Systems and methods for electro-hydrodynamic wind energy conversion

US9038920B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Chiranjeev Singh Kalra · Niskayuna, US
• Charles Erklin Seeley · Niskayuna, US
• Dmytro Floriyovych Opaits · Glenville, US
• Sunilkumar Onkarnath Soni · Albany, US
• Gary L. Leonard · Cincinnati, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 21, 2011
• Grant date: May 26, 2015
• Expiry date: Mar 8, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H02N3/00
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An electro-hydrodynamic wind energy conversion system is presented. The system includes a wind passage allowing wind flow. Further, the system includes a reservoir having an opening in communication with the wind passage and configured to hold a liquid. The system also includes an agitator coupled to the reservoir and configured to convert the liquid into droplets. Additionally, the system includes a charging system disposed substantially opposite the reservoir opening and configured to deposit an electrostatic charge on the droplets and draw the droplets into the wind passage. Moreover, the system includes a charge collector disposed at a distal end of the wind passage and configured to collect the electrostatic charge from the droplets.