US5850108A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid flow power generation system with foil
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-10-04
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Granted: 1998-12-15
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Expires: 2016-10-04
Abstract
Abstract A fluid flow power generating system is disclosed. The system includes a foil for accelerating the velocity of a fluid flow past said foil, to increase the fluid's kinetic energy. A turbine is located downstream of the foil, and at least partially behind the foil, and the turbine is driven by the fluid. The foil shields the upwind side of the turbine. A generator is also connected to the turbine for generating electrical energy. The turbine is mounted relative to the foil, so the position of the turbine relative to said foil can be adjusted to expose more or less of the turbine to the fluid flow. In one embodiment there are provided a plurality of individual systems which form a tower.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel Bernard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:07
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60L; B60L8/00; B60L8/006; F; F03; F03D; F03D3/00; F03D3/04; F03D9/00; F03D9/10; F03D9/12; F03D9/20; F03D9/25; F03D9/30; F03D9/32; H; H02; H02P; H02P9/00; H02P9/04; F05; F05B; F05B2240/00; F05B2240/90; F05B2240/94; F05B2240/941; H02P2101/00; H02P2101/15; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/70; Y02E10/728; Y02E10/74; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/16; Y02E70/00; Y02E70/30; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/64; Y02T10/7072; Y02T10/80; Y02T10/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A fluid flow power generating system comprising: a foil for accelerating the velocity of a fluid flowing past said foil, to increase said fluid's kinetic energy, the foil being located on an upstream side of said system; and a turbine separate from said foil and being located downstream of said foil, and at least partially behind said foil, said turbine including vanes sized and shaped to be driven by said fluid; a generator, connected to said turbine for generating electrical energy; and an adjusting means, whereby a position of said turbine relative to said foil can be adjusted to position said turbine between a retracted position behind said foil to a more exposed position to expose more or less of said turbine to said fluid flow.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A fluid flow power generating system comprising: a foil for accelerating the velocity of a fluid flowing past said foil, to increase said fluid's kinetic energy, the foil being located on an upstream side of said system; and a turbine separate from said foil and being located downstream of said foil, and at least partially behind said foil, said turbine including vanes sized and shaped to be driven by said fluid; a generator, connected to said turbine for generating electrical energy; and an adjusting means, whereby a position of said turbine relative to said foil can be adjusted to position said turbine between a retracted position behind said foil to a more exposed position to expose more or less of said turbine to said fluid flow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A fluid flow power generating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said foil includes a camber, and said system includes a camber adjusting means, whereby said camber of said foil may be adjusted to optimize the energy produced.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A fluid flow power generating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said turbine is a vertical axis turbine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A fluid flow power generating system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said system comprises a plurality of turbines, and associated foils, mounted one above another in the form of a tower.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A fluid flow power generating system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said fluid is air, and said foils are pivotable, to accommodate changes in wind direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A fluid flow power generating system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said system includes an actuator to position said foils into said wind.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A fluid flow power generating system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said system further comprises a pair of foils, having opposite cambers, and a pair of turbines, each turbine located downstream and partially behind each foil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A fluid flow power generating system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said system is mounted upon a vehicle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fluid flow power generating system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said system comprises a tower extending upwardly to a level having at least 60% of the prevailing wind speed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fluid flow power generating system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said system comprises a tower extending upwardly to a level having at least 80% of the prevailing wind speed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A fluid flow power generating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said adjusting means adjusts said turbines from a position fully behind said foil to an extended position wherein one half of said turbine is exposed to said fluid flow.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A fluid flow power generating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said adjusting means adjusts said position of said turbines and in all positions a counter revolving portion of said turbine is shielded from said fluid flow.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A fluid flow power generating system as claimed in claim 1, further including a flywheel for storing rotational energy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A fluid flow power generating system as claimed in claim 1, further including a means for converting DC electrical power into AC electrical power.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A fluid flow power generating system as claimed in claim 1 further including an enclosure, wherein said turbine may be retracted into said enclosure to substantially avoid inclement weather.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-12-14 | 2002-06-15 | 2002-12-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-14 | 2006-06-15 | 2006-12-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-14 | 2010-06-15 | 2010-12-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |