Apparatus and method for capturing energy from a vorticular ventilator system to utilize the energy to charge a power source
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for capturing energy from an unmanned aircraft propeller system and utilizing the energy to charge a battery. The invention further provides for a belt drive system connected to one or more propellers of an unmanned aircraft system commonly referred to as a drone aircraft. The belt drive system may be linked to an alternator or dynamo such that a portion of the energy generated by the rotation force provided to the drive system of the propeller is captured by the alternator or dynamo. The present invention provides for a system where the rotational energy of the propellers is captured by an energy recovery system such as an alternator, dynamo or the like. The energy recovery system provides power to charge a battery which can be used to power the drive systems for the propellers, or other electronic systems.
1 . An apparatus for capturing energy from a vorticular ventilator to utilize the energy to charge a power source, the apparatus comprising:
a housing;
a plurality of propeller systems connected to the housing, wherein each of the propeller systems is configured to have a motor, a propeller shaft and a propeller affixed to the propeller shaft;
a power source positioned in the housing configured to power each of the motors of the propeller systems;
an energy recovery system mounted in the housing, wherein the energy recovery system includes a wire harness connecting the energy recovery system to the power source, wherein the energy recovery system converts a rotational force into mechanical energy that then drives a generator which converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy;
a vorticular ventilator including a plurality of air scoops rotatable around an axis, wherein the air scoops are adapted to deflect an air flow to cause the air scoops to rotate around the axis and the vorticular ventilator further including a base affixed to the housing;
a drive shaft affixed to the vorticular ventilator at the axis, wherein the rotation of the air scoops around the axis, causes rotation of the drive shaft, the drive shaft is configured to impart the rotational force to the energy recovery system, whereby the rotation of the drive shaft imparts mechanical force on the energy recovery system which converts the mechanical force to electrical energy which is stored in the power source; and
wherein the wire harness of the energy recovery system transfers the electrical current generated by the energy recovery system to the power source in such a manner that the electrical current is utilized to provide power to the power source.
2 . The apparatus for capturing energy from a vorticular ventilator to utilize the energy to charge a power source of claim 1 , wherein the air scoops of the vorticular ventilator are configured in a Savonius structure.
3 . The apparatus for capturing energy from a vorticular ventilator to utilize the energy to charge a power source of claim 1 , wherein the air scoops of the vorticular ventilator are configured in a Darrieus structure.
4 . The apparatus for capturing energy from a vorticular ventilator to utilize the energy to charge a power source of claim 1 , wherein the air scoops of the vorticular ventilator are configured in a propeller structure.
5 . The apparatus for capturing energy from a vorticular ventilator to utilize the energy to charge a power source of claim 1 , wherein, each of the air scoops of the vorticular ventilator comprise:
a leading edge, wherein the leading edge forming a plurality of steps including at least a first step, a second step, and a last step along a length of the leading edge, wherein the first step, the second step, and the last step decreases in a width edge of the air scoop between the leading edge and a trailing portion;
the plurality of steps further including a first air contact surface, a second air contact surface, and a last air contact surface, wherein the first air contact surface corresponds to the first step, the second air contact surface corresponds to the second step, and the last air contact surface corresponds to the last step;
and the plurality of steps are each configured to create a vortex.
6 . The apparatus for capturing energy from a vorticular ventilator to utilize the energy to charge a power source of claim 5 , wherein the leading edge has a length, and the length of each of the first step, the second step and the last step of the plurality of steps are proportional along the leading edge.
7 . The apparatus for capturing energy from a vorticular ventilator to utilize the energy to charge a power source of claim 1 , wherein the housing has a top portion and a bottom portion and the vorticular ventilator is positioned at the top portion of the housing.
8 . The apparatus for capturing energy from a vorticular ventilator to utilize the energy to charge a power source of claim 1 , wherein the housing has a top portion and a bottom portion and the vorticular ventilator is positioned at the bottom portion of the housing.
9 . The apparatus for capturing energy from a vorticular ventilator to utilize the energy to charge a power source, the apparatus comprising:
a housing having a top portion, an internal portion, a bottom portion and a housing vent and a vorticular ventilator vent;
a plurality of propeller systems connected to the housing along the top portion, wherein each of the propeller systems is configured to have a motor, a propeller shaft and a propeller affixed to the propeller shaft;
a power source positioned in the internal portion of the housing and configured to power each of the motors of the propeller systems;
an energy recovery system mounted in the housing, wherein the energy recovery system includes a wire harness connecting the energy recovery system to the power source wherein the energy recovery system converts mechanical energy that then drives a generator which converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy;
a vorticular ventilator including a plurality of air scoops rotatable around an axis wherein the air scoops are adapted to deflect an air flow to cause the air scoop to rotate around the axis and a base affixed to the housing, the vorticular ventilator positioned at the vorticular ventilator vent in the housing;
a drive shaft affixed to the vorticular ventilator at the axis wherein the rotation of the air scoops around the axis causes rotation of the drive shaft, the drive shaft is configured to impart the rotational force to the energy recovery system, whereby the rotation of the drive shafts imparts mechanical force on the energy recovery system which converts the mechanical energy to electrical energy which is stored in the power source;
a fan mechanism affixed to the drive shaft wherein the rotation of the drive shaft operates to rotate a fan in the fan mechanism, whereby the rotation of the fan causes an airflow and the air flow is directed through the housing vent and into the internal portion of the housing to effectuate cooling of the energy recovery system and the power source; and
wherein the wire harness of the energy recovery system transfers the electrical current generated by the energy recovery system to the power source in such a manner that the electrical current is utilized to provide power to the power source.
10 . The apparatus for capturing energy from a vorticular ventilator to utilize the energy to charge a power source of claim 9 , wherein the air scoops of the vorticular ventilator are configured in a Savonius structure.
11 . The apparatus for capturing energy from a vorticular ventilator to utilize the energy to charge a power source of claim 9 , wherein the air scoops of the vorticular ventilator are configured in a Darrieus structure.
12 . The apparatus for capturing energy from a vorticular ventilator to utilize the energy to charge a power source of claim 9 , wherein, each of the air scoops of the vorticular ventilator comprise:
a leading edge wherein the leading edge, forming a plurality of steps including at least a first step, a second step, and a last step along a length of the leading edge, wherein the first step, the second step, and the last step decreases in a width edge of the air scoop between the leading edge and a trailing portion;
the plurality of steps further including a first air contact surface, a second air contact surface, and a last air contact surface, wherein the first air contact surface corresponds to the first step, the second air contact surface corresponds to the second step, and the last air contact surface corresponds to the last step; and
the plurality of steps are each configured to create a vortex.
13 . The apparatus for capturing energy from a vorticular ventilator to utilize the energy to charge a power source of claim 12 , the leading edge has a length, and the length of each of the first step, the second step and the last step of the plurality of steps are proportional along the leading edge.
14 . The apparatus for capturing energy from a vorticular ventilator to utilize the energy to charge a power source of claim 13 , wherein the energy recovery system comprises a dynamo.
15 . The apparatus for capturing energy from a vorticular ventilator to utilize the energy to charge a power source in claim 13 , wherein the energy recovery system comprises an alternator.