Controlled Airflow Device

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to generation of electricity through renewable energy sources by the means of controlling the parameters affecting the generation of electricity by wind energy converters and an airflow device connected to other components in an apparatus that allow better control and utilization of wind energy at lower wind altitudes in an energy efficient and eco- friendly manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today, the need for innovation in the field of renewable energy has grown to become of great importance due to the high level of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere and the urgent need to tackle the climate crisis. Innovation in renewable energy is fundamentally contributing to solving this crisis and the abundance of its sources has opened the door to many to present solutions to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere and pave the road toward a cleaner and more environmentally friendly electricity production. The importance of sharing ideas and presenting innovation in this sector has become a responsibility for all those involved and the urgency of finding solutions is the core motivation behind this invention.

One of the cleanest sources of renewable energy available is Wind energy. Wind energy converters have been used for years to generate electricity from a renewable, free, abundant and a clean source, the wind.

A typical wind energy converter consists of a hub and rotor blades, a gearbox, a generator, a nacelle, a strong foundation to ensure stability, a tower erected to capture wind at higher altitudes and a transformer, electronics and controllers.

In the meantime, a lot of wind energy converters following different types and designs are built to utilize wind energy at higher altitudes producing clean electricity production through a renewable energy source. The generation of electricity through wind energy converters is significant and contributes to a large share of electricity production through renewable energy sources. However, means to utilize wind energy at lower altitudes are not applied on an industrial scale. The problem with wind at lower altitude is that it is not steady, the velocity of the wind is not as high as the wind at higher altitudes and the flow of the wind at lower altitudes is also more turbulent which causes noise and noise wastes energy. The roughness of the wind at lower altitude is also a factor preventing this utilization. Roughness is affected by any structure along the way wind blows which reduces the efficiency of the electricity generated by wind at lower altitudes.

The formula of the wind power is: P = ½ *p * A * v ³

From the formula above, it is clear that the power of the wind depends on: The density of the air, the rotor swept area, the air density and the cube of velocity. Thus, a change in the velocity can drastically affect the power output of the wind i.e., if the wind velocity is increased by suitable means and kept constant, it can generate higher and consistent power from wind energy converters. Thus, making them more reliable and non-dependent on weather conditions.

Wind power is one of the most available and abundant sources of renewable energy, but it has not been utilized to its full potential yet. The barriers preventing more utilization of wind power are due to the fact that wind energy converters are required to be constructed at high altitudes to be able to capture wind power at these altitudes because wind at higher altitudes has higher velocity, is steadier and the less turbulent. However, there are still application of wind energy converters that capture wind at lower altitudes, but they are not industrially applicable due to the low electrical output generated by them.

Other barriers that hinder the utilization of wind energy include the environmental requirements for the sites where the wind energy converters are constructed. Measurements of the effect of noise and shadow on nearby inhabitants have prevented projects from being initiated. Wildlife threats have also been barriers to wind energy utilization due to the fact that Hight Altitude Wind Turbines (HAWT) are not birds and bats friendly.

The combination of airflow devices with wind energy converters can overcome many barriers affecting the wind energy utilization now. Both technologies are matters of extensive research and constant improvement and combing those mature technologies together can generate ideas and solutions to many of the barriers standing in the way of electricity generation through wind.

A number of patents have dealt with the improvement of wind energy converters and airflow devices to utilize kinetic energy of moving air more efficiently and reduce the negative effects they have on the environment. Below are some examples. WO 01/14740 discloses improvement methods of wind energy converter blade profile, in order to prevent stall.

US 4408958A discloses methods to improve the efficiency of a wind energy converter by means of strengthened blade design which provides the desired degree of lift along its entire length from the portion nearest its hub to its tip.

US8308445B2 and CN201650890U discloses a bladeless fan that can generate uniform and powerful noiseless air.

JPH04234597A discloses a laminar air flow fan for the purpose of providing a laminar flow fan having an excellent fan efficiency.

US5419679A discloses a laminar flow fan that is adapted to fit into the internal cavity of a fan housing.

WO2018007012A1 discloses control systems for a wind turbine.

US20160265512A1 discloses a system that includes a turbine controller configured to provide a setpoint and an operation system configured to control a parameter associated with wind turbine operation.

US20160265510A1 discloses systems and methods for adjusting signal readings for a wind turbine controller for energy production improvement.

US7365447B2 discloses to reduction of tower shadow effect of a downwind horizontal axis wind turbine.

‘Information regarding wind power formula, wind energy converters' components and principles are cited from:

T. Burton, D. Sharpe, N. Jenkins, and E. Bossanyi, Wind energy handbook, Wiley, 2001.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made in the invention presented without deviating from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for adjusting operation conditions of a wind energy converter based on controlling wind parameters at lower altitudes by an airflow source positioned locally opposite of a wind energy converter. The apparatus encloses both the wind energy converter and the airflow source. Additional components can be enclosed whenever necessary.

An airflow source connected to sensors and controllers that configure various parameters in accordance with the electrical output requirements of a wind energy convertor and the current weather conditions drives air into the apparatus. The airflow source drives air into the interior of an apparatus which is specifically designed for the purpose of harnessing wind energy, increasing its velocity and directing it locally to a wind energy converter. The airflow source controls the parameters of the entrained airflow and the interior of the apparatus encourages the airflow in the direction of a wind energy converter. The airflow source directs a laminar and steady flow of wind at high velocities and low pressure to a wind energy converter which converts it into useful electrical output with the help of sophisticated blades design that can endure wind at very high velocities.

The wind energy converter converts the wind kinetic energy into useful electricity. The electrical output generated by the wind energy converter is transmitted to an external source for utilization. The wind energy converter, connected to the airflow source, can also transmit electrical output to the airflow source sufficient to keep the airflow source in operation to keep the cycle going. For this reason, the wind energy converter and the airflow source are connected in any suitable manner.

The structure of the interior of the apparatus as well as the design of the airflow source can achieve high level of efficiency of wind energy utilization and, thus, the power needed to entrain a sufficient airflow required by the wind energy converter to achieve the specific electrical output will always be less than what is produced. The electrical output produced by the wind energy converter should be sufficient to supply an external source in addition to running the airflow source after the airflow source has initiated and directed airflow toward a wind energy converter to initially operate the wind energy converter.

In another example of embodiment of the invention, an external renewable energy source, mechanical and/or electrical energy storage system can be mounted or added to the components of the apparatus to supply the airflow source with clean electricity to operate initially and in cases where the wind energy converter could not suffice the airflow source with power to remain in operation or in cases where the system is re-operating after being shut down for any reason.

Another example embodiment of the invention is to pass the wind through filters to purify it from any contaminants or debris that can affect the lifecycle of both the airflow source and the wind energy converter.

In yet another example of the embodiment of the invention, an airflow source can be an air multiplier (bladeless fan) constructed for industrial use to minimize noise and provide a laminar, steady and high velocity airflow for the wind energy converter.

Another example of the embodiment of the invention, controllers that can control and alter lower altitude wind parameter like: Humidity, temperature and wind roughness.

The arrangement of the components should be carried out in a way that utilizes kinetic energy from the wind in the most efficient way possible. The wind angle of attack should be adjusted at all points in time of operation in a manner that reduces drag force as much as possible and increases lift force to convert kinetic energy of the wind into useful electrical output. The wind energy converter positioned directly opposing the airflow source at a sufficient and safe distance to utilize as much kinetic energy from the wind as it possibly and theoretically can.

In an example of implementation, airflow source controllers can be used to adjust airflow into the interior of the apparatus according to forecasted wind conditions i.e. when the wind velocity at lower altitudes is already high, a hardware or software system processes input signals with the help of sensors to the controllers and actuators. The main goal is to adjust the operation of the airflow source to maintain the required airflow sufficient to produce the desired electrical output by the wind energy converter at any given point in time during the operation of the apparatus. The air flow device can be user programmable i.e. users can determine the capacity required from a wind energy converter according to the needs and requirements to fulfil a specific function and can adjust the input parameters of the wind (e.g. velocity) driven into the apparatus by the airflow source. In yet another example embodiment of the invention, the amount of entrained airflow which the wind energy converters have already converted an amount of its kinetic energy into useful electrical output, taking into consideration the wind energy converter's efficiency and the Betz's limit, can be recirculated by suitable means, mixed with new amount of airflow driven into the apparatus by the airflow source and reintroduced again by the airflow source to the wind energy converter to utilize it again. Assuming the wind energy converter's efficiency is 40% which means that the amount of kinetic energy converted into electrical energy should not exceed 40%, introducing the same amount of airflow again to the wind energy converter, after 40% of its kinetic energy has been utilized, means that the combined efficiency of the wind energy converter to convert kinetic energy of the airflow introduced into electrical energy would in fact be higher than 40% depending on the amount of kinetic energy it would utilize and convert into electrical power from the airflow the second time it is introduced to the wind energy converter. If the wind energy converter converts yet another 40% of the reintroduced air and, given that the air has already lost 40% of its kinetic energy the first time, the wind energy converter's combined efficiency would increase by at least 20% after the second utilization of the wind kinetic energy.

THE PROBLEM THE INVENTION IS TRYING TO SOLVE

The apparatus can be built in different sizes depending on the electrical capacity required to fulfil a single site. The larger the area swept by the blades of the wind energy converter, given that the velocity of the wind can be adjusted, the higher the electrical output generated by them. The blade size is the determent of the overall size of the apparatus. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the required electrical output of a single apparatus and construct the blades accordingly. The portability of the apparatus and the variations of its sizes can allow it to be placed temporarily in application sites and transported to fulfill another site's energy needs. The fact that it can be varied in sizes allows it to be placed in challenging sites and areas where otherwise hard to generate electricity. The apparatus in essence does not require specific environmental conditions i.e. it is not dependent on weather conditions of a specific site, since they can be adjusted and controlled, nor does it require specific landscape to be placed over.

Controlling the air flow parameters like roughness, turbulence, velocity, noise and purity of the air utilized by wind energy converters will create an opportunity to use less material to construct High Altitude Wind Turbines (HAWT), avoid the environmental issues concerning the dismissal and disposal of wind energy converters blades after their intended lifecycle has ended, avoid physical barriers like shadow and noise produced by wind energy converters to nearby inhabitants and utilize wind energy, at relatively lower altitudes, more broadly. The industrial applications of the apparatus are broad and can be used to fulfill different functions. It can be placed over a rooftop of a building to supply electricity for tenants for example. It can also be placed on the ground to generate electricity off-grid in rural areas and can also be placed in temporarily inhibited sites to generate electricity only for a limited amount of time.

The apparatus contributes to making wind energy utilization more reliable and predictable. By means of controlling the parameters of the wind and adjusting them accordingly, the need for relying on strong, high velocity and steady wind will not be an issue since it can be, thereof, controlled. It also reduces two of the major problems with wind energy converters; noise and shadow effect on nearby inhabitants of areas where wind energy converters are constructed.

ONE WAY TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION

One way to carry out the invention is by placing an airflow source on a solid foundation connected to sensors, controllers and actuator. A wind energy converter connected to sensors and controllers shall be placed directly opposing the airflow source at a suitable and sufficient distance to receive input from the airflow source. The wind energy converter is connected to an external source for it to feed after it has converted kinetic energy of the wind introduced by an airflow source into electrical energy output. The wind energy converter is also connected to the airflow source. To initiate the apparatus’ operation, an electrical input powers the airflow source, this can be an external renewable energy source (e.g. solar panels) and/or a mechanical or electrical energy storage system. These sources or systems can be connected to the airflow source to initiate its operation. As soon as the airflow source operates and according to signals it has received, it drives in a specific amount of wind into the apparatus. The design and function of the airflow source is to generate laminar, steady and high velocity airflow in the direction of the wind energy converter. The apparatus design, as well, increases the velocity of the wind and decreases its pressure before the interaction with the wind energy converter. When the wind is introduced to the wind energy converter, its kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy. Part of the electrical energy can be transmitted to power an external source and part of it can be transmitted to the airflow source to keep it in operation. Anytime the wind energy converter fails to transmit electrical input to the airflow source, a renewable energy source and/or a mechanical or an electrical energy storage system can perform this function to keep the apparatus in operation. All the sensors, controllers and actuators can be configured and adjusted remotely through a software or a hardware to send necessary signals to ensure safe operation of the apparatus and ensure the functions are being performed as pre-determined.