Wind turbine and energy distribution system

• US 7,329,099 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2005
• Issued: 02/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paul Harvey Hartman
• Original Assignee: Paul Harvey Hartman
• Inventors: Hartman, Paul Harvey
• Primary Examiner(s): Look; Edward K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HANAN, DEVIN J
• Application Number:
  US11/210,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20070048137A1
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: 415/4.2, 415/4.4, 415/197.A, 415/197.R, 290/43, 290/44, 290/54, 290/55, 416/132.B
• US Class Current: 416/132.00B
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 9/02 using Magnus effect
• CPC Class Codes: B63J 3/04 from power plant other than propulsion power plant
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/00 Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor controlling thereof F03D7/06
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/931 which is a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/30 Wind power
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/74 Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/5236 Renewable or hybrid-electric solutions
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A new design of vertical axis wind turbine is disclosed based on a dome structure using dome struts as blades that work in concert to produce rotational motion. The stability and low cost of the new design allows the turbine to function in low wind speed regimes as well as high speed winds that would be encountered in off-shore wind installations. The large stresses and structural requirements of mounting large horizontal axis wind turbines, particularly off-shore, are avoided with the new system. A new energy distribution system is proposed that will capture abundant off-shore wind energy, store it aboard a generator/delivery ship in the form of Hydrogen gas, and deliver it to an existing shore based power plant to produce electricity using a conventional gas turbine. Alternatively, the Hydrogen can be used to produce methane from coal using known processes to add natural gas to pipelines in areas that would normally be consuming the material. Both applications, and the direct production of heat by the new turbines, would stabilize our national energy grid while reducing CO2 emissions.

Claims

1. An apparatus for conversion of a wind energy resource into rotational power comprising:

a base;

a rotating mast adapted to rotate about a generally vertical axis in a set direction of rotation; and

a vertical axis wind turbine for converting said wind energy resource into rotational power,

said vertical axis wind turbine having;

a plurality of struts, each said strut having an exterior surface and an interior surface, said struts elongated in a first direction and transverse to said direction of elongation having a constant cross section adapted to capture said wind energy and having lengths to conform to a largely spherical dome framework design,

said struts attached to one another at hubs according to said framework design by means of a hub connection system and with the assembly of said struts and said hub connection system forming a dome framework with a largely spherical shape having an equatorial plane and poles normal to said equatorial plane,

said plurality of struts comprising a number of blade struts, each said blade strut having a leading edge oriented toward said direction of rotation, said constant cross section adapted to capture said wind energy having an elliptical section positioned at said leading edge and having two integral transition sections emerging from the minor axis of said elliptical section, said transition sections joining spaced apart from said elliptical section and said blade strut having a roughly aerodynamic shape at said exterior surface,

said plurality of struts optionally including a number of structural struts, each structural strut having a tubular elliptical cross section with the major axis of said tubular elliptical cross section oriented roughly tangential to said largely spherical shape, said internal surface of said structural strut adapted to engage said hub connector system,

with polar struts aligned toward said poles engaging coupler means;

said coupler means having the capability to position said turbine on said mast and the capability to lock said turbine to said mast and transmit said rotational power to said mast,

whereby;

said wind energy resource can be applied to said struts through nearly the entire rotational circuit of said turbine to produce rotational power at said mast.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said coupler means comprise;

two outer flanges having a central aperture for through passage of said mast and connector means for tightening said outer flanges about a central spool piece,

a pair of compression rings placed between said outer flanges and said spool piece, said rings each carrying an aperture for passage of said mast and having a conical surface which faces toward said spool piece,

said spool piece being roughly annular in nature, having an inner diameter which allows passage of said mast and an outer cylindrical surface carrying a series of strut flats, said strut flats having engagement means for locking said polar struts to said spool piece,

said coupler means having an unactuated state and an actuated state, wherein said connector means hold said outer flanges to said spool piece and said compression rings hold said wind turbine in locking contact with said mast when in said actuated state.

3. A wind heating system, wherein the apparatus of claim 1 supplies said rotational power is coupled to a thermal generator producing with an output a fluid containing additional heat, said output fluid connected to thermal storage means containing a thermal storage medium.

4. The heating system of claim 3, further including a heating plant comprising;

circulating means for moving said thermal storage medium from said thermal storage means through a working loop and returning said medium to said thermal storage means,

said working loop comprising at least one heat pump, said at least one heat pump having coil component means for removing said additional heat from said thermal storage medium and also having heat transfer means for moving said additional hear to a process fluid.

5. The wind heating system of claim 3, wherein said thermal generator comprises;

at least one rotor disc coupled to a drive shaft engaging said mast;

said at least one rotor disc contained and free to rotate between at least two stationary housings, with there being a discrete gap between each said rotor disc and each of said housings,

with said discrete gap containing a working fluid of sufficient viscosity to provide fluid friction resistance roughly equivalent to said rotational power at a variety of wind resource intensities,

said thermal generator further including frictional means at the surfaces of said at least one disc and said at least two stationary housings, said frictional means enhancing said fluid friction resistance,

extended surface means at the exterior or said at least two housings to enhance heat transfer to said thud containing additional heat, and insulated housing means to direct the flow of said fluid containing additional heat and to prevent loss of said additional heat to ambient air.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said each of said blade struts are fitted with a blade section,

each said blade section having a fixed end and a free end, with said fixed end being secured to least part of said exterior surface and said free end composed of a relatively flexible material capable of deflection normal to the direction of said major axis of said elliptical section,

whereby;

said blade section can be deflected by said wind energy resource to enhance capture of energy throughout a rotational cycle of said vertical axis wind turbine.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus has mast extension means for both lowering said turbine around said base for repair functions and for constructing said turbine around said base and thereafter raising said turbine using said mast to an operational position located above said base.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of struts are composed of a fiberglass reinforced thermoset plastic composite material.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of struts are composed of a carbon fiber reinforced composite material.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of struts are composed of a fiber reinforced thermoplastic material.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of struts are composed of an extruded metal material.

12. A wind electric system, wherein the apparatus of claim 1 is coupled to electrical generating means, and said electrical generating means is connected to an electrical load,

whereby;

said rotational power is converted to electrical power delivered to said electrical load.

13. The wind electric system of claim 12, wherein said electrical load comprises at least one electrolysis cell, said at least one electrolysis cell connected to an output stream of hydrogen gas and further connected to an input stream of water.

14. The wind electric system of claim 13, further including hydrogen handling equipment for compressing, storing and transferring said output stream of hydrogen gas.

15. An energy distribution system, wherein the wind electric system of claim 14 further includes connection means to an electric power plant

whereby;

said output stream of hydrogen gas can be burned in combination with a fossil fuel to produce an output of electricity to a grid distribution network.

16. An energy distribution system, wherein the wind electric system of claim 14 further includes connection means to a chemical process facility.

17. The energy distribution system of claim 16, wherein said chemical process facility has a process unit for the conversion of coal into methane.

18. The energy distribution system of claim 16, wherein said chemical process facility has a process unit for the conversion of high molecular weight hydrocarbons into low molecular weight hydrocarbons.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wind energy resource comprises a flow composed primarily of carbon dioxide,

whereby;

said wind turbine might be utilized to provide power to equipment and/or personnel in the thin martian atmosphere.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wind energy resource comprises a flow composed primarily of photons and/or energetic particles,

whereby;

said wind turbine might be utilized to provide power to equipment and/or personnel in the vacuum of space, such as the environment encountered on the surface of the moon.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base is composed of a panelized, segmented tower assembly.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said tower assembly contains a thermal storage medium and transfer means for moving heat to process equipment.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, further including an optional wind deflector mounted independently of said apparatus and positioned to deflect said wind energy resource upward,

whereby;

said wind energy resource can be concentrated before reaching said turbine.