A wind-based power generating system provides a wind energy converter for converting wind energy into another form of energy using a lighter-than-air craft configured to produce a positive net lift. The net lift includes both a net aerodynamic lift and a net buoyant lift. A tethering mechanism is configured to restrain the lighter-than-air craft with respect to the ground. The lighter-than-air craft defines an interior volume for containing a lighter-than-air gas, and the lighter-than-air craft has a fore section and an aft section. The tethering system has at least one attachment point on the fore section of the lighter-than-air craft and at least one attachment point on the aft section of the lighter-than-air craft. The lighter-than-air craft provides a stable aerodynamic moment with respect to a yaw axis about a center-of-mass of the lighter-than-air craft. The craft can be formed in a variety of aerodynamic profiles/shapes.

Lighter-than-air craft for energy-producing turbines

An air data probe includes a probe head defining a longitudinal axis with a forward tip, and a turbulence inducing surface defined in the probe head aft of the forward tip The turbulence inducing surface is configured and adapted to trip a fluid boundary layer passing over the probe head to transition from laminar to turbulent to control or reduce boundary layer separation resulting in consistent readings at high altitudes

Air data probes

The invention discloses improved versions of a horizontal axis wind turbine and new fundamental methodologies for the design of wind turbines, which are capable of extracting both kinetic and thermal energy from the wind. The wind turbines use a large diameter forward inlet fairing to accelerate the airflow to the more effective outer radii of the turbine rotor where the airflow is constrained by an airfoil-shaped flow control ring, which also serves to prevent rotor tip losses, to inhibit wake expansion, and to accelerate the airflow through the turbine. A similarly large diameter aft pressure recovery fairing promotes rotation and contraction of the wake downstream of the turbine. Further methodologies for optimization and an algorithm for detail design are disclosed.

Thermodynamic wind turbine

An air data probe includes a probe head (102;202;302;402;602) and a raised portion (106;206;306;406;606). The probe head defines a longitudinal axis (A) and includes a forward tip (104;204;304;404;604) and a probe head surface (107;207;307;407;607). The raised portion is defined in the probe head surface aft of the forward tip. The raised portion is raised radially relative to the probe head surface. The raised portion is configured and adapted to trip a fluid boundary layer passing over the probe head to transition from laminar to turbulent for reducing boundary layer separation for consistent readings at high altitudes and/or high mach numbers. A method of manufacturing an air data probe includes forming a probe head and applying a raised portion to a surface of the probe head aft of the forward tip. Applying the raised portion to the surface of the probe head includes using brazing, additive manufacturing, adhesives and/or any other suitable technique.

Air data probe with means for reducing boundary layer separation

A vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) with improved and optimized wind-directing, wind-shaping, and wind-power conversion features is disclosed The shapes of these features directly affect the ability of the VAWT to use the power of moving air, such as wind, to spin a rotor and create torque on a rotor shaft to generate electricity The wind-power-conversion mechanical efficiency of the invention is significantly improved over previous efforts, to the point that the invention can convert wind energy into electrical power at a price-to-performance ratio that competes with or surpasses existing alternative energy technologies

Vertical axis wind turbine

An example wind turbine diffuser has an expanded outlet area where the diffuser outlet area is greater than it's cross sectional area. The diffuser may be formed of one or more diffuser rings, at least one of which may form a turbine cowling. Each diffuser ring may have an inlet area that is smaller than the outlet area of the directly upstream ring. The portion of an upstream ring outlet which is not occluded by the downstream ring may form a diffuser outlet such that the total outlet area of the diffuser is larger than the cross-sectional area. In another example, the diffuser may comprise at least one diffuser ring and one or more suction slots that are each connected to a vent, which allows air to be removed from the diffuser system.

Ben David Wood

Papers

Diffuser augmented wind turbines