A fluid flow-powered generator and a method for using the same are described herein. The generator has a rotatable frame, with a first wing and a second wing. The first wing and second wing are pivotally mounted to the frame to allow the angle of attack to be adjusted. A controller is also provided
A fluid flow-powered generator and a method for using the same are described herein. The generator has a rotatable frame, with a first wing and a second wing. The first wing and second wing are pivotally mounted to the frame to allow the angle of attack to be adjusted. A controller is also provided to direct adjustment of the angle of attack of the first wing and the second wing in a coordinated manner while the fluid flow-powered generator is in use. In certain embodiments, the fluid flow-powered generator is operable as an oscillating generator and in other embodiments, the fluid flow-powered generator is operable as a rotating generator. The rotating generator can be arranged along a horizontal axis or a vertical axis. Additionally, certain horizontally oriented generators may be operated as either oscillating generators or rotating generators.
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1. A fluid flow-powered generator, comprising: a rotatable frame;a first wing and a second wing, each wing having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first end and a second end;each wing having an angle of attack determined by the orientation of a chord line extending through the leading and trailing
1. A fluid flow-powered generator, comprising: a rotatable frame;a first wing and a second wing, each wing having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first end and a second end;each wing having an angle of attack determined by the orientation of a chord line extending through the leading and trailing edges thereof, and each wing pivotally mounted to the frame to allow the angle of attack to be adjusted; andone or more powered actuators configured to pivot the first and second wings to adjust the angles of attack; wherein the rotatable frame comprises a central axis member, a first pair of transverse arms and a second pair of transverse arms, each extending from the central axis member and wherein the first wing is mounted at its first end and second end between the first pair of transverse arms and the second wing is mounted at its first end and second end between the second pair of transverse arms;a first sensor configured to measure a rotational rate of the rotatable frame, and a second sensor configured to measure an incoming wind speed;a controller configured to utilize measured data concerning the rotational rate and the incoming wind speed to actuate the one or more powered actuators and actively adjust the angle of attack of the first wing and the second wing in a coordinated manner, causing the rotatable frame to rotate in an oscillating manner due to the adjustment of the angle of attack while the fluid flow-powered generator is in use. 2. The fluid flow-powered generator of claim 1, wherein the first and second pairs of transverse arms and central axis member are on approximately the same plane, and where the frame is rotatable around the central axis member. 3. The fluid flow-powered generator of claim 2, wherein the frame is mounted on a rotatable table which is adjustable to align the central axis member of the frame perpendicularly with the direction of a fluid flow. 4. The fluid flow-powered generator of claim 2, further comprising a spring system to restrain the rotation of the frame about the central axis member, wherein the rotation of the frame is constrained to an angular position between about −π/2 and about π/2. 5. The fluid flow-powered generator of claim 1, wherein the controller maintains the angle of attack of the first wing and the second wing at a maximum effective angle of attack before stall. 6. The fluid flow-powered generator of claim 1, wherein the first wing and second wing are mounted to transverse arms along the chord line at one quarter of the distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge, and wherein the first wing and second wing are pivotable about this mounting position. 7. An oscillating fluid flow-powered generator, comprising: a rotatable frame;a first wing and a second wing, each wing having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first end and a second end; wherein the rotatable frame comprises a central axis member, a first pair of transverse arms and a second pair of transverse arms, each extending from the central axis member and wherein the first wing is mounted at its first end and second end between the first pair of transverse arms and the second wing is mounted at its first end and second end between the second pair of transverse arms;each wing defining an angle of attack; anda controller configured to actively adjust the angle of attack of the first wing and the angle of attack of the second wing in a coordinated manner by actuation of at least one powered actuator while the fluid flow-powered generator is in use, such that the angle of attack of each wing alternates and causes the rotatable frame to rotate in an oscillating manner. 8. The oscillating fluid flow-powered generator of claim 7, wherein the first and second pairs of transverse arms are on approximately the same plane. 9. The oscillating fluid flow-powered generator of claim 8, wherein the central axis member is oriented in a generally vertical direction. 10. The oscillating fluid flow-powered generator of claim 8, wherein the central axis member is oriented in a generally horizontal direction. 11. The oscillating fluid flow-powered generator of claim 7, wherein the angle of attack of each wing is determined by the orientation of a chord line extending through the leading and trailing edges thereof, and each wing is pivotally mounted to the frame to allow the angle of attack to be adjusted. 12. The oscillating fluid flow-powered generator of claim 7, further comprising: an accelerometer located to measure the rotational rate and angular position of the frame, and a sensor to measure fluid flow speed, wherein the controller directs adjustment of the angle of attack of the first wing and the second wing based upon the rotational rate and angular position of the frame, and the fluid flow speed. 13. The oscillating fluid flow-powered generator of claim 12, wherein the controller maintains the angle of attack of the first wing and the second wing at a maximum effective angle of attack before stall. 14. A method of generating electricity, comprising the steps of: providing a fluid flow-powered generator having a rotatable frame, a first wing and a second wing attached to the frame, and a controller, wherein the first wing and second wing each have an adjustable angle of attack; wherein the rotatable frame comprises a central axis member, a first pair of transverse arms and a second pair of transverse arms, each extending from the central axis member and wherein the first wing is mounted at its first end and second end between the first pair of transverse arms and the second wing is mounted at its first end and second end between the second pair of transverse arms;utilizing the controller and at least one powered actuator to actively adjust the angle of attack of the first wing and the angle of attack of the second wing in a coordinated manner to cause the rotatable frame to rotate in an oscillating manner;translating rotation of the rotatable member into electrical energy. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of: measuring the rotational rate and angular position of the frame, and the fluid flow speed; andutilizing a controller to actively adjust the angle of attack of the first wing and the angle of attack of the second wing based, at least in part, upon the rotational rate and angular position of the frame, and the fluid flow speed. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the rotation of the frame is constrained to an angular position between about −π/2 and about π/2, and wherein the angle of attack of the first wing and the angle of attack of the second wing are actively adjusted by the controller to facilitate the oscillation of the frame between the angular positions. 17. The fluid flow-powered generator of claim 1, wherein the one or more powered actuators comprise motors.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (15)
Kelley, Gene Ryland, Adaptable flow-driven energy capture system.
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