submerged units incorporating electric generators or motors
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/20 within closed fluid conduits, e.g. pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/046 driven by hydropower, e.g. by water powered turbines
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0076 Safety or security signalisation, e.g. smoke or burglar alarms, earthquake detectors; Self-defence devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/40 Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/20 Hydro energy

Abstract

A generator having a coupling adapted to couple at least two fluid conduits together; an axial flow channel defined by the hose coupling and having an axis; a conductive coil in the hose coupling enveloping the axial flow channel; a rotor rotatable relative to the conductive coil and encircled by the conductive coil; a plurality of vanes coupled to the rotor and projecting radially toward the axis, but not intersecting the axis.

Claims

1. A power generator comprising:

a coupling adapted to couple at least two fluid conduits together;

an axial flow channel defined by the hose coupling and having a longitudinal axis, wherein fluid flowing through the axial flow channel flows in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis;

a conductive coil in the coupling enveloping the axial flow channel;

a generally toroidal rotor rotatable relative to the conductive coil, encircled by the conductive coil and enveloping the axial flow channel, wherein a portion of the axial flow channel passes with the direction substantially undisrupted through a central hole of the rotor;

a generally toroidal rotor retainer coupled to an inner housing surface of the coupling and configured to interpose the rotor between the inner housing surface and the rotor retainer while still permitting rotation of the rotor in response to fluid flow; and

a plurality of vanes coupled to the rotor and projecting radially inward from the rotor toward the longitudinal axis, but not intersecting the longitudinal axis, wherein proximal ends of the plurality of vanes are coupled to the rotor and distal ends of the plurality of vanes are unattached within the axial flow channel, wherein each of the plurality of vanes intersects the direction at a substantially normal angle, whereby the direction remains substantially undisrupted as the fluid flows in the axial flow channel from a first end of the coupling to a second end of the coupling.

2. The power generator of claim 1, the coupler further comprising at least one light, the at least one light electrically coupled to the conductive coil.

3. The power generator of claim 1, further comprising a wireless transceiver electrically coupled to and powered by the power generator.