Pressure controlled wind turbine enhancement system

Abstract

The present invention provides a pressure controlled wind turbine enhancement system which includes a two part conical shroud to be located directly upwind of a turbine in order to augment the natural flow of air past blades of the turbine in a manner which produces increased power output from the turbine.

1 . A pressure controlled wind turbine enhancement system comprising a shroud comprising at least first and second sections separated from one another by a gap. 
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1  in which the gap extends around substantially the full circumference of the shroud. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1  in which the gap extends in a substantially radial direction. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1  in which the shroud comprises three or more sections each separated from adjacent sections by a respective gap. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 1  comprising a support securing the first and second sections relative to one another. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 5  in which the support comprises a substantially circular array of struts extending between and secured to, the first and second sections of the shroud. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 1  in which each section of the shroud is substantially conical is shape. 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 1  in which the first section has a steeper taper than the second section. 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 1  comprising pressure release means operable to vary the air pressure within the shroud. 
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 9  in which the pressure release means comprises one or more apertures in the shroud. 
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 9  in which the pressure release means comprises one or more flaps provided about a corresponding aperture in a wall of the shroud, the or each flap being displaceable between a closed position occluding the aperture and an open position exposing the aperture. 
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 11  in which the or each flap is displaceable, in use, from the closed position upon a threshold pressure being reached within the shroud. 
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 11  in which each flap is biased towards the closed position. 
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 13  in which each flap is spring biased. 
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 1  comprising a base on which the shroud is mounted. 
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 15  in which the shroud is pivotable on or with the base. 
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 15  in which the base comprises a platform to which a wind turbine is mountable. 
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 1  comprising guide means adapted to displace the system to face into the wind. 
     
     
         19 . A system according to  claim 1  comprising one or more nozzles mounted about the shroud and operable to inject air into the airflow within and/or about the shroud. 
     
     
         20 . A system according to  claim 19  in which the base comprises ducting for supplying air to the one or more nozzles. 
     
     
         21 . A system according to  claim 19  in which the one or more nozzles are formed integrally with the base. 
     
     
         22 . A system according to  claim 1  adapted to be mounted to the exhaust of an existing air conditioning system. 
     
     
         23 . A system according to  claim 1  comprising a wind turbine with which the shroud is integrally formed.