Cavity vertical turbine

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of natural energy. More particularly, the invention relates to wind driven turbines.

[0004] 2. Related Art

[0005] There exist numerous types of natural energy driven devices. In the field of wind driven devices, the most common type of device is the windmill. The windmills typically include a plurality of blades or foils and operate on a principle by which air current forces rotation of the blades when properly disposed into a wind current. Here lies a basic flaw in windmills. Particularly, they must be directed into the wind current in order to operate. Some windmills have utilized tails in order to orient the blades into the wind current. However, these designs require a relatively significant amount of wind in order to achieve proper orientation and operation.

[0006] Also, wind turbine machines of various designs have been previously proposed for use in converting wind energy to electrical energy. Machines of the type utilizing a plurality of exposed blades rotating about a horizontal axis are in commercial use in a number of different locations. Many such designs lack sufficient structural integrity under heavy wind conditions.

[0007] Prior wind turbines typically utilize a rotor which is rotatable about a vertical axis. The rotor normally includes a plurality of blades. Also, pluralities of stationary wind deflectors or wind-directing blades have been used around the rotor to deflect air toward the rotor blades. The typical wind deflectors are generally planar or slightly curved devices which are vertically oriented and are positioned around the perimeter of the rotor.

[0008] Even with these improvements, there remains a need to improve the manner in which we harvest the wind as a natural resource. It is desired that there be a wind driven system which is operational without requiring orientation to face an existing prevailing wind current. Accordingly, the present invention aims to provide such a system.

[0009] It is an object to improve wind driven energy producing devices.

[0010] It is another object to provide a cavity vertical turbine.

[0011] It is yet another object to provide a wind driven turbine which is operably safe at relatively high winds.

[0012] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a cavity vertical turbine which aims to meet the aforesaid objectives. The cavity vertical turbine includes a rotatably driven electric generator or air compressor, a drive shaft operably connected to the electric generator or air compressor to cause rotation thereof, a first member having a cavity vertical surface and being connected to the shaft such that the cavity vertical surface opposes the drive shaft in a spaced relation therefrom, a second member having a cavity surface and being connected to the shaft such that the cavity surface opposes the drive shaft in a spaced relation therefrom, and wherein the cavity surfaces are further characterized to be in opposing partially overlapping relation to one another.

[0013] The first and second members can be, for example, hemispherical or hemi-cylindrical. The cavity surfaces overlap in a manner such that surface area overlapping portions of the cavity surfaces are less than surface area of non-overlapping portions of cavity surfaces.

[0014] Other objects and advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon viewing the drawings and reading the detailed description hereafter.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a cross-section view through line 1—1 of FIG. 2 depicting the operating principle of a cavity member of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cavity vertical turbine of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 3. is a perspective view of another embodiment plurality of cavity vertical turbines of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment plurality of cavity vertical turbines of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a closed-end cavity vertical turbine of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment plurality of cavity vertical turbines of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a top view of another embodiment of a self-regulating cavity vertical turbine of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cavity vertical turbine of FIG. 7.

[0023] FIG. 9 is depiction of an offshore installation of cavity vertical turbines.

[0024] FIG. 10ais a perspective view of the cavity vertical turbine of FIG. 2 mounted on a building.

[0025] FIG. 10bis perspective view of another application of the cavity vertical turbine.

[0026] Referring now to the drawings, a cavity vertical turbine the present invention is shown in several embodiments of the Figures set forth herewith. The cavity vertical turbines described herein are shown here as vertically disposed cavity vertical turbines. Several components are common to each embodiment. Namely, each embodiment is operably connected to a rotationally driven electric generator 12 (or air compressor). The generator 12 (or air compressor) is operably connected to a rotor drive shaft 14 upon which rotation thereof causes rotation of the electrical producing components of the generator 12 (or air compressor) thereby producing electricity therefrom (or compressed air for driving existing steam turbines for example to produce electricity in a conventional power station).

[0027] Turning now to the cavity vertical turbine 10 as shown in FIG. 2, there are hemi-cylindrical members 16aand 16b,each of which having a cavity surface 18aand 18b,respectively, (see FIG. 1). The hemi-cylindrical and hemispherical and members described herein can be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material. The members 16aand 16bare connected to the rotor drive shaft 14 by way of annular plates 20aand 20bwhich are axially spaced from one another and fixably interconnect the rotor drive shaft 14 and the ends 22aand 22b,respectively.

[0028] The cavity surfaces 18aand 18bopposes the rotor drive shaft 14 in a spaced relation from the rotor drive shaft 14. The ends 22aand 22bof members 14aand 14b,respectively, are disposed adjacent one another in a manner such that a portion of cavity surfaces 18aand 18bare in opposing partially overlapping relation to one another.

[0029] The members 16aand 16binclude ends 24aand 24b,respectively, which are in non-adjacent relation to one another such than a remaining portion of the cavity surfaces 18aand 18b,respectively in a non-overlapping relation to one another. In other words, this portion remains exposed to capture wind normal thereto. The non-overlapping portions of cavity surfaces 18aand 18bare greater than the overlapping portions.

[0030] As seen in FIG. 1, air is captured by one non-overlapping portion of cavity surface 18b,the wind is deflected toward a space between the ends 22aand 22band onto the cavity surface 18aand out from the cavity 18a.The forces drive the rotation of the members 16aand 16bas shown. Also, a feature of the design of the invention is the convex surfaces 26aand 26bof members 16aand 16b,respectively. The surfaces 26aand 26bdeflect the air to help drive the rotation of the cavity vertical turbine 10. For example, a portion of the air deflected from 26ais captured into cavity 18bwhich then passes through the opening between the ends 22aand 22b.

[0031] Notably, the opening between the ends 22aand 22bis significantly less than the opening between either ends 22aand 24bor 22band 24a.Thus, as air moves into cavity 18band through the narrower opening, a pressurized air stream is exerted on the cavity surface 18a.

[0032] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the use of multiple members 16aand 16b.FIG. 3 shows the members 16aand 16bin a stacked and side by side relation. The stacked relation drive rotor shafts 14′ and 14″ which in turn drive rotor shaft 14 via a gear drive train mechanism (not shown) in housing 15. FIG. 4 depicts another stacked relation on a vertically disposed shaft 14. Connected to a top portion of the shaft 14 is a stabilizer member 30 to which stabilizing lines 32 are connected to enable securing the same to the ground.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 9, the cavity vertical turbines 10 can be mounted in an offshore capacity. A support structure 50 can be suitably anchored to the ocean floor and suitable electrical line 52 (or air line) ran to the shore line to a power storage/supply/conversion facility 54. The cavity vertical turbines 10 can be located in prevailing winds and can move in any direction.

[0034] FIGS. 10aand 10bdepict the cavity vertical turbine 10 mounted on a building to supply power thereto. The members 16aand 16bare additionally suited with tie pieces 40a′, 40a″ and 40b′, 40b″, respectively. Tie pieces 40a′ and 40b′ interconnect end 24awith plates 20aand 20b,respectively, and 40a″ and 40b″ interconnect end 24awith plates 20aand 20b,respectively. The rotor drive shaft 14′ is rotatably connected to generator 12′ (or air compressor). Here, the shaft 14′ is shown to include a universal connection 44 to permit the lowering of thereof A bearing mount 46 is shown removably connected to the building to provide stability of the rotor drive shaft 14′. Support lines 32′ are also provided to interconnect and support the cavity vertical turbine 10

[0035] Turning now to the embodiment in FIG. 5, there is disclosed a closed-end cavity vertical turbine 10′ which includes similar hemi-cylindrical members 16a′ and 16b′. Here, the members 16a′ and 16b′ include an enclosed end 19a′ and 19b′, respectively. The members 16a′ and 16b′ are connected to collars 20a′ and 20b′ via tie bars 30a′ and 30b′, respectively. As shown, the members 16a′ and 16b′ are pitched at an incline narrower at the top and wider at the bottom and believed to aid in capturing air and redirecting it to the principle of the invention as previously described. The cavity vertical turbine 10′ is shown here mounted to a building.

[0036] In contrast, the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 depicts hemispherical members 16a″ and 16b″ which are inclined narrower at the bottom and wider at the top. The members 16a″ and 16b″ are connected to collars 20a″ and 20b″ via tie bars 30a″ and 30b″, respectively. In this depiction, there exist two sets of members 16a″ and 16b″ which are in axially spaced relation at approximately 90 degrees.

[0037] The inclines shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are believed to aid in the enhanced rotation of parts. It is contemplated that one particular incline may be of more use in the one hemisphere of the world than in the other due wind currents and the direction of rotation.

[0038] Still another embodiment of the cavity vertical turbine 100 is disclosed in FIGS. 7 and 8 which is self regulating. The members 116aand 116bare interconnected via tie bars 140aand 140b.Tie bars 140aand 140bsimilarly connect to collars 120aand 120b,respectively. The principles set forth above apply to cause rotation of the rotor drive shaft 114, with an additional limitation of a self-regulation baffle 160. The baffle 160 is rotatably connected about the shaft 114 and is normally biased by a spring 170 to remain in an open position wherein air flow is permitted in a manner previously described. Ends of the baffle 160 are connected to a shaft 140aand 140bhaving weighted ends. The shafts 140aand 140bare shown here slidably connected to the tie bar 140a.As the rotational speed exceeds a predetermined amount, the force constant of the spring is overcome and the baffle 160 rotates to a closed position, thus blocking air flow between the members 116aand 116b.This provides a safety mechanism in times of extreme wind speed.

[0039] As used herein the term “vertical” is defined as a position generally normal to the earth's surface along the lines of the earth's gravitational forces. “Cavity vertical turbine” includes, but is not limited to, cavity surfaces as shown and described herein which are disposed on the vertical rotor drive shaft and have cavity members which generally rotate along a horizontal plane relative to the vertical position and gravitational forces stated. The above described embodiments are set forth by way of example and are not for the purpose of limiting the present invention. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that obvious modifications, derivations and variations can be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto should be read in their full scope including any such modifications, derivations and variations.