US 12,203,441 B1Granted

Fluid turbine configured for moment-arm and thrust-force load control

OwnerVincent Loccisanoinventor

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Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a shrouded fluid turbine comprising: a turbine shroud surrounding a rotor and an ejector shroud in fluid communication with the trailing edge of the turbine shroud. Further disclosed is a method and apparatus having a unique configuration that provides a means of mitigating loads on structural components. An example embodiment includes the use of the electrical generation equipment as a counterweight. Other embodiments may include axial motion of components to reduce the moment arm of heavy components and to reduce fluid-stream thrust-force on the support structure and a means of controlling the mean-turbine power production in an array of turbines by controlling downstream wake vortices and power output of an upstream turbine while increasing the free-stream flow to, and power output of, a downstream turbine.

Claims3

Dependent claims

A fluid turbine comprising:

a rotor mechanically coupled with a generator;
at least a first duct in fluid communication with said rotor;
at least a second duct surrounding a trailing edge of said first duct;
said rotor, said at least a first duct, and said at least a second duct sharing a common central axis;
said rotor movable along said common central axis with respect to said at least a first duct;
said at least a second duct movable along said common central axis;
and
an optimal rotor plane that is perpendicular to said common central axis where lift forces on said at least a first duct are greatest;
wherein
energy extraction is greatest when said rotor resides at said optimal rotor plane and movement of said rotor along said common central axis, away from said optimal rotor plane, and movement of said at least a second duct along said common central axis away from said rotor and away from said first duct increases free stream flow through said at least a second ringed airfoil and reduces said energy extraction.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/608,697Filed 18 Mar 2024 · us provisional application
Priority: 18 Mar 2023
Granted: 21 Jan 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

F03D 1/053
Having stationary wind-guiding means, e.g. with shrouds or channels: comprising controllable elements, e.g. inlet valves or shutters
F03D 1/051
Having stationary wind-guiding means, e.g. with shrouds or channels: multiple shrouds, e.g. in series or in parallel
F03D 7/02
Controlling wind motors: the wind motors having rotation axis substantially parallel to the air flow entering the rotor
F03D 7/049
Controlling wind farms: in relation to the wake effect