Multi-turbine airflow amplifying generator

Abstract

A wind generating device employs modules each having two turbines. Each turbine employs two rotors coaxially aligned by a shaft associated with an in-line generator. Alternatively, the turbine employs only one rotor for low-wind areas. The arrangement includes a proximal channel with a leading portion having decreasing radius toward the first rotor which acts as a collector and a following portion connecting fluidly the first and second rotor and a distal channel which is separate from the proximal channel and opens into the following portion, adding to the airflow to the second rotor. Downstream from the second rotor is a diffuser with a radius increasing with distance from the rotor. Surrounding the second rotor is a boundary layer control collar creating channels associated with one or more channels between diffuser segments. The modules may be stacked vertically allowing for yaw responsive to wind and may be mounted on a tower.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An energy generative device for harnessing airflow comprising:
 a. A wind amplifying module;   b. A tower structure;   c. Said wind amplifying module comprising at least one turbine positioned in a housing;   d. Said at least one turbine comprising:
 i. A distal rotor; 
 ii. A proximal channel; 
 iii. A distal channel annularly surrounding the proximal channel such that the proximal channel is fully contained within the distal channel and arranged such that airflow to said distal rotor includes that which has passed through said proximal channel and air flow provided by said distal channel; 
 iv. An in-line generator powered by said distal rotor; 
 v. A diffuser made up of segments separated by at least one diffuser flow control channel; and 
 vi. Said diffuser positioned in fluid communication with the distal rotor to accommodate air passing through the distal rotor. 
   
     
     
         2 . The energy generative device of  claim 1  wherein said distal rotor is surrounded by a boundary layer control collar. 
     
     
         3 . The energy generative device of  claim 1  wherein at least one vortex generator is attached opposite an exit of said at least one diffuser flow control channel. 
     
     
         4 . The energy generative device of  claim 1  wherein said module further includes a rudder positioned between a first turbine and a second turbine and associated with said housing to provide balance and wind orientation. 
     
     
         5 . The energy generative device of  claim 1  wherein said device includes a plurality of said modules. 
     
     
         6 . The energy generative device of  claim 2  wherein said boundary layer control collar forms an inner wall of at least one boundary layer control channel and the inner wall of said diffuser forms an outer wall of said at least one boundary layer control channel. 
     
     
         7 . The energy generative device of  claim 6  wherein said boundary layer control channel is in fluid communication with at least one diffuser flow control channel. 
     
     
         8 . The energy generative device of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of structural elements to support and strengthen said energy generating device. 
     
     
         9 . The energy generative device of  claim 8  wherein said plurality of structural elements further comprise two or more ribs forming a multipoint support structure. 
     
     
         10 . The energy generative device of  claim 9  wherein at least one said multipoint support structure is located in said wind amplifying module and further includes:
 a. Said at least one multipoint support structure attached to at least one bridge plate; and 
 b. Said at least one bridge plate connected to said wind-amplifying module. 
 
     
     
         11 . The energy generative device of  claim 1  wherein said at least one turbine further comprising:
 a. A proximal rotor; 
 b. Said proximal rotor is generally coaxially spaced apart from said distal rotor such that airflow to said distal rotor further includes that which has passed through said proximal rotor, 
 c. Means for associating said rotors; and 
 d. Said in-line generator powered by said rotors and through said means for associating said rotors. 
 
     
     
         12 . An energy generative device for harnessing airflow comprising:
 a. A wind-amplifying module;   b. A tower structure;   c. Said wind amplifying module comprising at least one turbine positioned in a housing;   d. Said at least one turbine comprising:
 i. A distal rotor; 
 ii. A proximal channel having a proximal opening and an inner surface having a leading portion and a following portion in fluid communication with said distal rotor, said surface is shaped convex or straight with respect to the interior of said proximal channel; 
 iii. A distal channel fluidly connected to said distal rotor conducting airflow passing through said proximal channel and airflow provided by said distal channel to said distal rotor, said distal channel having a distal channel opening positioned around said proximal channel and a surface spaced apart from and annularly surrounding said proximal channel, such that said proximal channel is completely contained within said distal channel; 
 iv. An in-line generator powered by said distal rotor, 
 v. A boundary layer control collar annularly surrounding said distal rotor; 
 vi. A diffuser made up of segments separated by at least one diffuser flow control channel; 
 vii. Said diffuser positioned in fluid communication with the distal rotor to accommodate air passing through the distal rotor, 
 viii. Said boundary layer control collar forming an inner wall of at least one boundary layer control channel and the inner wall of said diffuser forming an outer wall of said at least one boundary layer control channel; and 
 ix. Said boundary layer control channel is in fluid communication with at least one diffuser flow control channel. 
   
     
     
         13 . The energy generative device of  claim 12  wherein at least one vortex generator is attached opposite an exit of said at least one diffuser flow control channel. 
     
     
         14 . The energy generating device of  claim 12  wherein said device includes a plurality of said modules. 
     
     
         15 . The energy generative device of  claim 12  further comprising a plurality of structural elements to support and strengthen said energy generating device. 
     
     
         16 . The energy generative device of  claim 15  wherein said plurality of structural elements further comprise two or more ribs forming a multipoint support structure. 
     
     
         17 . The energy generative device of  claim 16  wherein at least one said multipoint support structure is located in said wind amplifying module and further includes:
 a. Said at least one multipoint support structure attached to at least one bridge plate; and 
 b. Said at least one bridge plate connected to said wind-amplifying module. 
 
     
     
         18 . The energy generative device of  claim 12  wherein said at least one turbine further comprises:
 a. A proximal rotor substantially centered in said proximal opening, the radius of said proximal rotor being smaller than the radius of said leading portion; 
 b. Said proximal rotor generally coaxially spaced apart from said distal rotor wherein airflow to said distal rotor further includes airflow having passed through said proximal rotor; 
 c. Means for associating said rotors; 
 d. Said in-line generator powered by said rotors and through said means for associating said rotors; 
 e. The radius of said leading portion being larger than the radius of said proximal rotor and a following portion in fluid communication with said distal rotor; and 
 f. Said distal rotor generally axially aligned with said proximal rotor and said proximal channel and positioned relative to said distal channel to receive airflow from said distal channel, said proximal rotor, and said distal rotor. 
 
     
     
         19 . An energy generative device for harnessing airflow comprising:
 a. At least one wind amplifying module;   b. A tower structure;   c. Said at least one wind amplifying module comprising at least one turbine in a housing;   d. Said at least one wind amplifying module further comprising a plurality of structural elements to support and strengthen said energy generating device;   e. Said at least one turbine comprising:
 i. A distal rotor; 
 ii. A proximal channel having a proximal opening and an inner surface having a leading portion and a following portion in fluid communication with said distal rotor, said surface is shaped convex or straight with respect to the interior of said proximal channel; 
 iii. A distal channel fluidly connected to said distal rotor conducting airflow passing through said proximal channel and airflow provided by said distal channel to said distal rotor, said distal channel having a distal channel opening positioned around said proximal channel and a surface spaced apart from and annularly surrounding said proximal channel, such that said proximal channel is completely contained within said distal channel; 
 iv. An in-line generator powered by said distal rotor; 
 v. A boundary layer control collar annularly surrounding said distal rotor; 
 vi. A diffuser made up of segments separated by at least one diffuser flow control channel; 
 vii. Said diffuser positioned in fluid communication with the distal rotor to accommodate air passing through the distal rotor; 
 viii. Said boundary layer control collar forming an inner wall of at least one boundary layer control channel and the inner wall of said diffuser forming an outer wall of said at least one boundary layer control channel; and 
 ix. Said boundary layer control channel is in fluid communication with at least one diffuser flow control channel; 
   f. Said tower structure comprising:
 i. Means for mounting said at least one wind amplifying module on said tower structure allowing horizontal yawing of said at least one wind amplifying module; 
 ii. A plurality of conductor slip rings conductively associated with said at least one wind amplifying module; and 
 iii. A power rail running vertically along said tower and connecting to each of said plurality of conductor slip rings. 
   
     
     
         20 . The energy generative device of  claim 19  wherein at least one vortex generator is attached opposite an exit of said at least one diffuser flow control channel. 
     
     
         21 . The energy generative device of  claim 19  wherein said plurality of structural elements further comprise two or more ribs forming a multipoint support structure. 
     
     
         22 . The energy generative device of  claim 21  wherein at least one said multipoint support structure is located in said wind amplifying module and further includes:
 a. Said at least one multipoint support structure attached to at least one bridge plate; and 
 b. Said at least one bridge plate connected to said wind-amplifying module. 
 
     
     
         23 . The energy generative device of  claim 19  wherein said tower structure further comprises a top portion with means for lifting said at least one wind amplifying module, said top portion comprising:
 a. A winching mechanism; 
 b. A crane arm; 
 c. At least one support guide; and 
 d. At least one cable for removable attachment to said means for lifting said at least one wind amplifying module. 
 
     
     
         24 . The energy generative device of  claim 19  wherein said at least one turbine further comprising:
 a. A proximal rotor substantially centered in said proximal opening, the radius of said proximal rotor being smaller than the radius of said leading portion; 
 b. Said proximal rotor generally coaxially spaced apart from said distal rotor wherein airflow to said distal rotor further includes airflow having passed through said proximal rotor; 
 c. Means for associating said rotors; 
 d. Said in-line generator powered by said rotors and through said means for associating said rotors; 
 e. The radius of said leading portion being larger than the radius of said proximal rotor and a following portion in fluid communication with said distal rotor; and 
 f. Said distal rotor generally axially aligned with said proximal rotor and said proximal channel and positioned relative to said distal channel to receive airflow from said distal channel, said proximal rotor, and said distal rotor.