Prandtl layer turbine

Details Prandtl layer turbine Prandtl layer turbine

1999-01-08

2001-01-16

Ryznic, John E. (Department: 3745)

Rotary kinetic fluid motors or pumps

Method of operation

C415S090000, C415S143000, C416S19800R

Reexamination Certificate

active

06174127

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus used to transmit motive force between a fluid and a plurality of spaced apart rotatable members. The apparatus may be used to transmit the motive force from a fluid to the spaced apart members or, alternately, from the spaced apart members to the fluid.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Prandtl layer turbines were first described by Nikola Tesla in U.S. Pat. No. 1,061,206 (Tesla). For this reason, these turbines are sometimes referred to as “Tesla Turbines”.
FIGS. 1 and 2
show the design for a prandtl layer turbine as disclosed in Tesla. As disclosed by Tesla, a prandtl layer turbine
10
comprises a plurality of discs
12
which are rotatably mounted in a housing
14
. Housing
14
comprises ends
16
and ring
18
which extends longitudinally between ends
16
. Discs
12
are spaced apart so as to transmit motive force between a fluid in housing
14
and rotating discs
12
.
The discs
12
, which are flat rigid members of a suitable diameter, are non-rotatably mounted on a shaft
20
by being keyed to shaft
20
and are spaced apart by means of washers
28
. The discs have openings
22
adjacent to shaft
20
and spokes
24
which may be substantially straight. Longitudinally extending ring
18
has a diameter which is slightly larger than that of discs
12
. Extending between opening
22
and the outer diameter of disc
12
is the motive force transfer region
26
.
The transfer of motive force between rotating discs
12
and a fluid is described in Tesla at column 2, lines 30-49. According to this disclosure, fluid, by reason of its properties of adherence and viscosity, upon entering through inlets
30
, and coming into contact with rotating discs
12
, is taken hold of by the rotating discs and subjected to two forces, one acting tangentially in the direction of rotation and the other acting radially outwardly. The combined effect of these tangential and centrifugal forces is to propel the fluid with continuously increasing velocity in a spiral path until it reaches a suitable peripheral outlet from which it is ejected.
Conversely, Tesla also disclosed introducing pressurized fluid via pipes
34
to inlets
32
. The introduction of the pressurized fluid would cause discs
12
to rotate with the fluid travelling in a spiral path, with continuously diminishing velocity, until it reached central opening
22
which is in communication with inlet
30
. Motive force is transmitted by the pressurized fluid to discs
12
to cause discs
12
to rotate and, accordingly, shaft
20
to rotate thus providing a source of motive force.
Accordingly, the design described in Tesla may be used as a pump or as a motor. Such devices take advantage of the properties of a fluid when in contact with the rotating surface of the discs. If the discs are driven by the fluid, then as the fluid passes through the housing between the spaced apart discs, the movement of the fluid causes the discs to rotate thereby generating power which may be transmitted external to the housing via a shaft to provide motive force for various applications. Accordingly, such devices function as a motor. Conversely, if the fluid in the housing is essentially static, the rotation of the discs will cause the fluid in the housing to commence rotating in the same direction as the discs and to thus draw the fluid through the housing, thereby causing the apparatus to function as a pump or a fan. In this disclosure, all such devices, whether used as a motor or as a pump or fan, are referred to as “prandtl layer turbines” or “Tesla turbines”.
Various designs for prandtl layer turbines have been developed. These include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,402,647 (Effenberger), U.S. Pat. No. 4,218,177 (Robel), U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,679 (Giacomel), U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,197 (Cafarelli) and U.S. Reissue Pat. No. 28,742 (Rafferty et al). Most of these disclosed improvements in the design of a Tesla turbine. However, despite these improvements, Tesla turbines have not been commonly used in commercial environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the instant invention, there is provided a turbine comprising:
(a) a first housing having a first shaft rotatably drivingly connected to a second shaft and mounted in the first housing;
(b) a plurality of first spaced apart discs mounted on the first shaft and rotatable therewith;
(c) a second housing having the second shaft rotatably mounted in the second housing; and,
(d) a plurality of second spaced apart discs mounted on the second shaft and rotatable therewith.
In one embodiment, the first and second housings each have a fluid entry port and a fluid exit port wherein the passage of a first fluid through the first housing imparts rotational force to the first shaft and the rotation of the first shaft causes the second shaft and the second spaced apart members to rotate and move a second fluid through the second housing.
In another embodiment, each spaced apart member in the housing has a pair of opposed surfaces to transmit motive force between fluid introduced through a respective fluid inlet port and the spaced apart members, the surface area of the opposed surfaces varying between at least some of the immediately adjacent spaced apart members.
In another embodiment, each spaced apart member has an inner edge and an outer edge and, for at least a portion of the spaced apart members, the distance between the inner edge and the outer edge of a spaced apart member varies to that of a neighbouring spaced apart member. For at least one of the plurality of first spaced apart members and the plurality of second spaced apart members, the spaced apart members may have a first end and a second end and the distance between the inner edge and the outer edge of the spaced apart members increases from the first end to or towards the second end.
In another embodiment, each spaced apart member comprises a disc having an outer diameter, and the outer diameter of at least some of the discs varies from that of neighbouring discs.
In another embodiment, each spaced apart member comprises a disc having a central opening defining an inner diameter, and the inner diameter of at least some of the discs varies from that of neighbouring discs.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is also provided an apparatus comprising:
(a) a first means for transmitting motive force between a first fluid and a first plurality of rotatable spaced apart members; and,
(b) a second separate means for transmitting motive force between a second fluid and a second plurality of rotatable spaced apart members, the second separate means for transmitting motive being drivenly connected to the first means for transmitting motive force.
In one embodiment, in use, the first and second spaced apart members rotate at different speeds.
In another embodiment, each spaced apart member has a pair of opposed surfaces to transmit motive force between the a fluid and the respective spaced apart members, the surface area of the opposed surfaces varying between at least some of the immediately adjacent spaced apart members.
In another embodiment, for at least one of the plurality of first spaced apart members and the plurality of second spaced apart members, the spaced apart members have a first end and a second end and the distance between the inner edge and the outer edge of the spaced apart members increases from the first end to or towards the second end.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is also provided a method comprising:
(a) passing a first fluid through a first plurality of first spaced apart members to transmit motive force from the first fluid to the first spaced apart members; and,
(b) transmitting the motive force from step (a) to a second plurality of second spaced apart members to cause the second plurality of second spaced apart members to rotate.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises using the second plurality of second spaced apart members as a pump to move a second fluid.
In another embodiment, the method further comprises causing the

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Prandtl layer turbine does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Prandtl layer turbine, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Prandtl layer turbine will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2529952