Airborne stabilized wind turbines system

• US 7,709,973 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2008
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Moshe Meller
• Original Assignee: Moshe Meller
• Inventors: Meller, Moshe
• Primary Examiner(s): Gonzalez; Julio
• Application Number:
  US12/284,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20100066093A1
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 290/43, 290/44, 290/54, 290/55, 415/2.1, 415/4.2, 415/4.5, 415/4.3, 415/7, 603/98, 416/132.B, 416/84, 244/30, 244/153.R
• US Class Current: 290/55
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 13/20 Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 80/70 Bearing or lubricating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/11 storing electrical energy
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/25 the apparatus being an electrical generator F03D9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/40 Use of a multiplicity of similar components
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/917 attached to cables
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/921 kept aloft due to aerodynamic effects
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/922 kept aloft due to buoyancy effects
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/728 Onshore wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

An airborne system for producing electricity from wind energy includes a shaft, wind turbines rotatably mounted to the shaft and arranged to rotate independently in opposite directions when subjected to the same wind, and generators arranged to convert rotation of the turbines into electricity. A lifting section includes combination of kites and lighter than air balloons, generating a lifting force that caused the system being airborne at desire altitude. The center of gravity of the system is lower than the center of lift of the system; when the turbines of the system exposed to wind and start to rotate, torques are inducing on the shaft of the system; these torques are balancing each other and the remaining deferential torque being balanced by returning torque that is generated by the angular deviation of the center of gravity from it'"'"'s lowest position, the magnitude of this returning torque, increasing as the angular deviation increased, until the system reach angular stability; electricity is generating and conducted through tether to an anchoring section for usage.

Claims

1. An airborne system for producing electricity from wind energy, comprising:

a turbine section comprising;

a shaft;

at least one turbine rotatably mounted to said shaft and arranged to rotate when exposed to a wind; and

at least one generator coupled to the at least one turbine, and arranged to convert the rotation of the at least one turbine into electricity;

a lifting section connected to a portion of the turbine section for generating a lifting force to cause the turbine section to be airborne at desire altitude;

an anchoring section connected by a tether to another portion of the turbine section to anchor the turbine section to a base relative to the earth; and

a conductor connected to the turbine section to conduct electricity that is generated by the at least one generator for usage or for energy storage;

wherein said turbine section is constructed such that the center of gravity of the turbine section is approximately in the lowest possible position relative to a substantially straight line between a portion of the turbine section that is connected to the lifting section and the another portion of the turbine section that is connected to the anchoring section, while the at least one turbine is in rest;

wherein the at least one turbine exposed to wind is rotated and causes rotational torque to be induced on the turbine section, that causes an angular deviation of the center of gravity from lowest possible position;

wherein said angular deviation of the center of gravity causes a returning torque that increases with the increasing of the angular deviation; and

wherein the returning torque acts on the turbine section, causing the turbine section to reach a stabilized angular position.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the turbine section comprises:

at least two wind turbines that are rotated in opposite directions when exposed to the same wind; and

wherein the turbines that are exposed to a wind and rotate in opposite directions induce opposite rotational torques on the turbine section;

wherein a differential torque from the opposite rotational torques of the at least two turbines is induced on the turbine section, causing an angular deviation of the turbine section from the rest angular position;

wherein said angular deviation causes a returning torque which increases with an increasing of the angular deviation; and

wherein the returning torque balances the induced differential torque and causes said turbine section to be angularly stable, while the generators of the system are rotating and generating electricity for usage or for energy storage.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the lifting section comprises at least one sealed inflatable body that is filled with lighter than air gas.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said lighter than gas air is helium.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein said lighter than air gas is hydrogen.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said tether is made from a composite material.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the lifting section comprises at least one aerodynamic kite that generates a lifting force that causes the system to be airborne at a desired altitude.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the lifting section comprises at least one inflatable body filled with lighter than air gas and at least one kite.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of turbine sections that are connected to one another by a tether in a serial formation, and are arranged to harvest the wind energy in multi altitudes.