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US 8,393,850 B2Granted
Inflatable wind turbine
AssigneeFloDesign Wind Turbine Corporation
InventorsMichael J. Werle, William Scott Keeley, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Walter M. Presz, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wind turbine has an impeller surrounded by a turbine shroud and/or an ejector shroud, wherein the turbine shroud and/or the ejector shroud include inflatable portions and/or flexible inflatable portions. In some embodiments, the turbine shroud and/or the ejector shroud include internal rib members whose shape or length can be changed to alter the characteristics of the wind turbine.
Claims27
A wind turbine comprising:
- an impeller;
- a turbine shroud disposed about the impeller, the turbine shroud comprising an inflatable member;
- and
- a first rigid structural member connected to the inflatable member, the first rigid structural member comprising a hollow interior into which the shroud inflatable member can be inserted.
1 more element
A wind turbine comprising:
- a turbine shroud;
- and
- an ejector shroud disposed concentrically about the turbine shroud;
- the turbine shroud comprising a shroud circular member, a plurality of shroud first rib members engaging the shroud circular member, and a shroud exterior film, wherein the shroud circular member and the plurality of shroud first rib members define an intake end and an exhaust end of the turbine shroud;
- and
- the ejector shroud comprising an ejector circular member, a plurality of ejector first rib members engaging the ejector circular member, and an ejector exterior film, wherein the ejector circular member and the plurality of ejector first rib members define an intake end and an exhaust end of the ejector shroud.
3 more elements
A wind turbine comprising:
- a rotor;
- a turbine shroud disposed about the rotor, the turbine shroud comprising an inflatable member;
- and
- a first rigid structural member connected to the inflatable member, the first rigid structural member comprising a hollow interior into which the shroud inflatable member can be inserted.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.