Fluid-redirecting structure

Abstract

A fluid-redirecting structure includes a rigid body having an upstream end, a downstream end, and an axis of rotation, the rigid body incorporating a plurality of troughs each spiralled from a tip at the upstream end to the downstream end about the axis of rotation, the troughs being splayed with respect to the axis of rotation thereby to, proximate the downstream end, direct incident fluid along the troughs away from the axis of rotation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid-redirecting structure attached to a turbine , the fluid-redirecting structure comprising:
 an ultrasonic noise inducer adapted for repelling one or more animals from the turbine by generating ultrasonic sound waves.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid-redirecting structure of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic noise inducer generates the ultrasonic soundwaves at a frequency of 15 KHz or greater with a sound pressure at 1 meter of approximately 95 to approximately 102 dB. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid-redirecting structure of  claim 1 , wherein ultrasonic noise inducer is positioned inside a nacelle or a nose cone of the fluid-redirecting structure. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid-redirecting structure of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid-redirecting structure is attached to the turbine at a center axis of the turbine; and the fluid-redirecting structure comprises a plurality of troughs, such that each of these troughs in a corresponding downstream section become aligned with an upwind power-producing airfoil portion of a respective rotor blade of said turbine, coming within close proximity thereof to the leading edge of this blade, creating a gap between an outer most portion of a downstream end of the fluid-redirecting device and the blade. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid-redirecting structure of  claim 4 , wherein the fluid-redirecting structure is a nosecone or a hub of a wind turbine. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid-redirecting structure of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of troughs are configured to direct incident wind reaching the downstream end of the troughs outwards and along the troughs in a direction substantially normal to the axis of rotation and thereby along the front surface of a respective rotor blade of the turbine. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid-redirecting structure of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of troughs are spiraled with respect to the axis of rotation, spiraled in an opposite direction of a rotational direction of rotor blades of the turbine. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid-redirecting structure of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of troughs originate from an upstream tip common to all of the plurality of troughs. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid-redirecting structure of  claim 8 , wherein each trough of the plurality of troughs has a downstream portion coupled to the corresponding rotor blade, each trough directing wind from the upstream tip to the corresponding rotor blade. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid-redirecting structure of  claim 9 , wherein each trough of the plurality of troughs is wider in the downstream portion relative to an upstream portion proximate to the upstream tip. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid-redirecting structure of  claim 9 , wherein the downstream portion of each trough of the plurality of troughs is coupled to the corresponding rotor blade at a coupler having a surface that is curved to prevent incident wind from escaping over an edge of the trough. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid-redirecting structure of  claim 10 , wherein the coupler includes an arced wall that extends about 90 degrees in an upstream direction. 
     
     
         13 . The fluid-redirecting structure of  claim 10 , wherein the coupler includes an arced wall that curves in a downstream direction before arcing in an upstream direction. 
     
     
         14 . The fluid-redirecting structure of  claim 12 , wherein the coupler extends 90 degrees in the downstream direction before arcing in the upstream direction. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid-redirecting structure of  claim 13 , wherein the coupler includes an arced wall that curves in a downstream direction before arcing in an upstream direction. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid-redirecting structure of  claim 10 , wherein the coupler includes a plurality of retention structures each having an arced elongate wall that is C-shaped in cross-section. 
     
     
         17 . The fluid-redirecting structure of  claim 16  wherein a portion of a surface of each trough that faces the incident wind is gradually bent to a maximum angle of approximately 270 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The fluid-redirecting structure of  claim 4 , wherein each trough has a first stage extending between the upstream tip and a central point of the trough, and a second stage extending between the central point and the downstream portion of the trough, each trough having different incident flow directing characteristics in the first stage relative to the second stage. 
     
     
         19 . A method for repelling one or more animals proximate to a turbine, the method comprising:
 transmitting ultrasonic sound waves towards one or more animals proximate to the turbine, the ultrasonic soundwaves transmitted from a unit in the nose cone or the nacelle unit, or any other area which does not affect the aerodynamic properties of the horizontal-axis wind turbine at a frequency of 15 KHz or greater.   
     
     
         20 . A nosecone located at a center axis of a turbine, the nosecone comprising:
 an ultrasonic sound inducer configured for transmitting ultrasonic sound waves or repelling one or more animals proximate to a turbine by generating ultrasonic sound waves, the ultrasonic soundwaves transmitted at a frequency of 15 KHz or greater.