Indirect drive unit apparatus, system and method

Abstract

An apparatus, method and system using an indirect drive turbine to produce power by reusing spent energy by way of routing fluid flow through multiple stages of the turbine. A small engine is used for mechanical gain from the turbine. The engine is not connected to the turbine by a drive shaft.

1 . An indirect drive turbine apparatus, comprising:
 a power source;   an indirect drive turbine driven by fluid flow supplied directly or indirectly by said power source;   said indirect drive turbine having a drive shaft, a plurality of stages of turbine blades and stationary stator vanes to redirect said fluid flow from a first stage of said plurality of stages of turbine blades and stator vanes to a second stage of said plurality of stages of turbine blades and stator vanes; and   whereby each of said plurality of stages of turbine blades and stator vanes recaptures energy as the fluid circulates through said indirect drive turbine, and each time the energy is recaptured it increases force applied to said drive shaft of said indirect drive turbine.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said power source includes a gas engine operatively connected to a pump which supplies said fluid flow to said indirect drive turbine.   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: said fluid flow is a flow of air; and said power source comprises a jet turbine for supplying said flow of air to said indirect drive turbine. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: said fluid flow is a flow of air; and said power source comprises ram air from movement of a vehicle. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: said drive shaft is connected at a first end thereof to a transmission or a gear box, and is connected at a second end thereof to a generator or an alternator. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said drive shaft is connected at a first end thereof to a transmission or a gear box, and is connected at a second end thereof to a generator or an alternator.   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein:
 said drive shaft is connected at a first end thereof to a transmission or a gear box, and is connected at a second end thereof to a generator or an alternator.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein:
 said drive shaft is connected at a first end thereof to a transmission or a gear box, and is connected at a second end thereof to a generator or an alternator.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , including:
 an inlet conduit for conducting fluid from said power source to said indirect drive turbine;   a storage tank;   an exhaust conduit for conducting fluid from said indirect drive turbine to said storage tank;   a control valve operatively connected between said storage tank and said power source; and   whereby said control valve controls the fluid flow to control the speed of said indirect drive turbine.   
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , including:
 an inlet conduit for conducting fluid from said power source to said indirect drive turbine;   a storage tank;   an exhaust conduit for conducting fluid from said indirect drive turbine to said storage tank;   a control valve operatively connected between said storage tank and said power source; and   whereby said control valve controls the fluid flow to control the speed of said indirect drive turbine.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , including:
 an inlet conduit for conducting fluid from said power source to said indirect drive turbine;   a storage tank;   an exhaust conduit for conducting fluid from said indirect drive turbine to said storage tank;   a control valve operatively connected between said storage tank and said power source; and   whereby said control valve controls the fluid flow to control the speed of said indirect drive turbine.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said power source is not connected to said indirect drive turbine by a drive shaft.   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said power source is not connected to said indirect drive turbine by a drive shaft.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein:
 said power source is not connected to said indirect drive turbine by a drive shaft.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein:
 said power source is not connected to said indirect drive turbine by a drive shaft.   
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein:
 said power source is not connected to said indirect drive turbine by a drive shaft.   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 said power source is not connected to said indirect drive turbine by a drive shaft.   
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein:
 said power source is not connected to said indirect drive turbine by a drive shaft.   
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein:
 said power source is not connected to said indirect drive turbine by a drive shaft.   
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said power source is not connected to said indirect drive turbine by a drive shaft.