GB2453328A - Tidal water power generating device with helical tube - Google Patents

Tidal water power generating device with helical tube Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2453328A
GB2453328A GB0719130A GB0719130A GB2453328A GB 2453328 A GB2453328 A GB 2453328A GB 0719130 A GB0719130 A GB 0719130A GB 0719130 A GB0719130 A GB 0719130A GB 2453328 A GB2453328 A GB 2453328A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
tube
power generating
generating device
outlet
cross
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0719130A
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GB0719130D0 (en
Inventor
Keith Edward Foster
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Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0719130A priority Critical patent/GB2453328A/en
Publication of GB0719130D0 publication Critical patent/GB0719130D0/en
Publication of GB2453328A publication Critical patent/GB2453328A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B3/00—Machines or engines of reaction type; Parts or details peculiar thereto
    • F03B3/16—Stators
    • F03B3/18—Stator blades; Guide conduits or vanes, e.g. adjustable
    • F03B3/186—Spiral or volute casings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/14—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
    • F03B13/16—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem"
    • F03B13/18—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore
    • F03B13/1805—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is hinged to the rem
    • F03B13/181—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is hinged to the rem for limited rotation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/14—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
    • F03B13/24—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy to produce a flow of air, e.g. to drive an air turbine
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/26—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy
    • F03B13/266—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy to compress air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2200/00—Mathematical features
    • F05B2200/20—Special functions
    • F05B2200/23—Logarithm
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2250/00—Geometry
    • F05B2250/20—Geometry three-dimensional
    • F05B2250/23—Geometry three-dimensional prismatic
    • F05B2250/232—Geometry three-dimensional prismatic conical
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2250/00—Geometry
    • F05B2250/20—Geometry three-dimensional
    • F05B2250/25—Geometry three-dimensional helical
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2250/00—Geometry
    • F05B2250/30—Arrangement of components
    • F05B2250/32—Arrangement of components according to their shape
    • F05B2250/323—Arrangement of components according to their shape convergent
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Oceanography (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)

Abstract

A tidal water power generating device comprises a helical tube 7 formed within a housing 2 and having an inlet (6, fig 2) submerged in water and an outlet 8 above high water level. Within the outlet 8 there is a bladed rotor 9 which may be used to drive an electrical generator. As tidal water moves into the inlet (6) and up the helical tube 7 it compresses air therein and forces the air upwardly towards the outlet 8. As a result, the air is forced out from the outlet 8 at high speed and turns the rotor 9. The helical or spiral tube 7 narrows in cross-section as it extend from the inlet (6) to the outlet 8 and each successive turn of the spiral is reduced so that air moved in the tube 7 travels progressively faster in tighter and tighter spirals. The tube 7 may be a logarithmic spiral having a substantially Golden Ratio of radii of successive turns. The device may be formed of modular sections having a concrete housing 2.

Description

Power Generating Device The present invention relates to a power generating device and particularly, but not exclusively, to a power generating device for generating electricity.
With the ever decreasing reserves of fossil fuels and the headlines which purport to their damaging effects on the environment, there is a growing demand for the use of renewable fuel sources. These so-called "green" power supplies include, inter ails, solar power, whereby solar panels harness the power of the sun to generate electricity, wind power, whereby the wind is used to turn wind turbines to generate electricity and tidal power, whereby the movement of the tides and waves are used to turn generators to produce electricity.
I have now devised a power generating device for generating electrical power from tidal power.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a power generating device for use in tidal water, the device comprising a helical tube and a bladed rotor arranged at a second end of the tube, wherein the first end of the tube is submersed in the water such that tidal movement of the water into and out of the first end of the tube causes fluid to move into and out of the second end of the tube to drive the bladed rotor.
Preferably, the cross-sectional area of the tube varies along the length of the tube.
Preferably, the first end of the tube comprises an aperture having a first cross-sectional area and the second end of the tube comprises an aperture having a second cross- sectional area. The first cross-sectional area is preferably greater than the second cross- sectional area.
The cross-sectional area of the tube preferably decreases along the length of the tube from the first end to the second end of the tube, such that air moving along the tube toward the second end of the tube, moves with a progressively faster speed.
Preferably, the radius of each turn of the helical tube reduces in moving along the length of the tube from the first end of the tube to the second end of the tube.
The radii of successive turns of the helical tube, in moving from the first to the second end of the tube, preferably reduce in accordance with the Golden Ratio.
Preferably, the helical arrangement of the tube is substantially a conical spiral.
Preferably, the helical arrangement of the tube is substantially a logarithmic spiral.
The tube is preferably formed within a concrete housing.
Preferably, the housing is formed of modular sections.
The bladed rotor preferably drives an electric generator for generating electricity.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the power generating device of the present invention; Figure 2 Is a view from the underside of the power generating device of the present Invention; Figure 3a is a perspective view of a section of the channel formed within the housing; and, Figure 3b is a sectional view of the channel section of figure 3a taken along line A-A of figure 3a.
Referring to the drawings, there is shown the power generating device 1 of the present invention. The device I comprises a substantialiy frusto-conical housing 2 comprising a sidewall 3 which tapers from a relatively broad base region 4 to a relatively narrow upper region 5.
The base region 4 comprises an inlet B to a tubular channel 7 formed within the housing 2, which extends upwardly and helically of the housing 2. An intermediate section of the channel 7 formed within the housing 3 is illustrated in figure 3. It is to be appreciated that the channel 7 opens on the underside of the device I via the inlet 6, which extends substantially over the entire underside of the device 1. The channel 7 terminates at an outlet 8 which extends substantially over the entire upper region 5 of the housing 2.
Positioned within the outlet 8 there is provided a bladed rotor 9 which is free to turn in accordance with movement of fluid Into and out of the outlet 8.
The channel 7 comprises a spiral tube which narrows in cross-section as it extends from the inlet 6 to the outlet 8; this ensures that as the fluid moves along the channel 7 it moves progressively faster. In addition, the radius of each successive turn of the spiral is reduced in moving from the inlet 6 to the outlet 8. Accordingly, the fluid moves within a progressively tighter spiral in moving along the channel 7.
In use the device I is placed near an estuary or river mouth which experiences the movement of the tIde, or near the shore of a beach. The device I is placed below the low water level, with the inlet 6 being submersed within the water; this ensures that the inlet 6 is submersed at all positions of the tide. To help secure the device I to the river or sea bed, the device I is provided with a plurality of legs 10 which are secured to the sidewall 3 of the housing 2. The legs 10 extend below the base region 4 of the device I and embed within the river or sea bed to maintain the position of the device 1. in addition, the legs 10 serve to keep the base 3 of the device I off the sea or river bed so that the water can move freely into and out of the inlet 6.
The height of the device I is chosen such that the outlet 8 is always above the level of high water so that no water can enter the device via the outlet 8. Accordingly, as the tidal water moves into the inlet 6 and up the channel 7, it forms a sealing contact with the channel 7, compressing the air there within. This increases the pressure within the channel 7 and thus forces the air upwardly of the device 1. As a result, the air is forced out from the outlet 8 at high speed and turns the bladed rotor 9, which may be used to subsequently drive a generator (not shown) to produce electricity.
Conversely, as the tidal water moves out from the inlet 6, the water is pulled down the channel 7 reducing the air pressure within the channel 7. This movement of water causes air to be drawn into the outlet 8 which again causes the bladed rotor 9 to turn to generate electricity.
It is envisaged that the channel 7 may be formed within a modular housing, so that the device I can be built in stages to the required height. In addition, it is further envisaged that in order to improve the sealing of the water within the channel 7, the channel 7 may be lined with a liner or sleeve (not shown). The smooth surface of the liner will also help to reduce drag experienced by the air within the channel 7, as it moves along the channel 7 to turn the rotor 9.
From the foregoing therefore, it is evident that the power generating device of the present invention provides a simple yet effective means of generating electricity without producing the environmentally damaging bi-products associated with fossil fuels.

Claims (12)

  1. Claims 1. A power generating device for use in tidal water, said device comprising a helical tube arid a bladed rotor arranged at a second end of said tube, wherein a first end of said tube is submersed in said water such that tidal movement of said water into and out of said first end of said tube causes fluid to move into and out of said second end of said Thbe to drive said bladed rotor.
  2. 2. A power generating device according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of said tube varies along the length of said tube.
  3. 3. A power generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first end of said tube comprises an aperture having a first cross-sectional area and said second end of said tube comprises an aperture having a second cross-sectional area.
  4. 4. A power generating device according to daim 3, wherein said first cross-sectional area is greater than said second cross-sectional area.
  5. 5. A power generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cross-sectional area of said tube decreases along the length of said tube from said first end to said second end of said tube.
  6. 8. A power generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the radius of each turn of said helical tube reduces in moving along the length of said tube from said first end of said tube to said second end of said tube.
  7. 7. A power generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the ratio of the radii of successive turns of said helical tube, in moving from said first to said second end of said tube, is substantially the Golden Ratio.
  8. 8. A power generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein said helical arrangement of said tube is substantially a iogarithmic spiral.
  9. 9. A power generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein said tube is formed within a concrete housing.
  10. 10. A power generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein said housing is formed of modular sections.
  11. 11. A power generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein said bladed rotor drives an electric generator for generating electricity.
  12. 12. A power generating device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB0719130A 2007-10-02 2007-10-02 Tidal water power generating device with helical tube Withdrawn GB2453328A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0719130A GB2453328A (en) 2007-10-02 2007-10-02 Tidal water power generating device with helical tube

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0719130A GB2453328A (en) 2007-10-02 2007-10-02 Tidal water power generating device with helical tube

Publications (2)

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GB0719130D0 GB0719130D0 (en) 2007-11-07
GB2453328A true GB2453328A (en) 2009-04-08

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2459205A (en) * 2009-03-24 2009-10-21 Alan Newton Tidal power device uses long pipeline to accelerate water and air flow
ES2338744A1 (en) * 2009-11-20 2010-05-11 Simon Sevilla Morillo System of production of mareomotriz energy (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
GB2468864A (en) * 2009-03-24 2010-09-29 Alan Newton Tidal power device uses long pipeline to produce airflow
CN108044314A (en) * 2017-12-13 2018-05-18 重庆水轮机厂有限责任公司 A kind of Francis turbine divides semi spiral case processing technology

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2325964A (en) * 1997-06-05 1998-12-09 Rodney Graham Youlton Wave energy device
WO2003027494A1 (en) * 2001-09-28 2003-04-03 Jan Tunli Method and guiding device for increasing a water turbine's efficiency
US20030223857A1 (en) * 2000-07-12 2003-12-04 Milan Daniel C Hydraulic turbine feed tank

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2325964A (en) * 1997-06-05 1998-12-09 Rodney Graham Youlton Wave energy device
US20030223857A1 (en) * 2000-07-12 2003-12-04 Milan Daniel C Hydraulic turbine feed tank
WO2003027494A1 (en) * 2001-09-28 2003-04-03 Jan Tunli Method and guiding device for increasing a water turbine's efficiency

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2459205A (en) * 2009-03-24 2009-10-21 Alan Newton Tidal power device uses long pipeline to accelerate water and air flow
GB2468864A (en) * 2009-03-24 2010-09-29 Alan Newton Tidal power device uses long pipeline to produce airflow
ES2338744A1 (en) * 2009-11-20 2010-05-11 Simon Sevilla Morillo System of production of mareomotriz energy (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
CN108044314A (en) * 2017-12-13 2018-05-18 重庆水轮机厂有限责任公司 A kind of Francis turbine divides semi spiral case processing technology

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0719130D0 (en) 2007-11-07

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