Mobile energy recovery apparatus and method

Abstract

An energy recovery apparatus and method for recovering and harvesting energy from passing air is disclosed. Energy recovery and harvesting from passing air is accomplished by creating a pressure differential using high and low pressure ports. The energy represented by the pressure differential is extracted using a mass airfoil device which, in turn, is used to create alternative forms of energy which, in turn, is used to support auxiliary and main systems aboard any moving object or form of transport.

1 . An energy recovery apparatus for use with a moving object for harvesting energy from passing air, comprising:
 an airfoil having an outer surface with leading and opposite trailing edges extending between first and second ends;   an internal volume within said airfoil defined by said outer surface and opposite ends;   one end of said airfoil having an opening in communication with said internal volume;   an accumulation chamber connected in communication with said opening to said internal volume for communicating a low pressure from said internal volume to said accumulation chamber;   one or more low pressure ports in said outer surface of said airfoil in communication with said accumulation chamber via said internal volume;   a ram air intake for generating a high pressure from passing air;   said low and high pressures together providing a pressure differential;   said pressure differential ported to a mass airflow device for harvesting energy from the passing air.   
     
     
         2 . An energy recovery apparatus for use with a moving object for harvesting energy from passing air, comprising:
 an airfoil having an internal volume with a surface extending between leading and opposite trailing edges and first and second opposite ends;   an accumulation chamber connected to one end of said airfoil for communicating a low pressure through said internal volume to said accumulation chamber;   one or more low pressure ports in said surface of said airfoil in communication with said accumulation chamber via said internal volume;   a ram air intake for generating a high pressure from passing air;   said low and high pressures together providing a pressure differential; and   said pressure differential ported to a mass airflow device for harvesting energy from the passing air.   
     
     
         3 . The energy recovery apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said internal volume defines a channel connected at one end of the airfoil to an accumulation chamber for communicating said low pressure through said channel to said accumulation chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The energy recovery apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said one or more low pressure ports in said surface of said airfoil are in communication with said accumulation chamber via said channel. 
     
     
         5 . An energy recovery apparatus comprising:
 an airfoil having a conduit-free internal volume with a surface extending between leading and opposite trailing edges and first and second opposite ends;   the internal volume connected at the first end of the airfoil to an accumulation chamber for communicating a low pressure to said accumulation chamber;   one or more low pressure ports in said surface of said airfoil in direct communication with said internal volume;   a ram air intake for generating a high pressure from passing air;   said low and high pressures together providing a pressure differential;   said pressure differential ported to a mass airflow device for harvesting energy from the passing air.   
     
     
         6 . The energy recovery apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the internal volume within said airfoil is defined by said surface extending between leading and opposite trailing edges and first and second opposite ends. 
     
     
         7 . The energy recovery apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the first end of said airfoil includes an opening defined by a terminal edge at the first end of the surface. 
     
     
         8 . The energy recovery apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said terminal edge of said first end of said surface is connected to said accumulation chamber, wherein said internal volume is in direct communication with said accumulation chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The energy recovery apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said surface defines a channel having the shape of the airfoil and connected at said first end to said accumulation chamber for communicating said low pressure through said channel to said accumulation chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The energy recovery apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said second end is closed by a cover. 
     
     
         11 . The energy recovery apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said ram air intake further comprises a high pressure port connected in communication with a high pressure side of said mass airflow device. 
     
     
         12 . The energy recovery apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said airfoil comprise an asymmetrical shape. 
     
     
         13 . The energy recovery apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said mass airflow device comprises:
 a. a low pressure side in communication with said low pressure ports via said accumulation chamber and internal volume of said airfoil; and 
 b. a high pressure side in communication with said ram air intake via a high pressure channel. 
 
     
     
         14 . The energy recovery apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising an induction fan at an outlet of said mass airflow device operably connected to a motor for increasing said low pressure at said mass airflow device. 
     
     
         15 . The mobile energy recovery apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising a forced draft fan at an inlet of said mass airflow device operably connected to a motor for increasing said high pressure side at said mass airflow device.