Fluid flow energy conversion systems

Abstract

Fluid flow energy conversion systems employing aerodynamic flow-separation vortex generation for focusing the kinetic energy of flow in the working area of the turbine are disclosed herein in the context of wind power plants. As a consequence of this augmentation, fluid velocity acting on the rotor is increased by a substantial amount over the free stream velocity, resulting in substantial increases in power output for a given turbine configuration. The illustrative embodiments include simple flow separation, vortex augmenting surfaces, such as those found in delta planforms which in this context generate vortices and therefore function as aerodynamic lenses; these surfaces are oriented to the wind turbine so that generated vortices are directed at the turbine blades. The latter are configured to be driven by the vortex and drive in turn electrical or other power generating devices or machines. Provisions for varying the angle of attack of the augmentor surface for control purposes are also described as are configurations employing multiple augmentor surfaces and both slender body and bluff body augmentors. Also disclosed are vortex mixing techniques for controlling the wind gradient to achieve a more optimum wind velocity distribution and magnitude relative to the wind converter.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.