System and method for extracting power from fluid using a Tesla-type bladeless turbine
Smooth, preferably variable-sweep fluid collection device surfaces disposed into opposition with wind, river, surf, ocean or tidal currents generate enhanced velocity fluid flows at length driven into onboard work-extracting disc turbines at advantageous angles of attack. Keyed to shafts turning freely through optionally extendable volutes, disc turbines comprising a dense population of smooth, axially fixed or adjustably spaced discs conducting preferably laminar flow between adjacent elements develop significant torque through boundary layer adhesion and viscous shear-stress between fluid layers. Exhaust of disc turbine throughput into divergent channels drafting into external currents of initially higher than ambient velocity and lower pressure may reduce turbine discharge backpressure, rapidly clear system throughput, and allow normally disadvantageous drag to be utilized to develop greater work generation. Gainfully turning with, instead of at odds to natural or anthropogenic currents provided, disc turbines utilized as disclosed may provide unprecedented renewable energy from fluids in motion.
1. A fluid energy conversion system comprising:
a) one or more Tesla-type disc turbines each comprising a shaft and one or more operatively associated disc runners, each of said disc runners comprising: two or more parallel discs, each axially separated by a space, wherein the space between each of said discs is adjustable, said discs configured to extract energy to drive said shaft, from working fluid passing through one or more discharge openings between all of said discs, and wherein at least one of said discs is inflatable;
b) one or more fluid inlets configured to guide said working fluid to said disc turbines parallel to said discs and co-tangential to a periphery thereof; and
c) one or more fluid outlets configured to release said working fluid discharged from said disc runners through discharge openings of discs at either or both ends of said disc runners.
2. The fluid energy conversion system of claim 1 , further comprising a fluid collection device comprising one or more fluid collection surfaces, said fluid collection surfaces configured to intersect an incoming current of said working fluid at an angle and to enhance the velocity thereof, and further configured to substantially guide said working fluid into said fluid inlets.
3. The fluid energy conversion system of claim 1 , wherein said discs are axially spaced apart by resilient spacing elements.
4. The fluid energy system of claim 1 , wherein the spacing between said discs is adjusted using manual control, automatic control or a combination thereof.
5. The fluid energy conversion system according to claim 1 , wherein said fluid outlets are formed by one or more isolation plates mounted parallel and adjacent to one or more ends of said disc runners, said isolation plates comprising holes operatively associated with the discharge openings of the discs to discharge working fluid therefrom.
6. The fluid energy conversion system according to claim 1 , wherein said disc runners are arranged in rows offset in longitudinal or transverse direction.
7. The fluid energy conversion system of claim 1 , wherein said system is configured to be buoyant at an elevation via filling of inflatable components thereof with a pressurized control fluid of density lesser than density of atmosphere at said elevation.
8. The fluid energy conversion system of claim 1 , further comprising a control system utilizing electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic actuating means for controlling one or more of disc spacing; effective cross-sectional area of fluid collection device; and/or horizontal or vertical offsets for arrays of disc runners.
9. The fluid energy conversion system of claim 7 , wherein said system is configured for creating sufficient energy for activating said electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic actuating means.
10. The fluid energy conversion system of claim 1 wherein the disc runner is configured for automatic control of the spacing between axially separated discs, for application in disc turbines, compressors, and pumps, said disc runner comprising: two or more adjustably positioned discs; and a control system configured for dynamic control of the spacing between said discs.
11. A method for converting the energy of fluids in motion into other forms of energy using the system of claim 1 .