GB2412409A - Mounting water-driven turbines - Google Patents

Abstract

Water-driven turbines 1 are mounted in movable gates 4, sluices or dams for enabling the generation of electricity from the head of water generated by marine tides or river flows. Movement of a gate, sluice or dam may be by rotation about a fixed axis or by linear translation. A plurality of turbines may be mounted in a gate 4 mounted on an arm, pivoted at a bearing 6 and operated by a ram 7, and a plurality of gates incorporating turbines may be positioned across an estuary. In another arrangement, a gate mounted on a vertically winched operating mechanism may be used.

Description

1 2412409

DESCRIPI ION

POWERDAM

The invention relates to the use of power generating water turbines mounted in existing flood defence or water level control gates, sluices or dams that are capable of being raised and lowered.

The invention is intended to form a significant part of the solution to the problem of generating electricity from renewable energy sources.

Other renewable energy technologies available for the United Kingdom suffer variously from low power density (a lot of equipment needed to generate little power), unreliability, objections from members of the public to the erection of capital equipment or expensive capital equipment.

With this invention it is the energy of marine tides that is used and hence the energy source, although cyclical, is totally reliable. The invention also has the benefit of using existing water level or flood control facilities, but its use could be extended by the construction of new facilities in river estuaries that to date have no such provision.

initial estimates suggest that a peak power output of 50MW may be available if the invention was fully deployed at a major estuary flood barrier.

The invention involves the installation of low head power generating water turbines( I) in the body or faces of flood defence or water level control gates, sluices or dams(4). It requires the gates to be used (lowered and raised) on each cycle of the tide instead of only at times of severe flood risk. At low tide gates(4) will be opened to ensure the level of the estuary basin is at minimum and then reclosed. As the tide level increases on the ocean side of the gate the turbine flow control guide vanes(3) will be opened allowing water to flow through the turbine(1) and electricity to be generated.

At high tide the gates(4) will again be opened to ensure the estuary basin level is this time at maximum before reclosure and a further cycle of power generation as the ocean tide level falls and water is allowed to flow through the turbines(l) in the reverse direction.

If the flood defence or water level control gates, sluices or dams are required to perform their original intent the duty can be fulfilled by leaving the turbine flow control guide vanes(3) closed.

One possible embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3.

Figure 1/3 shows a cross-sectional view through a single power generating water turbine( 1) mounted in a duct that penetrates a movable flood defence gate(4). The turbine( 1) carries blading(2) at one end and is supported in the duct at its other end by a combined support frame and turbine flow control guide vane arrangement(3).

Although the power generating water turbine(1) is shown mounted centrally in the movable flood defence gate(4) the position of its mounting could be lowered to improve the head of water available for power generation. Electricity is transmitted from the power generating water turbine(l) to land based electricity grid system connections via flexible cables running through the movable flood defence gate(4).

In the embodiment described the movable gate(4) is mounted on swing arms(5) pivoted at bearing(6) and the whole is supported by a civil pier and foundation structure(8). The movable flood defence gate(4) is raised and lowered by action of the hydraulic ram(7).

Figure l/3 is drawn showing the turbine(l) in generating mode with the ocean at high tide level and the estuary basin at low tide level and the water plume(9) at turbine exit.

Although the embodiment described shows a the movable gate(4) mounted on rotating swing arms(5) the invention may equally involve the mounting of the turbine( l) in a duct penetrating a gate mounted on a vertically winched operating mechanism.

Figure 2/3 shows an end elevation of the embodiment of the invention showing multiple movable gates(4) positioned across an estuary with each movable gate(4) housing multiple power generating water turbines(l). The elevation is a view ofthe 'Powerdam' from the downstream side of the multiple movable gate(4) barrier. Again the drawing shows the turbine blades(2), the combined support frame and turbine flow control guide vane arrangement(3), the swing arms(5), the hydraulic rams(7) and the civil pier and foundation structure(8).

Figure 3/3 shows a plan view of the same embodiment of the invention showing multiple movable gates(4) positioned across an estuary with each movable gate(4) housing multiple power generating water turbines( l). This drawing shows the turbine blades(2), the combined support frame and turbine flow control guide vane arrangement(3), the swing arms(5), the swing arm pivot bearings(6), the hydraulic rams(7), the civil pier and foundation structure(8) and the turbine outlet plumes(9) shown for generating with an ocean high tide.

Claims (3)

1. A facility enabling the generation of electricity from the head of water generated by marine tides or river flows including the installation of power generating water turbines in movable gates, sluices or dams.

2. A facility as in claim I in which the movable gate, sluice or dam is supported such that movement is by rotation about a fixed axis.

3. A facility as in claim I in which the movable gate, sluice or dam is supported such that movement is by linear translation.