Method of and means for generating electricity in an arid environment using elongated open or enclosed ducts
US4801811A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 14, 1980 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 14, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/728
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Electricity is generated in an arid environment using an open duct such as a canyon that is closed at one end and open at the other by erecting an air dam at the open end of the canyon and locating an air turbogenerator in the base of the dam. The air in the canyon is cooled by spraying water into the air as it enters the canyon, the cooled air flowing downwardly toward the base of the dam and through the turbogenerator. Preferably, the air dam is a flexible curtain, covering the outlet of the canyon, and suspension means are provided for suspending the flexible curtain at its top. The suspension means include supports built into the canyon above the top of the curtain, the support preferably being a suspension cable suspended between towers on opposite sides of the canyon such that the top of the flexible curtain is supported by support cables carried by the suspension cable.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.