Internal mounted cylindrical turbine for electricity generation using exterior flush and scoop intakes
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorMathew A. Coffman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for generating electrical energy from wind are described. In an example, a method includes capturing wind in an intake on an exterior surface of a structure. The method also includes directing, via a duct, the wind from the intake to a centrifugal fan and, while directing the wind from the intake to the centrifugal fan, compressing and accelerating the wind in the duct. The method further includes receiving, in the centrifugal fan, the wind from the duct and rotating, via the received wind, a fan blade assembly in the centrifugal fan. The method still further includes generating electrical energy, via a generator, based on the rotation of the fan blade assembly.
Claims20
A method for generating electrical energy from wind, comprising:
- capturing wind in an intake on an exterior surface of a structure;
- directing, via a duct, the wind from the intake to a centrifugal fan, wherein the duct tapers inwardly along a length of the duct and in a direction from the intake to the centrifugal fan to compress and accelerate the wind, wherein the duct includes a straight duct run, without turning, between the intake and the centrifugal fan;
- while directing the wind from the intake to the centrifugal fan, compressing and accelerating the wind in the duct;
- receiving, in the centrifugal fan, the wind from the duct;
- rotating, via the received wind, a fan blade assembly in the centrifugal fan;
- generating electrical energy, via a generator, based on the rotation of the fan blade assembly;
- and
- exhausting the wind from the centrifugal fan in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction in which the wind is received in the centrifugal fan,
- wherein the centrifugal fan is located in an interior space of the structure.
A system for generating electrical energy from a wind load on a structure, comprising:
- an intake, on an exterior surface of a structure, configured to capture wind on the exterior surface;
- a duct coupled to the intake at a first end of the duct and configured to direct the wind from the first end to a second end of the duct, wherein the duct is configured to compress and accelerate the wind directed from the first end to the second end, wherein the duct tapers inwardly along a length of the duct and in a direction from the first end to the second end to compress and accelerate the wind, wherein the duct includes a straight duct run, without turning, between the intake and the centrifugal fan;
- a centrifugal fan coupled to the second end of the duct for receiving the wind from the duct, the centrifugal fan including a fan blade assembly configured to rotate responsive to the wind received from the duct;
- an exhaust duct coupled to an outlet of the centrifugal fan and configured to exhaust wind from the centrifugal fan, wherein the second end of the duct is coupled to an inlet of the centrifugal fan, wherein the inlet is perpendicular to the outlet;
- and
- a generator configured to generate electrical energy based on the rotation of the fan blade assembly,
- wherein the centrifugal fan is located in an interior space of the structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.