Systems and Methods for Harnessing Energy from Wind
AssigneeIntrofoc Ltd
InventorsPanayiotis Philimis, Varnis Charalambous, Dimitrios Kouloumis, Harry Georgiou, Nicos Raftis, Stavros Hadjiyiannis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for improving efficiency of vertical axis wind turbines for all wind directions, comprising an inlet convergent section, a wind turbine section adjacent to exit of convergent section and an outlet divergent section. The system provides an air passage through the inlet section, the wind turbine and the outlet section, and allows for variation of the inlet and outlet depending on wind direction, in order to maximize efficiency harnessed within a time interval in accordance to wind direction and wind speed.
Claims25
A system for harnessing energy from wind, said system comprising:
- a convergent section, said convergent section comprising an entry and an exit, said entry having an area higher than said exit;
- a wind turbine section adjacent to said exit of said convergent section, said wind turbine section comprising at least one wind turbine;
- a divergent section adjacent to said wind turbine section, said divergent section comprising an entry and an exit, said entry having an area lower than said exit,
- wherein at least one of the convergent section and the divergent section comprises side panels extending away from the wind turbine section, characterised in that:
- at least two of said side panels are modifiable in use for maximising the amount of energy harnessed within a time interval in accordance with wind direction and/or wind speed;
- and
- said wind turbine section comprises a turbine-surrounding structure that at least partially surrounds said at least one wind turbine, said turbine-surrounding structure having openings for wind to pass from the convergent section, through the turbine section, and exit to the divergent section, wherein said turbine-surrounding structure is adjustable in use.
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A method of operating a system for harnessing energy from wind, the system comprising:
- a convergent section, said convergent section comprising an entry and an exit, said entry having an area higher than said exit;
- a wind turbine section adjacent to said exit of said convergent section, said wind turbine section comprising at least one wind turbine;
- a divergent section adjacent to said wind turbine section, said divergent section comprising an entry and an exit, said entry having an area lower than said exit;
- wherein at least one of the convergent section and the divergent section comprises side panels extending away from the wind turbine section,
- further wherein the wind turbine section comprises a turbine-surrounding structure that at least partially surrounds said at least one wind turbine and comprising openings for wind to pass from the convergent section, through the turbine section and exit to the divergent section, wherein the method comprises operating the system by:
- modifying at least two of the side panels for maximising the amount of energy harnessed within a time interval in accordance with wind direction and/or wind speed;
- and
- adjusting the turbine-surrounding structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.