초록 ▼

There is disclosed a method and apparatus for converting the kinetic energy of a moving fluid stream into useful work by means of a cascade of thin airfoils positioned therein. In one embodiment, the airfoils are provided with at least two degrees of freedom and adjacent airfoils are movable out of

There is disclosed a method and apparatus for converting the kinetic energy of a moving fluid stream into useful work by means of a cascade of thin airfoils positioned therein. In one embodiment, the airfoils are provided with at least two degrees of freedom and adjacent airfoils are movable out of phase. The airfoils are subjected to the aerodynamically induced oscillations caused by the aeroelastic phenomenon known as flutter and the oscillatory movement is then harnessed to do useful work. In an alternate embodiment, a cascade of airfoils is mechanically oscillated within a moving fluid stream to increase the propulsion of the fluid. Where the fluid is a liquid, the cascade includes a plurality of hydrofoils.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for converting the kinetic energy of a fluid stream into useful work comprising the steps of positioning a device including a pair of parallel plates and a thin airfoil equally spaced from each plate and having at least two degrees of freedom within a moving fluid stream with the plates par

A method for converting the kinetic energy of a fluid stream into useful work comprising the steps of positioning a device including a pair of parallel plates and a thin airfoil equally spaced from each plate and having at least two degrees of freedom within a moving fluid stream with the plates parallel to the free stream and the airfoil at zero angle of attack when undisturbed to define an aerodynamic system, adjusting the system until the velocity of the fluid is sufficient to induce flutter oscillations, disturbing the airfoil, and then utilizing the resultant oscillations to produce useful work.