FLUID POWERED TURBINE

摘要

A fluid powered turbine, such as a wind turbine (10), has a hollow column (12) in which a rotating turbine is housed. A fluid directing structure (14) is supported at or near an end of the column (12) remote from the turbine. The fluid directing structure (14) has a plurality of individual inlet openings (26) spaced around its periphery and is arranged to direct air at each inlet opening into an inner pipe (18). The incoming air is constricted both within the structure (14) and as it exits the column (12) whereby its speed is sufficient to rotate the turbine (20). The structure at the top of the column (12) generally requires no maintenance and maintenance of the turbine (20) is considerably easier than with traditional wind generators as access is easy. As the turbine is enclosed, it is safer than the traditional wind generators and less noisy.

主权项

1. A fluid powered turbine comprising:
an elongate, hollow pipe, a rotatable turbine, operable by fluid flow, housed within the hollow pipe at or near a first end thereof, and a fluid directing structure affixed to the pipe at or near its second end spaced from the first end, wherein there is at least one fluid flow conduit extending within the pipe and connecting the fluid directing structure with the rotatable turbine such that fluid flow within the directing structure can be directed to the rotatable turbine to operate the rotatable turbine, and wherein the fluid directing structure has a plurality of individual inlet openings spaced around its periphery, and means to direct fluid at each inlet opening to a fluid outlet in communication with said fluid flow conduit.