Micro-wind turbine for the power and recharge of satellite home automation sensors
First Claim
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1. A system for generating electrical power using air moving through a duct of a forced air heating or air conditioning system within a building, comprising:
- a wind turbine sized to be mounted within a duct and comprising one or more blades coupled to a generator for converting kinetic energy from air moving through the duct into electrical power; and
a device coupled to the generator comprising one or more electrical components or sensors and a battery for providing electrical power to the electrical components or sensors of the device and coupled to the generator for charging the battery; and
a controller coupled to the battery to monitor a power level of the battery, the controller configured to communicate with an HVAC system to activate the HVAC system to deliver air into the duct to charge the battery.
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Abstract
Systems and methods are for generating electrical power using air moving through a duct of a forced air heating or air conditioning system within a building. In one embodiment, a wind turbine may be provided that is sized to be mounted within a duct and includes one or more blades coupled to a motor for converting kinetic energy from air moving the duct into electrical power. A device may be coupled to the motor for at least one of operating electrical components or sensors of the device and charging a battery of the device.
38 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for generating electrical power using air moving through a duct of a forced air heating or air conditioning system within a building, comprising:
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a wind turbine sized to be mounted within a duct and comprising one or more blades coupled to a generator for converting kinetic energy from air moving through the duct into electrical power; and a device coupled to the generator comprising one or more electrical components or sensors and a battery for providing electrical power to the electrical components or sensors of the device and coupled to the generator for charging the battery; and a controller coupled to the battery to monitor a power level of the battery, the controller configured to communicate with an HVAC system to activate the HVAC system to deliver air into the duct to charge the battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for operating an air conditioning vent, comprising:
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a vent configured to be mounted in an opening in a room communicating with an air duct for directing air from the duct into the room, the vent comprising one or more fins and one or more actuators coupled to the fins for adjusting the orientation of the fins for directing the air into the room or sealing off unused rooms; a battery coupled to the one or more actuators for providing electrical power to the one or more actuators to adjust the orientation of the fins; a wind turbine configured to be mounted adjacent the vent such that wind turbine is exposed to air flow moving through the duct to the vent, the wind turbine comprising a generator for converting kinetic energy from air moving through the duct into electrical power, the generator coupled to the battery for charging the power storage device; and a controller coupled to the one or more actuators and the battery, the controller configured to operate the one or more actuators to open the one or more fins of the vent when the battery is low on power. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for operating an air conditioning vent, comprising:
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a vent configured to be mounted in an opening in a room communicating with an air duct for directing air from the duct into the room, the vent comprising one or more fins and one or more actuators coupled to the fins for adjusting the orientation of the fins for directing the air into the room or sealing off unused rooms; a battery coupled to the one or more actuators for providing electrical power to the one or more actuators to adjust the orientation of the fins; a wind turbine configured to be mounted adjacent the vent such that wind turbine is exposed to air flow moving through the duct to the vent, the wind turbine comprising a generator for converting kinetic energy from air moving through the duct into electrical power, the generator coupled to the power storage device for charging the battery; and a controller coupled to the battery to monitor a power level of the battery, the controller configured to communicate with an HVAC system to activate the HVAC system to deliver air into the duct to charge the battery. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification