Electro-hydrodynamic wind energy systems and methods

Abstract

Provided are electro-hydrodynamic (EHD) system for extracting energy from wind. Also provided are injectors for producing particles in an EHD system. Additionally, methods for producing particles in an EHD system is also provided. Further provided are displays comprising an EHD wind energy system. Also, an electro-hydrodynamic wind energy system integrated with a display is provided. A method of generating electricity is also provided. Additionally, a method of displaying a message is provided.

1 - 99 . (canceled) 
     
     
         100 . An injector for producing charged particles for an electro-hydrodynamic system that extracts energy from a gas stream, the injector comprising:
 a hydraulic spray nozzle that injects a liquid droplet into the gas stream from a nozzle tip;   an electrode, adjacent the nozzle, that generates an electric field with a higher field concentration at a point closer to the nozzle than to the electrode, wherein the electrode charges the liquid droplet;   
       wherein the drag of the gas stream on the liquid droplet at least partially opposes the drag of the electric field on the droplet. 
     
     
         101 . The injector of  claim 100 , wherein the nozzle employs rotational motion to create the droplets. 
     
     
         102 . The injector of  claim 101 , wherein the nozzle further employs translational motion to create the droplets. 
     
     
         103 . The injector of  claim 102 , wherein the nozzle forms a hollow cone spray pattern. 
     
     
         104 . The injector of  claim 103 , wherein the nozzle includes a swirl nozzle. 
     
     
         105 . The injector of  claim 100 , wherein the nozzle tip concentrates the electric field. 
     
     
         106 . The injector of  claim 105 , wherein the nozzle tip is tapered. 
     
     
         107 . The injector of  claim 100 , wherein the injector further includes an internal electrode within the nozzle. 
     
     
         108 . The injector of  claim 107 , wherein the internal electrode is incorporated along the central axis of the nozzle. 
     
     
         109 . The injector of  claim 100 , wherein the internal electrode includes a pointed tip, wherein the electrode tip is substantially coincident with the nozzle tip. 
     
     
         110 . The injector of  claim 100 , wherein the droplet carries a charge less than approximately 25% of the Rayleigh limit. 
     
     
         111 . The injector of  claim 100 , wherein the electrode is a linear electrode. 
     
     
         112 . The injector of  claim 111 , wherein the electrode is disposed downstream of the nozzle exit. 
     
     
         113 . The injector of  claim 100 , wherein the nozzle further includes a filter upstream of the nozzle tip. 
     
     
         114 . An electro-hydrodynamic system that extracts energy from a gas stream, the system comprising:
 an injector that injects a plurality of particles of a single polarity into the gas stream, the injector including:
 a hydraulic spray nozzle that emits the particles from a nozzle exit; 
 an electrode, adjacent the nozzle, that generates an electric field with a higher field concentration at a point closer to the nozzle than to the electrode, wherein the electrode charges the particle; 
   
       wherein the drag of the gas stream on the particle at least partially opposes the drag of the electric field on the particle, and wherein the injector collects particles of the opposite polarity to the injected particle;
 a downstream collector, disposed downstream within the gas stream, that collets the injected particles; and 
 a load, electrically coupled between the injector and the downstream collector. 
 
     
     
         115 . The system of  claim 114 , wherein the nozzle is a swirl nozzle including a swirl chamber and the particles are liquid droplets atomized from a liquid stream, wherein the swirl nozzle utilizes a rotational force to shear the liquid droplets from the liquid stream.