Continuous-Flow Energy Installation, in Particular a Wind Power Installation

Abstract

Continuous-flow energy installation having at least one rotor ( 1 ), which rotates around an axis (A 1 ), having rotor blades ( 2 ), an inlet surface structure being associated with the rotor, and the rotor blades and/or the inlet surface structure at least partially consisting of one or more air cushions.

1 . A continuous-flow energy installation having at least one rotor, which rotates around an axis, having rotor blades, wherein an inlet surface structure is associated with the rotor and the rotor blades, and the inlet surface structure at least partially comprises one or more air cushions. 
     
     
         2 . The continuous-flow energy installation according to  claim 1 , wherein the inlet surface structure comprises at least two diffuser elements for guiding the flow medium, which are situated laterally of the rotor. 
     
     
         3 . The continuous-flow energy installation according to  claim 2 , wherein the diffuser elements are constructed as air cushions and are fastened between end plates of a main body which are spaced apart from one another. 
     
     
         4 . The continuous-flow energy installation according to  claim 3 , wherein the diffuser elements are constructed as air cushions and are fastened using first struts between the end plates. 
     
     
         5 . The continuous-flow energy installation according to  claim 2 , wherein the diffuser elements have first cutouts, and the first struts penetrate the diffuser elements in the area of the first cutouts. 
     
     
         6 . The continuous-flow energy installation according to  claim 5 , wherein the diffuser elements are reinforced in the area of said first cutouts. 
     
     
         7 . The continuous-flow energy installation according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotor has at least two rotor plates, which are spaced apart from one another, and between which the rotor blades, which are constructed as air cushions, are fastened. 
     
     
         8 . The continuous-flow energy installation according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotor blades are fastened using two struts on the rotor plates. 
     
     
         9 . The continuous-flow energy installation according to  claim 5 , wherein the rotor blades have second cutouts, and second struts penetrate the rotor blades in the area of the second cutouts. 
     
     
         10 . The continuous-flow energy installation according to  claim 3 , wherein one or both end plates of the main body are provided with a terminal air cushion having a footprint which essentially corresponds to the footprint of the respective end plate. 
     
     
         11 . The continuous-flow energy installation according to  claim 1 , wherein the air cushions have an outer skin, and stabilizing tension elements, which are fastened on the outer skin, extend inside the air cushion. 
     
     
         12 . The continuous-flow energy installation according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotor has rotor blades, which are oriented radially from the outside to the inside, extending in the longitudinal direction of the rotor axis. 
     
     
         13 . The continuous-flow energy installation according to  claim 3 , wherein the diffuser elements extending between the end plates of the main body extend in the longitudinal direction of the rotor axis. 
     
     
         14 . The continuous-flow energy installation according to  claim 2 , wherein the diffuser elements situated laterally of the rotor are regionally curved in the direction toward the rotor so that they are adapted to the profile of an envelope circle which encompasses the outwardly pointing ends of the rotor blades. 
     
     
         15 . The continuous-flow energy installation according to  claim 2 , wherein an inflow opening and an outflow opening are formed by two diffuser elements. 
     
     
         16 . The continuous-flow energy installation according to  claim 2 , wherein the diffuser element(s) is/are constructed with a cross-sectional profile corresponding to an airfoil. 
     
     
         17 . The continuous-flow energy installation according to  claim 2 , wherein, starting from a wind incident flow direction, the spacing between the surfaces of the diffuser elements facing toward one another tapers, is subsequently adapted to the profile/diameter of the rotor, and then widens like a diffuser after the rotor. 
     
     
         18 . The continuous-flow energy installation according to  claim 2 , wherein outwardly facing surfaces of the diffuser elements are essentially a mirror image of one another.