Composite boundary layer turbine

Abstract

A turbine includes a plurality of stacked disks, each disk comprising an opening in the center of the disk, which forms a central flow chamber. The turbine further includes a first disk that is coupled to a bottom of the plurality of stacked disks. The first disk does not have an opening in the center like the stacked disks. There is a plurality of disk spacers positioned between one or more of the plurality of stacked disks, thereby creating flow channels between the disks. The flow channels extend from an outside perimeter of the stacked disks to the central flow chamber. A tapered armature is coupled to the first disk and positioned within the central flow chamber, and a fluid collection unit is in communication with the outside perimeter of the stacked disks.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of stacked disks, each disk comprising an opening in the center of the disk, thereby forming a central flow chamber;   a first disk coupled to a bottom of the plurality of stacked disks, the first disk having no opening in the center of the first disk;   a plurality of disk spacers positioned between one or more of the plurality of stacked disks, thereby creating flow channels between the disks, the flow channels extending from an outside perimeter of the stacked disks to the central flow chamber;   a tapered armature coupled to the first disk and positioned within the central flow chamber; and   a fluid collection unit in communication with the outside perimeter of the stacked disks.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tapered armature is tapered away from the first disk and towards an opening of the central flow chamber at a top of the stacked disks. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising means for coupling the plurality of stacked disks to an energy conversion unit. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , comprising the energy conversion unit. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the means for coupling comprises:
 a first shaft coupled to the first disk;   a first metal plate coupled to an end of the first shaft opposite the first disk; and   a second metal plate coupled to a second metal shaft, the second metal plate adjustably positioned in proximity to the first metal plate;   wherein the second metal shaft is configured for coupling to an energy conversion unit.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein one or more of the first metal plate and the second metal plate comprise one or more of a conductor plate and a magnetized plate. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein
 the apparatus is configured such that a fluid enters the fluid collection unit and impinges upon the stacked disks, thereby causing the plurality of stacked disks to rotate about its axis;   the fluid penetrates into the flow channels between the disks and comes into contact with the plurality of disk spacers, and is directed into the central flow chamber by the plurality of disk spacers;   and the fluid enters the central flow chamber and is directed out of the central flow chamber by the tapered armature.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises one or more of a wind turbine, a geothermal turbine, a steam turbine, a hydrodynamic turbine, and a pump. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid collection unit comprises a funnel-shaped opening, and a wall of the funnel-shaped opening comprises a movable panel. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the disks comprise a composite material. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the disk spacers are coupled to an outer circumferential edge of a first disk and coupled to an outer circumferential edge of a second disk. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of a disk is tapered from a position proximate to the central flow chamber to a position near the perimeter of the disk. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a disk comprises first and second outer layers of a composite material, and a rigid structure positioned in between the first and second outer layers. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a pair of opposite pole magnets positioned outside of the plurality of stacked disks and proximate to the first disk. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a valve connected to the fluid connection unit for controlling an amount of fluid entering the plurality of stacked disks.