TARP Yaw Track Means for Rotors

Flow energy extraction and conversion using impellers, as in rotor-generator systems, may be enhanced by means of artificial augmentation of ambient flow to said impellers. Several structural schemes for artificial flow augmentation have been conceived and proposed. These include ducted diffusers, vertical cylinders with aperture controlled slot perforated walls for vortex induction, and wing surfaces inclined at angle of attack to flow to induce vortices off their leading edge and tips. To accomodate energy recovery via impellers in each of the latter concepts requires that either the entire structure be yawed into the flow, as is the case with ducts and wing surfaces, or that aperture size be controlled with numerous shutter mechanisms as is the case with vertical vortex inducing cylinders or towers.

Large structure yaw in response to flow direction shift may require large and expensive bearings and perhaps auxiliary power to actuate yaw motion. Vortex flow control through cylinder wall apertures may require complex and costly actuation and control systems with substantial parasite auxiliary power requirements.

A TARP, being an omnidirectionally symmetric flow augmentation structure having high compatibility with numerous common base structures, may accomplish interconnected impeller system yaw simply in response to shifting flow direction for best energy recovery by allowing said interconnected impellers to track within the TARP's peripheral flow channel on a track means substantially concentric with the TARP peripheral channel. Interconnected impeller yaw motion may be activated by an unequal force couple acting on the interconnected impellers as result of flow directional reorientation away from an initial impeller thrust force-balanced steady state position. Because the plural interconnected impellers, generally two, seek a thrust force balance, they automatically yaw as a unit within the TARP peripheral channel flow field into position for best energy recovery therein. Said impeller system yaw may further be enhanced by interconnecting with said interconnected impellers a drag means or blockage means which may impede flow both in the TARP peripheral flow channel and, through extension, beyond the channel realm.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective yaw response capability by TARP for an interconnected impeller system in response to flow direction reorientation to said impellers acting within a TARP's peripheral flow channel on track means substantially concentric with the peripheral flow channel.

In accordance with the present invention, the TARP, being a flow augmentor structure having energy conversion system applicability and mission oriented adaptability to numerous common base structures, provides for interconnected impellers a yaw track means within the TARP peripheral flow channel, said track means being substantially concentric to the TARP peripheral flow channel.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a TARP embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line A--A in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line B--B in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3 of a modified form of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a TARP, 1 embodying the invention is illustrated incorporating interconnected rotatable fluid impact impellers 2 within fluid flow channel means 3 about the periphery of said TARP 1 and said interconnected impellers 2, illustrated connected to generators 4, and said impellers supported and guided by substantially wheel-like, bearing-like, fluid-cushion-like or electromagnetic-like action on yaw track means 5 being substantially concentric with the peripheral channel of TARP and impellers being interconnected by linking means 6. Yaw enhancement drag or blockage means 7, being illustrated interconnected and supported on track means 5 with impellers 2 and substantially located peripheral to TARP structure. Referring to FIG. 3 track means 5 is sectionally illustrated and fluid impact impeller 2 is illustrated supported on track means 5 by support means 8 and retention and stabilization support means 9. Yaw motion by interconnected impellers 2 on track means 5 may be initiated by fluid flow about TARP in channel means 3 exerting a thrust force on impellers 2. As shown in FIG. 4, interconnected impeller yaw can also be achieved by having a fractional detached structural member 10, of a TARP 1 and being substantially concentric to the TARP peripheral channel means 3 with impellers 2 affixed via support means 8 to said member 10, supported on track means 5 mounted to the remainder of the TARP flow augmentor structure 1. Many modifications, embodiments, and changes will be evident, as for example specific track and tracking means type (i.e. wheeled, bearing, electro-magnetic, fluid cushioned, etc.), shape, location and number integrated into a TARP for interconnected impeller system yaw response to fluid flow directional shift, while still remaining within the scope and spirit of the invention.