Prandtl layer turbine

Details Prandtl layer turbine Prandtl layer turbine

1999-01-08

2001-02-06

Reifsnyder, David A. (Department: 1723)

Liquid purification or separation

Tangential flow or centrifugal fluid action

With movable means affecting flow

C210S360100, C210S380100, C210S304000, C209S012100, C209S070000, C209S070000, C055S459100, C055S345000, C055S403000, C055S406000, C415S090000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06183641

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 an apparatus comprising:
(a) a longitudinally extending housing having a fluid inlet port;
(b) a plurality of spaced apart members rotatably mounted in the housing to transmit motive force between fluid introduced through the fluid inlet port and the members and to separate the fluid into at least two fluid streams; and,
(c) a fluid outlet port positioned on the housing for receiving each fluid stream.
In one embodiment, the fluid comprises at least two different constituent elements and the spaced apart members are configured to divide the fluid into a fluid stream for each outlet, each fluid stream having a different composition. The fluid may comprise at least two fluids of differing densities.
In another embodiment, the fluid may include particles of varying sizes and the spaced apart members are configured to divide the fluid into a fluid stream for each outlet, each fluid stream having particles having a different particle size distribution. The apparatus may further comprise at least one cyclone in flow communication with one of the outlets wherein a respective fluid stream passes through the one of the outlets and then through the cyclone to at least partially separate the particles in the fluid stream from the fluid in the fluid stream. Alternately, the apparatus may further comprise a plurality of cyclones, each cyclone in flow communication with an outlet wherein a respective fluid stream passes through the outlet and then through the cyclone to at least partially separate the particles in the fluid stream from the fluid in the fluid stream.
In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a vacuum cleaner.
In another embodiment, each spaced apart member has a pair of opposed surfaces extending between an inner edge and an outer edge and defining a motive force transfer region for transmitting motive force between the fluid and the spaced apart members, adjacent spaced apart members being separated by a longitudinally extending gap, the fluid forming a boundary layer as it passes over the spaced apart members, at least one of the following parameters of the spaced apart members being configured to assist in separating the fluid into at least two fluid streams, the at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of:
(a) the longitudinally extending gap between adjacent spaced apart members;
(b) the surface area of the motive force transfer region of the spaced apart members;
(c) a raised area at at least one discrete location to increase the thickness of the boundary layer as it passes over the increased width at the discrete location;
(d) a raised area at at least one discrete location to enhance the delamination of the boundary layer; and,
(e) at least one fan member positioned in series with the spaced apart members.
In another embodiment, the fluid outlet ports extend longitudinally along the housing and each have a first end positioned towards the upstream end of the spaced apart members and a second end positioned towards the downstream end of the spaced apart members, the second end of at least one of the fluid outlet ports radially displaced along the housing from the first end.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is also provided an apparatus comprising:
(a) a longitudinally extending housing having a means for permitting a fluid to enter the housing;
(b) means for transmitting motive force between the fluid and a plurality of spaced apart means and separating the fluid into at least two fluid streams; and,
(c) means for separately removing each fluid stream from the housing.
In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises at least one fluid/particle separation means in flow communication with one of the means for removing a fluid stream from the housing wherein a respective fluid stream passes through the one of the means for removing a fluid stream from the housing and then through the fluid/particle separation means to at least partially s

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