Posted on 07/31/2010 9:04:59 AM PDT by Abathar
A research company in New Hampshire recently announced the patent of their bladeless wind turbine, which is based on a patent issued to Nikola Tesla in 1913. The Fuller Wind Turbine developed by Solar Aero has only one rotating part, the turbine-driveshaft. The entire assembly is contained inside a housing, so that this turbine offers several advantages versus blade-style (primarily horizontal-axis type) turbines. With a screened inlet and outlet, this turbine does not present a danger to wildlife such as bats and birds. To an outside observer, the only movement visible is the entire turbine housing as it adjusts to track the wind. This also makes it a good candidate for use near military surveillance and radar installations, where moving blades would otherwise cause difficulties.
According to the company, the turbine is expected to deliver power at a cost comparable to coal-fired power plants. Total operating costs over the lifetime of the unit are expected to be about $0.12/kWh. The turbine also should have fewer maintenance requirements, leading to lower lifetime operating costs. The turbine itself can also be supported on magnetic bearings, and all of the generating equipment kept at ground level, which will also make maintenance easier. The company estimates "final costs will be about $1.50/watt rated output, or roughly 2/3 the cost of comparable bladed units."
(Excerpt) Read more at green.yahoo.com ...
That certainly sounds like it would be a challenge.
This is to no poster in particular but just a note on a common misperception regarding patents.
One can’t generally patent an idea or an effect. One can patent an application of an idea if the idea and the application are described in such a way that there is only one device that would result from that idea (an embodiment). If one describes the idea but not the application and so tries to patent the idea, it usually isn’t recognized.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claim_%28patent%29#Basic_types_and_categories
BTW... I wouldn’t even try to get a well driller involved.
I have what I “think” might be a spring. It’s not near my well.
Using a backhoe I have on my tractor, I have dug down about 6” from what was always a wet spot in a field. I would have gone deeper, but it turns to solid rock, large and thick shale rock.
I have dropped a sump pump into the water filled hole and every time the pump takes the level down, about 40 minutes later, the hole is full of water again. This occurs even during the driest part of the year. The water is clear, smells good and it’s very cold.
I don’t know anything about this stuff, but I think I might have a spring and if I do... there is my extra water source. ;>) At the very least, it seems that I should be able to bury a storage tank in nearby soft ground and use the source to keep it filled for gardening water.
Well, a centrifugal fan, like any other motive device, would have a weight to power ratio. Its blades would be considerably smaller and lighter than a prop or rotor, because the the distribution of force across them.
Plus, they could use easily machined titanium alloy instead of much heavier and more expensive materials. And the length of fan blades per section would only be limited by the structural strength of the blades over the given circumference of their barrel, and the strength of the barrel.
Its biggest gain would be by having a much simpler engine and likely computer control and stabilization. Other than that, just a joystick control.
I’m less a fan of the fanwing design prototype, because it is too reliant on prop aircraft design, where it doesn’t really need such a design.
Sure a bird pinned to the screen as the jet rises to 40,000 will not be harmed.
Sure a bird pinned to the screen as the jet rises to 40,000 will not be harmed.
Also, the electric companies would be decreasing their own business. So they probably won't allow the things to be sold, but leased and metered.
In many places it is illegal to capture rain water that lands on your property. They will probably tax you on the capacity of your wind generator"
Not a big one; just 'table sized' model, that I stood in front of - and enjoyed breeze - then, of course, had to put my hand through center just to make sure/sigh. . .
Reminded me of some 'great leap' from the past. (And given, Telsa's determinations; it is, really. . .
Loved the 'purity' so to speak; of this great design/MO. . .while wondering 'how it is' we never had this!
As to speaking of Nikola Telsa.. .one's mind can only swim, swim. . .with the genius of this man. And the better minds, more than swim/sigh. . .
Great idea. Say, I have a Tesla electric car. Maybe I can mount one of these turbine wind generators on the roof and after the car gets up to cruising speed, it’ll kick in and charge my battery. This could double my mileage on trips over 100 miles. Hmmm... only one problem. Then where would I put my dog kennel?
Put the kennel next to it, add a treadmill. That way at the stop lights and hotel he can get his exercise and earn his keep at the same time.
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