FR3148810A3 - Rotational energy generator by creating and exploiting a vortex - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is a device for producing rotational energy in three parts. The first, called the stator (1), causes the rotation of a fluid around the axis of its movement, the second, called the vortex generator, reduces the section of the fluid to accelerate its rotation, and the third, called the rotor (3), comprises obstacles (20) to the rotation of this fluid which cause it to rotate relative to the stator under the effect of the rotation of the fluid. This rotation can be used to operate an electric generator. Abstract figure: Fig. 12

Description

Rotational energy generator by creating and exploiting a vortex

The invention is a generator of energy, for example in the form of electricity, using the current of a fluid such as a gas, a liquid or a plasma.

WO2017097943A1 of June 2, 2017 by Geert Slachmuylders [BE] is known, which is like the vortex turbine of James Thomson a gravitational vortex hydraulic turbine assembly in which a hydraulic turbine is arranged below the bottom of a vortex basin with a tangential opening into which the incoming flow is introduced. The documents cited in this patent, which describe gravitational vortex water turbines or are powered by a current tangent to the turbine, WO2015/017881, US4076448, US5921745, US2015/233340, AT412363B, CH699133B1, US2013/022456, are also known. The tangential entry of a hydraulic flow is also common since it is also found on Pelton, Banki, and Turgo turbines.

We also know WO2010109169A2 of September 30, 2010 by Robert Mackay [GB] which describes an energy generator comprising a turbine that the flow of water makes turn. Contrary to what is described by the present document, the two parts having blades of opposite incidences are integral in rotation with each other.

Finally, we know US4236866 (A) of December 2, 1980 and FR2487441 (A1) of January 29, 1982 as well as its three certificates of addition ES469863A2, ES469864A2 and ES469870A2, from Martinez Valentin Zapata [ES] which also describe turbines comprising a tangential flow inlet creating a vortex.

Technical problem

It is known to obtain energy, for example in electrical form, by causing a turbine to rotate by circulating a fluid parallel to its axis of rotation.

The rotation speed of the turbine can be increased by increasing the speed of the fluid passing through it, by playing on the Venturi effect, for example by placing a cone at the turbine inlet and/or outlet.

The most common way to increase the force applied by the fluid to the blades of a turbine is to cause the fluid to rotate at the rotor inlet. This is commonly done for many turbojet turbines, which recover some of the energy from the combustion of gases to drive the rotation of the fan, compressor and accessories. The stator is equipped with vanes that rotate the flow upstream of the turbine rotor, to increase its rotation speed. The angular speed of rotation thus obtained is constant at the outlet of the stator, which means that the further away from the center, the more the tangential speed increases. This type of rotation is usually referred to as solid rotation, as opposed to a rotation referred to as fluid rotation in which the further away from the center, the more the tangential speed decreases. In fluid mechanics, this second type of vortex is called a vortex, and it is this type of vortex that is used by the aforementioned documents WO2017097943A1, US4236866 (A) and FR2487441 (A1).

Creating a vortex increases the force applied to the blades of a turbine because the angular velocity is maximum at the center of rotation, and it is close to this center that the turbine is installed, but existing devices provide a tangential flow inlet or use gravity to create the fluid flow, while these two characteristics make the devices bulky and expensive to produce.

The invention will be well understood, and other objects, advantages and characteristics thereof will appear more clearly from reading the description which follows, which is illustrated by Figures 1 to 12.

is a semi-transparent perspective view of a device according to the invention, comprising from upstream to downstream a stator 1 itself comprising helical blades 10 which are here a series of tubes curved in a helicoid, followed by a vortex formation zone 100, a rotor 2, and a third part called the outlet 3 which can be integral with the stator 1 or the rotor 2.

is a perspective view of a section of a variant of the device of the whose stator is a little different, because it has helical blades located on the outer wall of its inner part and not helically curved tubes, and a central body 9 which deflects the incoming flow outwards so that it enters the vortex formation zone 100 by its outermost part, and therefore rotating around its axis of movement with a high radial speed. This central body is movable to move aside laterally when a foreign body enters the stator.

is a perspective view of a section of a rotor 2 which comprises such helical blades 20. We can see the rotor 81 of an electric generator, which cooperates with the stator 82 of this electric generator.

is a perspective view of a section of the stator of a variant of the device of the but the central body 9 is fixed so that the flow is forced to move along the helical blades.

is a perspective view of one of the devices shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, additionally comprising a collector 4 equipped with a float 5 and a weight 6.

is a perspective view of two similar devices connected in series. It consists from upstream to downstream of a collector 4, a first stator 1, a first rotor 2, a second stator 1a, a second rotor 2a and an outlet 3. The vortex formation zones of the stators are not visible.

is a perspective view of two devices according to the invention connected in parallel. The first device is denoted 1 for the stator, 2 for the rotor and 3 for the output, and the second is denoted 1b for the stator, 2b for the rotor and 3b for the output. The collector 4 is here common and provided with a kite sail 40 allowing it to fly.

is a perspective and sectional view of part of the device of the . It can be seen that the two stators cause vortices with opposite directions of rotation, and that the rotors are also equipped with helical blades with opposite directions of rotation. The vortex formation zones 100 are here merged with the stator whose section decreases from upstream to downstream.

is a perspective view of another device according to the invention, receiving the fluid by its end located at the top of the figure, comprising a door 91 allowing foreign bodies to exit before entering the stator, two pipes 10 and 11 constituting the stator rotating the fluid around the vertical central axis, a vortex formation zone 100 and a rotor 2 which is here an Archimedes screw with decreasing pitch from upstream to downstream.

is a perspective view of the device part of the , in two different states. On the left, door 91 is closed as in the , and we can see the fixed grid 92 which prevents foreign bodies from entering the stator and the rotor. On the right, the door 91 is pivoted open. Simultaneously, the flap 94 comes to block the passage allowing the fluid to directly access the stator, while the flow of fluid flows tangentially towards the outlet through the orifice which was closed by the door 91. The part marked 93 is a grid serving as a filter, but it could also, depending on the designer's choice, be a sealed plate.

is a perspective view of different types of rotors, which can have vertical blades in the upstream part and transform into a propeller or an Archimedes screw in the downstream part. These rotors can be shrouded or not, and the shroud have a section that narrows downstream as illustrated by the two rotors on the right, the second of which is a sectional view.

is a perspective view of a hydro turbine according to the invention comprising a weight 200 serving as a dead body, this element being able for example to comprise one or more electricity storage batteries. A float 210 makes it possible to find the device at sea, either by a light signal or by a radio signal, and optionally to recover the electrical energy. A cable 70 allows the device according to the invention to automatically position itself in the direction of the current, and the wings 40 and 41 keep it at a distance from the bottom in a horizontal position. The device comprises upstream a collector 4 provided with an inclined grid removing the largest foreign bodies from the inlet of the device, then in its downstream part a door 91, a stator 1 followed by a vortex formation zone 100, and a rotor 2.

The invention is a device for producing rotational energy crossed from upstream to downstream by a fluid, comprising, from upstream to downstream:
- a stator 1 comprising at its upstream end the fluid inlet, and a device called a rotation generator 10 having the effect of rotating said fluid around the axis of its movement from upstream to downstream,
- and a rotor 2 whose inlet receives the flow of fluid leaving said stator 1, said rotor comprising an obstacle 20 to the rotation of said fluid, in order to cause it to rotate under the effect of the rotation of said fluid around the axis of its movement,
characterized in that it is provided with a conduit 100 called a vortex generator, the section of which decreases from upstream to downstream.

Detailed description of the invention

The principle of the present invention is to cause the fluid rotation of a fluid around the axis of its longitudinal movement, by combining a means of rotation with a narrowing of the conduit, to obtain a vortex, that is to say a whirlpool whose rotation speed is greater as one approaches its axis of rotation, and to make this narrower part penetrate into a rotor in order to apply a greater force to the rotor blades since this force increases with the square of the speed of the fluid.

In some versions, three other benefits are pursued:
- limit the wear of the blades or grooves and their risk of deterioration when the flow contains solid particles or when they rotate at a speed such as to cause cavitation in the case where the fluid is liquid,
- limit the noise caused by the rotation of the turbine,
- and not to injure animals that could enter the turbine.

In the simplest version, not shown, a device according to the invention can consist of two propellers, the first being the stator and the second the rotor. The propeller located upstream is fixed and turns the flow in a direction of rotation in which it is desired to turn the second propeller which is connected to an electric generator. The second propeller has a pitch in the opposite direction to that of the first. Between the two propellers, a conduit whose section is narrowed from upstream to downstream allows the rotation of the fluid to pass from a solid rotation, a forced vortex whose angular speed is constant, to a fluid rotation in which the tangential speed increases as one approaches the center. The fluid entering the rotor thus turns much more quickly.

The propellers described in the preceding paragraphs, both for the stator and the rotor, can be replaced by Archimedes screws, blades, vanes, grooves, curved tubes or any helical element. The pitch of these elements can decrease progressively from upstream to downstream to accelerate the rotation speed of the fluid as it passes through the stator rotation generator.

It advantageously decreases in the stator or in the rotor or between these two elements to accelerate the decreasing rotation speed of the fluid.

There illustrates a particular embodiment in which the flow is driven in rotation around its axis of movement by a set of helical tubes constituting the rotation generator 10 of the stator 1, then passes through the conduit 100 called the vortex generator, the section of which decreases from upstream to downstream, and finally drives the rotor in rotation, which is also made up of a set of helical tubes.

The rotation of the rotor relative to the stator can drive an electric generator, so as to produce electricity. allows us to see that the rotor 2 is equipped with the rotor 81 of an electric generator cooperating with the stator 82 of this electric machine to produce electricity.

The stator and rotor can be distant from each other, connected by a solid or rigid tube. In the case of using the device as a hydro turbine, the rotor can thus be placed on the bank of a river or on a boat to be more easily maintained. Its downstream end can then be connected to the river or the sea by another pipe.

Also in this case of using the device as a hydro turbine, this rotation can also be used to directly pump the water in which the rotor is located and raise it to a level higher than that in which this device is located.

There shows a particular embodiment in which the stator allows the fluid to pass through its central part without encountering any obstacle, which allows foreign bodies such as animals to pass through the device. The helical elements are helical blades located at the periphery of the fluid passage in the device. It is provided with a movable central body 9 which can be shifted laterally in the event that a foreign body such as an animal enters the stator. Such a shift can be seen on the devices of the .

This central body 9 can also be fixed as illustrated by the so that there is no linear path for the fluid to flow in a straight line, and forces it to take the spiral channels formed by the helical blades or grooves and this central body.

The stator blades rotate advantageously in one direction and those of the rotor in the opposite direction, so that the current from the stator arrives as perpendicular as possible to the helical blades of the rotor, thus producing the greatest force.

The stator is advantageously immobile in rotation, so that animals passing through it do not risk injuring themselves on its propellers, blades or grooves, but it can also be motorized to turn in the direction of rotation in which one wishes to turn the rotor, and thus increase the rotation speed of the latter.

For the same purpose, helical elements such as propellers, blades or grooves can be rounded at the stator entrance.

The application of the present invention to turbines is very simple, since it is sufficient to have one or more blades upstream of the turbine combined with a narrowing of the conduit, to turn the fluid in the desired direction of rotation of the rotor and thus increase its rotation speed and therefore the efficiency of the device.

It is advantageous for the rotor bulb to be as small as possible, so that the rotating flow comes as close as possible to the axis of rotation of the stator, with the highest rotation speed. The rotor blades are therefore very close to each other near the axis of rotation of the rotor, and it is necessary to prevent foreign bodies such as mud or algae or dead leaves from getting stuck between these blades. To avoid this, it is therefore advantageous to equip the device with a door allowing foreign bodies to exit the device before the fluid arrives in the rotor, and even advantageously before any narrowing of the section of the fluid conduit.

This door can automatically switch from a closed position in which the fluid is led to the rotor to an open position in which the fluid exits the device without passing through the rotor or even the stator.

It is advantageous that it is not the force exerted by the foreign body on the door that causes it to open, but the force exerted on a control called an opening control located on the passage of the foreign body in the flow of the fluid. As illustrated in , the flow of the fluid generates a force on an element integral with the door pushing it towards its closed position while a foreign body brought by said fluid generates a force on another element integral with the door pushing it towards its open position, the pressure of the fluid and/or of a foreign body on the door itself not generating any force tending to its opening or closing.

In an improved version, this door is in a stable state only in its closed position or in its open position. A spring, not shown, can make the intermediate positions unstable.

In a version not shown, the blade(s) of the stator and/or rotor may be of variable inclination, to reduce viscous losses at low flow speeds.

In the following figures, the device is represented as an assembly having a rectilinear longitudinal axis, but it can also be a flexible or rigid curved pipe, the diameter of which can be larger upstream than downstream to benefit from the Venturi effect.

The stator may be preceded upstream by a collector 4 as shown in figures 5, 6, 7 and 12. The outlet of this collector is preferably cylindrical but its inlet may be of any shape.

In the case of using the device according to the invention as a hydro turbine, this stator or the upstream part called collector associated with it advantageously comprises a lower part 6 weighted to be placed at the bottom of the water, and an upper part equipped with a float 5 to raise it and open the water inlet into the collector, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

The collector can be made of fabric or any other flexible and lightweight material. Its inlet is advantageously provided with a grid inclined relative to a perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device, so that foreign bodies present in the fluid are evacuated to the outside of the inlet. In Figures 5, 6 and 12, this grid deflects foreign bodies upwards.

The device according to the invention can be provided with a third part downstream of the rotor called outlet 3, widening from upstream to downstream, to create a vacuum and thus increase the outlet speed of the fluid leaving the rotor.

A device according to the invention can be fixed at the top of a mast and pivot freely around a vertical axis to orient itself according to the direction of the fluid. This mast can be vertical only when there is no current, and then tilt elastically under the effect of the traction of the device in operation. This makes it possible to limit the importance of the foundations of the mast and therefore offers both economic and ecological advantages. The mast can also be flexible or rigid, because this has no impact on the horizontality of the axis of rotation of the rotor. The mast can also be telescopic to lengthen when the fluid current is stronger.

The principle of the present invention applies to both hydro turbines and wind turbines. In the latter case, the device is advantageously equipped with a kite wing 40, and the inlet collector 4, which uses the venturi effect to accelerate the fluid, can be made of fabric. It can be connected to the mast by a cable. In an improved version, the cable is wound to keep the generator at the top of the mast in calm weather, but as soon as the wind blows, it unwinds elastically or by a motor controlled by a measurement of the wind speed or the traction force of the cable, to allow the generator to rise in order to benefit from the stronger and more regular winds at altitude. In addition to not risking injuring birds, this wind turbine is also much quieter than those with blades that we know, which should promote its acceptance by the public.

In an improved version of the hydraulic turbine, not shown, air can be injected into the water, to aerate it and thus improve its quality before entering the rotor. This can also promote the birth and/or the speed of rotation of the vortex. Such an injection can be done both at the downstream end of the central body 9 and along the extrados of the stator blades. The injection can be produced by the depression occurring at these locations, but it can also be obtained by an air compressor.

The devices according to the invention can be assembled in series as illustrated by the or in parallel as illustrated by Figures 7 and 8. Two devices assembled in parallel advantageously have stators causing vortices of opposite directions of rotation so that the assembly is not subjected to a rotational moment by the passage of the fluid. This is illustrated by the .

In order to exploit tidal currents, two devices can be combined, one operating from upstream to downstream and the other from downstream to upstream. One operates on a rising tide and its inlet is closed by a valve on a falling tide, and the other operates on a falling tide and its inlet is closed by a valve on a rising tide. Such a valve can be a flap directing the incoming flow towards the one of the two devices which is adapted to the direction of the current. These versions are not shown.

Such an assembly can also exploit the energy of waves or swell, or air currents in tunnels, the two devices being activated alternately by their valves according to the direction of movement of the fluid.

The invention is also the method of generating rotational energy by a device according to the invention.

Applications

The main application of the present invention is the conversion of energy from air, water and plasma streams into electricity.

Claims (10)

Rotational energy production device crossed from upstream to downstream by a fluid, comprising, from upstream to downstream:
- a stator (1) comprising at its upstream end the fluid inlet, and a device called a rotation generator provided with blades (10) or vanes or grooves having the effect of rotating said fluid around the axis of its movement from upstream to downstream,
- and a rotor (2) whose inlet receives the flow of fluid leaving said stator 1, said rotor comprising an obstacle, such as blades (20) or vanes or grooves, in order to cause it to rotate under the effect of the rotation of said fluid around the axis of its movement,
characterized in that it is provided with a conduit (100) called a vortex generator, the section of which decreases from upstream to downstream. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that said stator (1) is provided with an element called a door (91) allowing foreign bodies to exit before entering the stator (2). Device according to claim 2 characterized in that said door is in a stable state only in its closed position or in its open position. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotor allows the fluid to pass without it encountering any obstacle in its central axial part. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pitch of the blades or grooves (10) of said stator (1) decreases progressively from upstream to downstream. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pitch of the blades or grooves (20) of said rotor (2) decreases progressively from upstream to downstream. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said stator (1) is immobile in rotation. Device composed of two devices according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that they are assembled in series. Device composed of two devices according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that they are assembled in parallel and that their stators cause swirls of the fluid in opposite directions of rotation. A method of generating rotational energy by a device according to any preceding claim.