Column structure with protected turbine
AssigneeNatural Power Concepts, Inc.
InventorJohn Pitre
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A turbine system includes a turbine positioned so that its blades are exposed during at least part of their rotation to a region of fluid flow accelerated by a columnar structure, such as a building or a bridge pylon. A protective casing moves to isolate the turbine blades from the fluid flow, thereby protecting the turbine from overpowering conditions. Upwind and downwind fairings may be used when retrofitting pre-existing buildings. Turbines may be positioned on opposing sides of a building. Multiple turbine modules may be positioned in line along peripheries of a building. Turbines may be mounted on in-water structures, such as buoys.
Claims20
A turbine system comprising:
- (a) a turbine having rotatable turbine blades, said turbine being positioned so that its turbine blades are exposed during at least part of their rotation to a region of fluid flow accelerated by a columnar structure, and
- (b) a protective casing movable to isolate the turbine blades from the region of fluid flow, thereby protecting the turbine from overpowering conditions.
A turbine system for use with a column structure comprising:
- (a) a turbine having rotatable turbine blades, and
- (b) a protective casing adapted to be disposed in operative relation to the turbine and to isolate the turbine blades from a fluid flow accelerated by a columnar structure, thereby protecting the turbine from overpowering conditions.
A turbine system comprising:
- (a) a first transverse-axis turbine having rotatable turbine blades, said turbine being supported by an in-water structure and positioned so that its turbine blades are exposed during a part of their rotation to a region of fluid flow that has been accelerated relative to a prevailing flow, and
- (b) a first protective casing movable to isolate the turbine blades of the first turbine from the region of fluid flow, thereby protecting the first turbine from overpowering conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.