Magnus force fluid flow energy harvester

• US 7,986,054 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2008
• Issued: 07/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: E. Gen LLC
• Original Assignee: E. Gen LLC
• Inventors: Douglas, Joel S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zarroli; Michael C
• Application Number:
  US12/184,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20090058091A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: 290/43, 290/54, 290/1.R, 603/98, 603/25, 606/417, 166/66.5, 166/65.1, 416/85, 416/3.1
• US Class Current: 290/54
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 17/062 with rotation axis substantially at right angle to flow direction
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/002 the axis being horizontal
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/007 using the Magnus effect
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/201 using the Magnus-effect
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/202 with adjustable area of intercepted fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/313 with adjustable flow intercepting area F05B2240/312 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2250/42 with two degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/30 Wind power
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/20 Hydro energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/30 Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/74 Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction

Abstract

An energy harvester capable of providing motion from fluid flow includes a Magnus rotor defined by a cylinder driven by a motor causing the cylinder to rotate so that lift is created by the fluid flowing past the cylinder. A channel or system may be provided to direct the fluid flow to the cylinder. The rotating cylinder configuration is integrated into a mechanical device which is designed to transfer the lift into a mechanical motion to drive a generator. The mechanical motion due to the created lift is reversed by using a stalling mechanism and counter balanced mechanism. This creates a bidirectional motion which can be captured and used to drive a generator. The device can be utilized in either air or hydraulic environments. A modification of the energy harvester can be configured to utilize the electricity generate to produce hydrogen for use in fuel cells or for combustion.

Claims

1. An energy harvester, comprising:

a fluid flow path defined by an inflow fluid channel, an outflow fluid channel, and a chamber disposed between said inflow fluid channel and said outflow channel;

a Magnus rotor transversely mounted in said chamber and being movable in said fluid flow path between a first position and a second position, said Magnus rotor being rotationally driven by a motor;

at least one counter balancing system cooperatively associated with said Magnus rotor;

a means for producing an electrical current from a movement of said Magnus rotor in said fluid flow path, said means for producing said electrical current comprising,

a rack movable in response to movement of said Magnus rotor, and

at least one pinion gear drivable by a movement of said rack, said pinion gear being operably connected to an electrical generator,

wherein driving of said pinion gear operably connected to said electrical generator produces said electrical current;

a battery for charging by said electrical current produced from said means for producing said electrical current; and

means for connecting said battery to an electrical grid.

2. The energy harvester of claim 1, wherein said counter balancing system is a counter weight.

3. The energy harvester of claim 1, wherein said counter balancing system is a cylinder containing hydraulics, pneumatics, or springs to provide a force suitable for returning said Magnus rotor to said first position from said second position.

4. The energy harvester of claim 1, wherein said energy harvester is attached to a floating platform.

5. The energy harvester of claim 1, wherein said energy harvester is attached to a non floating platform.

6. The energy harvester of claim 1 where a fluid in said fluid flow path is air.

7. The energy harvester of claim 1 where a fluid in said fluid flow path is water.

8. The energy harvester of claim 1 where said motor rotationally driving the Magnus rotor rotates a cylinder of the Magnus rotor in one direction for positive flow and in reverse direction for a negative flow.

9. The energy harvester of claim 1, wherein said means for producing said electrical current comprises, a crankshaft that is driveable in response to movement of said Magnus rotor.

10. The energy harvester of claim 1, wherein said means for producing said electrical current comprises,

a magnet, and

a coil in operable communication with said magnet,

wherein a movement of said magnet relative to said coil produces said electrical current.

11. The energy harvester of claim 1, wherein the counter balancing system cooperatively associated with said Magnus rotor comprises opposing Magnus rotor.

12. The energy harvester of claim 1, wherein the electrical generator produces said electrical current and is connected directly to the power grid.

13. An energy harvesting system for use in an effluent system, said energy harvesting system comprising:

a source of fluid;

an outflow line extending from said source of fluid;

a fluid flow path in said outflow line and defined by an inflow fluid channel, an outflow fluid channel, and an energy harvester chamber disposed between said inflow fluid channel and said outflow fluid channel, the outflow fluid channel being connected to one or more of a sewer, a water treatment facility, a water drain, a holding pond, and a holding tank;

a Magnus rotor transversely mounted in said energy harvester chamber and movable between a first position and a second position;

at least one counter balancing system cooperatively associated with said Magnus rotor;

means for producing an electrical current from a movement of said Magnus rotor in said fluid flow path;

a battery operably connected to said means for producing said electrical current, said battery being for charging by the electrical current; and

means for connecting said battery to an electrical power grid.

14. The energy harvesting system of claim 13, wherein said counter balancing system is a counterweight.

15. The energy harvesting system of claim 13, wherein said counter balancing system is a cylinder containing hydraulics, pneumatics, or springs to provide a force suitable for returning said Magnus rotor to said first position from a second position.

16. The energy harvesting system of claim 13 wherein the water drain comprises a roof drain.

17. The energy harvesting system of claim 13 wherein the water drain comprises an air conditioning line.

18. The energy harvester of claim 13, wherein a first portion of power generated is transferred through an outflow line of a piping system to drive the Magnus rotor and a second portion of the power is directed to an inverter.

19. The energy harvester of claim 13, wherein a first portion of power generated is transferred through an inflow line of a piping system to drive the Magnus rotor and a second portion of the power is directed to an inverter.

20. A energy harvester for harnessing wave action in a body of liquid, comprising:

a fluid flow path defined by an inflow fluid channel, an outflow fluid channel, and an energy harvester chamber disposed between said inflow fluid channel and said outflow fluid channel;

a Magnus rotor transversely mounted in said energy harvester chamber so that said Magnus rotor floats on a surface of a fluid level said body of liquid and is movable with changes in said fluid level from a first position to a second position;

at least one counter balancing system capable of returning said Magnus rotor from said second position to said first position;

means for generating an electrical current based on movement of said Magnus rotor between said first position and said second position;

a battery for charging by the electrical current from said means for generating said electrical current; and

means for discharging said battery to an electrical grid.

21. A floating energy harvester assembly, comprising:

a catamaran for floating on a surface of a flowing liquid; and

an energy harvester attached to said catamaran, said energy harvester being oriented perpendicularly to a current of said flowing liquid and located below a surface of said flowing liquid, said energy harvester comprising,

a Magnus rotor transversely mounted and movable in said current of said flowing liquid between a first position and a second position,

at least one counter balancing system cooperatively associated with said Magnus rotor,

means for producing an electrical current from a movement of said Magnus rotor in said flowing liquid, said means for producing an electrical current comprising,

a rack movable in response to movement of said Magnus rotor, and

at least one pinion gear drivable by a movement of said rack, said pinion gear being operably connected to an electrical generator,

wherein driving of said pinion gear operably connected to said electrical generator produces said electrical current;

a battery for charging by said electrical current produced from said means for producing said electrical current; and

means for connecting said battery to an electrical grid;

wherein said energy harvester generates power from said current of said flowing liquid.

22. A system for harnessing the energy of a reversible current flow of a water body, said system comprising:

an energy harvester disposed at a surface of the water body, said energy harvester being capable of rotation under reversible fluid flow and comprising,

a rotatable shaft extending below said surface of the water body and perpendicularly to a direction of current flow,

a plurality of support members fixedly mounted to said rotatable shaft and extending substantially perpendicular to said rotatable shaft for rotation therewith in a plane perpendicular to said rotatable shaft, and

a plurality of cylindrically-shaped Magnus rotors, each being operably mounted to a corresponding support member so as to be parallel to and radially spaced from said rotatable shaft, each Magnus rotor having a drive mechanism associated therewith for rotation in a plane parallel to said direction of current flow, and

a generator operably connected to said rotatable shaft of said energy harvester;

wherein said flow of said water body past said rotatable shaft of said energy harvester delimits an upstream portion of flow and a downstream portion of flow; and

wherein upon rotation of said Magnus rotors through said upstream portion of flow said Magnus rotors rotate in a first direction;

wherein upon rotation of said Magnus rotors through said downstream portion of flow said Magnus rotors are stopped.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein upon rotation of said Magnus rotors through said downstream portion of flow said Magnus rotors rotate in a direction opposite said first direction.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein said energy harvester further comprises a pinion and a clutch associated with said drive mechanism of each of said Magnus rotors.

25. A system for harnessing energy of current flow and wave action of a water body, said system comprising:

a support located at a surface of said water body;

an energy harvester capable of operation under reversible fluid flow and wave motion, said energy harvester being variably positionable relative to a said surface of said water body, said energy harvester comprising;

a Magnus rotor and reciprocating mechanism mounted so as to extend perpendicularly to a direction of said current flow, said Magnus rotor being movable by at least one of said reversible fluid flow and said wave action between a first position and a second position, said Magnus rotor being rotationally driven by a motor; and

at least one counter balancing system cooperatively associated with said Magnus rotor;

a generator in communication with said energy harvester;

a rack movable in response to movement of said Magnus rotor; and

at least one pinion gear drivable by a movement of said rack, said pinion gear being operably connected to said generator;

wherein driving of said pinion gear operably connected to said generator produces an electrical current.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein said support is a bridge, an abutment, a barge, a floating vessel, or a building.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein said counter balancing system is a counter weight.

28. The energy harvester of claim 25, wherein said counter balancing system is a cylinder containing hydraulics, pneumatics, or springs to provide a force suitable for returning said Magnus rotor to said first position from said second position.

29. The energy harvester of claim 25, wherein said generator comprises,

a magnet movable in response to movement of said Magnus rotor, and

a coil in operable communication with said magnet,

wherein a movement of said magnet relative to said coil produces an electrical current.

30. A floating energy harvester assembly, comprising:

a catamaran for floating on a surface of a flowing liquid; and

an energy harvester attached to said catamaran, said energy harvester being oriented perpendicularly to a current of said flowing liquid and located below a surface of said flowing liquid;

wherein said energy harvester generates power from said current of said flowing liquid, said energy harvester comprising,

a Magnus rotor transversely mounted and movable in said current of said flowing liquid between a first position and a second position;

at least one counter balancing system cooperatively associated with said Magnus rotor;

means for producing an electrical current from a movement of said Magnus rotor in said flowing liquid, said means for producing an electrical current comprising,

a magnet, and

a coil in operable communication with said magnet, wherein a movement of said magnet relative to said coil produces said electrical current;

a battery for charging by said electrical current produced from said means for producing said electrical current; and

means for connecting said battery to an electrical grid.