US4045144A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wind energy concentrators
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-02-18
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Granted: 1977-08-30
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Expires: 1995-02-18
Abstract
Abstract The herein described horizontal and vertical wind energy concentrators are structurally simple and light and are capable of concentrating the wind energy at least six times with very high efficiency. This permits a corresponding reduction in the frontal area of the wind turbine and increases its speed without sacrifice in wind energy harnessed. The wind energy concentrator is a high lift, short aspect ratio wing, which is designed to maximize the induced drag. This induced drag takes the velocity out of the wind but transforms the wind energy into rotational energy present in the shed vortex system. The design is such that most of this rotational energy can be harnessed by a small high speed wind turbine placed in the rolled up wing tip vortex.
Inventors
- 👤 John Lodewyk Loth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:43
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03D; F03D1/00; F03D1/04; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/70; Y02E10/72; Y10; Y10S; Y10S415/00; Y10S415/905; Y10S415/908; Y10S415/914; Y10S416/00; Y10S416/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A wind energy concentrator, comprising: a. an airfoil for generating a trailing vortex system, said airfoil being constructed to concentrate a substantial portion of the rotational energy of said trailing vortex system into a rolled-up vortex at a predetermined spanwise location along said airfoil; b. a turbine disposed outside said rolled-up vortex; c. a duct means for providing fluidic communication between said turbine and said rolled-up vortex to extract power therefrom, said fluidic communication being established within said rolled-up vortex; and d. an air inlet provided for said turbine, whereby said rolled-up vortex creates a low pressure region within said duct means to cause air to be drawn through said air inlet and past said turbine thereby to drive said turbine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A wind energy concentrator, comprising: a. an airfoil for generating a trailing vortex system, said airfoil being constructed to concentrate a substantial portion of the rotational energy of said trailing vortex system into a rolled-up vortex at a predetermined spanwise location along said airfoil; b. a turbine disposed outside said rolled-up vortex; c. a duct means for providing fluidic communication between said turbine and said rolled-up vortex to extract power therefrom, said fluidic communication being established within said rolled-up vortex; and d. an air inlet provided for said turbine, whereby said rolled-up vortex creates a low pressure region within said duct means to cause air to be drawn through said air inlet and past said turbine thereby to drive said turbine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising a drive means operatively connected to said turbine for providing shaft power upon the actuation of said turbine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising a stabilizing means operatively connected to said airfoil for aligning said airfoil so that the leading edge thereof faces into the prevailing wind.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said turbine is disposed within said airfoil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
138 words
A wind energy concentrator, comprising: a. an airfoil for generating a rolled-up vortex, said airfoil comprising a high lift, low aspect ratio, twisted wing having a substantially uniform spanwise loading and an increasing angle of attack toward the tips thereof, whereby the induced drag generated by said airfoil is maximized and said wing operates substantially at a maximum coefficient of lift along the entire span thereof; b. a turbine disposed within said rolled-up vortex to extract power therefrom; c. a drive means operatively connected to said turbine for providing shaft power upon actuation of said turbine; d. a strut affixed to said airfoil to support said turbine substantially centrally within said rolled-up vortex; and e. a stabilizing means operatively connected to said airfoil for aligning said airfoil so that the leading edge thereof faces into the prevailing wind.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
138 words
A wind energy concentrator, comprising: a. an airfoil for generating a rolled-up vortex, said airfoil comprising a high lift, low aspect ratio, twisted wing having a substantially uniform spanwise loading and an increasing angle of attack toward the tips thereof, whereby the induced drag generated by said airfoil is maximized and said wing operates substantially at a maximum coefficient of lift along the entire span thereof; b. a turbine disposed within said rolled-up vortex to extract power therefrom; c. a drive means operatively connected to said turbine for providing shaft power upon actuation of said turbine; d. a strut affixed to said airfoil to support said turbine substantially centrally within said rolled-up vortex; and e. a stabilizing means operatively connected to said airfoil for aligning said airfoil so that the leading edge thereof faces into the prevailing wind.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said airfoil also includes a boundary layer control means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said boundary layer control means comprises: a. a perforated portion on the upper surface of said airfoil; and b. a suction means in fluidic communication with said perforated portion for drawing air through said perforated portion to control the boundary layer on said airfoil.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said suction means comprises a duct means in fluidic communication with said rolled-up vortex, whereby said rolled-up vortex creates a low pressure region within said duct means to cause air to be drawn through said perforated portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said boundary layer control means comprises: a. a perforated portion on the upper, rear surface of said airfoil; and b. blowing means in fluidic communication with said perforated portion for blowing air through said perforated portion and over the trailing edge of said airfoil to increase the lift coefficient of said airfoil.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for concentrating wind energy, comprising the steps of: a. generating a trailing vortex system by means of an airfoil; b. concentrating a substantial portion of the rotational energy of said trailing vortex system into a rolled-up vortex at a predetermined spanwise location along said airfoil; c. disposing a power means outside said rolled-up vortex; d. providing a duct means to establish fluidic communication between said power means and said rolled-up vortex; and e. extracting power from said rolled-up vortex by actuating said power means by airflow therepast in response to a low pressure region created in said duct means by said rolled-up vortex.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for concentrating wind energy, comprising the steps of: a. generating a trailing vortex system by means of an airfoil; b. concentrating a substantial portion of the rotational energy of said trailing vortex system into a rolled-up vortex at a predetermined spanwise location along said airfoil; c. disposing a power means outside said rolled-up vortex; d. providing a duct means to establish fluidic communication between said power means and said rolled-up vortex; and e. extracting power from said rolled-up vortex by actuating said power means by airflow therepast in response to a low pressure region created in said duct means by said rolled-up vortex.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 10, comprising the additional steps of: a. constructing said power means as a turbine; b. transmitting shaft power by a drive means operatively connected to said turbine; and c. aligning said airfoil so that said faces into the prevailing wind.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said turbine is disposed within said airfoil.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-29 | 1981-02-28 | 1981-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-29 | 1985-02-28 | 1985-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-29 | 1989-02-28 | 1989-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |