US 10,256,698 B2 · Fluid generator system

Fluid generator system

AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army

InventorsCharles P Marsh, Axy Pagan-Vazquez, Carl A Feickert, Aaron Averbuch, Meredith C. K. Sellers, Christopher Joel Foster, Scott M. Lux, Justin Hesterberg, Andy Friedl, John Alexander Magerko, III

Life of this patent

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Abstract

The present invention is a fluid power generator with elastic tension gradient strips that move in a serpentine fashion to generate power from fluid flow. Each strip has a tension gradient that decreases going back. This allows steady serpentine movement of the strip to move a coil generator across multiple magnets to generate power. Tensioning tubes keep the strips under tension and attach the strips to a strip support that also supports a magnet holder. The magnet holder keeps the magnets in position within the coil generators so that any serpentine movement of the strip can generate power.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An elastic tension gradient (ETG) strip apparatus, comprising:

a leading edge having a leading edge radius and a back edge having a back edge radius,
wherein said back edge radius is greater than said leading edge radius when said ETG strip is in a slack configuration,
wherein said leading edge is positioned in relation to said back edge to form a tension gradient when said ETG strip is in a fully tensioned configuration,
wherein said tension gradient decreases tension in said ETG strip as measured from said leading edge to said back edge by a percentage ranging from approximately 1% to approximately 100%;
a plurality of attachment edges;
and
at least one generation coil located in an aperture between said leading edge and said back edge, wherein said at least one generation coil is at least one hollow-core coil of a coated metallic wire.

4 more elements

A fluid power generator system, comprising:

a plurality of ETG strips, wherein each of said plurality of ETG strips comprises:
a leading edge having a leading edge radius and a back edge having a back edge radius,
wherein said back edge radius is greater than said leading edge radius when said ETG strip is in a slack configuration,
wherein said leading edge is positioned in relation to said back edge to form a tension gradient when said ETG strip is in a fully tensioned configuration,
wherein said tension gradient decreases tension in said ETG strip as measured from said leading edge to said back edge by a percentage ranging from approximately 1% to approximately 100%,
a plurality of attachment edges, and
at least one generation coil located in an aperture between said leading edge and said back edge, wherein said at least one generation coil is at least one hollow-core coil of a coated metallic wire;
a plurality of tensioning tubes, wherein each of said plurality of tensioning tubes is attached to one of said plurality of attachment edges;
a strip support comprising an upper support and a lower support separated by a length L, wherein each of said upper support and said lower support is operably coupled to one-half of the number of said plurality of tensioning tubes;
and
at least one magnetic holder holding at least one magnet in place parallel to at least one of said upper support and said lower support, wherein said at least one magnetic holder extends through said at least one generation coil.

8 more elements

A fluid power generator system, comprising:

a plurality of ETG strips, wherein each of said plurality of ETG strips comprises:
a leading edge having a leading edge radius and a back edge having a back edge radius,
wherein said back edge radius is greater than said leading edge radius when said ETG strip is in a slack configuration,
wherein said leading edge is positioned in relation to said back edge to form a tension gradient when said ETG strip is in a fully tensioned configuration,
wherein said tension gradient decreases tension in said ETG strip as measured from said leading edge to said back edge by a percentage ranging from approximately 1% to approximately 100%,
a plurality of attachment edges, and
at least one generation coil located in an aperture between said leading edge and said back edge, wherein said at least one generation coil is at least one hollow-core coil of a coated metallic wire;
a plurality of tensioning tubes, wherein each of said plurality of tensioning tubes is attached to one of said plurality of attachment edges;
a strip support comprising an upper support and a lower support, wherein each of said upper support and said lower support is operably coupled to one-half of plurality of tensioning tubes;
at least one magnetic holder holding at least one magnet in place parallel to at least one of said upper support and said lower support, wherein said at least one magnetic holder extends through said at least one generation coil;
and
a conditioning circuit comprising:
at least one input having an input filter, wherein said input is operably coupled to a rectifier;
at least one power converter;
and
at least one output having an output filter.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

15/279,984Filed 29 Sep 2016

Published

US 2018/0091023 A129 Mar 2018

Granted

9 Apr 2019

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification17 codes

H02K 7/1876
Linear generators; sectional generators: with reciprocating, linearly oscillating or vibrating parts
F03B 13/10
Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus ; Power stations or…:…
F03B 17/06
Other machines or engines: using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type , "run-of-river", "ultra-low…
F03D 5/06
Other wind motors: the wind-engaging parts swinging to-and-fro and not rotating