Turbine assembly, and kit with components for assembling the same

Abstract

A turbine assembly for generating electricity from kinetic energy of a moving fluid flow. The turbine assembly includes an elongated casing defining a fluid channel through which the fluid flow is allowed to travel, as well as an inlet and an outlet for respectively receiving and releasing the fluid flow to and from the fluid channel. The assembly also includes a main rotor contained within the casing and intersecting the fluid channel, the main rotor being rotatably moveable with respect to the casing via a pivoting component. The main rotor has a closed-loop arrangement provided with a plurality of rotor vanes each defining a neighbouring closed-loop rotor passage, the main rotor being rotatably driven via the passage of fluid flow through its closed-loop arrangement, and the closed-loop arrangement being further configured for imparting a forced rotational movement to the fluid flow exiting from the main rotor. The assembly also includes a main generator being operatively connectable to the main rotor and being driven by a rotation of the main rotor, in order to generate electricity, the main generator being contained within the casing and being positioned within the casing via a supporting component so as to be placed in a vortex region defined by the forced rotational movement of the fluid flow exiting the main rotor.

1 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) for generating electricity from kinetic energy of a moving fluid flow ( 3 ), the turbine assembly ( 1 ) comprising:
 an elongated casing ( 5 ) defining a fluid channel ( 7 ) through which the fluid flow ( 5 ) is allowed to travel;   an inlet ( 9 ) having an effective cross-sectional area for receiving the fluid flow ( 3 ) into the fluid channel ( 7 ), the inlet ( 9 ) being further configured for directing the fluid flow ( 3 ) into said fluid channel ( 7 );   an outlet ( 11 ) having an effective cross-sectional area for releasing the fluid flow ( 3 ) out from the fluid channel ( 7 ), the outlet ( 11 ) being positioned downstream of the inlet ( 9 ) along the fluid channel ( 7 );   a main rotor ( 13 ) contained within the casing ( 5 ) and intersecting the fluid channel ( 7 ), between the inlet ( 9 ) and the outlet ( 11 ), the main rotor ( 13 ) being rotatably moveable with respect to the casing ( 5 ) via a pivoting component ( 15 ), the main rotor ( 13 ) having a closed-loop arrangement ( 17 ) provided with a plurality of rotor vanes ( 19 ) each defining a neighbouring closed-loop rotor passage ( 21 ), the closed-loop rotor passages ( 21 ) of the main rotor ( 13 ) providing an effective cross-sectional area through which the fluid flow ( 3 ) is allowed to pass, the main rotor ( 13 ) being rotatably driven via the passage of fluid flow ( 3 ) through its closed-loop arrangement ( 21 ), and the closed-loop arrangement ( 21 ) being further configured for imparting a forced rotational movement to the fluid flow ( 3 ) exiting from the main rotor ( 13 ); and   a main generator ( 23 ) being operatively connectable to the main rotor ( 13 ) and being driven by a rotation of said main rotor ( 13 ), in order to generate electricity, the main generator ( 23 ) being contained within the casing ( 5 ) and being positioned within said casing ( 5 ) via a supporting component ( 25 ) so as to be placed in a vortex region ( 27 ) defined by the forced rotational movement of the fluid flow ( 3 ) exiting the main rotor ( 13 ).   
     
     
         2 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the closed-loop arrangement ( 17 ) of the main rotor ( 13 ) comprises concentric inner and outer rings ( 29 , 31 ), the inner ring ( 29 ) being provided with a plurality of inner rotor vanes ( 19   a ) each defining a neighbouring closed-loop inner rotor passage ( 21   a ), the closed-loop inner rotor passages ( 21   a ) of the main rotor ( 13 ) providing a first effective cross-sectional area through which an inner portion of the fluid flow ( 3 ) is allowed to pass, and the outer ring ( 31 ) being provided with a plurality of outer rotor vanes ( 19   b ) each defining a neighbouring closed-loop outer rotor passage ( 21   b ), the closed-loop outer rotor passages ( 21   b ) of the main rotor ( 13 ) providing a second effective cross-sectional area through which an outer portion of the fluid flow ( 3 ) is allowed to pass. 
     
     
         3 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the inner ring ( 29 ) is delimited from the outer ring ( 31 ) via a circumferential median wall ( 33 ). 
     
     
         4 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein the closed-loop arrangement ( 17 ) is circular having an outer radius (r 1 ), and wherein the circumferential median wall ( 33 ) is also circular and has a radius (r 2 ) which is about ⅔ of the outer radius (r 1 ). 
     
     
         5 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 4 , the outer ring ( 31 ) is delimited via a peripheral outer wall ( 35 ), and wherein the peripheral outer wall ( 35 ) is circular and has a radius (r 1 ) corresponding to the outer radius (r 1 ) of the closed-loop arrangement ( 17 ). 
     
     
         6 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein outer rotor vanes ( 19   b ) of the main rotor ( 13 ) have a curved profile different from that of inner rotor vanes ( 19   a ) of said main rotor ( 13 ). 
     
     
         7 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein outer rotor vanes ( 19   b ) of the main rotor ( 13 ) are radially offset with respect to inner rotor vanes ( 19   a ) of said main rotor ( 13 ). 
     
     
         8 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the main rotor ( 13 ) comprises about ten inner rotor vanes ( 19   a ) and about twenty outer rotor vanes ( 19   b ). 
     
     
         9 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one rotor vane ( 19 ) of the turbine assembly ( 1 ) is moveable with respect to its corresponding rotor ( 13 ) so as to have a variable pitch. 
     
     
         10 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 9 , wherein the variable pitch of said at least one rotor vane ( 19 ) is adjustably controllable by a control device ( 37 ) of the turbine assembly ( 1 ). 
     
     
         11 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the turbine assembly ( 1 ) comprises a heating component ( 39 ) for heating corresponding rotor vanes ( 19 ) of a given rotor ( 13 ) so as to prevent an accumulation of ice on said corresponding rotor vanes ( 19 ). 
     
     
         12 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein a given rotor ( 13 ) of the turbine assembly ( 1 ) has a central hub ( 41 ) provided with a plurality of through holes ( 43 ) for reducing an overall weight of said given rotor ( 13 ). 
     
     
         13 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the turbine assembly ( 1 ) comprises at least one adjustable shutter ( 47 ) in fluid communication with the inlet ( 9 ) and being adjustably operable between opposite opened and closed configurations for adjustably controlling an extent of fluid flow ( 3 ) entering the inlet ( 9 ), thereby adjustably controlling an extent of rotational speed of each rotor ( 13 ), and in turn adjustably controlling an extent of electricity output of the main generator ( 23 ). 
     
     
         14 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the turbine assembly ( 1 ) comprises an electromagnetic generator ( 23   b ) operatively connected to a given rotor ( 13 ) for generating an electromagnetic resistance for adjustably impeding the rotation of said given rotor ( 13 ), and in turn adjustably controlling electricity output of the main generator ( 23 ). 
     
     
         15 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 14 , wherein the main generator ( 23 ) is also the electromagnetic generator ( 23   b ). 
     
     
         16 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the inlet ( 9 ) is provided with a deflector ( 49 ) comprising a plurality of deflector vanes ( 51 ) configured for directing the fluid flow ( 3 ) downstream at an optimal attacking angle onto the rotor vanes ( 19 ) of a given rotor ( 13 ). 
     
     
         17 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 16 , wherein the deflector ( 49 ) comprises an orifice ( 53 ) for receiving a first distal section ( 45   a ) of a rotatable shaft ( 45 ) about which each rotor ( 13 ) is mounted. 
     
     
         18 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 16 , wherein the deflector ( 49 ) comprises between about two and about eight deflector vanes ( 51 ). 
     
     
         19 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 16 , wherein at least one deflector vane ( 53 ) of the turbine assembly ( 1 ) is moveable with respect to the deflector ( 49 ) so as to have a variable pitch. 
     
     
         20 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 19 , wherein the variable pitch of said at least one deflector vane ( 51 ) is adjustably controllable by a control device ( 37 ) of the turbine assembly ( 1 ). 
     
     
         21 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 16 , wherein a deflector vane ( 51 ) comprises a leading edge ( 55 ) facing toward the inlet ( 9 ) for directing the fluid flow ( 3 ), the leading edge ( 55 ) having a leading angle with respect to the pivoting component ( 15 ), and a departing edge ( 57 ) facing toward the outlet ( 11 ) at which the fluid flow ( 3 ) leaves the deflector vane ( 51 ), the departing edge ( 57 ) having a departing angle with respect to the pivoting component ( 15 ), wherein the deflector vane ( 57 ) spans between the leading edge ( 55 ) and the departing edge ( 57 ) so as to form an angled deflector vane ( 57 ). 
     
     
         22 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 21 , wherein the fluid flow ( 3 ) leaving the deflector vane ( 57 ) impacts a corresponding rotor vane ( 19 ) at an angle normal to a surface of the rotor vane ( 19 ). 
     
     
         23 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the main generator ( 23 ) is further positioned coaxially about a longitudinal axis ( 59 ) of a segment of the fluid channel ( 7 ) so as to be cooled by fluid flow ( 3 ) exiting the main rotor ( 13 ) and rotating about the main generator ( 23 ). 
     
     
         24 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the turbine assembly ( 1 ) comprises a generator support ( 25   c ) for supporting the main generator ( 23 ), the generator support ( 25   c ) being fixedly mountable within the casing ( 5 ). 
     
     
         25 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 24 , wherein the generator support ( 25   c ) comprises a bracket onto which the main generator ( 13 ) is perpendicularly secured. 
     
     
         26 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the effective cross-sectional area of the inlet ( 9 ) is substantially greater than the effective cross-sectional area of the main rotor ( 13 ), for increasing the speed of the fluid flow ( 3 ) passing through the main rotor ( 13 ) with respect to the speed of the fluid flow ( 3 ) entering the inlet ( 9 ). 
     
     
         27 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the turbine assembly ( 1 ) comprises an intake nozzle ( 73 ) removably mountable onto the inlet ( 9 ) for further increasing the speed of the fluid flow ( 3 ) before entering the inlet ( 9 ). 
     
     
         28 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the turbine assembly ( 1 ) comprises a heating component ( 39 ) for heating the fluid flow ( 3 ) passing though the casing ( 5 ) for increasing fluidity of said fluid flow ( 3 ). 
     
     
         29 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the turbine assembly ( 1 ) comprises a first screen ( 75   a ) removably mountable within the inlet ( 9 ), for preventing undesirable objects present in the fluid flow ( 3 ) from entering into the fluid channel ( 7 ) within the casing ( 5 ) via said inlet ( 9 ). 
     
     
         30 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 29 , wherein the turbine assembly ( 1 ) comprises a heating component ( 39 ) for heating corresponding sections of each screen ( 75 ) so as to prevent an accumulation of ice on said corresponding sections of the screen ( 75 ). 
     
     
         31 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the turbine assembly ( 1 ) comprises an animal-deterring mechanism ( 79 ) for deterring animals from approaching the turbine assembly ( 1 ). 
     
     
         32 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the turbine assembly ( 1 ) comprises an entrance cone ( 81 ) being removably mountable onto a corresponding supporting component ( 25 ), the entrance cone ( 81 ) being positioned upstream of the inlet ( 9 ) for streamlining fluid flow ( 3 ) entering into said inlet ( 9 ). 
     
     
         33 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the turbine assembly ( 1 ) comprises a rotatable shaft ( 45 ) pivotably mountable onto at least one corresponding supporting component ( 25 ), each rotor ( 13 ) being fixedly mountable onto said rotatable shaft ( 45 ) so as to rotate therewith. 
     
     
         34 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 33 , wherein the rotatable shaft ( 45 ) comprises at least two coaxial shafts ( 45 ), the first coaxial shaft ( 45 ) having a first rotor ( 13 ) rotatably mounted thereabout and being connected to a first generator ( 23 ), and the second coaxial shaft ( 45 ) being mounted concentrically within the first coaxial shaft ( 45 ), and having a second rotor ( 13 ) rotatably mounted thereabout and being connected to a second generator ( 23 ), wherein each coaxial shaft ( 45 ) has a rotational velocity substantially matching a rotational velocity of its corresponding rotor ( 13 ). 
     
     
         35 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 33 , wherein the turbine assembly ( 1 ) comprises a sensor ( 85 ) for monitoring at least one parameter of each shaft ( 45 ), the at least one parameter being selected from the group consisting of alignment, vibrational velocity, rotational velocity, frequency, and noise. 
     
     
         36 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the turbine assembly ( 1 ) comprises a starter motor ( 23   c ) operatively connected to the rotor ( 13 ) for providing an impulsive rotation to said rotor ( 13 ) when the fluid flow ( 3 ) travelling through the fluid channel ( 7 ) is below a given threshold speed. 
     
     
         37 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 36 , wherein the main generator ( 23 ) is configured to also serve as the starter motor ( 23   c ) for the turbine assembly ( 1 ). 
     
     
         38 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the turbine assembly ( 1 ) comprises an auto-positioning mechanism ( 99 ) for automatically and continually positioning the inlet ( 9 ) to face a direction of greater fluid flow ( 3 ). 
     
     
         39 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 37 , wherein the auto-positioning mechanism ( 99 ) comprises at least one axis of rotation ( 91 ) mountable onto at least one corresponding pivot ( 93 ) of the casing. 
     
     
         40 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the turbine assembly ( 1 ) is raised in elevation with respect to a ground surface via a vertical support structure ( 95 ). 
     
     
         41 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the turbine assembly is part of an array ( 97 ) of same turbine assemblies. 
     
     
         42 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one rotor ( 13 ) is concentrically and rotatably mountable about the main generator ( 23 ) for generating electricity via a rotation of said at least one rotor ( 13 ) about the main generator ( 23 ). 
     
     
         43 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 41 , wherein for each turbine assembly ( 1 ), a plurality of rotors ( 13 ) are rotatably mounted about corresponding generators ( 23 ) and configured in series in the casing ( 5 ). 
     
     
         44 . A turbine assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one generator ( 23 ) encases a corresponding rotor ( 13 ) such that rotation of said corresponding rotor ( 13 ) induces an electric current in the at least one generator ( 23 ) thereby producing electricity. 
     
     
         45 . A kit with components, including an elongated casing ( 5 ), an inlet ( 9 ), an outlet ( 11 ), a main rotor ( 13 ) and a main generator ( 23 ), configured for assembling with respect to one another, so as to form a turbine assembly ( 1 ) such as the one defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         46 - 99 . (canceled)