EP4269785A1

EP4269785A1 - A system for generating energy in a water stream

Info

Publication number: EP4269785A1
Application number: EP23170883.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bram Kerkhofs
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-04-29
Filing date: 2023-04-28
Publication date: 2023-11-01

Abstract

The invention provides a system (100) for generating energy in a water stream (200). The system (100) comprises a water guiding device (110) with a passage (120) for the water stream (200). The system (100) comprises an energy generating device (130) at the passage (120), which is rotatable around a rotation axis (R) by means of the water stream (200) for generating energy. The system (100) comprises a pivoting device (150) arranged for pivoting the energy generating device (130) around a pivot axis (P) with respect to the water guiding device (110) between at least one closed position in which the energy generating device (130) is positioned at the passage (120) for generating energy and an open position in which the energy generating device (130) is positioned for reducing disturbance of the water stream (200). The pivot axis (P) extends along a first non-horizontal direction or along a second horizontal direction transverse to a horizontal normal (N) to a flow direction (F) of the water stream (200).

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to a system for generating energy in a water stream.

Background art

From the prior art a system for generating energy in a water stream is known, which comprises a water guiding device and an energy generating device. The water guiding device comprises a passage for the water stream, and is arranged for guiding the water stream through the passage. The energy generating device is located at the passage of the water guiding device, and is rotatable around a rotation axis by means of the water stream through the passage of the water guiding device for generating energy.
Such a system has however the disadvantage that floating and suspended debris in the water stream accumulates against the energy generating device at the passage of the water guiding device, thereby obstructing or even blocking the water stream through the passage of the water guiding device, such that the energy generation by the energy generating device is hindered or even stopped. To overcome this problem, the debris accumulated against the energy generating device may be removed manually, but this is labour intensive and time consuming.
In further systems known from the prior art, such as for example WO 2015/186086 A1 , the system further comprises, for alleviating this problem, a pivoting device pivotably connecting the energy generating device to the water guiding device. This pivoting device is arranged for pivoting the energy generating device around a pivot axis with respect to the water guiding device. The pivot axis extends along a horizontal direction parallel to a horizontal normal to a flow direction of the water stream upstream of or through the passage of the water guiding device. Thereby, the energy generating device is pivotable between a closed position in which the energy generating device is positioned at the passage of the water guiding device for generating energy and an open position in which the energy generating device is emerged from the water stream behind the passage of the water guiding device. In the open position the energy generating device is better accessible for cleaning, and debris accumulated against the energy generating device may pass through the passage in the water stream below the energy generating device.
Such a system has however the disadvantage that in the open position the energy generating device is still positioned in its entirety behind the passage of the water guiding device above the water stream, such that at high water levels of the water stream floating and suspended debris in the water stream may still accumulate against the energy generating device, certainly because at high water levels the amount of floating and suspended debris in a water stream typically increases.

Disclosure of the invention

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a system for generating energy in a water stream for which it is easier to remove debris accumulated against the energy generating device.
This aim is achieved according to the invention with a system for generating energy in a water stream showing the technical characteristics of the first independent claim.
Therefore, the present invention provides a system for generating energy in a water stream, such as for example a river. The system comprises a water guiding device. The water guiding device comprises a passage for the water stream. Preferably, the water guiding device is arranged for guiding the water stream through the passage. The system comprises an energy generating device at the passage of the water guiding device. Thereby, the energy generating device can be arranged at any one of in front of, preferably directly in front of, the passage of the water guiding device, in the passage of the water guiding device and behind, preferably directly behind, the passage of the water guiding device. Thereby, the terms "in front of" and "behind" should be seen in a flow direction, preferably a main flow direction, of the water stream. The energy generating device is rotatable around a rotation axis by means of the water stream through the passage of the water guiding device for generating energy. The system comprises a pivoting device arranged for pivoting the energy generating device with respect to the water guiding device around a pivot axis between at least one closed position and an open position. Preferably, the pivoting device pivotably connects the energy generating device to the water guiding device. In the at least one closed position the energy generating device is positioned at the passage of the water guiding device for generating energy. Alternatively or additionally, in the least one closed position the energy generating device is positioned at the passage of the water guiding device for considerably or maximally hindering the water stream at the passage of the water guiding device. Alternatively or additionally, in the least one closed position the energy generating device is positioned at the passage of the water guiding device for maximising the energy generation of the energy generating device in the water stream at the passage of the water guiding device. Alternatively or additionally, in the least one closed position the energy generating device is positioned at the passage of the water guiding device for optimising a rotational movement of the energy generating device by the water stream at the passage of the water guiding device. In the open position the energy generating device is positioned for reducing, preferably minimising, disturbance of the water stream through the passage of the water guiding device by the energy generating device. In the open position the energy generating device is positioned for creating sufficient space at the passage of the water guiding device such that floating and suspended debris at or moving towards the passage of the water guiding device can be removed or is allowed to pass through the passage of the water guiding device. The pivoting device is arranged such that the pivot axis extends along a first direction or a second direction. The first direction is a non-horizontal direction. The second direction is a horizontal direction transverse to a horizontal normal to a flow direction of the water stream upstream, preferably directly upstream, of or through the passage of the water guiding device. Hereby, the horizontal normal is a vector in a horizontal plane, which vector is normal, i.e. perpendicular, to the flow direction. Hence, the pivot axis may extend along any direction, except horizontally, in which case the pivot axis extends along a horizontal direction transverse to the horizontal normal to the flow direction of the water stream upstream, preferably directly upstream, of or through the passage of the water guiding device.
The system according to the present invention offers the advantage that, with the pivot axis extending along the first direction or the second direction, the energy generating device is pivotable to an open position in which there is open space around the energy generating device at all levels, in a vertical direction, in and above the passage of the water guiding device. This open space allows accumulated debris and any further floating and suspended debris to pass around the energy generating device in the open position, also in case of high water levels of the water stream above the water guiding device and the passage of the water guiding device. This is beneficial for the easy removal of the accumulated debris in the open position of the energy generating device, and for preventing any further accumulation of floating and suspended debris against the energy generating device in the open position. This open space is also beneficial to let fish pass in an undisturbed manner through the passage of the water guiding device when the energy generating device is in the open position.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention the system further comprises an appendage connected to the energy generating device such that the appendage is pivotable around the pivot axis together with the energy generating device. The appendage is connected directly or indirectly to the energy generating device. Preferably, the appendage is a plate shaped element. Preferably, the appendage is a blade.
The appendage is beneficial at the passage of the water guiding device to prevent water from streaming around the energy generating device in the at least one closed position and to guide as much as possible water through the energy generating device to optimise the energy generation by the energy generating device in the water stream.
The appendage is also beneficial for being used as a blade to make use of the force of the water stream to deliver at least part of the energy required for pivoting the energy generating device from the at least one closed position to the open position and/or from the open position to the at least one closed position.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention the system is arranged such that the energy required for pivoting the energy generating device from the at least one closed position to the open position is at least partially delivered, preferably is delivered, by a force of the water stream on the energy generating device and, if present, the appendage connected to the energy generating device. In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention the system is arranged such that the energy required for pivoting the energy generating device from the open position to the at least one closed position is at least partially delivered, preferably is delivered, by a force of the water stream on the energy generating device and, if present, the appendage connected to the energy generating device.
These embodiments offers the advantage that the energy present in the water stream itself can be harnessed for pivoting the energy generating device, and that little to no additional energy is required for pivoting the energy generating device. For pivoting the energy generating device from the at least one closed position to the open position this is useful when the water stream through the passage of the water guiding device is blocked by floating and suspended debris and little to no additional energy is available, for example in case of an emergency, power interruptions, at remote locations, etc. For pivoting the energy generating device from the open position to the at least one closed position this is useful when the production of the additional energy is dependent on the energy generation by the energy generating device itself, for example when said generated energy is stored in a battery, in which case it is easier to move the energy generating device to the at least one closed position in which the energy generating device is generating energy without requiring too much of the additional energy.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention the system is arranged such that the energy required for pivoting the energy generating device from the at least one closed position to the open position is at least partially delivered, preferably is delivered, by a gravitational force on the energy generating device and, if present, the appendage connected to the energy generating device. In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention the system is arranged such that the energy required for pivoting the energy generating device from the open position to the at least one closed position is at least partially delivered, preferably is delivered, by a gravitational force on the energy generating device and, if present, the appendage connected to the energy generating device.
These embodiments offers the advantage that the energy of the gravitational force on the energy generating device and, if present, the appendage can be harnessed for pivoting the energy generating device, and that little to no additional energy is required. A further advantage of using the gravitational energy for pivoting the energy generating device is that it is not or less dependent on the water level of the water stream in comparison with using the force of the water stream for pivoting the energy generating device, such that the use of gravitational energy and the force of the water stream for pivoting the energy generating device can beneficially complement each other. For pivoting the energy generating device from the at least one closed position to the open position this is useful when the water stream through the passage of the water guiding device is blocked by floating and suspended debris and little to no additional energy is available, for example in case of an emergency, power interruptions, at remote locations, etc. For pivoting the energy generating device from the open position to the at least one closed position this is useful when the production of the additional energy is dependent on the energy generation by the energy generating device itself, for example when said generated energy is stored in a battery, in which case it is easier to move the energy generating device to the at least one closed position in which the energy generating device is generating energy without requiring too much of the additional energy.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention the system is arranged such that the energy required for pivoting the energy generating device from the at least one closed position to the open position is at least partially delivered, preferably is delivered, by a drive element of the system. In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention the system is arranged such that the energy required for pivoting the energy generating device from the open position to the at least one closed position is at least partially delivered, preferably is delivered, by a drive element of the system. Preferably, the drive element is powered by additional energy.
The use of a drive element is beneficial for increasing the chance of successful pivoting of the energy generating device, certainly in case gravitational energy and/or the force of the water stream would not be sufficient for completely pivoting the energy generating device. As such, the use of the drive element for pivoting the energy generating device can beneficially complement the use of gravitational energy and/or the force of the water stream for pivoting the energy generating device. The drive element can also be used beneficially to actively hold the energy generating device in at least one of the at least one closed position and the open position during use in order to reduce the impact of the water stream and/or of floating and suspended debris in the water stream on the energy generating device, which might undesirably pivot the energy generating device.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention, which comprises the drive element, the drive element is connected to at least one of the pivoting device and the energy generating device by means of an actuator for driving the pivoting of the energy generating device around the pivot axis. Preferably, the drive element is arranged for being positioned at a bank of the water stream, i.e. at ground level besides the water stream.
The actuator offers the advantage that the drive element can be located at a position at a distance from the energy generating device and the water stream, for example at a bank of the water stream, such that the drive element is easily accessible for maintenance and such that the risk of damage by the water stream and floating and suspended debris in the water stream on the drive element is reduced.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention the system is arranged for storing at least a part of the energy released by the pivoting of the energy generating device and, if present, the appendage connected to the energy generating device. The system is further arranged for reusing said stored energy for later pivoting of the energy generating device and, if present, the appendage connected to the energy generating device.
This embodiment is beneficial for reducing the energy consumption of the additional energy.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention the energy generating device comprises a turbine. Preferably, the energy generating device comprises an impulse turbine or a reaction turbine. Preferably, the energy generating device comprises at least one of a Francis turbine, a Kaplan turbine, a Tyson turbine, a Deriaz turbine, a Gorlov turbine, a Darrieus turbine, a water wheel, a Pelton wheel, Turgo turbine, a cross-flow turbine, a Jonval turbine, a screw turbine and a Barkh turbine.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention the system further comprises a locking mechanism arranged for releasably locking the energy generating device in at least one of the at least one closed position and the open position. Optionally, the locking mechanism may also be arranged for releasably locking the energy generating device in one or more intermediate positions between the at least one closed position and the open position.
The locking mechanism is beneficial to hold the energy generating device in at least one of the at least one closed position and the open position during use in order to reduce the impact of the water stream and/or of floating and suspended debris in the water stream on the energy generating device, which might undesirably pivot the energy generating device. The locking mechanism may beneficially be combined with the drive element, described above, being arranged for actively holding the energy generating device in at least one of the at least one closed position and the open position.
The locking mechanism may be a rigid locking mechanism arranged for strongly locking the energy generating device in position, or an elastic locking mechanism arranged for locking the energy device in position in a more flexible manner, i.e. with a certain amount of play.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention the first direction is a non-horizontal, preferably upwards, direction transverse to the horizontal normal to the flow direction of the water stream upstream, preferably directly upstream, of or through the passage of the water guiding device. Preferably, the first direction is a non-horizontal, preferably upwards, direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal normal to the flow direction of the water stream upstream, preferably directly upstream, of or through the passage of the water guiding device. Preferably, the first direction is a non-horizontal, preferably upwards, direction perpendicular to the horizontal normal to the flow direction of the water stream upstream, preferably directly upstream, of or through the passage of the water guiding device. Preferably, the first direction is a vertical direction.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention the second direction is a horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal normal to the flow direction of the water stream upstream, preferably directly upstream, of or through the passage of the water guiding device. Preferably, the second direction is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the horizontal normal to the flow direction of the water stream upstream, preferably directly upstream, of or through the passage of the water guiding device.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention, in which the pivot axis extends along the first direction, the pivoting device is arranged such that the energy generating device is pivotable in front of or behind the water guiding device besides the passage of the water guiding device in the open position.
This embodiment offers the advantage that in the open position the energy generating device is pivoted completely away from the passage of the water guiding device and the area in front of, behind and above the passage of the water guiding device, such that the passage of the water guiding device and said area are completely free for the water stream and any floating and suspended debris in the water stream to pass unhindered through the passage of the water guiding device, even at high water levels of the water stream.
Preferably, the pivoting device is arranged such that the energy generating device is pivotable behind the water guiding device besides the passage of the water guiding device in the open position. This offers the advantage that the energy generating device is pivotable from the at least one closed position to the open position in the same direction as the flow direction of the water stream upstream, preferably directly upstream, of or through the passage of the water guiding device, which makes it easier to pivot the energy generating device to the open position. This also offers the advantage that in the open position the energy generating device does not hinder any floating and suspended debris in front of the water guiding device from passing through the passage of the water guiding device from the left or right side of the passage of the water guiding device.
In this embodiment of the system according to the present invention the pivot axis is preferably located at one of a front left side, a front right side, a back left side and a back right side of the passage of the water guiding device. Hereby, the terms "left" and "right" are seen in a flow direction, preferably a main flow direction, of the water stream, but they may however be interchanged for the purpose of the present invention.
The inventor has found said sides of the passage of the water guiding device to be beneficial positions of the pivot axis for arranging the pivoting device such that the energy generating device is pivotable in front of or behind the water guiding device besides the passage of the water guiding device in the open position.
More preferably, the pivot axis is located at one of a back left side and a back right side of the passage of the water guiding device. The inventor has found the back left side and the back right side of the passage of the water guiding device to be beneficial positions of the pivot axis for arranging the pivoting device such that the energy generating device is pivotable behind the water guiding device besides the passage of the water guiding device in the open position.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention, in which the pivot axis extends along the first direction, the pivoting device is arranged such that the energy generating device is pivotable around a pivot axis between a first closed position, the open position and a second open position. In the first closed position the energy generating device is positioned at the passage of the water guiding device for generating energy in a first flow direction of the water stream. Alternatively or additionally, in the first closed position the energy generating device is positioned at the passage of the water guiding device for considerably or maximally hindering the water stream at the passage of the water guiding device in the first flow direction. Alternatively or additionally, in the first closed position the energy generating device is positioned at the passage of the water guiding device for maximising the energy generation of the energy generating device in the water stream at the passage of the water guiding device in the first flow direction.
Alternatively or additionally, in the first closed position the energy generating device is positioned at the passage of the water guiding device for optimising a rotational movement of the energy generating device by the water stream at the passage of the water guiding device in the first flow direction. In the open position the energy generating device is positioned for reducing, preferably minimising, disturbance of the water stream through the passage of the water guiding device by the energy generating device. In the second closed position the energy generating device is positioned at the passage of the water guiding device for generating energy in a second flow direction of the water stream. The second flow direction is opposite of the first flow direction. Alternatively or additionally, in the second closed position the energy generating device is positioned at the passage of the water guiding device for considerably or maximally hindering the water stream at the passage of the water guiding device in the second flow direction. Alternatively or additionally, in the second closed position the energy generating device is positioned at the passage of the water guiding device for maximising the energy generation of the energy generating device in the water stream at the passage of the water guiding device in the second flow direction. Alternatively or additionally, in the second closed position the energy generating device is positioned at the passage of the water guiding device for optimising a rotational movement of the energy generating device by the water stream at the passage of the water guiding device in the second flow direction.
This embodiment is beneficial for use in a water stream of which the flow direction can change, such for example a tidal river, certainly in combination with an energy generating device which has a preferred direction of rotation around the rotation axis with respect to the flow direction of the water stream for generating energy. In this way the energy generating device can be pivoted to the best position of the first closed position and the second closed position in which the actual flow direction of the water stream causes the rotation of the energy generating device around the rotation axis in the preferred direction of rotation for an optimal energy generation by the energy generating device in the water stream flowing in said flow direction.
In this embodiment of the system according to the present invention the pivot axis is preferably located centrally to the passage of the water guiding device. Preferably, the energy generating device is positioned in the passage of the water guiding device in the first closed position and the second closed position.
The inventor has found the pivot axis being located centrally to the passage of the water guiding device to be a beneficial position of the pivot axis for arranging the pivoting device such that the energy generating device is pivotable around the pivot axis between the first closed position, the open position and the second closed position. With the pivot axis located as such the energy generating device may be positioned in the first closed position at the passage of the water guiding device, pivoted over 90° to the open position centrally to the passage of the water guiding device leaving open space left and right of the energy generating device, pivoted further over 90° to the second closed position at the passage of the water guiding device, optionally pivoted further over 90° to another open position centrally to the passage of the water guiding device leaving open space left and right of the energy generating device, and optionally pivoted further over 90° back to first closed position at the passage of the water guiding device.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention, in which the system comprises the appendage, the appendage is connected to the energy generating device via the pivoting device. The energy generating device and the appendage are arranged opposite of each other with respect to the pivot axis.
The opposite arrangement of the energy generating device and the appendage in this embodiment offers the advantage that a force of the water stream on the appendage at least partially balances out with a force of the water stream on the energy generating device, such that less additional energy is required for pivoting the energy generating device around the pivot axis against the force of the water stream on the energy generating device.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention, in which the pivot axis extends along the second direction, the pivoting device is arranged such that the energy generating device is at least pivotable above, preferably completely above, the passage of the water guiding device when pivoted from the at least one closed position to the open position. Preferably, the at least one closed position is one closed position.
This embodiment offers the advantage that any debris accumulated against the energy generating device falls off the energy generating device into water stream when the energy generating device is pivoted above the passage of the water guiding device when pivoted from the at least one closed position to the open position. This allows thus for an easy removal of the debris accumulated against the energy generating device from the energy generating device into the water stream.
In this embodiment of the system according to the present invention the pivot axis is preferably located at a top left side or a top right side of the passage of the water guiding device.
The inventor has found the top left side and the top right side of the passage of the water guiding device to be beneficial positions of the pivot axis for arranging the pivoting device such that the energy generating device is at least pivotable above the passage of the water guiding device when pivoted from the at least one closed position to the open position.
In this embodiment of the system according to the present invention the pivoting device is preferably arranged such that the energy generating device is pivotable respectively in front of or behind the water guiding device besides the passage of the water guiding device in the open position, in case the energy generating device is positioned in front of or behind the passage of the water guiding device in the at least one closed position.
In this embodiment of the system according to the present invention the pivoting device is preferably arranged such that the energy generating device is pivotable above, preferably completely above, the passage of the water guiding device in the open position, in case the energy generating device is positioned in the passage of the water guiding device in the at least one closed position.
These further embodiments offer the advantage that in the open position the energy generating device is pivoted completely away from the passage of the water guiding device and the area in front of, behind and above the passage of the water guiding device, such that the passage of the water guiding device and said area are completely free for the water stream and any floating and suspended debris in the water stream to pass unhindered through the passage of the water guiding device, even at high water levels of the water stream.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be further elucidated by means of the following description and the appended figures.

Figure 1A shows a top view of a first embodiment of a system according to the present invention for generating energy in a water stream with the energy generating device in the closed position.
Figure 1B shows a front view of the system of Figure 1A.
Figure 1C shows a cross section of the system of Figure 1A along line C-C.
Figure 1D shows a cross section of the system of Figure 1A along line D-D.
Figure 1E shows a top view of the system of the system of Figure 1A with the energy generating device in the open position.
Figure 1F shows a front view of the system of Figure 1E.
Figure 2 shows a water stream in which the system of Figure 1A is arranged.
Figure 3 shows a bed of a water stream in which the system of Figure 1A is arranged.
Figure 4A shows a top view of a second embodiment of a system according to the present invention for generating energy in a water stream with the energy generating device in the closed position.
Figure 4B shows a front view of the system of Figure 4A.
Figure 4C shows a front view of the system of Figure 4A with the energy generating device in the open position.
Figure 5A shows a top view of a third embodiment of a system according to the present invention for generating energy in a water stream with the energy generating device in an open position.
Figure 5B shows a top view of the system of Figure 5A with the energy generating device a closed position.
Figure 5C shows a front view of the system of Figure 5C.
Figure 6A shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a system according to the present invention for generating energy in a water stream with the energy generating device in the closed position.
Figure 6B shows a perspective view of the system of Figure 6A from a different angle.
Figure 6C shows a perspective view of the system of Figure 6B with the energy generating device in the open position.

Modes for carrying out the invention

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.
Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. The terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the invention can operate in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.
Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. The terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the invention described herein can operate in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.
The term "comprising", used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It needs to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.
Within the context of the present invention the term "additional energy" should be understood as energy from an artificial or man-made source. The additional energy may for example come from a pressure source, e.g. hydraulic or pneumatic pressure, a chemical source, a kinetic source, a mechanical source, an electrical source, e.g. a power grid or a battery, manual force, or any other suitable source known to the skilled person.
A first embodiment of a system 100 according to the present invention for generating energy in a water stream 200 is shown in Figures 1A-F. Figures 2 and 3 show the system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention arranged respectively in a water stream 200 or in a bed 250 for a water stream 200. The water stream 200 is a water body such as for example a river, a brook, a creek, a streamlet or a canal flowing along a flow direction F in a bed 250 between banks 260. With the system 100 arranged in the water stream 200, such as shown in Figure 2, an upstream portion 210 and a downstream portion 220 can be identified in the water stream 200, whereby the upstream portion 210 lies in front of the system 100 seen in the flow direction F and the downstream portion 220 lies behind the system 100 seen in the flow direction F. Usually, the flow direction F of a water stream 200 remains the same, i.e. the water stream has a main flow direction F. There are however also water streams 200, such as for example a tidal river, in which the flow direction F of the river may also reverse, for which the water stream 200 thus has a main flow direction F and a reverse flow direction opposite to the main flow direction F.
A second, third and fourth embodiment of the system 100 according to the present invention for generating energy in a water stream 200 are shown respectively in Figures 4A-C, Figures 5A-C and Figures 6A-6C, which may be arranged similarly in a water stream 200 as shown in Figure 2 for the system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The system 100 according to these different embodiments of the present invention comprise as the main components a water guiding device 110, an energy generating device 130 and a pivoting device 150. The water guiding device 110 is arranged for being placed at a fixed position in the water stream 200. The water guiding device 110 is provided with a passage 120 which is arranged for the water stream 200 to flow through in the flow direction F from the upstream portion 210 of the water stream 200 to the downstream portion 220 of the water stream 200 when the water guiding device 110 is placed in the water stream 200. The energy generating device 130 is rotatable around a rotation axis R for generating energy. For this purpose, the energy generating device 130 is to be positioned at the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110, such that the water stream 200 flowing through the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 causes the rotation of the energy generating device 130 around its rotation axis R and thus causes the energy generating device 130 to generate energy. The pivoting device 150 is arranged for pivoting the energy generating device 130 around a pivot axis P, and this with respect to the water guiding device 110. For this purpose, the energy generating device 130 and the water guiding device 110 are preferably pivotably connected to each other by means of the pivoting device 150. Further details of the water guiding device 110, the energy generating device 130, the pivoting device 150, other components of the system 100 and their functionality are described below.
The water guiding device 110 may be arranged for guiding the water stream 200 through the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. The water guiding device 110 may also be arranged to minimise erosion caused by the water stream 200, which may for example occur between the energy generating device 130 and the bed 250 of the water stream 200, between the water guiding device 110 and the bed 250 of the water stream 200 and between the water guiding device 110 and the banks 260 of the water stream 200. The water guiding device 110 may also be arranged to serve as an anchor point for the pivoting device 150, in case the energy generating device 130 is pivotably connected to the water guiding device 110 for pivoting the energy generating device 130 with respect to the water guiding device 110 around the pivot axis P.
For the purpose of guiding the water stream 200 through the passage 120, the water guiding device 110 may for example comprise or be composed of a dam construction 112, such as in the first, second and third embodiments of the system 100 shown in Figures 1A-F, 4A-C and 5A-C. In these embodiments, the dam construction 112 is a straight and solid construction in a single piece arranged perpendicular to the flow direction F of the water stream 200. In alternative embodiments, the water guiding device 110 may also have other shapes, such as for example a curved shape or a partially perforated shape, and may also be arranged in the water stream 200 at different angles with respect to the flow direction F of the water stream 200. In the fourth embodiment of the system 100 shown in Figures 6A-C, the water guiding device 110 comprises a frame construction 115 defining the passage 120 for the water stream 200. The frame construction 115 comprises two leg portions 116 at opposing sides of the passage 120.
At the bottom the leg portions 116 are connected to each other via a bottom plate 117, which is for example beneficial for minimising erosion between the energy generating device 130 and the bed 250 of the water stream 200 if the water guiding device 110 is arranged on the bed 250 of the water stream 200. At the top the leg portions 116 are connected to each other by means of a connecting rod 118 for strengthening the frame construction 115, but this connecting rod 118 may also be omitted. The system 100 of the fourth embodiment may be used stand-alone in a water stream 200, for example if there is no need for guiding the water stream 200 through the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. The system 100 of the fourth embodiment may however also be used in combination with a dam construction 112, wherein the frame construction 115 is arranged at the passage 120 of the dam construction 112. The passage 120 can be arranged at any position within the water guiding device 110. The passage 120 can also be arranged such that the passage 120 separates the water guiding device 110 in two or more separate portions. For example, when a recess for the passage 120 extends from the top of water guiding device 110 to the bottom of the water guiding device 110 at the bed 250 of the water stream 200, and as such divides the water guiding device 110 in a left portion and a right portion. This is for example the case for the fourth embodiment of the system 100 with the two opposing leg portions 116 in the frame construction 115 of the water guiding device 110. The passage 120 may also be provided with one or more cross connections, such as for example the connecting rod 118 of the frame construction 115 of the water guiding device 110 of the fourth embodiment of the system 100, for constructively supporting the water guiding device 110. The water guiding device 110 can be manufactured from any suitable material known to the skilled person and can have different sizes. For the shown embodiments the passage 120 has a rectangular shape with the passage 120 having a front left side 121, a front right side 122, a back left side 123, a back right side 124, a top left side 125, a top right side 126, a bottom left side 127 and a bottom right side 128. Hereby, the terms front, back, left and right are seen in the flow direction F of the water stream 200 upstream of or through the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. In alternative embodiments the passage 120 may also have other shapes.
The energy generating device 130 comprises a rotatable portion 132 which is arranged to be rotatable around a rotation axis R by means of the water stream 200. As such, when the energy generating device 130 is placed with the rotatable portion 132 in the water stream 200, the energy present in the water stream 200 is converted to a continuous rotational mechanical energy of the rotatable portion 132. For this purpose, the energy generating device 130 preferably comprises a turbine, which may for example be a reaction turbine or an impulse turbine. Preferably, the energy generating device 130 comprises one or more of a Francis turbine, a Kaplan turbine, a Tyson turbine, a Deriaz turbine, a Gorlov turbine, a Darrieus turbine, a water wheel, a Pelton wheel, Turgo turbine, a cross-flow turbine, a Jonval turbine, a screw turbine and a Barkh turbine, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the energy generating device 130 further comprises an energy conversion portion arranged for converting the rotational mechanical energy of the rotatable portion 132 to another form of energy, such as for example electrical energy, pneumatic energy, hydraulic energy, mechanical energy, but not limited thereto. The energy generating device 130 may further comprise a supporting portion 136 for providing mechanical support to the rotatable portion 132 and to the energy generating device 130 as a whole. This supporting portion 136 may for example be a supporting frame 136, such as shown in Figures 6A-C for the fourth embodiment of the system 100. The energy generating device 130 may further comprise guiding portions (not shown) for guiding the water stream 200 within the energy generating device 130 itself.
In the fourth embodiment of the system 100 shown in Figures 6A-C, the energy generating device 130 comprises a Gorlov turbine. The Gorlov turbine comprises a plurality of blades 134 arranged around the rotational axis R. In the Gorlov turbine the rotational axis R extends along a horizontal direction and is to be arranged with the rotational axis R transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the flow direction F of the water stream 200 for generating energy. It should however be clear that in other types of energy generating devices 130 the rotational axis R may have different orientations and may be positioned differently with respect to the flow direction F of the water stream 200 for generating energy. The Gorlov turbine is preferably arranged in the water stream 200 in such a way that the water stream 200 causes the blades 134 to rotate around the rotational axis R in such a way that at the top the blades 134 move in the same direction as the flow direction F of the water stream 200 and at the bottom in a direction opposite of the flow direction F of the water stream 200. This offers the advantage that the influence of floating and suspended debris in the water stream 200 on the normal operation of the Gorlov turbine is minimised, since with this sense of rotation of the blades 134 any floating or suspended debris in the water stream 200 that comes into contact with the blades 132 is transported upwards and over the Gorlov turbine, above which preferably sufficient open space is left for this purpose. In the opposite sense of rotation, on the other hand, the debris would be transported downwards and possibly get stuck under the Gorlov turbine. It should be noted that in general such a sense of rotation is preferred for an energy generating device 130 for which the rotational axis R extends along a horizontal direction, and which has to be arranged with the rotational axis R transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the flow direction F of the water stream 200 for generating energy. Hence, for such an energy generating device 130, which is schematically illustrated in Figure 1A, the energy generating device 130, or at least it rotatable portion 132, should thus preferably rotate around the rotational axis R in such a way that at the top the energy generating device 130, or the rotatable portion 132, moves in the same direction as the flow direction F of the water stream 200 and at the bottom in a direction opposite of the flow direction F of the water stream 200.
As explained above, for generating energy, the energy generating device 130 is to be positioned at the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. Thereby, the energy generating device 130 can be arranged in the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110, such as in the third embodiment of the system 100 shown in Figures 5A-C, or behind, preferably directly behind, the passage 120, such as in the first, second and fourth embodiment of the system 100 shown respectively in Figures 1A-1F, Figures 4A-C and Figures 6A-C. Alternatively, the energy generating device 130 can also be arranged in front of, preferably directly in front of, the passage 120. The latter is not shown in the figures, but it should be clear for the skilled person how, for example, in the first, second and fourth embodiment of the system 100, the energy generating device 130 could be moved in front of the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110, instead of behind the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110.
The system 100 may further comprise an appendage 141, 142 that is connected to the energy generating device 130 in such a way that the appendage 141, 142 is pivotable around the pivot axis P together with the energy generating device 130. The appendage 141 may be connected directly to the energy generating device 130, such as in the second embodiment of the system 100 shown in Figures 4A-C. The appendage 142 may also be connected indirectly to the energy generating device 130, such as in the third embodiment of the system 100 shown in Figures 5A-C. In this embodiment, the energy generating device 130 and the appendage 142 are both connected to the pivot device 150 and thereby arranged opposite of each other with respect to the pivot axis P. As such, the appendage 142 is connected indirectly to the energy generating device 130 via the pivoting device 150. Preferably, the appendage 141, 142 is a plate shaped element, such as for example a blade. One function of the appendage 141, 142 is to guide as much as possible of the water stream 200 through the energy generating device 130 when the energy generating device 130 is positioned at the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 for generating energy. Thereby, leakage of the water stream 200 around the energy generating device 130 at the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 is minimised or prevented, and the flow of the water stream 200 through the energy generating device 130 is maximised to optimise the energy generation by the energy generating device 130 in the water stream 200. Another function of the appendage 141, 142 is to make use of the force of the water stream 200 on the appendage 141, 142 to deliver at least part of the energy required for pivoting the energy generating device 130 around the pivot axis P, such that less or no additional energy is required to achieve the desired pivoting. In the opposite arrangement of the appendage 142 and the energy generating device 130 with respect to the pivot axis P, such as in the third embodiment of the system 100 shown in Figures 5A-C, it is also a function of the appendage 142 to at least partially cancel out the force of the water stream 200 on the energy generating device 130 with the force of the water stream 200 on the appendage 142, such that less additional energy is required for pivoting the energy generating device 130 around the pivot axis P.
The pivoting device 150 is arranged for pivoting the energy generating device 130 around the pivot axis P with respect to the water guiding device 110. Thereby, the pivot axis P may be arranged along a first direction, which is a non-horizontal direction, preferably an upwards direction transverse, preferably substantially perpendicular, to a horizontal normal N to the flow direction F of the water stream 200 upstream, preferably directly upstream, of or through the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. This is for example the case for the system 100 of the first, third and fourth embodiment respectively shown in Figures 1A-F, Figures 5A-C and Figures 6A-C, in which the pivot axis P is arranged along an upwards direction perpendicular to the horizontal normal N to the flow direction F of the water stream 200 upstream, preferably directly upstream, of or through the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110, i.e. along a vertical direction. Alternatively, the pivot axis P may also be arranged along a second direction, which is a horizontal direction transverse, preferably substantially perpendicular, to the horizontal normal N to the flow direction F of the water stream 200 upstream, preferably directly upstream, of or through the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. This is for example the case for the system 100 of the second embodiment shown in Figures 4A-C, in which the pivot axis P is arranged along a horizontal direction perpendicular to the horizontal normal N to the flow direction F of the water stream 200 upstream, preferably directly upstream, of or through the passage 120.
The pivoting device 150 is arranged for pivoting the energy generating device 130 around the pivot axis P with respect to the water guiding device 110 between at least one closed position and an open position. The open position may be a single open position, but may also be a plurality of open positions. In the at least one closed position the energy generating device 130 is positioned at the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 for generating energy. Alternatively or additionally, in the least one closed position the energy generating device 130 is positioned at the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 for considerably or maximally hindering the water stream 200 at the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. Alternatively or additionally, in the least one closed position the energy generating device 130 is positioned at the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 for maximising the energy generation of the energy generating device 130 in the water stream 200 at the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. Alternatively or additionally, in the least one closed position the energy generating device 130 is positioned at the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 for optimising a rotational movement of the energy generating device 130 by the water stream 200 at the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. In the open position the energy generating device 130 is positioned for reducing, preferably minimising, disturbance of the water stream 200 through the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 by the energy generating device 130. In the open position the energy generating device 130 is positioned for creating sufficient space at the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 such that floating and suspended debris at or moving towards the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 can be removed or is allowed to pass through the passage 120 of the water guiding device 130.
Preferably, the pivoting device 150 pivotably connects the energy generating device 130 to the water guiding device 130. Therefore, the pivoting device 150 comprises a stationary portion and pivoting portion, wherein the stationary portion is connected to the water guiding device 110, the pivoting portion is connected to the energy generating device 130, and the pivoting portion is pivotably connected to the stationary portion. The pivoting device 150 may comprise one or more hinges, such as for example bommer hinges, door hinges, thief claw hinges, thumb hinges, drill-in paumelle hinges, kitchen cabinet hinges, ball bearing hinges, ball-pin paumelle hinges, cross hinges, an invisible hinges, paumelle hinges, piano hinges, plate hinges, tail hinges and any other suitable hinges known to the skilled person. In the fourth embodiment of the system 100 shown in Figures 6A-C, the pivoting device 150 comprises for example paumelle hinges which allow the energy generating device 130 to be lifted up to easily disconnect the energy generating device 130 from the water guiding device 110, for example for maintenance. The hinges can be manufactured of different types of materials such as for example metals, alloys, plastic, wood, composites and any other suitable material known to the skilled person.
In the first embodiment of the system 100 shown in Figures 1A-F, the pivoting device 150 is arranged such that the pivot axis P extending along the first direction, in this case the vertical direction, is located at the back right side 124 of the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. In the fourth embodiment of the system 100 shown in Figures 6A-C, the pivoting device 150 is arranged similarly with the pivot axis P extending along the first direction, in this case the vertical direction, located at the back left side 123 of the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. In these embodiments the pivot angle of the energy generating device 130 around the pivot axis P is limited. In the closed position, such as shown in Figures 1A-D and Figures 6A-B, the energy generating device 130 is positioned directly behind the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 for generating energy. In the open position, such as shown in Figures 1E-F and Figure 6C, the energy generating device 130 is pivoted over 90° around the pivot axis P with respect to the closed position, such that the energy generating device 130 is positioned behind the water guiding device 110 besides the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. In the open position of the energy generating device 130, the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 is thus fully opened and the energy generating device 130 is moved out of the water stream 200 behind the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110, such that any floating and suspended debris in the water stream 200 can pass through the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110, and such that fish can pass in an undisturbed manner through the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. In the open position any debris accumulated against the energy generating device 130 can also easily be removed from the energy generating device 130 into the water stream 200. In alternatives to these embodiments the pivoting device 150 may also be arranged such that the energy generating device 130 is positioned in front of, preferably directly in front of, the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 in the closed position, and such that the energy generating device 130 is pivotable over 90° to an open position in front of the water guiding device 110 besides the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. In this case the pivot axis P is preferably located at the front left side 121 or the front right side 122 of the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. In alternatives to these embodiments the pivoting device 150 may also be arranged such that the energy generating device 130 is positioned in the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 in the closed position, and such that the energy generating device 130 is pivotable over 180° to an open position behind or in front of the water guiding device 110 besides the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. In this case the pivot axis P is preferably located at the back left side 123 or the back right side 124 of the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 when the energy generating device 130 is pivoted behind the water guiding device 110 besides the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 in the open position, and preferably located at the front left side 121 and the front right side 122 of the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 when the energy generating device 130 is pivoted in front of the water guiding device 110 besides the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 in the open position. The embodiments described above in which the energy generating device 130 is pivoted behind the water guiding device 110 besides the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 in the open position are preferred, since this makes it easier to remove debris accumulated against the energy generating device 130 from the energy generating device 130.
In the second embodiment of the system 100 shown in Figures 4A-C, the pivoting device 150 is arranged such that the pivot axis P extending along the second direction is located at the top right side 126 of the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. Alternatively, the pivot axis P can also be located at the top left side 125 of the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. In this embodiment the pivot angle of the energy generating device 130 around the pivot axis P is limited. In the closed position, such as shown in Figures 4A-B, the energy generating device 130 is positioned in the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 for generating energy. In the open position, such as shown in Figure 4C, the energy generating device 130 is pivoted over 90° around the pivot axis P with respect to the closed position, such that the energy generating device 130 is positioned above the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. In the open position of the energy generating device 130, the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 is thus fully opened and the energy generating device 130 is moved out of the water stream 200 above the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110, such that any floating and suspended debris in the water stream 200 can pass through the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110, and such that fish can pass in an undisturbed manner through the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. In the open position any debris accumulated against the energy generating device 130 can also easily be removed from the energy generating device 130 into the water stream 200. Alternatively, in the open position the energy generating device 130 may also be pivoted over 180° around the pivot axis P, hence 90° degrees further than the open position shown in Figure 4C. Then, the energy generating device 130 is positioned above the water guiding device 110 besides the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. In this way the energy generating device 130 is located above, i.e. above the level of, the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110, but no longer directly above the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110, such that the space directly above the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 remains open in the open position of the energy generating device 130 for floating and suspended debris in the water stream 200 to flow through at high water levels of the water stream 200 going above the water guiding device 110. In alternatives to this embodiment the pivoting device 150 may also be arranged such that the energy generating device 130 is positioned in front of, preferably directly in front of, or behind, preferably directly behind, the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 in the closed position, and such that the energy generating device 130 is similarly pivotable over 90° or 180° to the open position. In these alternatives the pivoting device 150 may alternatively also be arranged such that the energy generating device 130 is pivotable over 270° to an open position respectively in front of or behind the water guiding device 110 besides the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. In this way the energy generating device 130 is still moved above the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 when the energy generating device 130 is tilted from the closed position to the open position, which allows for an easy removal of debris accumulated against the energy generating device 130 as explained above. In this way the space above the entire water guiding device 110 also remains open in the open position of the energy generating device 130 for floating and suspended debris in the water stream 200 to flow through at high water levels of the water stream 200 going above the water guiding device 110.
In the third embodiment of the system 100 shown in Figures 5A-C, the pivoting device 150 is arranged such that the pivot axis P extending along the first direction, in this case the vertical direction, is located in and centrally to the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. In this embodiment the pivot angle of the energy generating device 130 around the pivot axis P is not limited. In this embodiment the energy generating device 130 can be positioned in two closed positions and in two open positions, although a single open position suffices. This embodiment is beneficial for use in a water stream 200 of which the flow direction can reverse, such for example a tidal river, in combination with an energy generating device 130 which has a preferred direction of rotation around the rotation axis R with respect to the flow direction F of the water stream 200 for generating energy, such as for example a Gorlov turbine. In a first closed position shown in Figures 5B-C, the energy generating device 130 is positioned in a left halve of the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 and an appendage 142 connected to the energy generating device 130 in a right halve of the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. In the first closed position the energy generating device 130 is positioned such that, when the water stream 200 is flowing in the main flow direction F, the water stream 200 causes the rotation of the energy generating device 130 around the rotation axis R in the preferred direction of rotation for an optimal energy generation by the energy generating device 130 in the water stream 200 flowing in the main flow direction F. In a second closed position (not shown) the energy generating device 130 is pivoted over 180° around the pivot axis P with respect to the first closed position, such that the energy generating device 130 is positioned in a right halve of the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 and the appendage connected to the energy generating device 130 in a left halve of the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. In the second closed position the position of the energy generating device 130 is thus reversed such that, when the water stream 200 is flowing in the reverse flow direction, the water stream 200 causes the rotation of the energy generating device 130 around the rotation axis R in the preferred direction of rotation for an optimal energy generation by the energy generating device 130 in the water stream 200 flowing in the reverse flow direction. The first closed position is thus used for optimally generating energy with the energy generating device 130 when the water stream 200 is flowing in the main flow direction F, and the second closed position is thus used for optimally generating energy with the energy generating device 130 when the water stream 200 is flowing in the reverse flow direction. Alternatively, the system 100 may also be designed such that the second closed position is used for optimally generating energy with the energy generating device 130 when the water stream 200 is flowing in the main flow direction F, and the first closed position is used for optimally generating energy with the energy generating device 130 when the water stream 200 is flowing in the reverse flow direction. In a first open position, such as shown in Figure 5A, the energy generating device 130 is pivoted over 90° around the pivot axis P with respect to any one of the first closed position and the second closed position, such that the energy generating device 130 and the appendage 142 are positioned centrally to the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 with the energy generating device 130 partially in front of the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 and the appendage 142 partially behind the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. In a second open position (not shown) the energy generating device 130 is pivoted over 180° around the pivot axis P with respect to the first open position, such that the energy generating device 130 and the appendage 142 are positioned centrally to the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 with the energy generating device 130 partially behind the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 and the appendage 142 partially in front of the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110. In both the first open position and the second open position of the energy generating device 130, open space is created in the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 left and right of the energy generating device 130 and the appendage 142, such that any floating and suspended debris in the water stream 200 can pass through the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 left and right of the energy generating device 130 and the appendage 142, and such that fish can pass in an undisturbed manner through the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 left and right of the energy generating device 130 and the appendage 142. In the open position any debris accumulated against the energy generating device 130 and the appendage 142 can also easily be removed from the energy generating device 130 and the appendage 142 into the water stream 200. In alternatives to this embodiment the pivoting device 150 may also be arranged such that the energy generating device 130 and the appendage 142 are positioned in front of, preferably directly in front of, or behind, preferably directly behind, the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 in the first closed position and the second closed position, and such that the energy generating device 130 and the appendage 142 are similarly pivotable to the first open position and the second open position. In these alternatives the pivot axis P may be located centrally to the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 respectively in front of or behind the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110.
The system 100 may further comprise a drive element 170 for driving the pivoting of the energy generating device 130 around the pivot axis P from the closed position(s) to the open position(s) and/or from the open position(s) to the closed position(s). The drive element 170 may be arranged for being operated manually and/or automatically. The drive element 170 may be connected to the energy generating device 130 by means of an actuator 175 arranged for converting a driving motion of the drive element 170 to a pivoting motion of the energy generating device 130. This driving motion of the drive element 170 may for example be linear motion, a rotational motion or a combination thereof. The actuator 175 may be connected directly to the energy generating device 130, but may also be connected indirectly to the energy generating device 130 via any component of the system 100 that is arranged to pivot entirely or partially together with the energy generating device 130, such as the pivoting device 150 or an appendage 141, 142 connected to the energy generating device 130. The actuator 175 may for example be a rod, a tube, a wire, a winch, a chain, a belt, a cardan shaft, a wheel, a gear, a lever, a piston or any other transmission technique. The actuator may be composed of various materials such as various metals, alloys, plastic, wood, composites and/or other materials. The drive element 170 can form part of the pivoting device 150, the water guiding device 110 or the energy generating device 130, such as in the fourth embodiment of the system 100 shown in figures 6A-C. The drive element 170 and the actuator 175 can also be integrated together. The drive element 170 can also be arranged on one of the banks 260 of the water stream 200, such as shown in Figures 2 and 3, thereby being connected to the energy generating device 130 by means of an actuator 175, in this case a rod. This has the advantage that the drive element 170 is easily accessible for maintenance, and that the risk of damage by the water stream 200 and floating and suspended debris in the water stream 200 on the drive element 170 is reduced. The drive element 170 can be arranged for being active opening, active closing, or both. The drive element 170 being active opening means that additional energy is used for pivoting the energy generating device 130 from the closed position(s) to the open position(s). The drive element 170 being active closing means that additional energy is used for pivoting the energy generating device 130 from the open position(s) to the closed position(s). The drive element 170 being both active opening and active closing means that additional energy is used for both pivoting movements of the energy generating device 130. The drive element 170 using additional energy for driving the pivoting of the energy generating device 130 is beneficial for increasing the chance of successful pivoting of the energy generating device 130.
Besides using a drive element 170 for driving the pivoting of the energy generating device 130, it is also possible to use the force of the water stream 200 on the energy generating device 130 and/or any appendages 141, 142 connected to the energy generating device 130 for pivoting the energy generating device 130. This offers the advantage that little to no additional energy is required for pivoting the energy generating device 130. In the first, third and fourth embodiment of the system 100 shown respectively in Figures 1A-F, Figures 5A-C and Figures 6A-C, the energy generating device 130 may for example be pivoted from the closed position to the open position by making use of the pressure difference or potential energy difference between the upstream portion 210 and the downstream portion 220 of the water stream 200 that acts upon the energy generating device 130 and/or any appendages 141, 142 connected to the energy generating device 130. For pivoting the energy generating device 130 from the closed position (s) to the open position(s) this is for example useful in case of an emergency, when little to no additional energy is available and when the water stream 200 through the passage 120 of the water guiding device 110 is blocked by floating and suspended debris. For pivoting the energy generating device 130 from the open position(s) to the closed position(s) this is for example useful when the production of the additional energy is dependent on the energy generation by the energy generating device 130 itself. In this case it is easier to move the energy generating device 130 to a closed position in which the energy generating device 130 is generating energy.
Similar to using the force of the water stream 200 on the energy generating device 130 and/or any appendages 141, 142 connected to the energy generating device 130 for pivoting the energy generating device 130, it is also possible to use the gravitational force on the energy generating device 130 and/or any appendages 141, 142 connected to the energy generating device 130 for pivoting the energy generating device 130, which offers similar advantages as using the force of the water stream 200. A further advantage of using the gravitational force, i.e. the gravitational energy, for pivoting the energy generating device 130 is that it is not or less dependent on the water level of the water stream 200.
From an energetic viewpoint it is beneficial to temporarily store at least a part of the energy released by the pivoting of the energy generating device 130, for example by means of the force of water stream 200 or the gravitational force on the energy generating device 130 and/or any appendages 141, 142 connected to the energy generating device 130. The stored energy can then be used at another time for driving the pivoting of the energy generating device 130. In this way less additional energy is required for driving the pivoting of the energy device 130. The released energy may for example be stored as potential energy, gravitational energy, pressure energy, chemical energy, kinetic energy, mechanical energy, electrical energy or any combination thereof, but not limited thereto. An example of an active opening system 100 with a temporary energy storage could be a system 100 in which the energy generating device 130 is pivoted from the closed position to the open position by means of the force of the water stream 200 on the energy generating device 130. When the energy generating device 130 is pivoted as such a mass is lifted up by means the pivoting motion of the energy generating device 130 to store at least a part of the energy as gravitational or potential energy. The stored energy can then be used at a later time to pivot the energy generating device 130 back from the open position to the closed position, such that less additional energy is required for this pivoting. In this case it could for example be possible for a person to perform the pivoting of the energy generating device 130 from the open position to the closed position manually by pulling an actuator 175, such as for example a cable, connected to the energy generating device 130.
The system 100 may further comprise a locking mechanism 160 arranged for releasably locking the energy generating device 130 in at least one of the closed position(s) and the open position(s), or even in intermediate positions. In the first, second and fourth embodiment of the system 100 shown respectively in Figures 1A-F, Figures 4A-C and Figures 6A-C, the locking mechanism 160 is arranged for releasably locking the energy generating device 130 in the closed position. In the third embodiment of the system 100 shown in Figures 5A-C, the locking mechanism 160 is arranged for releasably locking the energy generating device 130 in the first closed position and the second closed position. The locking mechanism 160 comprises at least a pivoting portion 161 that pivots together with the energy generating device 130. The pivoting portion 161 of the locking mechanism 160 is connected to the energy generating device 130 or to an appendage 141, 142 connected to the energy generating device 130. The locking mechanism 160 may further comprise a stationary portion 162 that does not pivot together with the energy generating device 130. The stationary portion 162 can be connected to the bed 250 of the water stream 200 or one of the banks 260 of the water stream 200. The stationary portion 162 may also be connected to the water guiding device 110, such as in different embodiments of the system 100 shown in the figures. The locking mechanism 160 is arranged such that the pivoting portion 161 can be anchored to the stationary portion 162 or, in absence of a dedicated stationary portion 162, to the energy generating device 130 or an appendage 141, 142 connected to the energy generating device 130. For this purpose, the stationary portion 162 may for example comprise a hole in which the pivoting portion can be anchored, such as in the fourth embodiment of the system 100 shown in Figures 6A-C. The anchoring can be rigid, but also elastic. A locking mechanism 160 with an elastic anchoring is beneficial for partially absorbing the impact of floating and suspended debris in the water stream 200 on the energy generating device 130 and any appendage 141, 142 connected to the energy generating device 130. The locking mechanism 160 offers the advantage that the energy generating device 130 can be held easily in a locked position, without additional energy having to be provided to a drive element 170 of the system 100 for this purpose. When the energy generating device 130 is released by the locking mechanism 160, the energy generating device 130 can be pivoted again. The energy generating device 130 may for example be released by the locking mechanism 160 in case of an emergency. For this case the system 100 is preferably arranged such that the energy generating device 130, when released by the locking mechanism 160, pivots back to a safe open position without requiring additional energy, for example by means of a force of the water stream 200 and/or a gravitational force on the energy generating device 130 and/or on an appendage 141, 142 connected to the energy generating device 130. In this case, any actuator 175 connecting a drive element 170 of the system 100 to the energy generating device 130 and/or the pivoting device 150 is preferably arranged in such a way that it does not hinder the energy generating device 130 pivoting back to the safe open position.

Claims

A system (100) for generating energy in a water stream (200), wherein the system (100) comprises:
a water guiding device (110) comprising a passage (120) for the water stream (200);

an energy generating device (130) at the passage (120) of the water guiding device (110), wherein the energy generating device (130) is rotatable around a rotation axis (R) by means of the water stream (200) through the passage (120) of the water guiding device (110) for generating energy; and

a pivoting device (150) arranged for pivoting the energy generating device (130) with respect to the water guiding device (110) around a pivot axis (P) between:
at least one closed position in which the energy generating device (130) is positioned at the passage (120) of the water guiding device (110) for generating energy; and

an open position in which the energy generating device (130) is positioned for reducing disturbance of the water stream (200) through the passage (120) of the water guiding device (110) by the energy generating device (130),

characterised in that the pivoting device (150) is arranged such that the pivot axis (P) extends along:
a first direction, wherein the first direction is a non-horizontal direction; or

a second direction, wherein the second direction is a horizontal direction transverse to a horizontal normal (N) to a flow direction (F) of the water stream (200) upstream of the passage (120) of the water guiding device (110).
The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the system (100) further comprises an appendage (141, 142) connected to the energy generating device (130), either directly or indirectly, such that the appendage (141, 142) is pivotable around the pivot axis (P) together with the energy generating device (130).
The system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the system (100) is arranged such that the energy required for pivoting the energy generating device (130) from the at least one closed position to the open position and/or from the open position to the at least one closed position is at least partially delivered by at least one of:
a force of the water stream (200) on the energy generating device (130) and, if present, the appendage (141, 142) connected to the energy generating device (130);

a gravitational force on the energy generating device (130) and, if present, the appendage (141) connected to the energy generating device (130); and

a drive element (170) of the system (100).
The system (100) according to any one of the claims 1-3, wherein the system (100) is arranged for storing at least a part of the energy released by the pivoting of the energy generating device (130) and, if present, the appendage (141, 142) connected to the energy generating device (130), and for reusing said stored energy for later pivoting of the energy generating device (130) and, if present, the appendage (141, 142) connected to the energy generating device (130).
The system (100) according to any one of the claims 1-4, wherein the system (100) further comprises a locking mechanism (160) arranged for releasably locking the energy generating device (130) in at least one of the at least one closed position and the open position.
The system (100) according to any one of the claims 1-5, wherein the first direction is a non-horizontal direction transverse to the horizontal normal (N) to the flow direction (F) of the water stream (200) upstream of the passage (120) of the water guiding device (110).
The system (100) according to any one of the claims 1-6, wherein the second direction is a horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal normal (N) to the flow direction (F) of the water stream (200) upstream of the passage (120) of the water guiding device (110).
The system (100) according to any one of the claims 1-7, preferably at least in combination with claim 6, wherein, in case the pivot axis (P) extends along the first direction, the pivoting device (150) is arranged such that the energy generating device (130) is pivotable in front of or behind the water guiding device (110) besides the passage (120) of the water guiding device (110) in the open position.
The system (100) according to claim 8, wherein the pivot axis (P) is located at one of a front left side (121), a front right side (122), a back left side (123) and a back right side (124) of the passage (120) of the water guiding device (110).
The system (100) according to any one of the claims 1-7, preferably at least in combination with claim 6, wherein, in case the pivot axis (P) extends along the first direction, the pivoting device (150) is arranged such that the energy generating device (130) is pivotable around a pivot axis (P) between:
a first closed position in which the energy generating device (130) is positioned at the passage (120) of the water guiding device (110) for generating energy in a first flow direction of the water stream (200);

the open position in which the energy generating device (130) is positioned for reducing disturbance of the water stream (200) through the passage (120) of the water guiding device (110) by the energy generating device (130); and

a second closed position in which the energy generating device (130) is positioned at the passage (120) of the water guiding device (110) for generating energy in a second flow direction of the water stream (200), wherein the second flow direction is opposite of the first flow direction.
The system (100) according to claim 10, wherein the pivot axis (P) is located centrally to the passage (120) of the water guiding device (110).
The system (100) according to claim 10 or 11, at least in combination with claim 2, wherein the appendage (142) is connected to the energy generating device (130) via the pivoting device (150), and wherein the energy generating device (130) and the appendage (142) are arranged opposite of each other with respect to the pivot axis (P).
The system (100) according to any one of the claims 1-12, preferably at least in combination with claim 7, wherein, in case the pivot axis (P) extends along the second direction, the pivoting device (150) is arranged such that the energy generating device (130) is at least pivotable above the passage (120) of the water guiding device (110) when pivoted from the at least one closed position to the open position.
The system (100) according to claim 13, wherein the pivot axis (P) is located at a top left side (125) or a top right side (126) of the passage (120) of the water guiding device (110).
The system (100) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein:
in case the energy generating device (130) is positioned in front of or behind the passage (120) of the water guiding device (110) in the at least one closed position, the pivoting device (150) is arranged such that the energy generating device (130) is pivotable respectively in front of or behind the water guiding device (110) besides the passage (120) of the water guiding device (110) in the open position; and/or

in case the energy generating device (130) is positioned in the passage (120) of the water guiding device (110) in the at least one closed position, the pivoting device (150) is arranged such that the energy generating device (130) is pivotable above the passage (120) of the water guiding device (110) in the open position.