Extraction of energy from flowing fluids
US6273680A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 22, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E70/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Method and apparatus for converting the kinetic energy of a moving fluid stream into useful work by using a cascade of thin aero or hydro foils positioned therein. The foils may be provided with at least two degrees of freedom and adjacent foils move out of phase. The foils are subjected to fluid induced oscillations known as flutter. Barriers (3, 43) may be positioned upstream, above, or at sides of the apparatus for increasing efficiency by increasing the fluid velocity. A system of flywheels (17, 18) are used to increase inertia of the foils and are particularly useful with hydrofoils. A cascade of aero or hydro foils may be mechanically oscillated to transfer energy to a fluid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.