CA1222432A - Kinetic hydro energy conversion system - Google Patents
Kinetic hydro energy conversion systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1222432A CA1222432A CA000466749A CA466749A CA1222432A CA 1222432 A CA1222432 A CA 1222432A CA 000466749 A CA000466749 A CA 000466749A CA 466749 A CA466749 A CA 466749A CA 1222432 A CA1222432 A CA 1222432A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- rotation
- rotor
- axis
- turbine
- blades
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
- F03B17/00—Other machines or engines
- F03B17/06—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head"
- F03B17/061—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" with rotation axis substantially in flow direction
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
- F03B11/00—Parts or details not provided for in, or of interest apart from, the preceding groups, e.g. wear-protection couplings, between turbine and generator
- F03B11/08—Parts or details not provided for in, or of interest apart from, the preceding groups, e.g. wear-protection couplings, between turbine and generator for removing foreign matter, e.g. mud
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
- F03B3/00—Machines or engines of reaction type; Parts or details peculiar thereto
- F03B3/12—Blades; Blade-carrying rotors
- F03B3/126—Rotors for essentially axial flow, e.g. for propeller turbines
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/20—Hydro energy
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S416/00—Fluid reaction surfaces, i.e. impellers
- Y10S416/02—Formulas of curves
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A kinetic hydro energy conversion system having a turbine for mounting in a hydro energy source, wherein the turbine comprises a rotor having conformal blades and a screen for horizontally deflecting debris from the blades.
A kinetic hydro energy conversion system having a turbine for mounting in a hydro energy source, wherein the turbine comprises a rotor having conformal blades and a screen for horizontally deflecting debris from the blades.
Description
BACKGROIJND OF THE :~NVENTION ~2~2 The present invention relates to a kinetic hydro energy conversion system and in particular to an underwater turbine-generator for use therewith.
It has long been desirable to utilize free flow-ing water in rivers or estuaries for the generation of electricity. Several prior art patents have been issued wherein such sy~stems have been disclosed, however these prior art patents have not resulted in any commercially effective kinetic hydro energy conversion system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an aspect of the invention 'chere is provided in a kinetic hydro energy conversion system having a turbine with a rotor including a cylindrical hub and blades having one end fixed to the hub, wherein the rotor rotates about an axis of rotation corresponding to the central axis of the hub, wherein each blade has an airfoil profile at any section thereof between the ends of the blade with a twist angle and chord length defined in accordance with Glauert equations, the improve-ment wherein the airfoil profile for each blade section disposed at a distance from the axis of rotation lies on the surface of a cylinder having its center at the axis of rotation and its radius equal to said distance from the axis of rotation, whereby the airfoil profiles will be aligned with the direction of rotation motion of the blades.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of producing blades for a kinetic hydro energy conversion turbine rotor comprising 3~:
the steps of: determing a plurality of initially planar airfoil proEiles to be disposed at different distances from the axis oE rotation of the rotor, with each profile having a twist angle and chord length defined in accordance with Glauert airfoil equations; conforming each air~oil profile onto the surace of a cylinder having its center at the axis of rotation and its radius equal to the distance of the profile from the axis of rotation; and forming the outer surface of the blade according to the conformed profile~s; whereby the airfoil profiles of the resulting blade will be aligned with the direction of rotating motion during use.
The main object of the present invention is to provide an underwater turbine-generator for a kinetic hydro energy conversion system which advances the state of the art simultaneously in several areas to obtain an underwater axial flow turbine which is not unlike such turbines which are used for wind energy conversion, but differing in important respect to obtain an efficient underwater turbine-generator for use in free-flowing water.
The present invention, unlike previous efforts to generate electricity from flowing water, is practical and economic because its clesign uses both modern techniques and simple construction to achieve long term unattended operation.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a kinetic hydro energy conversion system for unidirectional river flow wherein the turbine generator preferably includes a turbine mounted and held in place by ~ 2a~2 1 a heavy reinforced concrete base which is either entirely
It has long been desirable to utilize free flow-ing water in rivers or estuaries for the generation of electricity. Several prior art patents have been issued wherein such sy~stems have been disclosed, however these prior art patents have not resulted in any commercially effective kinetic hydro energy conversion system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an aspect of the invention 'chere is provided in a kinetic hydro energy conversion system having a turbine with a rotor including a cylindrical hub and blades having one end fixed to the hub, wherein the rotor rotates about an axis of rotation corresponding to the central axis of the hub, wherein each blade has an airfoil profile at any section thereof between the ends of the blade with a twist angle and chord length defined in accordance with Glauert equations, the improve-ment wherein the airfoil profile for each blade section disposed at a distance from the axis of rotation lies on the surface of a cylinder having its center at the axis of rotation and its radius equal to said distance from the axis of rotation, whereby the airfoil profiles will be aligned with the direction of rotation motion of the blades.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of producing blades for a kinetic hydro energy conversion turbine rotor comprising 3~:
the steps of: determing a plurality of initially planar airfoil proEiles to be disposed at different distances from the axis oE rotation of the rotor, with each profile having a twist angle and chord length defined in accordance with Glauert airfoil equations; conforming each air~oil profile onto the surace of a cylinder having its center at the axis of rotation and its radius equal to the distance of the profile from the axis of rotation; and forming the outer surface of the blade according to the conformed profile~s; whereby the airfoil profiles of the resulting blade will be aligned with the direction of rotating motion during use.
The main object of the present invention is to provide an underwater turbine-generator for a kinetic hydro energy conversion system which advances the state of the art simultaneously in several areas to obtain an underwater axial flow turbine which is not unlike such turbines which are used for wind energy conversion, but differing in important respect to obtain an efficient underwater turbine-generator for use in free-flowing water.
The present invention, unlike previous efforts to generate electricity from flowing water, is practical and economic because its clesign uses both modern techniques and simple construction to achieve long term unattended operation.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a kinetic hydro energy conversion system for unidirectional river flow wherein the turbine generator preferably includes a turbine mounted and held in place by ~ 2a~2 1 a heavy reinforced concrete base which is either entirely
2 prefabrlcated or prefabricated as a caisson and poured in
3 place on the river bottom. Tied to the steel reinforcement
4 of the concrete base is a strong steel structure which supports both the turbine and its protective screen. The 6 turbine rotor must be protected from submerged objects 7 carried by water current and this is preferably achieved by 8 a screen made of steel bars, constructed so as to deflect 9 rather than trap debris. In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, a plumb bow screen is 11 used which has a novel design which protects the circular 12 area of the rotor utilizing a single straight leading edge, 13 parallel grid bars and cause only horizontal deflection of 14 debris~
The turbine rotor is preferably configured so that 16 water flowing past the rotor causes it to rotate which in 17 turn causes the gear box and generator shafts of the turbine 18 to rotate. The rotor may be located either upstream or 19 downstream of the machinery and it can be comprised of any number of blades, wi-th two to six being the most preferred.
21 The turbine rotor according to the present 22 invention is substantially designed according to the Glauert 2243 propeller theory. This theory has been utilized for the water environment, which is significantly different from that of air in terms of density, velocity and the potential 26 for cavitation. The rotor design according to the present 27 invention has taken these factors into account and 29 additional factors having to do with the actua] strength and ~ 3;~:
1 geometry of the water rotors. These considerations have 2 resulted in the creation of conformal blades and this design 3 solves the problem that the chord of a given blade section 4 is on the order of the radial distance of that section and thus, simple, flat, tangen-t foil shaped incur error in terms 6 of contradicting the assumptions of the Glauert theory.
7 Specifically, the conforrnal blades in accordance 8 wi-th the present invention cause the airfoil sections to be ~ aligned with the clirection of rotating motion of the blades.
This correction has been found to be especially important 11 near the hub. In the conformal blades, the flat foil 12 sections are effectively curved around the surface of an 13 imaginary cylinder ~oaxial with the rotor and of a radius 14 equal to that of the section.
The present invention also includes mechanical and 16 electric generation components situated in a watertight 17 containment or nacelle. These components are protected from 18 water intrusion by various static seals and an arrangement 19 of long-life, high effectiveness rotating shaft face seals for the low speed rotor shaft. In accordance with the 22 present invention, the shapes of the rotor hub and shaft housing can be such that they act as a classifier, which, by 23 the rotation of the hub, passively tends to expel 24 destructive water borne particles from the area of the seal thus helping to prolong its life. Significant water 26 intrusion through the seals can be detected and causes 27 turbine shut down and alarm.
~ L3~
l In an alternative embodiment, the nacelle is 2 eliminated by using a unitary sealed torque hub for the 3 gearbox with a face mount generator moun-ted directly to it.
4 Both of these components are fully sealed and require no separate nacelle. This embodiment also has the advantage of ~ achieving the most efficient cooling by the ambient water.
7 The rotating mechanical components in the present 8 invention include -the slow speed shaft, couplings, gearbox, 9 high speed shaft, brake (optional~ and electric generator.
Rotor speed for this device is approximately 60 rpm for a 12 11 foot diameter machine which is inherently low compared to 12 that of practical electric generators. The speed must be 13 increased by a gearbox to a generator speed in the range of 14 approximately 900 to 3600 rpm. Furthermore, the water speed and thus rotor speed varies over a range, and thus means are 16 provided to generate electricity usefully at different 17 speeds of rotation. This is accomplished in a number of 18 ways, including DC to synchronous AC, asynchronous AC to DC
19 to synchronous AC, an AC induction generator, and a number 21 f other techniques which to electronically provide synchronous ~C power with a variable-speed prime mover.
22 Power, signal and control conductors are taken to 23 a point on shore for control and protection and eventual interconnection by submarine electric cables.
In another embodiment of the present .invention, a box or building on shore will contain control logic and 27 protective relaying for one or more turbine units. The box 29 or building also contains devices for conditioning the power for interconnecting with the utility grid or local demand.
122~32 1 In a further embodiment according to the present 2 inven-tion, the system is usable with a ~idirectional 3 resource such as tidal estuaries and wherein the aforementioned embodiment further comprises means mounting the turbine to articulate around the yaw axis, thus 6 captuxing energy in both directions. Since, unlike wind, 7 reversing water currents are approximately opposite in 8 direction, this yaw de~ice can incorporate stops which 9 permit only slightly less than 180 degree rotation, thereby eliminating the need for expensive and potentially 11 unreliable slip rings. In this case, the entire turbine and ¦
12 screen structure will turn together as a unit around a yaw 13 bearing in a vertical pylon.
14 The present invention will now be described in more detail with regard to the following description and the 16 attached drawings, wherein:
_ _ _ __ 18 Fig. 1 is a front view of a turbine according to 19 the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a side view of the turhine of Fig. 1;
22 Fig. 3 is a front view of a nonconformal blade;
Fig. ~ is a sectional view of a different sections 23 of Fig. 3;
24 Fig. 5 is a front view of a conformal blade according to the present invention;
26 Fig. 6 is a partial cutaway view of the turbine 28 according to the present invention;
29 Fig. 7 is a partial sectional and cutaway view of the turbine of Fig. 6;
.~
l Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the turbine of 2 Fig. 6 with a plumb bow screen according to the present 3 invention;
Fig. 9 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
6 Fig. 10 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig.
7 9;
8 Fig. 11 is a top view of the embodiment of Fig. 9;
9 and Fig. 12 is a schematic representation of a system ll according to the present invention;
. .~
13 Referring now to Figs. 1-2, a kinetic hydro energy 14 conversion system 10 includes a heavy reinforced concrete base 11 to which a s-teel support structure 17, 18 and 19 are 16 connected for supporting both the turbine 30 and its 17 protective screen 20.
18 In the embodiment shown in Figs. l and 2, the screen 20 is constructed of steel bars so as to deflect rather than trap debris. The novel design shown in Figs. l 21 and 2, protects the circular area of rotor 33 utilizing a 22 single straight leading edge comprising the spine 19 which 24 is part of the support structure and has parallel grid bars 21 connecting the spine l9 to the back supports 18 and causing only horizontal deflection of debris.
26 The turbine shown in Figs. 1 and 2 has a partial ~7 nacelle 36 and a unitized torque hub meaning the torque hub 29 34 has the motor 35 mounted directed to it in a sealed housing. Wires 12a pass through a conduit in a protected position on the screen 20 and pass through the concrete base and outwardly thereof as wires 12b for connection.
~ 32 1 The blades used in rotor 33 are shown in more 2 detail in Figs. 3-5. Figs. 3 and 4 show the configuration 3 of a nonconformal blade in a front view in Fig. 3 and a 4 sectional view at lines A, B and C in Fiy. 4.
The conformal blades differ from the nonconformal 6 blades in that it solves the problem that the chord of a 7 given blade section is on the order of the radial distance 8 of that and thus simple, flat, tan~ent foil shapes incur 9 error in terms of contradicting the assumptions of the Glauert theory of wind propeller design. The conformal 11 blades cause the airfoil sections to be aligned with the 12 direction of rotating motion of the blades. In particular, 13 near the hub, the flat foil sections are effectively curved 14 around the surface of the imaginary cylinder coaxial with the rotor and of a radius equal to that of the section.
16 Fig. 5 illustrates the three dimensional phenomonon in a two 17 dimensional figure.
18 Figs. 6-7 illustrate the mechanical and electrical 19 generation components in a water tight nacelle in accordance with the present invention. In the embodiments shown in 21 E'ig. 6, the main shaft 41 extends from a unitary nacelle 50 22 which forms a housing torque hub for the gearbox 46 and 23 generator 48. The elements are interconnected as shown, 24 with the main shaft 41 extending out of the shaft housing 43 26 which has mounting studs 42 extending therefrom. The main 27 shaft 41 is coupled b~ a low speed shaft coupling 44 in 28 nacelle S0 to gearbox 46 whose output shaft is coupled by a 29 high speed shaft coupling 47 to generator 48. Gearbox 46 and generator 48 are further supported by a shovel base 45.
~ Z~3~
1 Fig. 7 shows in more detai.l the seals and other 2 means utilized to provide a water tight containment of the 3 mechanical and electrical generation components of the 4 system according to the present invention.
As can be clearly seen, the shaft housing 43 is 6 mounted by way of mounting studs 42 on a mounting ring 61.
7 The rotor hub 52 having blades 51 depending therefrom and a 8 nose cone or fairing 53 at the front thereof is mounted on 9 main shaft 41 with key way 41a preventing any relative rotation. The rear of nacelle 50 has a rear fairing 53A to 11 help to flow smoothly thereover.
12 It should be noted, that the configuration of the 13 rotor hub and shaft housing as shown in Fig. 7 form a 14 classifier 70, which, by the rotation of the hub, passively tends to expel desctructive water borne particles from the 16 area of the outboard seal 64 disposed between the shaft 17 sleeve 65 and the shaft housing 43.
18 Other portions of the shaft mounting comprise an 19 outboard main seal cavity 66 around the thrust collar 67 and further sealed by shaft seals 68. Additionally, an inboard 212 main seal cavity 69 is formed in front of a front main bearing 71. The shaft is also mounted by a rear main 23 bearing 72 held by a rear main bearing carrier 73 and a rear 24 main bearing retaining in oil seal 74. The shaft housing 43 also includes a wire way 75 and a weep channel 76 near the ? 6 lantern ring 77.
27 In the nacelle 50, is further disposed a gearbox 29 mounting flange 78 and hand holes 79 in the shovel base 45.
In order to effect the p]acement of the system in a river, lifting eyes 62 and 63 are provided on the shaft housing and the nacelle .respective]y.
122Z4~
l Fig. 8 shows a plumb bow screen 80 for use wi~h 2 the devlce shown in Fig. 7 and specifically comprising a 3 hoop 81 connected to the mounting ring 61 by plumb spoke 82 and lateral spokes 83. Extending from the top of the hoop 81 is a trailing boom 84 which has a pylon flange 85 at the 6 leading edge thereof. The pylon 85A mounts the turbine from 7 above, as opposed to the Fig. 1-2 embodiment. Depending 8 downwardly from the pylon flan~e 85 is plumb bow 86 which 9 supports the bars 87 and 88 which extend from the plumb bow lO ¦ to the hoop. The configuration shown in Figs. 6-8 is that ll ¦ of an upstream rotor, as opposed to the downstream rotor 12 1 shown in Figs. 1-2 and hereinafter in Figs~ 9-11.
13 ¦ Fig. 13 shows an alternative embodiment of the 14 ¦ turbine of Figs. 6-8 in the manner in which the turbine is 15 1 mounted. As noted above, the configuration shown in Figs.
16 ¦ 6-8 is that o~ an upstream rotor. Fig. 13 shows the 17 ¦ mounting of the same rotor as a downstream rotor connected 18 ¦ to a spine 19' similar to that shown in Fig. 1. In the 19 ¦ embodiment shown in Fig. 13, all of the elements which are 20 ¦ identical in function to those of Fig. 7, are listed with l I the same label primed.
22 ¦ In addition, this embodiment includes an end plate 23 ¦ 92 directly welded to the spine 19' and the nacelle is 224 ¦ mounted to the end plate 92 via mounting screws 42'. The ¦ end plate 92 has a wire way 75' so that wires can pass 26 ¦ through same to the base. The end plate 92 is sealed to the 27 ¦ nacelle with an O-ring 91. The spine 19' has a hollow 28 ~ center for communication with the wire-way 75 and for the ¦ passage of wires to the base. A reinforcing rib 93 is 30 ¦ welded to the end plate 92 to further aid in the support of ¦ the turbine.
l 10 ~2~2~L3;~:
l Figs. 9-11 are directed to an alternative 2 embodiment of the present invention wherein a bidirectional 3 resource such as a tidal estuary can be used for generating 4 electricity. The system 110 shown therein comprise a reinforced concrete base 11 to which a turbine 130 having 6 downstream rotor 133 is connected along with a screen 120.
7 The system further comprises a bearly 140 for permitting 8 articulation around the yaw axis and comprisin~ stops which 9 permit slightly less than 180 rotation. This means comprises yaw bearing 1~1 partly embedded in the concrete ll base 111 connected to pylon 142 which is thereafter 12 connected to nacelle 131.
13 Nacelle 131 also includes a forward fairing 135 14 and a hub fairing 136 to make the turbine more aerodynamic that is, helps the water flow more smoothly over the 16 nacelle 17 While the screen 120 includes screen grid bars 18 121, it can also comprise a small diffuser 125 attached to 19 the screen bars. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 9-11, it can be seen that the design is for a downstream rotor and 21 although this is the preferred embodiment i-t should be noted that the nacelle and 23 rotor assembly can be reversed to have an ups-tream of the 24 major portion of the nacelle.
Fig. 12 shows one embodiment of a kinetic hydro 27 energy conversion system site using 10 turbines, all 28 commonly connected to an electric grid.
~ 4~:
l As shown, five sets of two generators 201-210 are 2 spaced apart every 40 meters. Generators 201 and 202 are 3 connected respectively by submarine cables to two generator 4 control boxes per pole 211, 212, turbines 203 and 204 are connected to boxes 213, 214, turbines 205 and 206 are 6 connected -to boxes 215, 216, turbines 207 and 208 are 7 connected to boxes 217, 218 and turbines 209 and 210 are 8 connected to boxes 219 and 220.
9 Two cables 221 connect boxes 211 and 212 to boxes 213 and 214 and two cable 224 connect boxes 219 and 220 to 11 boxes 217 and 218. Four cables 222 are used to connect 12 boxes 213, 214 to boxes 215 and 216 and four cables 223 are 13 used to connect boxes 217 and 218 to boxes 215 and 216.
14 In one example, cable emanating from boxes 215 and lS 216 carrying 480 volts at 200 kilowatts is connected to a 16 common switch gear 226 which can be a box or building on 17 shore and which contains control logic and protective 18 relaying for conditioning the power grid and interconnecting 19 with utility grid or local damand. The output of the common switch gear 226 on cable 227 is 13 kilovolts at 200 21 kilowatts.
22 It will be appreciated that the instant 23 specification and claims are set forth by way of 24 illustration and not limitation, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from 26 the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The turbine rotor is preferably configured so that 16 water flowing past the rotor causes it to rotate which in 17 turn causes the gear box and generator shafts of the turbine 18 to rotate. The rotor may be located either upstream or 19 downstream of the machinery and it can be comprised of any number of blades, wi-th two to six being the most preferred.
21 The turbine rotor according to the present 22 invention is substantially designed according to the Glauert 2243 propeller theory. This theory has been utilized for the water environment, which is significantly different from that of air in terms of density, velocity and the potential 26 for cavitation. The rotor design according to the present 27 invention has taken these factors into account and 29 additional factors having to do with the actua] strength and ~ 3;~:
1 geometry of the water rotors. These considerations have 2 resulted in the creation of conformal blades and this design 3 solves the problem that the chord of a given blade section 4 is on the order of the radial distance of that section and thus, simple, flat, tangen-t foil shaped incur error in terms 6 of contradicting the assumptions of the Glauert theory.
7 Specifically, the conforrnal blades in accordance 8 wi-th the present invention cause the airfoil sections to be ~ aligned with the clirection of rotating motion of the blades.
This correction has been found to be especially important 11 near the hub. In the conformal blades, the flat foil 12 sections are effectively curved around the surface of an 13 imaginary cylinder ~oaxial with the rotor and of a radius 14 equal to that of the section.
The present invention also includes mechanical and 16 electric generation components situated in a watertight 17 containment or nacelle. These components are protected from 18 water intrusion by various static seals and an arrangement 19 of long-life, high effectiveness rotating shaft face seals for the low speed rotor shaft. In accordance with the 22 present invention, the shapes of the rotor hub and shaft housing can be such that they act as a classifier, which, by 23 the rotation of the hub, passively tends to expel 24 destructive water borne particles from the area of the seal thus helping to prolong its life. Significant water 26 intrusion through the seals can be detected and causes 27 turbine shut down and alarm.
~ L3~
l In an alternative embodiment, the nacelle is 2 eliminated by using a unitary sealed torque hub for the 3 gearbox with a face mount generator moun-ted directly to it.
4 Both of these components are fully sealed and require no separate nacelle. This embodiment also has the advantage of ~ achieving the most efficient cooling by the ambient water.
7 The rotating mechanical components in the present 8 invention include -the slow speed shaft, couplings, gearbox, 9 high speed shaft, brake (optional~ and electric generator.
Rotor speed for this device is approximately 60 rpm for a 12 11 foot diameter machine which is inherently low compared to 12 that of practical electric generators. The speed must be 13 increased by a gearbox to a generator speed in the range of 14 approximately 900 to 3600 rpm. Furthermore, the water speed and thus rotor speed varies over a range, and thus means are 16 provided to generate electricity usefully at different 17 speeds of rotation. This is accomplished in a number of 18 ways, including DC to synchronous AC, asynchronous AC to DC
19 to synchronous AC, an AC induction generator, and a number 21 f other techniques which to electronically provide synchronous ~C power with a variable-speed prime mover.
22 Power, signal and control conductors are taken to 23 a point on shore for control and protection and eventual interconnection by submarine electric cables.
In another embodiment of the present .invention, a box or building on shore will contain control logic and 27 protective relaying for one or more turbine units. The box 29 or building also contains devices for conditioning the power for interconnecting with the utility grid or local demand.
122~32 1 In a further embodiment according to the present 2 inven-tion, the system is usable with a ~idirectional 3 resource such as tidal estuaries and wherein the aforementioned embodiment further comprises means mounting the turbine to articulate around the yaw axis, thus 6 captuxing energy in both directions. Since, unlike wind, 7 reversing water currents are approximately opposite in 8 direction, this yaw de~ice can incorporate stops which 9 permit only slightly less than 180 degree rotation, thereby eliminating the need for expensive and potentially 11 unreliable slip rings. In this case, the entire turbine and ¦
12 screen structure will turn together as a unit around a yaw 13 bearing in a vertical pylon.
14 The present invention will now be described in more detail with regard to the following description and the 16 attached drawings, wherein:
_ _ _ __ 18 Fig. 1 is a front view of a turbine according to 19 the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a side view of the turhine of Fig. 1;
22 Fig. 3 is a front view of a nonconformal blade;
Fig. ~ is a sectional view of a different sections 23 of Fig. 3;
24 Fig. 5 is a front view of a conformal blade according to the present invention;
26 Fig. 6 is a partial cutaway view of the turbine 28 according to the present invention;
29 Fig. 7 is a partial sectional and cutaway view of the turbine of Fig. 6;
.~
l Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the turbine of 2 Fig. 6 with a plumb bow screen according to the present 3 invention;
Fig. 9 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
6 Fig. 10 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig.
7 9;
8 Fig. 11 is a top view of the embodiment of Fig. 9;
9 and Fig. 12 is a schematic representation of a system ll according to the present invention;
. .~
13 Referring now to Figs. 1-2, a kinetic hydro energy 14 conversion system 10 includes a heavy reinforced concrete base 11 to which a s-teel support structure 17, 18 and 19 are 16 connected for supporting both the turbine 30 and its 17 protective screen 20.
18 In the embodiment shown in Figs. l and 2, the screen 20 is constructed of steel bars so as to deflect rather than trap debris. The novel design shown in Figs. l 21 and 2, protects the circular area of rotor 33 utilizing a 22 single straight leading edge comprising the spine 19 which 24 is part of the support structure and has parallel grid bars 21 connecting the spine l9 to the back supports 18 and causing only horizontal deflection of debris.
26 The turbine shown in Figs. 1 and 2 has a partial ~7 nacelle 36 and a unitized torque hub meaning the torque hub 29 34 has the motor 35 mounted directed to it in a sealed housing. Wires 12a pass through a conduit in a protected position on the screen 20 and pass through the concrete base and outwardly thereof as wires 12b for connection.
~ 32 1 The blades used in rotor 33 are shown in more 2 detail in Figs. 3-5. Figs. 3 and 4 show the configuration 3 of a nonconformal blade in a front view in Fig. 3 and a 4 sectional view at lines A, B and C in Fiy. 4.
The conformal blades differ from the nonconformal 6 blades in that it solves the problem that the chord of a 7 given blade section is on the order of the radial distance 8 of that and thus simple, flat, tan~ent foil shapes incur 9 error in terms of contradicting the assumptions of the Glauert theory of wind propeller design. The conformal 11 blades cause the airfoil sections to be aligned with the 12 direction of rotating motion of the blades. In particular, 13 near the hub, the flat foil sections are effectively curved 14 around the surface of the imaginary cylinder coaxial with the rotor and of a radius equal to that of the section.
16 Fig. 5 illustrates the three dimensional phenomonon in a two 17 dimensional figure.
18 Figs. 6-7 illustrate the mechanical and electrical 19 generation components in a water tight nacelle in accordance with the present invention. In the embodiments shown in 21 E'ig. 6, the main shaft 41 extends from a unitary nacelle 50 22 which forms a housing torque hub for the gearbox 46 and 23 generator 48. The elements are interconnected as shown, 24 with the main shaft 41 extending out of the shaft housing 43 26 which has mounting studs 42 extending therefrom. The main 27 shaft 41 is coupled b~ a low speed shaft coupling 44 in 28 nacelle S0 to gearbox 46 whose output shaft is coupled by a 29 high speed shaft coupling 47 to generator 48. Gearbox 46 and generator 48 are further supported by a shovel base 45.
~ Z~3~
1 Fig. 7 shows in more detai.l the seals and other 2 means utilized to provide a water tight containment of the 3 mechanical and electrical generation components of the 4 system according to the present invention.
As can be clearly seen, the shaft housing 43 is 6 mounted by way of mounting studs 42 on a mounting ring 61.
7 The rotor hub 52 having blades 51 depending therefrom and a 8 nose cone or fairing 53 at the front thereof is mounted on 9 main shaft 41 with key way 41a preventing any relative rotation. The rear of nacelle 50 has a rear fairing 53A to 11 help to flow smoothly thereover.
12 It should be noted, that the configuration of the 13 rotor hub and shaft housing as shown in Fig. 7 form a 14 classifier 70, which, by the rotation of the hub, passively tends to expel desctructive water borne particles from the 16 area of the outboard seal 64 disposed between the shaft 17 sleeve 65 and the shaft housing 43.
18 Other portions of the shaft mounting comprise an 19 outboard main seal cavity 66 around the thrust collar 67 and further sealed by shaft seals 68. Additionally, an inboard 212 main seal cavity 69 is formed in front of a front main bearing 71. The shaft is also mounted by a rear main 23 bearing 72 held by a rear main bearing carrier 73 and a rear 24 main bearing retaining in oil seal 74. The shaft housing 43 also includes a wire way 75 and a weep channel 76 near the ? 6 lantern ring 77.
27 In the nacelle 50, is further disposed a gearbox 29 mounting flange 78 and hand holes 79 in the shovel base 45.
In order to effect the p]acement of the system in a river, lifting eyes 62 and 63 are provided on the shaft housing and the nacelle .respective]y.
122Z4~
l Fig. 8 shows a plumb bow screen 80 for use wi~h 2 the devlce shown in Fig. 7 and specifically comprising a 3 hoop 81 connected to the mounting ring 61 by plumb spoke 82 and lateral spokes 83. Extending from the top of the hoop 81 is a trailing boom 84 which has a pylon flange 85 at the 6 leading edge thereof. The pylon 85A mounts the turbine from 7 above, as opposed to the Fig. 1-2 embodiment. Depending 8 downwardly from the pylon flan~e 85 is plumb bow 86 which 9 supports the bars 87 and 88 which extend from the plumb bow lO ¦ to the hoop. The configuration shown in Figs. 6-8 is that ll ¦ of an upstream rotor, as opposed to the downstream rotor 12 1 shown in Figs. 1-2 and hereinafter in Figs~ 9-11.
13 ¦ Fig. 13 shows an alternative embodiment of the 14 ¦ turbine of Figs. 6-8 in the manner in which the turbine is 15 1 mounted. As noted above, the configuration shown in Figs.
16 ¦ 6-8 is that o~ an upstream rotor. Fig. 13 shows the 17 ¦ mounting of the same rotor as a downstream rotor connected 18 ¦ to a spine 19' similar to that shown in Fig. 1. In the 19 ¦ embodiment shown in Fig. 13, all of the elements which are 20 ¦ identical in function to those of Fig. 7, are listed with l I the same label primed.
22 ¦ In addition, this embodiment includes an end plate 23 ¦ 92 directly welded to the spine 19' and the nacelle is 224 ¦ mounted to the end plate 92 via mounting screws 42'. The ¦ end plate 92 has a wire way 75' so that wires can pass 26 ¦ through same to the base. The end plate 92 is sealed to the 27 ¦ nacelle with an O-ring 91. The spine 19' has a hollow 28 ~ center for communication with the wire-way 75 and for the ¦ passage of wires to the base. A reinforcing rib 93 is 30 ¦ welded to the end plate 92 to further aid in the support of ¦ the turbine.
l 10 ~2~2~L3;~:
l Figs. 9-11 are directed to an alternative 2 embodiment of the present invention wherein a bidirectional 3 resource such as a tidal estuary can be used for generating 4 electricity. The system 110 shown therein comprise a reinforced concrete base 11 to which a turbine 130 having 6 downstream rotor 133 is connected along with a screen 120.
7 The system further comprises a bearly 140 for permitting 8 articulation around the yaw axis and comprisin~ stops which 9 permit slightly less than 180 rotation. This means comprises yaw bearing 1~1 partly embedded in the concrete ll base 111 connected to pylon 142 which is thereafter 12 connected to nacelle 131.
13 Nacelle 131 also includes a forward fairing 135 14 and a hub fairing 136 to make the turbine more aerodynamic that is, helps the water flow more smoothly over the 16 nacelle 17 While the screen 120 includes screen grid bars 18 121, it can also comprise a small diffuser 125 attached to 19 the screen bars. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 9-11, it can be seen that the design is for a downstream rotor and 21 although this is the preferred embodiment i-t should be noted that the nacelle and 23 rotor assembly can be reversed to have an ups-tream of the 24 major portion of the nacelle.
Fig. 12 shows one embodiment of a kinetic hydro 27 energy conversion system site using 10 turbines, all 28 commonly connected to an electric grid.
~ 4~:
l As shown, five sets of two generators 201-210 are 2 spaced apart every 40 meters. Generators 201 and 202 are 3 connected respectively by submarine cables to two generator 4 control boxes per pole 211, 212, turbines 203 and 204 are connected to boxes 213, 214, turbines 205 and 206 are 6 connected -to boxes 215, 216, turbines 207 and 208 are 7 connected to boxes 217, 218 and turbines 209 and 210 are 8 connected to boxes 219 and 220.
9 Two cables 221 connect boxes 211 and 212 to boxes 213 and 214 and two cable 224 connect boxes 219 and 220 to 11 boxes 217 and 218. Four cables 222 are used to connect 12 boxes 213, 214 to boxes 215 and 216 and four cables 223 are 13 used to connect boxes 217 and 218 to boxes 215 and 216.
14 In one example, cable emanating from boxes 215 and lS 216 carrying 480 volts at 200 kilowatts is connected to a 16 common switch gear 226 which can be a box or building on 17 shore and which contains control logic and protective 18 relaying for conditioning the power grid and interconnecting 19 with utility grid or local damand. The output of the common switch gear 226 on cable 227 is 13 kilovolts at 200 21 kilowatts.
22 It will be appreciated that the instant 23 specification and claims are set forth by way of 24 illustration and not limitation, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from 26 the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Claims (11)
1. In a kinetic hydro energy conversion system having a turbine with a rotor including a cylindrical hub and blades having one end fixed to the hub, wherein the rotor rotates about an axis of rotation corresponding to the central axis of the hub, wherein each blade has an airfoil profile at any section thereof between the ends of the blade with a twist angle and chord length defined in accordance with Glauert equations, the improvement wherein the airfoil profile for each blade section disposed at a distance from the axis of rotation lies on the surface of a cylinder having its center at the axis of rotation and its radius equal to said distance from the axis of rotation, whereby the airfoil profiles will be aligned with the direction of rotation motion of the blades.
2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means mounting the turbine for rotation about the yaw axis.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the turbine further comprises a watertight nacelle.
4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the rotor is mounted on the upstream side of the nacelle.
5. The system according to claim 3, wherein the rotor is mounted on the downstream side of the nacelle.
6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising screening means disposed upstream of the blades for horizontally deflecting debris away from the blades.
7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the screening means comprises a plumb bow screen.
8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the plumb bow screen comprises a ring around the blades, a vertical spine upstream of the rotor and a plurality of horizontal bars connected between the spine and the ring.
9. The system according to claim 2, wherein the mounting means includes means mounting the turbine for rotation of less than 180°.
10. The system according to claim 6 wherein the screening means comprises a single vertical leading edge and horizontal members extending rearwardly therefrom.
11. A method of producing blades for a kinetic hydro energy conversion turbine rotor comprising the steps of: determing a plurality of initially planar airfoil profiles to be disposed at different distances from the axis of rotation of the rotor, with each profile having a twist angle and chord length defined in accordance with Glauert airfoil equations; conforming each airfoil profile onto the surface of a cylinder having its center at the axis of rotation and its radius equal to the distance of the profile from the axis of rotation; and forming the outer surface of the blade according to the conformed profiles; whereby the airfoil profiles of the resulting blade will be aligned with the direction of rotating motion during use.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US06/592,325 US4613279A (en) | 1984-03-22 | 1984-03-22 | Kinetic hydro energy conversion system |
| US592,325 | 1984-03-22 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1222432A true CA1222432A (en) | 1987-06-02 |
Family
ID=24370215
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000466749A Expired CA1222432A (en) | 1984-03-22 | 1984-10-31 | Kinetic hydro energy conversion system |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4613279A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1222432A (en) |
Families Citing this family (59)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA1270700A (en) * | 1986-03-27 | 1990-06-26 | Hans Bjorkestam | Shrouded propeller |
| US5798572A (en) * | 1996-04-15 | 1998-08-25 | Lehoczky; Kalman N. | Under water hydro-turbine energy generator design |
| US6104097A (en) * | 1999-03-04 | 2000-08-15 | Lehoczky; Kalman N. | Underwater hydro-turbine for hydrogen production |
| US6452287B1 (en) * | 1999-06-14 | 2002-09-17 | Ivan Looker | Windmill and method to use same to generate electricity, pumped air or rotational shaft energy |
| FR2797921B1 (en) * | 1999-09-01 | 2001-09-28 | Alstom | WIND TURBINE PLATFORM CONSISTING OF THE CARCASS OF AN ELECTRIC GENERATOR |
| US6885114B2 (en) | 1999-10-05 | 2005-04-26 | Access Business Group International, Llc | Miniature hydro-power generation system |
| KR100728421B1 (en) | 1999-10-05 | 2007-06-13 | 액세스 비지니스 그룹 인터내셔날 엘엘씨 | Hydro-power generation for a water treatment system |
| NL1013559C2 (en) * | 1999-11-11 | 2001-05-28 | Peter Alexander Josephus Pas | System for producing hydrogen from water using a water stream such as a wave stream or tidal stream. |
| NO322927B1 (en) * | 2001-02-13 | 2006-12-18 | Hammerfest Strom As | Device for the production of energy from streams in water bodies, an anchorage, and method of installation of the device |
| US6531788B2 (en) * | 2001-02-22 | 2003-03-11 | John H. Robson | Submersible electrical power generating plant |
| PT1467091E (en) * | 2001-07-11 | 2012-05-28 | Hydra Tidal Energy Technology As | Floating water current turbine with counter rotating coaxial rotors |
| AT411093B (en) * | 2001-12-07 | 2003-09-25 | Va Tech Hydro Gmbh & Co | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING ELECTRICAL ENERGY |
| US6982498B2 (en) | 2003-03-28 | 2006-01-03 | Tharp John E | Hydro-electric farms |
| US7675188B2 (en) * | 2003-10-09 | 2010-03-09 | Access Business Group International, Llc | Miniature hydro-power generation system |
| US7345376B2 (en) * | 2004-11-30 | 2008-03-18 | Distributed Energy Systems Corporation | Passively cooled direct drive wind turbine |
| US7597532B2 (en) | 2005-05-06 | 2009-10-06 | Verdant Power, Inc. | Single sided power generator support frame |
| US7215036B1 (en) * | 2005-05-19 | 2007-05-08 | Donald Hollis Gehring | Current power generator |
| US7352078B2 (en) * | 2005-05-19 | 2008-04-01 | Donald Hollis Gehring | Offshore power generator with current, wave or alternative generators |
| US7190087B2 (en) * | 2005-07-20 | 2007-03-13 | Williams Herbert L | Hydroelectric turbine and method for producing electricity from tidal flow |
| US7456514B2 (en) * | 2005-09-22 | 2008-11-25 | Verdant Power | Kinetic hydropower generation from slow-moving water flows |
| US20090302611A1 (en) * | 2006-04-28 | 2009-12-10 | Ian Masters | Turbine |
| US7291936B1 (en) * | 2006-05-03 | 2007-11-06 | Robson John H | Submersible electrical power generating plant |
| US20080018115A1 (en) * | 2006-07-20 | 2008-01-24 | Boray Technologies, Inc. | Semi-submersible hydroelectric power plant |
| GB2443636B (en) * | 2006-11-08 | 2009-03-18 | Charles Edward Atkinson | Apparatus, installation and method for electrical power generation |
| US7789629B2 (en) * | 2006-12-07 | 2010-09-07 | Verdant Power | Non-fouling kinetic hydro power system axial-flow blade tip treatment |
| US7973240B2 (en) * | 2007-03-23 | 2011-07-05 | Verdant Power | Cable jacket sealing, pressurization, and monitoring |
| US7877170B2 (en) * | 2007-05-24 | 2011-01-25 | Verdant Power | Remanent voltage generator tachometer and control for induction machine |
| US7997870B2 (en) | 2007-08-14 | 2011-08-16 | B N Balance Energy Solutions, Llc | Turbine rotor for electrical power generation |
| WO2009026620A1 (en) * | 2007-08-24 | 2009-03-05 | Fourivers Power Engineering Pty Ltd | Marine power generation apparatus using ocean currents |
| US20090226296A1 (en) * | 2007-09-12 | 2009-09-10 | Bibeau Eric L | Efficiency enhancement and protection method for ocean, river and channel kinetic hydro turbines |
| US8303241B2 (en) * | 2007-11-13 | 2012-11-06 | Verdant Power, Inc. | Turbine yaw control |
| JP2011504559A (en) * | 2007-11-23 | 2011-02-10 | アトランティス リソーセズ コーポレーション ピーティーイー リミテッド | Control system for extracting energy from water streams |
| US20090146430A1 (en) * | 2007-12-10 | 2009-06-11 | Walter Edmond Sear | Tidal/water current electrical generating system |
| US7928594B2 (en) * | 2007-12-14 | 2011-04-19 | Vladimir Anatol Shreider | Apparatus for receiving and transferring kinetic energy from a flow and wave |
| US20110076146A1 (en) * | 2009-09-30 | 2011-03-31 | Falcone Andrew J | Wind turbine electrical generating system with combined structural support members and straightening vanes |
| DE102008007043A1 (en) * | 2008-01-31 | 2009-08-06 | Voith Patent Gmbh | Freestanding, immersive power plant with an axial turbine |
| US20090257863A1 (en) * | 2008-04-11 | 2009-10-15 | Asia Power Dev. Foundation, Inc. | Turbine assembly |
| KR101292832B1 (en) * | 2008-04-14 | 2013-08-02 | 아틀란티스 리소시스 코포레이션 피티이 리미티드 | Central axis water turbine |
| CN102066744B (en) * | 2008-04-14 | 2014-07-23 | 亚特兰蒂斯能源有限公司 | Blade for a water turbine |
| WO2010008368A1 (en) * | 2008-07-16 | 2010-01-21 | Anadarko Petroleum Corporation | Water current power generation system |
| CA2645236A1 (en) * | 2008-11-03 | 2010-05-03 | Imad Hamad | Submersed turbine bearings |
| EP2199603A1 (en) | 2008-12-19 | 2010-06-23 | OpenHydro IP Limited | A method of controlling the output of a hydroelectric turbine generator |
| CN102459866A (en) | 2009-04-28 | 2012-05-16 | 亚特兰蒂斯能源有限公司 | Underwater power generator |
| US8920200B2 (en) | 2009-10-27 | 2014-12-30 | Atlantis Resources Corporation Pte | Connector for mounting an underwater power generator |
| WO2011056249A2 (en) * | 2009-11-09 | 2011-05-12 | Anadarko Petroleum Corporation | Fin-ring propeller for a water current power generation system |
| US20110169520A1 (en) * | 2010-01-14 | 2011-07-14 | Mks Instruments, Inc. | Apparatus for measuring minority carrier lifetime and method for using the same |
| FR2965591B1 (en) | 2010-09-30 | 2012-08-31 | Alstom Hydro France | BEAM FOR SUPPORTING A HYDROLIENNE AND HYDROLIAN CARENAGE COMPRISING SUCH A BEAM |
| US20110089702A1 (en) * | 2010-12-22 | 2011-04-21 | David Boren | Fluidkinetic energy converter |
| US9328713B2 (en) | 2012-04-13 | 2016-05-03 | Steven D. Beaston | Turbine apparatus and methods |
| KR101600914B1 (en) | 2012-10-03 | 2016-03-21 | 가부시키가이샤 교와 컨설턴츠 | Water turbine generator |
| WO2014061116A1 (en) | 2012-10-17 | 2014-04-24 | 株式会社協和コンサルタンツ | Submersible power generator |
| US9284850B1 (en) | 2012-10-24 | 2016-03-15 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Energy reclamation from fluid-moving systems |
| DE102012021689A1 (en) * | 2012-11-07 | 2014-01-09 | Voith Patent Gmbh | Current power plant for use under water for generating electricity, has rotor and generator formed as support structures, where longitudinal axis of each rotor blade runs outside of rotational axis of rotor |
| KR101611839B1 (en) * | 2013-03-05 | 2016-04-12 | 가부시키가이샤 교와 컨설턴츠 | Submersible power generator and submersible power generation system |
| US10495051B2 (en) * | 2014-10-27 | 2019-12-03 | Chenghui Wang | Power generating device having hollow structures |
| US10718598B2 (en) * | 2017-06-23 | 2020-07-21 | Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation | Series hybrid architecture for an unmanned underwater vehicle propulsion system |
| US20190048846A1 (en) * | 2017-08-10 | 2019-02-14 | GT Hydrokinetic, LLC | Hydrokinetic Turbine Having Helical Tanks |
| WO2019126834A1 (en) * | 2017-12-19 | 2019-06-27 | Ngo Van Quynch | Runner, hydraulic turbine, hydraulic turbine module and the turbine system for generating electricity |
| US11353001B1 (en) * | 2021-04-30 | 2022-06-07 | Sitkana Inc. | Hydrokinetic generator |
Family Cites Families (36)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA456963A (en) * | 1949-05-24 | R. Albers John | Wind driven prime mover | |
| US1790969A (en) * | 1931-02-03 | Tide and current motor | ||
| US328593A (en) * | 1885-10-20 | Floating current-motor | ||
| US61362A (en) * | 1867-01-22 | Abram rowe | ||
| US507294A (en) * | 1893-10-24 | Water-motor | ||
| US868798A (en) * | 1905-02-20 | 1907-10-22 | Robert Mclaughlin | Means for obtaining power from flowing water. |
| US867192A (en) * | 1906-09-13 | 1907-09-24 | Robert W Gees | Floating power plant. |
| US903592A (en) * | 1907-01-03 | 1908-11-10 | Charles J Low | Power-generator. |
| US914574A (en) * | 1907-12-10 | 1909-03-09 | Edwin Imboden | Current-motor. |
| US1123491A (en) * | 1913-05-12 | 1915-01-05 | Elbert A Corbin | Power-conversion plant. |
| US1147658A (en) * | 1913-12-20 | 1915-07-20 | John M Stukes | Water-motor. |
| US1396609A (en) * | 1920-05-04 | 1921-11-08 | Said George P A Weisenborn | Current or tide motor |
| US1512545A (en) * | 1921-09-01 | 1924-10-21 | Kaplan Viktor | Runner wheel for turbines, etc. |
| US1602755A (en) * | 1924-05-30 | 1926-10-12 | Nieuport Astra Sa | Metallic propeller with adjustable pitch and detachable blades |
| US1555879A (en) * | 1924-12-12 | 1925-10-06 | Ruzicka Frank | Motor |
| US1669055A (en) * | 1926-08-02 | 1928-05-08 | Hogg Francis | Signal device |
| US1713446A (en) * | 1928-07-05 | 1929-05-14 | Peterson Gabull | Propeller guard |
| US1903545A (en) * | 1931-03-03 | 1933-04-11 | Alvah T Hampton | Current motor |
| US2116055A (en) * | 1936-01-17 | 1938-05-03 | Weichwald John | Propeller |
| US2213610A (en) * | 1938-04-25 | 1940-09-03 | Ronning Adolph | Boat propulsion apparatus |
| US2355842A (en) * | 1943-06-28 | 1944-08-15 | John G Arado | Combined cutter, distributor, and protector for outboard motors |
| FR989170A (en) * | 1944-02-10 | 1951-09-05 | Supercharged thruster | |
| US2501696A (en) * | 1946-01-12 | 1950-03-28 | Wolfgang Kmentt | Stream turbine |
| US2723641A (en) * | 1951-11-21 | 1955-11-15 | John W Taylor | Guard for an outboard motor propeller |
| US3027864A (en) * | 1960-11-14 | 1962-04-03 | Virgil L Polson | Propeller guard |
| US3209156A (en) * | 1962-04-03 | 1965-09-28 | Jr Arthur D Struble | Underwater generator |
| US3986787A (en) * | 1974-05-07 | 1976-10-19 | Mouton Jr William J | River turbine |
| US3980894A (en) * | 1974-07-02 | 1976-09-14 | Philip Vary | Flow tubes for producing electric energy |
| US4026587A (en) * | 1975-04-24 | 1977-05-31 | Hultman Robert H | Underwater turbine operated by ocean currents |
| US4163904A (en) * | 1976-03-04 | 1979-08-07 | Lawrence Skendrovic | Understream turbine plant |
| US4116581A (en) * | 1977-01-21 | 1978-09-26 | Bolie Victor W | Severe climate windmill |
| US4274009A (en) * | 1977-11-25 | 1981-06-16 | Parker Sr George | Submerged hydroelectric power generation |
| US4306157A (en) * | 1979-06-20 | 1981-12-15 | Wracsaricht Lazar J | Underwater slow current turbo generator |
| FR2485106A1 (en) * | 1980-05-13 | 1981-12-24 | Laporte Roland | Small diameter wind turbine - uses stator which channels wind onto rotor blades tangentially to rotor to compensate loss of efficiency |
| US4313059A (en) * | 1980-10-20 | 1982-01-26 | Howard Gerald T | Sea current energy system |
| US4324984A (en) * | 1981-02-03 | 1982-04-13 | Hydrodynamic Energy Systems Corp. | Portable hydrogenerating apparatus |
-
1984
- 1984-03-22 US US06/592,325 patent/US4613279A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1984-10-31 CA CA000466749A patent/CA1222432A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4613279A (en) | 1986-09-23 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA1222432A (en) | Kinetic hydro energy conversion system | |
| US4306157A (en) | Underwater slow current turbo generator | |
| US8222762B2 (en) | Direct-drive generator/motor for a windmill/hydropower Plant/Vessel where the generator/morot is configured as a hollow profile and a method to assemble such a windmill/hydropower plant | |
| KR101427370B1 (en) | Turbine with coaxial sets of blades | |
| EP0830506B1 (en) | Helical turbine for power and propulsion systems | |
| EP2414223B1 (en) | High efficiency turbine and method of generating power | |
| US4495424A (en) | Plant for utilization of wind and waves | |
| EP1878912B1 (en) | Submerged hydroelectric turbines having buoyancy chambers | |
| AU2007351632B2 (en) | Turbine rotor and power plant | |
| US20100032954A1 (en) | Wind turbine | |
| EA016975B1 (en) | Turbine engine with transverse-flow hydraulic turbines having reduced total lift force | |
| NO328222B1 (en) | Underwater ducted turbine. | |
| JPS6346699Y2 (en) | ||
| JP2000291528A (en) | Inclined shaft type wind power generator | |
| RU2247859C1 (en) | Submersible free-flow microhydroelectric station | |
| Vocadlo et al. | Hydraulic kinetic energy conversion (HKEC) systems | |
| CN2360654Y (en) | Arm variable centrifugal impeller | |
| Nielsen | Offshore wind technology in a nutshell | |
| JPS60190677A (en) | Submersible dalius turbine generator | |
| WO2013075192A1 (en) | Multiple electrical energy-generating wind turbine |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |