GB2263506A - Tide-swell-wash-rain turbine. - Google Patents

Abstract

Each turbine unit comprises a series of elongate scoops to form a generally cylindrical rotor arrangement 1. Water flow through tide (A), swell (B) or wash rain (C) causes rotation of the rotor and through acceleration gearing causes generation of electricity (Figure 2). The turbine units are supported by floats surrounding each turbine and a plurality of such units may be secured together for increased electricity generation (Figure 3). <IMAGE>

Description

TIDE-SWELL-WASH-RAIN POWER CONVERTER This method relates to harnessing the natural elements of tidal flow, sea swell, falling wash and accumulated rain through a mechanical apparatus to motivate eleotric generators.

These four elements have not previously been harnessed in a single apparatus. To do so would maJce available free motive power and avoid the atmospheric pollution of other fuels, reduce environmental objection, and add considerable electricity supply, at much reduced cost.

This proposed patent is a Hydro Actuated Rotary Drive Yielder consisting of a series of lateral scoops forming a cylindrical Rotor, revolved by pressure of water, either horizontally or vertically, end its rotations are accelerated by a sequence of spur gearing Or 8-1 revolutions to actuate electrical alternå tors at production speeds. (ig.l) The rotor bridges two GRP floatation chambers, forming a Cell, through which it rotates four or more alternators, converted to produce a minimum of 6 kNh of 240 Volt A.C. currsnt. Five similar Cells are interconnected to form a Unit. (Fig.2) Each Unit is moored in tidal shallow water clear of shipping to swing 3600 to tide and/or wind. Ten Units moored to a single trot form a Group, produoing 300 kWh, and 4 Groups, forming a Flotilla, would produce over 1 Mega Watt. This current would be cabled ashore to serve local needs. (Fig.3) The floatation method used, the size and number of generators and the gearing g linkage is alterable without deviating from the principle presented.

Claims (5)

C LAThIS Drawing, Fig 1 and Fig 2., show the lateral scoops of 8' in length and 6" semi-circle width. (2,4384m and 0.1524m) 16 in number. Tank tests on a 251 size Yielder showed that the pressure in excess of a paddle-wheel to augment rotation is s 16 kilos relati-e to the downward pressure of wash and rain and the upward rressure of sell and stream harnessed by the lateral scoops. Baaed on resistance ratio of a free running Rotor in a tideway i@ is estimated that the HARDY Yielder output approxima@@ly: 1kt 25rpm (200 rpm at alternator) A. Cur@@@t. 2kts 40rpm (320 rpm at alternator) 3kts 60rpm (480 rpm at alternator) (allowing ror linkage resistance.) B. Swell. Heavy rising swell supercharges rotor - by 9 rpm Falling swell 5 rpm. C,Wash At 'slack water' (1 hr between tides) both swell and wash when present actuate rotor at low generator speed ef 100 rpni. The Flc@@ation Chambers made up of one similar design bolted @ positions shown (Fig.1 and Fig.2) by @(1.27 cm.) alloy @ @ts and washers to form both a Cell and a Unit. i, These casings in position form rigidity and strength. ii, Dire @s tidal current at best efficiency for Rotor cavi@@tion. iii, Hous- and protects the transmission linkage and the @@@erators. (@arginal @ote:) 1 knot = 6 ,000 ft.p.h., or 100ft per min. (1828.8000m) (30.4800m) . 4' rot half submerged rotates 1 in 2feet i.e. 50 rpm (1.21@@@) per knote Particular claims shown in the accompanying drawings are as follows: Fig. 1 1. The rotor 6 circular formers of 4' diam. (1.2192 m.) are constructed of 1" (2,54 cm) marine 5-ply for strength and GRP laminated. 2. The lateral 8' x 6" (2.4384 m. and 1.27 cm) semi- circular vanes are of 1" (1.27 cm) GRP, pinned each side of formers and glassed in. 3. The spindle of rotor is 11/4" (3.17 cm) brass shafting, joining gearing shaft in greased ball-race gland by a bolted flange coupling. Fig. 2 1. The : floatation chambers, forming each Cell, measure, each, 10' x 4' - ' 3' (3.0483 m. x 1.2192 m. x 0.@144 m.) They must be vertical sided and flush to interlock. (This requires in production a 2-part GRP mould for lay-up) 2. Eacl @loatation chamber to have a watertight hinged ins'"ction hatch size 3' x 2' (0.9144 m. x 0.6096 m) Also, a 3' high (0.9144 m.) handrail by 8' long (2.@@84 m.) made of 11/@" alloy (3.81 cm)with double base spread staunchions, for rigidity. 3. A short shaft of 11/4" (3.17 cm).diam x 1' (0.3048 m.) le@@th joins the rotor spindle through the ballrace gl@@d, to which is bolted the 2, 8"(0.2032) spur gea@ for the initial acceleration linkage. Fig 2. continued: 4. On the Right Hand floatation chamber is shown the generator and linkage positioning for the utiliza of 6 very low rpm converted tractor alternators for initial generators throughout the system. These tractor alternators are numerous, easily available and comparatively low cost. They can be converted to 240 Volts A.C. with output of 500 watts. 12 in a Cell give an output of 6 kWh, and in a Unit 300kWh, and n The linkage, to motivate the 6 alternators in each floatation chamber is by two rotating shafts in self-greasing ballraces,having 8" (20.32cm) to 2"(5.08cm) gearing to rotor and to alternators: 4+4 = 8-1. 5. On the Left Hand floatation chamber is shown a two generator plan to indicate that larger generators with corresponding greater output can, and may, be used at some futllre date, and that the principle submitted is not confined to very small generators. 6. Under the safety handrail on each floatation chamber two watertight ventilators will be fitted to maintain air and temperature in the generating compartment. Fig 3.

1. The @implicity and low cost in multiplying the output of this converter is an important feature of ii design. Each rotor Cell can rapidly have 5 per cells interlocked to form a Unit.

2. Each nit measures overall: length 54ft. Beam loft.

Depth 3ft. and Draught 2lins. ( length 16.4592 m., B ep 5.4864 m., Depth 0.9144 m., Draught 0.5334 m.) Due ! @ modest size, low freeboard and shallow draught envi@@nmental objections should be minimal.

3. 13 ec@use the rotor has much free space around, and no obstructions, fouling due to debris is minimal.

Also, a debris deflector will be fitted at bow.

(not shown)

4. Fore@@st center floatation chamber will have a 10' (1.0480 m.) tripod mast with spreader to display navisational warning signs and lights, so that each Unit moored is free from danger.

5. The Floatation Chambers, Fig.1 and Fig.2, are of one standard design to for: nn interconnected tell, and 5 Cells form a Unit.

i. These @@@ings in position @@rm @igidity and strength.

ii. Direct@ @idal flow for best @@@er ca@itation.

iii. Uouses and protects acceleration linkage and generators.

5. Conti@uous power conversion is assured width this invention by the low output Units. Each will have uppe@ deck output reorders and power conveying unious, inspected daily, and single Cells can be cut out. Power cables will also be disconnected and rene@@d as necessary. Simplicity is the essence of this invention to create efficiency, low maintenance cosl nd modest cepital outlay.

Amendments to the clalms have been filed as follows 1. Drawings, Fig.1 and Fig.2, show the lateral scoops of 8' (2.438m) in length and (3" (0.1542m) in semicir@le width, 1G in number.

Tideway tests on a 25% model showed pressure exerted by water flow over @or@@l paddle method as 16 @ilos whether horizontal tidal flow, vertical swell, felling wash or collected rain.

2. Eased on the fact that 1 knot is a @a@tical distance of 6,000 ft.

(1828.8000m) i@ one hour, therefore 100ft. (30.4800m) in one minute, the hal@ submerged 4ft. (1.21@2m) diam@ter rotor ravolves once every 8 ft. (2.4384m) of tidal flow, therefore gives 12 revs.

per minute at 1 knot, 24 at 2 knots, etc.

3. Acceleration of the rotor speeds to the generators is by 2-phase linkage, compr@@ing 8"(20.32cm) spur gear wheel with pully chain to 2" (5.08cm) Spur gear wheel, giv@@g 4-1 ratio, i.e. 4x4= 10 times. This can be increased if required by either increasing the diameter tip the larger spur gearwheel, or, by introducing a third phase, i@@. 4x4x4= 64 times.

4. The following @@tivation is therefore established: A. TIDE: 1 @@@t - 12 rpm.at r@@or - 16 times - 192 rpm.

2@@@ts - 24 rpm. " - 16 " - 384 rpm.

3@@@ts - 36 rpm. " - 16 " - 576 rpm.

4@@@ts - 48 rpm. " " - 16 " - 768 rpm.

B. SWELL: @@@ard thrust on lateral scoops at 16 kilos pressurizing rotor by 9rpm.

C. WASH @@@er conditions of hea@y wash and falling rain the RAIN: d@@nward thrust on la@eral scoops can be similar.