CA2510171A1 - Modular system for generating electricity from moving water - Google Patents
Modular system for generating electricity from moving water Download PDFInfo
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- CA2510171A1 CA2510171A1 CA002510171A CA2510171A CA2510171A1 CA 2510171 A1 CA2510171 A1 CA 2510171A1 CA 002510171 A CA002510171 A CA 002510171A CA 2510171 A CA2510171 A CA 2510171A CA 2510171 A1 CA2510171 A1 CA 2510171A1
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- housing
- turbine
- modules
- submersible
- water
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Classifications
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- 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
- F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
- F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
- F03B13/26—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy
- F03B13/264—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy using the horizontal flow of water resulting from tide movement
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- 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"
- F03B17/062—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 at right angle to flow direction
- F03B17/065—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 at right angle to flow direction the flow engaging parts having a cyclic movement relative to the rotor during its rotation
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/10—Stators
- F05B2240/13—Stators to collect or cause flow towards or away from turbines
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/40—Use of a multiplicity of similar components
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2260/00—Function
- F05B2260/40—Transmission of power
- F05B2260/402—Transmission of power through friction drives
- F05B2260/4021—Transmission of power through friction drives through belt drives
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2260/00—Function
- F05B2260/50—Kinematic linkage, i.e. transmission of position
- F05B2260/504—Kinematic linkage, i.e. transmission of position using flat or V-belts and pulleys
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- 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
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Oceanography (AREA)
- Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
Abstract
A modular system for producing electricity from the channel, river, ocean or tidal water currents is disclosed. The embodiments of the system comprise a set of interconnected submersible converting and diverting modules. Each converting module contains a water flow energy converter positioned in a protecting housing. A converter consists of a vertical axis underwater hydro-turbine, connected to the electrical generator.
The turbine is essentially a paddlewheel having an arrangement of attached paddles with mutually perpendicularly oriented asymmetric blades that are fixed to the poles at both ends. Such orientation of blades provides a positive feedback minimizing the blades' friction while maximizing a drag force and maximizing the turbine's efficiency. The electrical generator transforms the rotational energy of the turbine into electricity.
Diverting modules are used to increase water stream velocities and power output from the turbines.
An array of converting and diverting modules may be arranged side by side, thus providing versatile configurations of submersible hydroelectric power systems, which are inexpensive to build, install and maintain.
The turbine is essentially a paddlewheel having an arrangement of attached paddles with mutually perpendicularly oriented asymmetric blades that are fixed to the poles at both ends. Such orientation of blades provides a positive feedback minimizing the blades' friction while maximizing a drag force and maximizing the turbine's efficiency. The electrical generator transforms the rotational energy of the turbine into electricity.
Diverting modules are used to increase water stream velocities and power output from the turbines.
An array of converting and diverting modules may be arranged side by side, thus providing versatile configurations of submersible hydroelectric power systems, which are inexpensive to build, install and maintain.
Description
Modular system for generating electricity from moving water I~ IELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to modular systems for producing electricity from the kinetic energy present in I7owing water.
Bt~~' KGROLTND
'fhe renewable energy sources are important in order to guarantee a sustainable power production in the future. Hydropower is the largest and the most applied renewable energy source in the production of electricity. Today conventional hydropower is constrained by land use, environmental concerns and high up-front capitalization. The re=newable energy technology, such as underwater hydrokinetic energy systems, is a valuable part of the overall solution.
These systems are located beneath the water's surface and generate electricity from the kinetic energy present in flowing water. They may operate in rivers, manmade channels, tidal waters, or ocean currents. Hydrokinetic systems utilize the water stream's natural pathway. No dam or impoundment is needed, therefore there is no major civil work to change the landscape, disturb the local ecology or uproot communities. There are no toxic by-products produced in the generation of electric power. As long as the rivers flow and the tides rise and fall, the hydrokinetic systems produce electricity or mechanical energy.
'fhe most desirable to implement or cost-effective underwater hydropower system must produce the required amount of electricity and be optimal in terms of cost, size, weight, and reliability. Other essential qualities of such a system are modular design and suitability for both deep and shallow water currents.
A modular hydrokinetic system is made of a number of standardized units or modules that can be fitted together to construct a large power system in a variety of ways. Another advantage of a modular technology is that particular modules may be interchanged, added to or removed from the system as required (i.e. in response to increases or decreases in system usage requirements). Such gives a time advantage for installation, modification, repairs and maintenance, thereby insuring that the system is more cost-competitive.
Further, there are a very large number of streams and small rivers, which do have significant water flows. It would be advantageous to have a modular constructed flexible underwater system that is suitable to use a variety of both deep and shallow water flows.
~l'hus there is a need for a robust submersible hydro-turbine system that meets the above-mentioned criteria.
This invention relates to modular systems for producing electricity from the kinetic energy present in I7owing water.
Bt~~' KGROLTND
'fhe renewable energy sources are important in order to guarantee a sustainable power production in the future. Hydropower is the largest and the most applied renewable energy source in the production of electricity. Today conventional hydropower is constrained by land use, environmental concerns and high up-front capitalization. The re=newable energy technology, such as underwater hydrokinetic energy systems, is a valuable part of the overall solution.
These systems are located beneath the water's surface and generate electricity from the kinetic energy present in flowing water. They may operate in rivers, manmade channels, tidal waters, or ocean currents. Hydrokinetic systems utilize the water stream's natural pathway. No dam or impoundment is needed, therefore there is no major civil work to change the landscape, disturb the local ecology or uproot communities. There are no toxic by-products produced in the generation of electric power. As long as the rivers flow and the tides rise and fall, the hydrokinetic systems produce electricity or mechanical energy.
'fhe most desirable to implement or cost-effective underwater hydropower system must produce the required amount of electricity and be optimal in terms of cost, size, weight, and reliability. Other essential qualities of such a system are modular design and suitability for both deep and shallow water currents.
A modular hydrokinetic system is made of a number of standardized units or modules that can be fitted together to construct a large power system in a variety of ways. Another advantage of a modular technology is that particular modules may be interchanged, added to or removed from the system as required (i.e. in response to increases or decreases in system usage requirements). Such gives a time advantage for installation, modification, repairs and maintenance, thereby insuring that the system is more cost-competitive.
Further, there are a very large number of streams and small rivers, which do have significant water flows. It would be advantageous to have a modular constructed flexible underwater system that is suitable to use a variety of both deep and shallow water flows.
~l'hus there is a need for a robust submersible hydro-turbine system that meets the above-mentioned criteria.
'fhe present invention is intended to satisfy that need.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
In an underwater hydropower system, the kinetic energy of flowing water is transformed into mechanical energy by use of a turbine. The mechanical energy is then utilized to turn a generator and produce electrical energy.
'there are several different types of underwater turbines. In general, underwater turbines of the prior art have been of three types, namely:
- Turbines having a horizontal axis of rotation;
- Helical turbines;
- Turbines, which have a vertical axis of rotation.
The art of interest will be discussed in the order of their perceived relevance to the present invention.
Horizontal Axis Hydro Turbines This category covers devices, which are known as Submersible Propeller Water Turbines or Underwater Windmills. The design of these turbines consists of a concentric hub with radial blades, similar to that of a windmill. Mechanical power is applied directly through a speed increaser to internal electric generator, or through a hydraulic pump that in turn drives an onshore electric generator.
A propeller turbine generally has a runner with three to six blades in which the water contacts all of the blades constantly. The pitch of the blades may be fixed or adjustable. A
propeller mounted on the front of the turbine is attached to an alternator inside the main turbine housing. When submerged in a fast moving water source, the propeller is rotated by the force of the passing water.
Examples of Horizontal Axis Hydro Turbines are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,472,768, 6,267,551, 6,254,339, 5,798,572, 5,226,804, and 4,613,279.
Such companies as Verdant Power, UEK Corporation, Marine Current Turbines Ltd.
are also pursuing similar technologies for underwater power generation.
Information is available on their websites at:
http://www.verdantpower.com/Tech/lowimpact.shtml htp:/!uekus.com/index.html http://www.marineturbines.com/home.htm respectively.
Propeller style generators work well for locations with fast moving, relatively deep streams. Clearly, devices such as these are simply too large for use in streams of shallow rivers. Additionally, they fail to allow for modular system installation requiring relatively complex and consequently costly construction. And, most importantly, these turbines are the least efficient of the three styles.
Helical Turbine 'this turbine is a low head, reaction cross-flow hydraulic turbine. The blades have hydrofoil sections that provide tangential pulling forces in the cross water flow. These forces rotate the turbine in the direction of the leading edge of the blades.
Thus, the direction of turbine rotation depends only on orientation of blades and not on direction of fluid flow.
'fhe Texas company GCK Technologies Inc. is using the helical turbine system described in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,443, issued to Alexander Gorlov.
The system is capable of providing high-speed unidirectional rotation under a multidirectional low-head fluid flow. The company website (http://www.~cktechnology.com/GCK/p~l2.html) provides results of modeling and testing of different types of turbines in free fluid flows. The resulting data have shown that the maximum efficiency of the propeller style turbine (discussed above) is about 30 percent.
The helical turbine has an efficiency of the 35 percent, making it preferable for use in free water currents.
Vertical Axis Hydro Turbines The company Blue Energy Canada, Inc. is the pioneer of using Darrieus turbine for harvesting energy of water streams. Their basic design (see their website ww-~~~.bluene~y.com) utilizes vertically oriented turbine into a frame that is connected to the sea bottom.
As it has been noticed in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,835, issued to Alexander Gorlov, the Darrieus turbine rotates with a strong pulsation due to accelerations of its blades passing through the higher-pressure zones in the fluid that lowers the efficiency of the turbine.
T'he article "New Turbine Can Extract Energy from Flowing Water" by Sara Steindorf and Tom Regan, Published on Thursday, May 17, 2001 in the Christia~t SCienee Monit~t; provides data that in flowing water the Gorlov helical turbine captures 35 percent of the water's energy, compared with only 23 percent for a straight Darrieus turbine ( see the on-line version of the article at http:l/w~vv.~ommondreams.org/headlines0l /0517-05.htm).
Currently known the most efficient prototype of the turbine, which applicant is aware of, is the Patent Pending Vertical Axis Wind or Hydro-Turbine, invented by Robert D. Hunt.
A video of operation of the wind turbine may be seen by clicking on the following link:
http:!/w~vw~.fuellessflight.com/windtmbine.htm. A full engineering report that shou:~s the efficiency of the new turbine at forty-four percent (44%) is available upon request from the link: http:/Iwww.fuellessfli~Tht.com/inforeq_uest.as~.
How the turbine works: Rotatable shutters mounted on a circular disk automatically open when directed into the wind, regardless of the wind's direction. Pairs of upper and lower shutters are geared together. The lower shutter acts as a counterweight to the upper shutter. 'The bottom shutter opens in the downward direction and its weight helps to lift the upper shutter in the upward direction, as the wind applies an opening force against both shutters. When the shutters reach the vertical position, stops prevent them from opening further and the force of the wind is transferred from the open shutters to the circular disk. And the circular disk is attached to the vertical axis for power output. The circular disk, shutters, and outer vertical axis rotate together. The outer vertical axis is mounted via bearings over an inner vertical axis that is stationery.
The shutters are closed by the blowing wind (no stops in the opposite direction) as they reverse direction during their rotation and move into the wind on the opposite side of the wind turbine. When the wind is not blowing, the shutters open by gravity because the lower shutter is weighted to be slightly heavier than the upper shutter and it therefore can cause the upper shutter to open via the force of gravity as the two shutters are geared together. Wind blows against the open shutters and the open shutters with stops apply a force against the disk, but the open shutters with no stops (opposite side going into the wind) merely close due to the force of the wind (not applying a force against the disk) and the wind turbine begins spinning no matter what direction the wind comes from.
The high efficiency of the new turbine comes from creating a high drag force on the power generating side of the turbine with open shutters that the wind or water does work on and that move backward with the motion of the wind. The opposite side of the turbine produces a low frictional force as the disk moves forward into the wind with the shutters folded down into the disk. Its efficiency increases with the degree of differential between a drag force and a frictional force. The greater the surface area of the shutters on the drag side of the wind or water turbine that transfers kinetic energy to the shutters and the lower the surface area of the disk with the shutters folded down into the disk on the frictional side, the greater the efficiency of the wind turbine.
1-lowever, this invention has a number of problems.
Firstly, the main problem with this type of equipment is that the shutters are never folded down into the disk completely because of the inherited conflict of interests between two forces: a gravitational force trying to keep the shatters opened, and an opposing frictional force trying to close the shatters on the frictional side of the disk.
When the wind is not blowing, the shutters are opened by gravity. When the slow or modest wind is blowing, the shatters are only partially closed as the gravitational force still prevails. The unwonted friction of shatters can be equal to zero only if their surface areas are parallel to the movement of the fluid currents.
But, even in this hypothetical case, the gravity will not have any opposing forces and, therefore, will reopen the shatters producing an unwonted friction. This drawback substantially decreases the turbine's efficiency.
Secondly, this type of equipment fails to be submersible and modular.
Finally, this turbine is connected to a rotor that drives an integrated electrical generator assembly. However, its rotational speed is too slow for direct operation of an electric generator, especially for hydro applications.
Therefore, an additional gearing speed increases may be required, further decreasing the turbine's cost-effectiveness.
It is apparent from the foregoing, that a need exists for a new and improved hydro-energy conversion device that can be used for water driven system for generating electricity. It would be advantageous to minimize the frictional resistance of the rotating blades during the portion of rotation when the water is moving in a direction that generally opposes such rotation. In this regard, the present invention significantly fulfills this need. In this respect, the hydro-energy conversion device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides a cost-effective solution primarily developed for the purpose of modular water driven systems for generating electricity.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to create a new and more practical system for harvesting kinetic energy of river, ocean or tidal currents, by overcoming the drawbacks of the known systems utilizing a new type of water driven turbine.
Another object of the invention is the increase in the entire system efficiency through the increase of turbine efficiency. Employing a vertical axis hydro turbine, having an arrangement of paddles in an innovative way that excludes their main drawback--the unwonted friction of the turbine blades due to water resistance, achieves this. Such a turbine surpasses the efficiencies of other known water driven turbines.
It is yet another object of the invention to produce a water flow energy converter, which is capable of modular installation, such that particular units may be added to or removed from a particular location as required.
It is a furkher object of the invention to produce a water flow energy converter, which can be installed below the surface and upon the ocean or river floor, thus providing a vast number of possible site-locations fox installation of such a device.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new robust and cost-effective modular system for generating electricity that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and having a low need for maintenance.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a system for producing electricity from the kinetic energy present in flowing water. The system may operate in rivers, manmade channels, tidal waters, or ocean currents.
The embodiments of the system comprise a set of interconnected submersible converting and diverting modules. Each converting module contains a water flow energy converter positioned in a protecting housing with proper bearings. A converter consists of a detachable vertical axis water driven turbine, connected to the detachable electrical generator. 1'he converters also include flow deflectors.
The turbine is essentially a paddlewheel having an arrangement of attached paddles with mutually perpendicularly oriented asymmetric blades that are fixed to the poles at both ends. Such orientation of blades provides a positive feedback minimizing the blades' friction and maximizing the turbine's performance. Attached to the wheel support members hold the paddles while stops limit the rotation of paddles within the right angle range.
The electrical generator transforms the rotational energy of the turbine into electricity.
It is attached to the rim of the turbine's wheel, which serves as gear to avoid the need for a gearing speed inereaser, which would otherwise be required to connect a slowly spinning paddlewheel's hub to an electrical generator.
The flow deflectors funnel incoming water current through the working part of the turbine and protect the resting (opposite) part of the turbine from moving water. It further decreases the blades' friction and increases the fluid velocity through the turbine thereby enhancing the power output of the converter.
A protecting housing comprises a strong steel frame, which supports the turbine, flow deflectors, and the electrical generator. The filter panels and screens, cover the frame's entrances to prevent clogging of the module by submerged objects (debris) carried by water current.
Diverting modules comprise a strong steel frame and screens, which are used to increase water stream velocities and power output from the turbines. A set of converting and diverting modules can be anchored at various locations in a river or ocean for the purpose of generating electricity, pumping water or operating mechanisms or the like.
The system's modularity allows it to be assembled by bolts, screws and conventional anchoring pieces. Such gives a time advantage for assembly and maintenance.
The array of these modules may be arranged side by side, so as to intersect any cross sectional area of the flow nearly completely, thus providing versatile forms of flexible hydroelectric power systems, which are inexpensive to build, install and maintain.
The present invention, unlike previous efforts to generate electricity from moving water, is practical and economical because its design uses both a new turbine, which surpasses the efficiencies of other known fluid driven turbines, and a durable simple construction to achieve long term unattended operation.
There are two preferred embodiments of the system.
The embodiment A is the system assembly comprising an array of interconnected submersible modules capable of harvesting the kinetic energy from unidirectional river and ocean currents.
The embodiment B is the system assembly comprising an array of interconnected submersible modules capable of harvesting the kinetic energy of tides that alternate direction of their movement at 180 degrees.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. I is a frontal view of the system module for harvesting the kinetic energy from the unidirectional flow of water;
FIG. 2 is a top view of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a frontal view of the paddle;
FIG .4 is a side view of FIG. 3;
F1G. 5 is a top view of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a frontal view of the system module for diverting the flow of water;
F'IG. 7 is a top view of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a frontal view of the vertical arrangement of an array of the system modules of FIG.1;
FIG. 9 is a plane top view of the horizontal arrangement of the system modules of FIGS.1 and 6;
FIG. 10 is a plane top view of the bidirectional system module for harvesting the kinetic energy of tides;
FIG. 11 is a plane top view of the unidirectional system module for harvesting the kinetic energy of tides;
FIG. 12 is a plane top view of the horizontal arrangement of the system modules of FIGS.6, 9 and 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment A
The embodiment A is the system assembly capable of harvesting the kinetic energy from unidirectional flow of water for producing electricity. The system comprises an array of interconnected submersible converting and diverting modules to harness water power.
Each converting module (see FIGS.1 and 2) contains a water current energy converter positioned in a protecting housing 21 with proper bearings.
A converter consists of a detachable vertical axis hydro-turbine 22, the detachable electrical generator 23, and a water current deflector 24.
The turbine 22 is essentially a paddlewheel having an arrangement of two sets 25 and 26 of attached paddles with asymmetrically fixed blades to increase torque and power output. The first set 25 of paddles with floatable blades is located above the working wheel 27, as the second set 26 of paddles with sinkable blades is located below the working wheel 27. A plurality of radial spokes 28 connects the working wheel's rim 29 to the hub 30. Such radial spokes increase the integrity and structural strength of the turbine.
Both sets 25 and 26 of the paddles are attached to the working wheel 27 by support members 31 such as padlocks or the like. These support members are fixedly mounted to the rim 29 and, possibly, to the hub 30 of the working wheel 27 and have built in stops, which allow the free rotation of the paddles in the right angle range.
Generally, each set may comprise any number of paddles (preferably three) made from any suitable material, which is strong and lightweight.
The working wheel's hub 30 is mounted via bearings on its ends over an inner vertical axis 33 that is nonrotatably attached by its ends to the protective housing 21.
As shown in FIGS.3 through 5, the blades 34 are asymmetrically fixed by their leading edge 35 to the pole 3b at both ends and have a mutually perpendicular orientation. Such orientation of blades provides a positive feedback minimizing the blades' friction and maximizing the turbine's performance.
To ensure the most efficient utilization of the current flow, the blades 34, preferably, have a profile of the partial segment (see FIG. 3) with the distance between parallel leading 35 and a trailing 37 edges not exceeding the half of the segment's radius.
'1-he blades may be manufactured from any suitable material, such as a steel, aluminum, plastic or fiberglass, which provides sufficient buoyancy for the floatable blades, and reasonable gravity for the sinkable blades.
The flow deflector 24 (see EIGS. l and 2) funnels incoming water current through the working side 38 of the turbine 22 and protects the resting (opposite) side 39 of the turbine 22 from moving water. It further decreases the blades' friction, reduces resistance to the turbine rotation, and increases the fluid velocity through the turbine thereby enhancing the efficiency and power output of the converter. The blades 34 extend beyond supporting members 31, mounted on the rim 29 thereby increasing torque to spin the turbine.
As discussed earlier, the efficiency of the vertical axis turbine increases with the degree of difference between a drag force created by turbine's blades and their frictional force.
The greater the cross sectional area of the blades on the working side of the paddlewheel that transfers kinetic energy to the turbine and the lower the surface area of the paddlewheel on the opposite side, the greater the efficiency of the turbine.
'The high efficiency of the presented turbine comes from creating maximum drug force by vertically oriented blades on the power generating side 38 and practically zero frictional force produced by horizontally oriented blades on the resting side 39 of the paddlewheel.
When the water is not flowing the sinkable blades of the lower paddles, located below the working wheel, are partially open via the force of gravity creating 45-degree angles between their surfaces and the vertical axis of the turbine. When water flows against the partially opened blades on the power generating side of the paddlewheel the water current is applied as an opening force against the blades. The flow deflector 24 protects the resting (opposite) part of the turbine from moving water and, therefore, eliminates applying a force against the blades on the opposite side of the paddlewheel.
Two forces (gravity and water flow) start to turn the blades on the power generating side toward their vertical position. The cross flower area is increasing and the turbine begins spinning. At the same time, because of their mutually perpendicular orientation, the blades on the opposite side of the paddles are turning toward their horizontal position, decreasing the frictional force. 'this creates a positive feedback resulting in further increasing the turbine's spinning. When the blades reach the vertical position, stops prevent paddles from turning further. As a result, the vertically oriented blades create the maximum drug force while the frictional force of the horizontally oriented blades is negligible thereby producing the high efficiency of the presented turbine.
The upper paddles, located above the wheel, work in a similar way. The only difference is that a buoyant force is applied to the floatable blades of the upper paddles instead of a gravitational force applied to the sinkable blades of the lower paddles.
The presented vertical axis paddlewheel turbine is far more effective in its operation than is a prior art: (1 ) the amount of frictional force is negligible because the frictional area of the horizontally oriented blades is close to zero; (2) torque is gained by an increase in horizontal distance instead of an increase in vertical distance, which allows it to be used in shallow water currents with a very low head; (3) it is of simple construction and.
therefore, inexpensive to produce; (4) it can be made to have only a small number of wearing parts and thus has a long service life; (5) it is capable of handling large volumes of water without becoming too bulky.
T'he electrical generator 23 transforms the rotational energy of the turbine into electricity.
A generator pulley 40 is coupled to a generator 23. A belt 41 rotatably couples the generator pulley 40 to the paddlewheel's rim 29, which serves as a gear thereby eliminating the need for an underwater gearing speed increaser, which would otherwise be required to connect a slowly spinning paddlewheel's hub to an electrical generator.
The belt in the present example is a V-shaped belt. Alternatively, the rim may be coupled to an electrical generator by any suitable means such as a belted tooth-pin transmission or other driven means, as well as any suitable submersible electrical generator may be employed.
The system module's protecting housing 21, shown in FIGs.I and 2, is a strong steel frame having a shape of the right trapezoid prism, which supports the turbine 22, deflector 24, and the electrical generator 23. Additionally, the protecting housing includes the detachable filter and screen panels. The filter panels, made of steel bars, cover the front, rear and top entrances of the frame to prevent clogging of the converter by submerged objects (debris) carried by water current. The size of the filter opening is smaller than the spacing between the turbine blades and frame so that any particular matter that passes through the filter can freely pass through the turbine and out the module. The screen panels cover the frame's side entrances and serve both to improve the IO
efficiency of the turbine by creating a described earlier funneling channel together with a i'~ow det7ector 24, and to protect the converter from debris.
1n order to properly position and secure the system module to a river bed, the protective housing may be bolted to the ballast panel 42 having anchoring means 43, for example concrete blocks. Such a bolted structure allows it to be easily mounted and adjusted to the:
riverbed profile.
The diverting module (see FIGS. 6 and 7) is a strong steel frame 44, which has a symmetrical shape of a right rhomboid prism. The screen panel 45 covers the module's entrance and serves to deflect a flow into the preferred areas. The diverting modules play a vital role in improving the efficiency of the system. Power available from a turbine increases as the cube of the velocity. If the velocity is doubled, the available power then increases by a factor of eight. It is therefore important to make use of velocities that are as high as possible, which would enable the number of turbines to be significantly reduced, and this would have a marked effect on the capital cost. This is achieved through the use of the diverting modules to create artificial reefs that redirect water flows into converting modules.
One or more modules can be anchored at various locations in a river or an ocean for the purpose of generating electricity, pumping water or operating mechanisms or the like.
'The system's modularity allows it to be assembled by bolts, screws and other conventional anchoring pieces. Such gives a time advantage for assembly and further maintenance.
A vertical configuration of the modular system (see FIG. 8) can exploit a common generator 23 for a number of modules (FIGS 1 and 2), providing an additional flexibility to build and maintain the power system The modules may be connected to an electric generator 23 in any suitable manner, such as by a belted transmission and a vertical common shaft 46.
As shown in FIG. 9, an array of converting modules 47 and diverting modules 48 may be arranged side by side in order to intersect any cross sectional area of the flow nearly completely, thus providing versatile forms of hydroelectric power systems using any combinations of the above system modules, which are inexpensive to build, install and maintain.
It must be appreciated that during assembly of the system, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the artificial reefs 49 that deflect water flows into the converting modules are created automatically, thereby providing a significant advantage to the prior art.
The electricity produced by the system is transmitted through the flexible underwater cables to the shore. After employing the appropriate voltage regulator and transformers, the generated power then is supplied to the consumers via the power-distributing network.
The nature of the system according to the present invention is such that it needs never totally block the natural flow of the river. There is no need for the system to dominate the landscape, endanger fish or interfere adversely with recreational pursuits such as fishing or boating. The system does not change the character of the water stream or create any harmful by-products. Unlike previous efforts to generate electricity from moving fluid, the present invention is practical and economical because its design uses both a new turbine, which surpasses the efficiencies of other known fluid driven turbines, and a durable simple construction to achieve long term unattended operation.
Embodiment B
The embodiment B is a system assembly comprised of an array of interconnected unidirectional converting modules, bidirectional converting modules, and diverting modules, and capable of harvesting the kinetic energy of tides that alternate the direction of their movements at 180 degrees.
The bidirectional converting module (FIG. 10) contains a water current energy converter placed inside the protective housing S0.
This converter consists of a detachable vertical axis hydro-turbine 22, analogous to the one described in the embodiment A, the detachable electrical generator 23, and a pair of flow deflectors S3 and S4 which are rotatably mounted to said protective housing S0.
rfhe flow deflectors S3 and S4 are symmetrically located in the inlet/outlet areas of the module, and are secured to the housing in a pivotal manner. The free end of each flow deflector is able to rotate inside the sector restricted by the filter panels SS, S6 and stops S l, S2 incorporated into protective housing 50. The arrangement of the deflectors is such that they are forced to rotate by the incoming flow of water toward the filter panels, while the outgoing flow of water rotates the deflectors toward the water flow direction thus creating together with the screen panels S7 and S8 a funneling channel on the energy generating side of the paddlewheel and analogous to the one described in the embodiment A.
When the flow of a tidal current reverses, the flow of water through the funneling channels also reverses. However, the paddlewheel continues to rotate in the same direction. Hence, the turbine maintains a unidirectional rotation regardless of the direction of the tidal currents.
'The system module's protective housing SO is a strong steel frame, which has a symmetrical shape of the right rhomboid prism. The protective housing supports the turbine 22, the electrical generator 23, flow deflectors S3 and S4, filter panels SS and 56.
and screen panels S7 and S8.
The unidirectional converting module (FIG.11 ) contains a water current energy converter placed inside the protective housing 60.
This converter consists of a detachable vertical axis hydro-turbine 22, analogous to the one described in the embodiment A, the detachable electrical generator 23, a flow deflector 62 rotatably mounted to the protecting housing 60, and a pair of flow deflectors 63 and 64 which are fixedly mounted to the protecting housing 60.
The flow deflector 62 is secured to the housing in a pivotal manner. The free end of this flow deflector is able to rotate inside the sector restricted by the filter panels 65, and the stop 61 incorporated into protecting housing 60. The arrangement of the flow deflector 62 is such that it is forced to rotate by the incoming flow of water toward the filter panel 65, thus together with the deflector 63 diverting the flow of water from the turbine 22. When the flow of a tidal current reverses, the outgoing flow of water rotates the flow deflectors toward the water flow direction, thus creating together with the flow deflector 64 and screen panels 67 and 68 the funneling channel on the energy generating side of the paddlewheel and analogous to the one described in the embodiment A.
The system module's protective housing 60 is a strong steel frame, which has a symmetrical shape of the right rhomboid prism. The protective housing supports the turbine 22, the electrical generator 23, flow deflectors 62, 63 and 64, filter panels 65 and 66, and screen panels 67 and 68.
As demonstrated in FIG. 12, an array of diverting modules 48, unidirectional converting modules 71 and bidirectional converting modules 72 can be arranged side by side, thus providing versatile forms of flexible and cost-effective hydroelectric power systems capable of harvesting kinetic energy of the tidal currents.
The present invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
In an underwater hydropower system, the kinetic energy of flowing water is transformed into mechanical energy by use of a turbine. The mechanical energy is then utilized to turn a generator and produce electrical energy.
'there are several different types of underwater turbines. In general, underwater turbines of the prior art have been of three types, namely:
- Turbines having a horizontal axis of rotation;
- Helical turbines;
- Turbines, which have a vertical axis of rotation.
The art of interest will be discussed in the order of their perceived relevance to the present invention.
Horizontal Axis Hydro Turbines This category covers devices, which are known as Submersible Propeller Water Turbines or Underwater Windmills. The design of these turbines consists of a concentric hub with radial blades, similar to that of a windmill. Mechanical power is applied directly through a speed increaser to internal electric generator, or through a hydraulic pump that in turn drives an onshore electric generator.
A propeller turbine generally has a runner with three to six blades in which the water contacts all of the blades constantly. The pitch of the blades may be fixed or adjustable. A
propeller mounted on the front of the turbine is attached to an alternator inside the main turbine housing. When submerged in a fast moving water source, the propeller is rotated by the force of the passing water.
Examples of Horizontal Axis Hydro Turbines are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,472,768, 6,267,551, 6,254,339, 5,798,572, 5,226,804, and 4,613,279.
Such companies as Verdant Power, UEK Corporation, Marine Current Turbines Ltd.
are also pursuing similar technologies for underwater power generation.
Information is available on their websites at:
http://www.verdantpower.com/Tech/lowimpact.shtml htp:/!uekus.com/index.html http://www.marineturbines.com/home.htm respectively.
Propeller style generators work well for locations with fast moving, relatively deep streams. Clearly, devices such as these are simply too large for use in streams of shallow rivers. Additionally, they fail to allow for modular system installation requiring relatively complex and consequently costly construction. And, most importantly, these turbines are the least efficient of the three styles.
Helical Turbine 'this turbine is a low head, reaction cross-flow hydraulic turbine. The blades have hydrofoil sections that provide tangential pulling forces in the cross water flow. These forces rotate the turbine in the direction of the leading edge of the blades.
Thus, the direction of turbine rotation depends only on orientation of blades and not on direction of fluid flow.
'fhe Texas company GCK Technologies Inc. is using the helical turbine system described in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,443, issued to Alexander Gorlov.
The system is capable of providing high-speed unidirectional rotation under a multidirectional low-head fluid flow. The company website (http://www.~cktechnology.com/GCK/p~l2.html) provides results of modeling and testing of different types of turbines in free fluid flows. The resulting data have shown that the maximum efficiency of the propeller style turbine (discussed above) is about 30 percent.
The helical turbine has an efficiency of the 35 percent, making it preferable for use in free water currents.
Vertical Axis Hydro Turbines The company Blue Energy Canada, Inc. is the pioneer of using Darrieus turbine for harvesting energy of water streams. Their basic design (see their website ww-~~~.bluene~y.com) utilizes vertically oriented turbine into a frame that is connected to the sea bottom.
As it has been noticed in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,835, issued to Alexander Gorlov, the Darrieus turbine rotates with a strong pulsation due to accelerations of its blades passing through the higher-pressure zones in the fluid that lowers the efficiency of the turbine.
T'he article "New Turbine Can Extract Energy from Flowing Water" by Sara Steindorf and Tom Regan, Published on Thursday, May 17, 2001 in the Christia~t SCienee Monit~t; provides data that in flowing water the Gorlov helical turbine captures 35 percent of the water's energy, compared with only 23 percent for a straight Darrieus turbine ( see the on-line version of the article at http:l/w~vv.~ommondreams.org/headlines0l /0517-05.htm).
Currently known the most efficient prototype of the turbine, which applicant is aware of, is the Patent Pending Vertical Axis Wind or Hydro-Turbine, invented by Robert D. Hunt.
A video of operation of the wind turbine may be seen by clicking on the following link:
http:!/w~vw~.fuellessflight.com/windtmbine.htm. A full engineering report that shou:~s the efficiency of the new turbine at forty-four percent (44%) is available upon request from the link: http:/Iwww.fuellessfli~Tht.com/inforeq_uest.as~.
How the turbine works: Rotatable shutters mounted on a circular disk automatically open when directed into the wind, regardless of the wind's direction. Pairs of upper and lower shutters are geared together. The lower shutter acts as a counterweight to the upper shutter. 'The bottom shutter opens in the downward direction and its weight helps to lift the upper shutter in the upward direction, as the wind applies an opening force against both shutters. When the shutters reach the vertical position, stops prevent them from opening further and the force of the wind is transferred from the open shutters to the circular disk. And the circular disk is attached to the vertical axis for power output. The circular disk, shutters, and outer vertical axis rotate together. The outer vertical axis is mounted via bearings over an inner vertical axis that is stationery.
The shutters are closed by the blowing wind (no stops in the opposite direction) as they reverse direction during their rotation and move into the wind on the opposite side of the wind turbine. When the wind is not blowing, the shutters open by gravity because the lower shutter is weighted to be slightly heavier than the upper shutter and it therefore can cause the upper shutter to open via the force of gravity as the two shutters are geared together. Wind blows against the open shutters and the open shutters with stops apply a force against the disk, but the open shutters with no stops (opposite side going into the wind) merely close due to the force of the wind (not applying a force against the disk) and the wind turbine begins spinning no matter what direction the wind comes from.
The high efficiency of the new turbine comes from creating a high drag force on the power generating side of the turbine with open shutters that the wind or water does work on and that move backward with the motion of the wind. The opposite side of the turbine produces a low frictional force as the disk moves forward into the wind with the shutters folded down into the disk. Its efficiency increases with the degree of differential between a drag force and a frictional force. The greater the surface area of the shutters on the drag side of the wind or water turbine that transfers kinetic energy to the shutters and the lower the surface area of the disk with the shutters folded down into the disk on the frictional side, the greater the efficiency of the wind turbine.
1-lowever, this invention has a number of problems.
Firstly, the main problem with this type of equipment is that the shutters are never folded down into the disk completely because of the inherited conflict of interests between two forces: a gravitational force trying to keep the shatters opened, and an opposing frictional force trying to close the shatters on the frictional side of the disk.
When the wind is not blowing, the shutters are opened by gravity. When the slow or modest wind is blowing, the shatters are only partially closed as the gravitational force still prevails. The unwonted friction of shatters can be equal to zero only if their surface areas are parallel to the movement of the fluid currents.
But, even in this hypothetical case, the gravity will not have any opposing forces and, therefore, will reopen the shatters producing an unwonted friction. This drawback substantially decreases the turbine's efficiency.
Secondly, this type of equipment fails to be submersible and modular.
Finally, this turbine is connected to a rotor that drives an integrated electrical generator assembly. However, its rotational speed is too slow for direct operation of an electric generator, especially for hydro applications.
Therefore, an additional gearing speed increases may be required, further decreasing the turbine's cost-effectiveness.
It is apparent from the foregoing, that a need exists for a new and improved hydro-energy conversion device that can be used for water driven system for generating electricity. It would be advantageous to minimize the frictional resistance of the rotating blades during the portion of rotation when the water is moving in a direction that generally opposes such rotation. In this regard, the present invention significantly fulfills this need. In this respect, the hydro-energy conversion device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides a cost-effective solution primarily developed for the purpose of modular water driven systems for generating electricity.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to create a new and more practical system for harvesting kinetic energy of river, ocean or tidal currents, by overcoming the drawbacks of the known systems utilizing a new type of water driven turbine.
Another object of the invention is the increase in the entire system efficiency through the increase of turbine efficiency. Employing a vertical axis hydro turbine, having an arrangement of paddles in an innovative way that excludes their main drawback--the unwonted friction of the turbine blades due to water resistance, achieves this. Such a turbine surpasses the efficiencies of other known water driven turbines.
It is yet another object of the invention to produce a water flow energy converter, which is capable of modular installation, such that particular units may be added to or removed from a particular location as required.
It is a furkher object of the invention to produce a water flow energy converter, which can be installed below the surface and upon the ocean or river floor, thus providing a vast number of possible site-locations fox installation of such a device.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new robust and cost-effective modular system for generating electricity that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and having a low need for maintenance.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a system for producing electricity from the kinetic energy present in flowing water. The system may operate in rivers, manmade channels, tidal waters, or ocean currents.
The embodiments of the system comprise a set of interconnected submersible converting and diverting modules. Each converting module contains a water flow energy converter positioned in a protecting housing with proper bearings. A converter consists of a detachable vertical axis water driven turbine, connected to the detachable electrical generator. 1'he converters also include flow deflectors.
The turbine is essentially a paddlewheel having an arrangement of attached paddles with mutually perpendicularly oriented asymmetric blades that are fixed to the poles at both ends. Such orientation of blades provides a positive feedback minimizing the blades' friction and maximizing the turbine's performance. Attached to the wheel support members hold the paddles while stops limit the rotation of paddles within the right angle range.
The electrical generator transforms the rotational energy of the turbine into electricity.
It is attached to the rim of the turbine's wheel, which serves as gear to avoid the need for a gearing speed inereaser, which would otherwise be required to connect a slowly spinning paddlewheel's hub to an electrical generator.
The flow deflectors funnel incoming water current through the working part of the turbine and protect the resting (opposite) part of the turbine from moving water. It further decreases the blades' friction and increases the fluid velocity through the turbine thereby enhancing the power output of the converter.
A protecting housing comprises a strong steel frame, which supports the turbine, flow deflectors, and the electrical generator. The filter panels and screens, cover the frame's entrances to prevent clogging of the module by submerged objects (debris) carried by water current.
Diverting modules comprise a strong steel frame and screens, which are used to increase water stream velocities and power output from the turbines. A set of converting and diverting modules can be anchored at various locations in a river or ocean for the purpose of generating electricity, pumping water or operating mechanisms or the like.
The system's modularity allows it to be assembled by bolts, screws and conventional anchoring pieces. Such gives a time advantage for assembly and maintenance.
The array of these modules may be arranged side by side, so as to intersect any cross sectional area of the flow nearly completely, thus providing versatile forms of flexible hydroelectric power systems, which are inexpensive to build, install and maintain.
The present invention, unlike previous efforts to generate electricity from moving water, is practical and economical because its design uses both a new turbine, which surpasses the efficiencies of other known fluid driven turbines, and a durable simple construction to achieve long term unattended operation.
There are two preferred embodiments of the system.
The embodiment A is the system assembly comprising an array of interconnected submersible modules capable of harvesting the kinetic energy from unidirectional river and ocean currents.
The embodiment B is the system assembly comprising an array of interconnected submersible modules capable of harvesting the kinetic energy of tides that alternate direction of their movement at 180 degrees.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. I is a frontal view of the system module for harvesting the kinetic energy from the unidirectional flow of water;
FIG. 2 is a top view of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a frontal view of the paddle;
FIG .4 is a side view of FIG. 3;
F1G. 5 is a top view of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a frontal view of the system module for diverting the flow of water;
F'IG. 7 is a top view of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a frontal view of the vertical arrangement of an array of the system modules of FIG.1;
FIG. 9 is a plane top view of the horizontal arrangement of the system modules of FIGS.1 and 6;
FIG. 10 is a plane top view of the bidirectional system module for harvesting the kinetic energy of tides;
FIG. 11 is a plane top view of the unidirectional system module for harvesting the kinetic energy of tides;
FIG. 12 is a plane top view of the horizontal arrangement of the system modules of FIGS.6, 9 and 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment A
The embodiment A is the system assembly capable of harvesting the kinetic energy from unidirectional flow of water for producing electricity. The system comprises an array of interconnected submersible converting and diverting modules to harness water power.
Each converting module (see FIGS.1 and 2) contains a water current energy converter positioned in a protecting housing 21 with proper bearings.
A converter consists of a detachable vertical axis hydro-turbine 22, the detachable electrical generator 23, and a water current deflector 24.
The turbine 22 is essentially a paddlewheel having an arrangement of two sets 25 and 26 of attached paddles with asymmetrically fixed blades to increase torque and power output. The first set 25 of paddles with floatable blades is located above the working wheel 27, as the second set 26 of paddles with sinkable blades is located below the working wheel 27. A plurality of radial spokes 28 connects the working wheel's rim 29 to the hub 30. Such radial spokes increase the integrity and structural strength of the turbine.
Both sets 25 and 26 of the paddles are attached to the working wheel 27 by support members 31 such as padlocks or the like. These support members are fixedly mounted to the rim 29 and, possibly, to the hub 30 of the working wheel 27 and have built in stops, which allow the free rotation of the paddles in the right angle range.
Generally, each set may comprise any number of paddles (preferably three) made from any suitable material, which is strong and lightweight.
The working wheel's hub 30 is mounted via bearings on its ends over an inner vertical axis 33 that is nonrotatably attached by its ends to the protective housing 21.
As shown in FIGS.3 through 5, the blades 34 are asymmetrically fixed by their leading edge 35 to the pole 3b at both ends and have a mutually perpendicular orientation. Such orientation of blades provides a positive feedback minimizing the blades' friction and maximizing the turbine's performance.
To ensure the most efficient utilization of the current flow, the blades 34, preferably, have a profile of the partial segment (see FIG. 3) with the distance between parallel leading 35 and a trailing 37 edges not exceeding the half of the segment's radius.
'1-he blades may be manufactured from any suitable material, such as a steel, aluminum, plastic or fiberglass, which provides sufficient buoyancy for the floatable blades, and reasonable gravity for the sinkable blades.
The flow deflector 24 (see EIGS. l and 2) funnels incoming water current through the working side 38 of the turbine 22 and protects the resting (opposite) side 39 of the turbine 22 from moving water. It further decreases the blades' friction, reduces resistance to the turbine rotation, and increases the fluid velocity through the turbine thereby enhancing the efficiency and power output of the converter. The blades 34 extend beyond supporting members 31, mounted on the rim 29 thereby increasing torque to spin the turbine.
As discussed earlier, the efficiency of the vertical axis turbine increases with the degree of difference between a drag force created by turbine's blades and their frictional force.
The greater the cross sectional area of the blades on the working side of the paddlewheel that transfers kinetic energy to the turbine and the lower the surface area of the paddlewheel on the opposite side, the greater the efficiency of the turbine.
'The high efficiency of the presented turbine comes from creating maximum drug force by vertically oriented blades on the power generating side 38 and practically zero frictional force produced by horizontally oriented blades on the resting side 39 of the paddlewheel.
When the water is not flowing the sinkable blades of the lower paddles, located below the working wheel, are partially open via the force of gravity creating 45-degree angles between their surfaces and the vertical axis of the turbine. When water flows against the partially opened blades on the power generating side of the paddlewheel the water current is applied as an opening force against the blades. The flow deflector 24 protects the resting (opposite) part of the turbine from moving water and, therefore, eliminates applying a force against the blades on the opposite side of the paddlewheel.
Two forces (gravity and water flow) start to turn the blades on the power generating side toward their vertical position. The cross flower area is increasing and the turbine begins spinning. At the same time, because of their mutually perpendicular orientation, the blades on the opposite side of the paddles are turning toward their horizontal position, decreasing the frictional force. 'this creates a positive feedback resulting in further increasing the turbine's spinning. When the blades reach the vertical position, stops prevent paddles from turning further. As a result, the vertically oriented blades create the maximum drug force while the frictional force of the horizontally oriented blades is negligible thereby producing the high efficiency of the presented turbine.
The upper paddles, located above the wheel, work in a similar way. The only difference is that a buoyant force is applied to the floatable blades of the upper paddles instead of a gravitational force applied to the sinkable blades of the lower paddles.
The presented vertical axis paddlewheel turbine is far more effective in its operation than is a prior art: (1 ) the amount of frictional force is negligible because the frictional area of the horizontally oriented blades is close to zero; (2) torque is gained by an increase in horizontal distance instead of an increase in vertical distance, which allows it to be used in shallow water currents with a very low head; (3) it is of simple construction and.
therefore, inexpensive to produce; (4) it can be made to have only a small number of wearing parts and thus has a long service life; (5) it is capable of handling large volumes of water without becoming too bulky.
T'he electrical generator 23 transforms the rotational energy of the turbine into electricity.
A generator pulley 40 is coupled to a generator 23. A belt 41 rotatably couples the generator pulley 40 to the paddlewheel's rim 29, which serves as a gear thereby eliminating the need for an underwater gearing speed increaser, which would otherwise be required to connect a slowly spinning paddlewheel's hub to an electrical generator.
The belt in the present example is a V-shaped belt. Alternatively, the rim may be coupled to an electrical generator by any suitable means such as a belted tooth-pin transmission or other driven means, as well as any suitable submersible electrical generator may be employed.
The system module's protecting housing 21, shown in FIGs.I and 2, is a strong steel frame having a shape of the right trapezoid prism, which supports the turbine 22, deflector 24, and the electrical generator 23. Additionally, the protecting housing includes the detachable filter and screen panels. The filter panels, made of steel bars, cover the front, rear and top entrances of the frame to prevent clogging of the converter by submerged objects (debris) carried by water current. The size of the filter opening is smaller than the spacing between the turbine blades and frame so that any particular matter that passes through the filter can freely pass through the turbine and out the module. The screen panels cover the frame's side entrances and serve both to improve the IO
efficiency of the turbine by creating a described earlier funneling channel together with a i'~ow det7ector 24, and to protect the converter from debris.
1n order to properly position and secure the system module to a river bed, the protective housing may be bolted to the ballast panel 42 having anchoring means 43, for example concrete blocks. Such a bolted structure allows it to be easily mounted and adjusted to the:
riverbed profile.
The diverting module (see FIGS. 6 and 7) is a strong steel frame 44, which has a symmetrical shape of a right rhomboid prism. The screen panel 45 covers the module's entrance and serves to deflect a flow into the preferred areas. The diverting modules play a vital role in improving the efficiency of the system. Power available from a turbine increases as the cube of the velocity. If the velocity is doubled, the available power then increases by a factor of eight. It is therefore important to make use of velocities that are as high as possible, which would enable the number of turbines to be significantly reduced, and this would have a marked effect on the capital cost. This is achieved through the use of the diverting modules to create artificial reefs that redirect water flows into converting modules.
One or more modules can be anchored at various locations in a river or an ocean for the purpose of generating electricity, pumping water or operating mechanisms or the like.
'The system's modularity allows it to be assembled by bolts, screws and other conventional anchoring pieces. Such gives a time advantage for assembly and further maintenance.
A vertical configuration of the modular system (see FIG. 8) can exploit a common generator 23 for a number of modules (FIGS 1 and 2), providing an additional flexibility to build and maintain the power system The modules may be connected to an electric generator 23 in any suitable manner, such as by a belted transmission and a vertical common shaft 46.
As shown in FIG. 9, an array of converting modules 47 and diverting modules 48 may be arranged side by side in order to intersect any cross sectional area of the flow nearly completely, thus providing versatile forms of hydroelectric power systems using any combinations of the above system modules, which are inexpensive to build, install and maintain.
It must be appreciated that during assembly of the system, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the artificial reefs 49 that deflect water flows into the converting modules are created automatically, thereby providing a significant advantage to the prior art.
The electricity produced by the system is transmitted through the flexible underwater cables to the shore. After employing the appropriate voltage regulator and transformers, the generated power then is supplied to the consumers via the power-distributing network.
The nature of the system according to the present invention is such that it needs never totally block the natural flow of the river. There is no need for the system to dominate the landscape, endanger fish or interfere adversely with recreational pursuits such as fishing or boating. The system does not change the character of the water stream or create any harmful by-products. Unlike previous efforts to generate electricity from moving fluid, the present invention is practical and economical because its design uses both a new turbine, which surpasses the efficiencies of other known fluid driven turbines, and a durable simple construction to achieve long term unattended operation.
Embodiment B
The embodiment B is a system assembly comprised of an array of interconnected unidirectional converting modules, bidirectional converting modules, and diverting modules, and capable of harvesting the kinetic energy of tides that alternate the direction of their movements at 180 degrees.
The bidirectional converting module (FIG. 10) contains a water current energy converter placed inside the protective housing S0.
This converter consists of a detachable vertical axis hydro-turbine 22, analogous to the one described in the embodiment A, the detachable electrical generator 23, and a pair of flow deflectors S3 and S4 which are rotatably mounted to said protective housing S0.
rfhe flow deflectors S3 and S4 are symmetrically located in the inlet/outlet areas of the module, and are secured to the housing in a pivotal manner. The free end of each flow deflector is able to rotate inside the sector restricted by the filter panels SS, S6 and stops S l, S2 incorporated into protective housing 50. The arrangement of the deflectors is such that they are forced to rotate by the incoming flow of water toward the filter panels, while the outgoing flow of water rotates the deflectors toward the water flow direction thus creating together with the screen panels S7 and S8 a funneling channel on the energy generating side of the paddlewheel and analogous to the one described in the embodiment A.
When the flow of a tidal current reverses, the flow of water through the funneling channels also reverses. However, the paddlewheel continues to rotate in the same direction. Hence, the turbine maintains a unidirectional rotation regardless of the direction of the tidal currents.
'The system module's protective housing SO is a strong steel frame, which has a symmetrical shape of the right rhomboid prism. The protective housing supports the turbine 22, the electrical generator 23, flow deflectors S3 and S4, filter panels SS and 56.
and screen panels S7 and S8.
The unidirectional converting module (FIG.11 ) contains a water current energy converter placed inside the protective housing 60.
This converter consists of a detachable vertical axis hydro-turbine 22, analogous to the one described in the embodiment A, the detachable electrical generator 23, a flow deflector 62 rotatably mounted to the protecting housing 60, and a pair of flow deflectors 63 and 64 which are fixedly mounted to the protecting housing 60.
The flow deflector 62 is secured to the housing in a pivotal manner. The free end of this flow deflector is able to rotate inside the sector restricted by the filter panels 65, and the stop 61 incorporated into protecting housing 60. The arrangement of the flow deflector 62 is such that it is forced to rotate by the incoming flow of water toward the filter panel 65, thus together with the deflector 63 diverting the flow of water from the turbine 22. When the flow of a tidal current reverses, the outgoing flow of water rotates the flow deflectors toward the water flow direction, thus creating together with the flow deflector 64 and screen panels 67 and 68 the funneling channel on the energy generating side of the paddlewheel and analogous to the one described in the embodiment A.
The system module's protective housing 60 is a strong steel frame, which has a symmetrical shape of the right rhomboid prism. The protective housing supports the turbine 22, the electrical generator 23, flow deflectors 62, 63 and 64, filter panels 65 and 66, and screen panels 67 and 68.
As demonstrated in FIG. 12, an array of diverting modules 48, unidirectional converting modules 71 and bidirectional converting modules 72 can be arranged side by side, thus providing versatile forms of flexible and cost-effective hydroelectric power systems capable of harvesting kinetic energy of the tidal currents.
The present invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims.
Claims (16)
1. A plurality of submersible converting modules. Each of the said modules contains:
a. A frame protecting housing, having a form of the right trapezoid prism with a sharp angle inlet and a right angle outlet of said housing b. An electrical generator located in said housing c. A flow deflector incorporated with said housing d. A vertical axis paddlewheel type turbine incorporated with said housing e. A pair of plain screens, covering the parallel sides of said housing f. A set of detachable filter panels, covering the front, rear and top entrances of said housing to prevent clogging of the said module g. A tunnel channel, which is incorporated with said flow deflector and said screens for directing incoming water current through the working part of said turbine and protecting the resting (opposite) part of said turbine from moving water h. Means for transmitting torque developed by said turbine to said electrical generator.
a. A frame protecting housing, having a form of the right trapezoid prism with a sharp angle inlet and a right angle outlet of said housing b. An electrical generator located in said housing c. A flow deflector incorporated with said housing d. A vertical axis paddlewheel type turbine incorporated with said housing e. A pair of plain screens, covering the parallel sides of said housing f. A set of detachable filter panels, covering the front, rear and top entrances of said housing to prevent clogging of the said module g. A tunnel channel, which is incorporated with said flow deflector and said screens for directing incoming water current through the working part of said turbine and protecting the resting (opposite) part of said turbine from moving water h. Means for transmitting torque developed by said turbine to said electrical generator.
2. The module of claim 1, wherein said vertical axis paddlewheel type turbine consists of:
a. A working wheel, which hub is mounted via bearings on its ends over an inner vertical axis that is nonrotatably attached by its ends to said housing b. The first set of paddles located above said working wheel and comprising a pair of floatable blades, having a partial segment profile, which are asymmetrical (y fixed by their leading edges to the pole at both ends and have a mutually perpendicular orientation c. The second set of paddles located below said working wheel and comprising a pair of sinkable blades, having a partial segment prof 1e, which are asymmetrically fixed by their leading edges to the pole at both ends and have a mutually perpendicular orientation d. The paddle support members fixedly mounted to the rim and hub of said working wheel e. The stops, built in the said paddle support members, limiting the free rotation of said paddles in the right angle range f. A plurality of radial spokes connecting said working wheel's rim to said working wheel's hub.
a. A working wheel, which hub is mounted via bearings on its ends over an inner vertical axis that is nonrotatably attached by its ends to said housing b. The first set of paddles located above said working wheel and comprising a pair of floatable blades, having a partial segment profile, which are asymmetrical (y fixed by their leading edges to the pole at both ends and have a mutually perpendicular orientation c. The second set of paddles located below said working wheel and comprising a pair of sinkable blades, having a partial segment prof 1e, which are asymmetrically fixed by their leading edges to the pole at both ends and have a mutually perpendicular orientation d. The paddle support members fixedly mounted to the rim and hub of said working wheel e. The stops, built in the said paddle support members, limiting the free rotation of said paddles in the right angle range f. A plurality of radial spokes connecting said working wheel's rim to said working wheel's hub.
3. The module of claim 1, wherein said means for transmitting torque developed by said paddlewheel type turbine to said electrical generator located in said protecting housing consists of:
a. A generator pulley coupled to said generator b. A belt rotatably coupling said generator pulley to the working wheel's rim, which serves as a gear.
a. A generator pulley coupled to said generator b. A belt rotatably coupling said generator pulley to the working wheel's rim, which serves as a gear.
4. A plurality of submersible deflecting modules. Each of the said modules contains:
a. A frame, having a symmetrical shape of a right rhomboid prism b. A screen panel, covering the entrance of said module facing the water flows
a. A frame, having a symmetrical shape of a right rhomboid prism b. A screen panel, covering the entrance of said module facing the water flows
5. An anchor-mooring structure, including a ballast platforms having a set of anchors, allocated on the bottom side of said platforms, and a set of bolts built in to the upper side of said platforms, thereby enabling submersible converting modules of claim 1 and submersible deflecting modules of claim 4 to be properly positioned and secured to a river or ocean bed
6. A plurality of submersible converting modules of claim 1, which are stacked vertically to provide a continuous sharp angle tower configuration for converting kinetic energy of river or ocean currents into electricity, comprising a vertical common shaft to connect said plural modules to a single electrical generator located below the water surface
7. A plurality of submersible converting modules of claim 1, which are stacked vertically to provide a continuous sharp angle tower configuration for converting kinetic energy of river or ocean currents into electricity, comprising a vertical common shaft to connect said plural modules to a single electrical generator located above the water surface
8. A plurality of submersible converting modules of claim 1 and submersible deflecting modules of claim 4, joined by their sides to provide a continuous diagonal wall configuration for converting kinetic energy of river or ocean currents into electricity
9. A plurality of submersible bidirectional converting modules. Each of the said modules contains:
a. A frame protecting housing, having a form of the right rhomboid prism with sharp angle inlets of said housing b. An electrical generator located in said housing c. A vertical axis paddlewheel type turbine recited in claim 2, which is incorporated with said housing d. A pair of plain screens covering the parallel sides of said housing e. A set of detachable filter panels, covering the front, rear and top entrances of said housing to prevent clogging of the said module f. A pair of flow deflectors symmetrically located in inlet/outlet areas of the module.
secured to the housing in a pivotal mariner enabling their free ends to rotate in the sector restricted by the filter panels, covering the front and rear entrances of said housing, and stops incorporated into protecting housing, which have a such arrangement that said flow deflectors are forced by incoming flow of water to rotate toward said filter panels while the outgoing flow of water rotates said deflectors towards the water flow direction.
g. A pair of funnel channels, which are incorporated with said flow deflectors and said screens for directing incoming water currents through the working part of said turbine and protecting the resting (opposite) part of said turbine from moving water, thus providing a unidirectional rotation of said turbine regardless of the directions of the tidal currents h. Means recited in claim 3 for transmitting torque developed by said turbine to said electrical generator.
a. A frame protecting housing, having a form of the right rhomboid prism with sharp angle inlets of said housing b. An electrical generator located in said housing c. A vertical axis paddlewheel type turbine recited in claim 2, which is incorporated with said housing d. A pair of plain screens covering the parallel sides of said housing e. A set of detachable filter panels, covering the front, rear and top entrances of said housing to prevent clogging of the said module f. A pair of flow deflectors symmetrically located in inlet/outlet areas of the module.
secured to the housing in a pivotal mariner enabling their free ends to rotate in the sector restricted by the filter panels, covering the front and rear entrances of said housing, and stops incorporated into protecting housing, which have a such arrangement that said flow deflectors are forced by incoming flow of water to rotate toward said filter panels while the outgoing flow of water rotates said deflectors towards the water flow direction.
g. A pair of funnel channels, which are incorporated with said flow deflectors and said screens for directing incoming water currents through the working part of said turbine and protecting the resting (opposite) part of said turbine from moving water, thus providing a unidirectional rotation of said turbine regardless of the directions of the tidal currents h. Means recited in claim 3 for transmitting torque developed by said turbine to said electrical generator.
10. A plurality of submersible unidirectional converting modules. Each of the said modules contains:
a. A frame protecting housing, having a form of the right rhomboid prism with sharp angle inlets of said housing b. An electrical generator located in said housing c. A vertical axis paddlewheel type turbine recited in claim 2, which is incorporated with said housing d. A pair of plain screens covering the parallel sides of said housing e. A set of detachable filter panels, covering the front and top entrances and partially covering a rear entrance of said housing to prevent clogging of the said module f. The first flow deflector partially covering a rear entrance of said housing g. The second flow deflector located in outlet area of the module and secured to the housing in a pivotal manner enabling its free end to rotate in the sector restricted by the filter panel, partially covering the rear entrance of said housing, and stop incorporated into protecting housing, which has a such arrangement that said second flow deflector is forced by incoming flow of water to rotate toward said filter panel, partially covering the rear entrance of said housing, thus diverting together with said first flow deflector the water current from said module while the water current coming from the opposite direction rotates said second flow deflector towards the water flow direction h. The third flow deflector incorporated with said housing i. A funnel channel, which is incorporated with said second and third flow deflectors and said screens for directing incoming water current through the working part of said turbine and protecting the resting (opposite) part of said turbine from moving water j. Means recited in claim 3 for transmitting torque developed by said turbine to said electrical generator.
a. A frame protecting housing, having a form of the right rhomboid prism with sharp angle inlets of said housing b. An electrical generator located in said housing c. A vertical axis paddlewheel type turbine recited in claim 2, which is incorporated with said housing d. A pair of plain screens covering the parallel sides of said housing e. A set of detachable filter panels, covering the front and top entrances and partially covering a rear entrance of said housing to prevent clogging of the said module f. The first flow deflector partially covering a rear entrance of said housing g. The second flow deflector located in outlet area of the module and secured to the housing in a pivotal manner enabling its free end to rotate in the sector restricted by the filter panel, partially covering the rear entrance of said housing, and stop incorporated into protecting housing, which has a such arrangement that said second flow deflector is forced by incoming flow of water to rotate toward said filter panel, partially covering the rear entrance of said housing, thus diverting together with said first flow deflector the water current from said module while the water current coming from the opposite direction rotates said second flow deflector towards the water flow direction h. The third flow deflector incorporated with said housing i. A funnel channel, which is incorporated with said second and third flow deflectors and said screens for directing incoming water current through the working part of said turbine and protecting the resting (opposite) part of said turbine from moving water j. Means recited in claim 3 for transmitting torque developed by said turbine to said electrical generator.
11. An anchor-mooring structure, including a ballast platforms having a set of anchors, allocated on the bottom side of said platforms, and a set of bolts built in to the upper side of said platforms, thereby enabling submersible bidirectional converting modules of claim 9 and submersible unidirectional converting modules of claim 10 to be properly positioned and secured to an ocean bed
12. A plurality of submersible bidirectional converting modules of claim 9, which are stacked vertically to provide a continuous tower configuration for converting kinetic energy of tidal currents into electricity, comprising a vertical common shaft to connect said plural modules to a single electrical generator located below the water surface
13. A plurality of submersible bidirectional converting modules of claim 9, which are stacked vertically to provide a continuous tower configuration for converting kinetic energy of tidal currents into electricity, comprising a vertical common shaft to connect said plural modules to a single electrical generator located above the water surface
14. A plurality of submersible unidirectional converting modules of claim 10, which are stacked vertically to provide a continuous tower configuration for converting kinetic energy of tidal currents into electricity, comprising a vertical common shaft to connect said plural modules to a single electrical generator located below the water surface
15. A plurality of submersible unidirectional converting modules of claim 10, which are stacked vertically to provide a continuous tower configuration for converting kinetic energy of tidal currents into electricity, comprising a vertical common shaft to connect said plural modules to a single electrical generator located above the water surface
16. A plurality of submersible bidirectional converting modules of claim 9, submersible unidirectional converting modules of claim 10, and submersible deflecting modules of claim 4, joined by their sides to provide a continuous diagonal wall configuration for converting kinetic energy of tidal currents into electricity.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002510171A CA2510171A1 (en) | 2005-07-21 | 2005-07-21 | Modular system for generating electricity from moving water |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002510171A CA2510171A1 (en) | 2005-07-21 | 2005-07-21 | Modular system for generating electricity from moving water |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2510171A1 true CA2510171A1 (en) | 2007-01-21 |
Family
ID=37682404
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002510171A Abandoned CA2510171A1 (en) | 2005-07-21 | 2005-07-21 | Modular system for generating electricity from moving water |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2510171A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8432057B2 (en) | 2007-05-01 | 2013-04-30 | Pliant Energy Systems Llc | Pliant or compliant elements for harnessing the forces of moving fluid to transport fluid or generate electricity |
-
2005
- 2005-07-21 CA CA002510171A patent/CA2510171A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8432057B2 (en) | 2007-05-01 | 2013-04-30 | Pliant Energy Systems Llc | Pliant or compliant elements for harnessing the forces of moving fluid to transport fluid or generate electricity |
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