Micro Wind Generator Array
Cross-Reference To Related Application
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§ 119(e) from U.S. Serial No. 60/371,522, filed on April 10, 2002. U.S. Serial No. 60/371,522was filed by an inventor common to the present application, and is hereby incorporated by reference.
Background of the Invention
It is known to construct arrays of wind turbine generators for power generation. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,220,870 to Kelly discloses a fixed wind conversion lattice array including miniature turbine generators positioned to form rows and columns in the lattice array. Multiple small D.C. generators are positioned around the periphery of an impeller vane assembly for each generator. The impeller may be on the order of 6 to 10 inches in diameter, and the array may practically include as many as 100 generators. However, this device and others in the prior art suffer from a number of deficiencies.
Wind strength and velocity is highly variable in most populated areas. Small wind velocities are often insufficient for starting and for maintaining rotation in conventional wind turbine generators.
For significant power generation, large arrays may be required (typically covering tens or hundreds of square feet). Very large arrays accordingly are often remotely positioned (for example, on rooftops or on wind farms). Even moderately sized arrays may remain unsuitable for portable applications.
Summary of the Invention
The deficiencies of the prior art may be largely overcome by a novel micro-wind generator array comprising a large number of miniature and/or microscopic sized
generators mounted in a compact space. Such generators are constructed using micro- technology or nano-technology, and will typically have impeller vanes of 1 inch or less in diameter (see for example, Rick Teaff, "Researchers Build Little Engines That Could Drive A Small Revolution", Document 2599, November 16, 2001, available at smalltimes.com website, describing a piezo-electric motor having a diameter as small as two millimeters).
The array may include, for example, thousands of generators arranged in many parallel rows and columns with adjacent passageways for receiving air currents to power the micro-generators. While the power generated by each micro-generator will be small, the aggregated power may be substantial. Such small turbines (also small in mass) may be started and sustained in the presence of minimal wind velocities. Modest in size, the associated array may be positioned in a variety of areas receiving moderate winds to generate power for direct use or for storage. The air passage ways may be aligned and configured to dynamically and positionally adjust to a current direction of wind flow in order for associated micro-generators to generate maximum power. Arrays may be sized and configured for portable and mobile applications. Arrays may also be used in conjunction with other power generation sources (for example, solar photovoltaic cells and fuel cell technology). A preferred embodiment of the present invention is employed as a supplemental power source in automotive applications.
Brief Description of the Drawing
A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained by reading the following description of specific illustrative embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the appended drawing in which:
Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention comprising stacked array panels for generating power from a uni-directional air flow;
Figure 2 shows a top view of a stack in the embodiment of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention in which the generator can be aligned to operate in multi-directional air flows.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
The following detailed description includes a description of the best mode or modes of the invention presently contemplated. Such description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but to be an example of the invention presented solely for illustration thereof, and by reference to which in connection with the following description and the accompanying drawings one skilled in the art may be advised of the advantages and construction of the invention.
Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention comprising a series of stackable Micro Wind Generator Array panels 100. Each panel 100 comprises a plurality of alternating air passages A and wind generator compartments B defining rows Din the array. Panels 100 may also be stacked to form a three-dimensional array.
Figure 2 shows a top cutaway view for one panel in the array of Figure 1. Turbine vanes B' are housed in the wind generator compartments B, but protrude a sufficient distance X into the air inlet passage ways in order to capture moving air to drive the turbine vanes B. Each air inlet A includes an air inlet port E, and an air exhaust port E'at an inlet end opposing inlet port E.
Each Micro Wind Generator Array panel can be customized for size, shape and flow of air, depending on the power needed and the space constraints. Turbine vanes B' may be as large as the size of small screws or microscopically small, and thereby the size and shape of the panels can be fitted to the application at hand (for example, panels intimately fitting the swooping hood of a car, or the curved side or roof of a building).
Turbine vanes B' may be selected to have a variety of known configurations and shapes, including assemblies having enclosed and unenclosed impeller-based shapes, and assemblies having propeller-based shapes. Vane and propeller blades may be of varying sizes and pitches. Vane assemblies may also be made in single and multiple stages.
Air passage and wind generator compartments A, B may be constructed, for example, as follows. Sheets F (made, for example, from fiber, silicon, plastic, metal or a variety of other similar materials) are employed to provide a top and bottom surface for each unit. Air inlets E may be fixed, or adjustable to suit airflow conditions. Units can be put together in brick fashion with built-in location features (for example, like LEGO blocks) with chambers that mesh and match accordingly. In addition to being stacked, units can be linearly connected to create large airflow pathways and wind generator array banks that extend moderate to long distances. Because of their size, multiple unit layers can be structured one on top of the other to maximize power output.
The power produced by each of the generator elements may be aggregated and used directly or stored (for example, in a battery, capacitor, or electric power grid). The latter may be useful, for example, in generating income for the host.
Each unit may be constructed with the self-diagnostic capabilities to monitor airflow and other performance characteristics of the unit. Monitoring may be accomplished using available micro-technology and nano-technology sensor elements.
A variety of applications are envisioned for the present invention. Each panel can be produced in custom or standard configurations. For home use, for example, every building can now become a potential energy source, by mounting miniature or micro- panels on its walls and/or roofs. Current buildings can be retrofitted, while new buildings can be designed to incorporate the panels directly. Decorative outer panels can be placed
over the wind generation panels to preserve the architectural appearance of the building. Photovoltaic cells can be added for further power generation.
For automotive use, for example, units can be designed to create a "second skin" over or under the hood, doors, underside and roof of the car, or creating vents that direct air flow that is traveling at significant velocity. Such units can effectively be integrated into the design of the body of the car. By using this air current to generate electric current, the electric current can be used directly, or to recharge the batteries, or be stored in an alternate storage medium (for example, a capacitor). Airflow through the panels may be arranged in a manner to improve the stability of the automobile.
Panels can be created for airflow for uni-directional, bi-directional, and multidirectional situations, depending on requirements of use. Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention intended to provide for multi-directional flows.
In Figure 3, a multi-directional micro generator element comprises a micro- generator 200 with impeller B' and multiple air inlet ports A and air exhaust ports C. Ports A and C may be fitted with small vanes (not shown) directed to align a prevailing direction of air flow with an air passage defined by one inlet port A and one outlet port B.
Automotive applications would probably be uni-directional, while stationary applications such as in buildings sides or roofs would more likely be bi or multidirectional in order to take advantage of prevailing winds that come in many directions.
The materials used for the most part need to be weatherproof since the majority of placements will be outside. Airflow vents may be adjustably opened or closed for inclement or dangerous weather conditions. Internal components, at least with regard to the micro-generator, may likely be made of silicon, which has good corrosion resistance.
Dust particles may be filtered and blown away, for example, by a separate airflow intake or by a computer-controlled damper to redirect the flow of air for a small period of
time. Snow may be melted by diverting electricity for a brief period to an electric heating wire to clear/melt the snow from the multiple inlets.
While the present invention has been described at some length and with some particularity with respect to the several described embodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any such particulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to be construed with references to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and, therefore, to effectively encompass the intended scope of the invention. The foregoing describes the invention in terms of embodiments foreseen by the inventor for which an enabling description was available, notwithstanding that insubstantial modifications of the invention, not presently foreseen, may nonetheless represent equivalents thereto.