GB2486699A - Rotor blades and rotor assemblies for water flow generator turbines - Google Patents

Rotor blades and rotor assemblies for water flow generator turbines Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2486699A
GB2486699A GB1021802.2A GB201021802A GB2486699A GB 2486699 A GB2486699 A GB 2486699A GB 201021802 A GB201021802 A GB 201021802A GB 2486699 A GB2486699 A GB 2486699A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
assembly
water flow
rotor
inlet
outlet
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB1021802.2A
Other versions
GB2486699B (en
GB201021802D0 (en
Inventor
Paul Vigars
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tidal Generation Ltd
Original Assignee
Tidal Generation Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tidal Generation Ltd filed Critical Tidal Generation Ltd
Priority to GB1021802.2A priority Critical patent/GB2486699B/en
Publication of GB201021802D0 publication Critical patent/GB201021802D0/en
Priority to PCT/GB2011/052385 priority patent/WO2012085529A2/en
Publication of GB2486699A publication Critical patent/GB2486699A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2486699B publication Critical patent/GB2486699B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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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
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/26—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy
    • F03B13/264—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy using the horizontal flow of water resulting from tide movement
    • 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
    • F03B15/00—Controlling
    • F03B15/02—Controlling by varying liquid flow
    • F03B15/04—Controlling by varying liquid flow of turbines
    • F03B15/06—Regulating, i.e. acting automatically
    • F03B15/18—Regulating, i.e. acting automatically for safety purposes, e.g. preventing overspeed
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B17/00—Other machines or engines
    • F03B17/06—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head"
    • F03B17/061—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" with rotation axis substantially in flow direction
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B17/00—Other machines or engines
    • F03B17/06—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head"
    • F03B17/062—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" with rotation axis substantially at right angle to flow direction
    • F03B17/063—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" with rotation axis substantially at right angle to flow direction the flow engaging parts having no movement relative to the rotor during its 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
    • F03B3/00—Machines or engines of reaction type; Parts or details peculiar thereto
    • F03B3/12—Blades; Blade-carrying rotors
    • F03B3/121—Blades, their form or construction
    • 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
    • F03B3/12—Blades; Blade-carrying rotors
    • F03B3/126—Rotors for essentially axial flow, e.g. for propeller turbines
    • 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
    • F05B2270/00—Control
    • F05B2270/10—Purpose of the control system
    • F05B2270/101—Purpose of the control system to control rotational speed (n)
    • F05B2270/1011—Purpose of the control system to control rotational speed (n) to prevent overspeed
    • 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
    • Y02E10/20—Hydro energy
    • Y02E10/223—
    • Y02E10/226—
    • 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

Abstract

A rotor assembly for a water flow electricity power generating device comprises a water flow path 30 from an inlet 26 to an outlet, eg a tapered nozzle 28, which is located radially outside of the inlet. The inlet 26 may be in the attachment portion 18 of the blade or in the hub. A control mechanism 32 controls the flow of water along the water flow path 30. The control mechanism may be a valve having a ball 34 biassed to block the flow path by a spring 36; as the rotational speed of the rotor increases the water in the flow path 30 exerts increasing centrifugal force on the ball 34 until the spring 36 is overcome, allowing water to be expelled 52 from the outlet 28 causing the rotor to act as a centrifugal pump, thus reducing power output and limiting undesirably high rotational speeds. Alternatively, the control mechanism may have an electro-hydraulic valve.The rotor may have a horizontal axis, fig.3, or vertical axis (figs.3,4).

Description

ROTOR BLADES
The present invention relates to rotor blades and rotor assemblies for water flow electricity generating equipment, such as that used for capturing energy from tidal flows, ocean currents and river flows.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is widely know that easily accessible resources of fossil fuels are declining. In addition, the impact of the use of fossil fuels upon the environment has become increasingly apparent.
As a result of this, it has become imperative that viable alternative energy sources are used as effectively and efficiently as possible. The use of turbines to capture the power of water flow, such as tidal, river and ocean current flow, is becoming a viable source of alternative energy. The turbine equipment used to capture such water flow energy typically includes a shaft driven generator connected using a drivetrain to a rotor assembly. The drivetrain may include a gearbox. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of rotor blades that are driven by the water flow, so as to turn an input shaft of the drivetrain. The rotor blades may be coupled directly to the input shaft, or may be attached via a hub or similar.
Water turbine rotors generally have a relatively low rotary inertia which means that the rotor can accelerate rapidly if sufficient braking torque cannot be applied by the drivetrain and/or generator. Such a situation may occur during the passage of high tidal flow and large scale turbulence through the rotor, thereby causing the maximum torque of the generator to be exceeded. A potentially more significant, but less frequent, occurrence is when there is a failure of the electricity supply grid, or a failure of the connection to that grid. In such a case, the generator torque falls to zero and the rotor is free to accelerate. This uncontrolled acceieration can cause the rotor to reach runaway speed at which the hydrodynamic torque and the drivetrain torque balances.
A rotor that is turning at a high rotational speed imparts high loads on the turbine structure and machinery. In the case of turbulence, high asymmetric loads, commonly known as teeter and yaw, can be imparted due to the relative hydrodynamic changes that occur during interaction with turbulence. The turbine machinery and structure, as well as the blades themselves, must be designed to deal with such loading, and so high loads result in larger heavier, and more costly structures and equipment.
It is therefore desirable to provide a technique for limiting undesirable high rotational speeds.
The present invention seeks to address the problems of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTiON
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotor assembly for a water flow electricity power generating device, the assembly defining an axis of rotation and comprising a water flow path from an inlet to an outlet which is located radially outside of the inlet with respect to the axis of rotation, and a control mechanism operable to control flow of water along the water flow path, wherein the inlet is in fluid communication with the water flow path, and is arranged for transfer of water from outside the blade assembly into the water flow path, and wherein the outlet is in fluid communication with the water flow path, and is arranged for ejection of fluid from the water flow path to outside of the rotor assembly.
Such an assembly may comprise at least one rotor blade having a blade body which defines the water flow path and the outlet. Such an assembly may further comprise a rotor hub to which the or each rotor blade is attached. The blade body may define the inlet, and the inlet may be arranged at a root region of the blade body.
The rotor hub may define the inlet.
The blade body may define a void therein, the void providing the water flow path.
The outlet may be arranged at a tip region of the blade body.
The assembly may comprise at least one rotor blade having a blade body having a longitudinal axis, and an attachment portion which extends at least partially transverse to the longitudinal axis, wherein the water flow path and the outlet are defined by the attachment portion.
Such an assembly may further comprise a rotor hub to which the or each attachment portion is connected. The inlet may be defined by the attachment portion, or the rotor hub may define the inlet.
The control mechanism may be provided by a valve mechanism.
The outlet may be provided by a tapered nozzle.
Such an assembly may comprise a plurality of such inlets. Such an assembly may comprise a plurality of such outlets.
In one example, the assembly defines a direction of rotation and the outlet is arranged to eject water from the assembly in a direction having a component in that direction of rotation.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water flow turbine including such a rotor assembly.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a horizontal axis water flow turbine including such a rotor assembly.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vertical axis water flow turbine including such a rotor assembly.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling rotational speed of a water flow turbine rotor assembly, the method including controlling a flow of water inside the assembly from an inlet to an outlet, the outlet being located radially outside of the inlet, the inlet being arranged to transfer water from outside the assembly to inside the assembly, and the outlet being arranged to transfer water from inside the assembly to outside of the assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates a rotor blade embodying the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of the blade of Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a rotor assembly embodying an aspect of the present invention including the blade of Figure 1; Figure 4 illustrates another rotor assembly embodying an aspect of the present invention; and Figure 5 illustrates another rotor assembly embodying an aspect of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 illustrates a rotor blade 10 having a root 12 and a tip 14. The blade defines a longitudinal axis from root 12 to tip 14. The blade 10 comprises a blade body 16 which has a connection portion 18 at the root 12 of the blade 10. The connection portion 18 is used to attach the blade 10 to a hub or shaft of a turbine. In normal use, the blade 10 rotates about an axis of rotation in the direction indicated by arrow A (anticlockwise/counter clockwise in the example and view shown), and so the blade body 16 has leading and trail edges 22 and 24.
The blade body 16 defines an inlet 26 at the root 12, and an outlet 28 at the tip 14. In the example shown, the inlet 26 is provided at the root 12, and the outlet 28 is provided at the leading edge 22 of the blade body 16. It will be readily appreciated, however, that the inlet and outlet may be provided at convenient positions on the blade body 16. The outlet 28 is radially outside the inlet 26 with respect to the axis of rotation of the blade.
Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the blade of Figure 1, and shows that the blade body 16 defines therein a void 30 which extends from the inlet 26 to the outlet 28. The inlet and outlet are in fluid communication with the void, such that water is able to flow from the inlet 26 to the outlet 28. The inlet 26 is arranged to allow water to enter the void 30 from outside of the blade 10, and the outlet 28 is arranged to allow water to be ejected from the void 30 to outside of the blade 10. The outlet 28 may be provided by a tapered nozzle which serves to accelerate the fluid being ejected. The void 30 may be provided by the internal structure of the blade, such as by an internal strengthening spar, or may be provided by a pipe installed specifically for the purpose.
A control mechanism 32 is provided for controlling the flow from the inlet 26 to the outlet 28.
In the example shown in Figure 2, such a control mechanism is provided between the void and the outlet 28. The example control mechanism 32 shown in Figure 2 is provided by a valve having a balI 34, which is greater in diameter than the fluid path provided by the void and outlet 28, and a spring 36 which is retained in a recess 38. The spring 36 acts to hold the balI 34 in place in the fluid path, so as to block the fiuid path during normal operating speeds of the blade.
As the rotational speed of the blade 10 increases, the water in the void 30 imparts an increasing outward acting force on the baIl 34, due to the centrifugal effects of the rotation of the blade. The outward force imparted on the baIl 34, and hence on the spring 36, increases to such a level that the spring compresses, thereby allowing the ball to move away from its blocking position in the fluid path. Fluid is then able to flow from the void 30 out of the outlet 28. The action of the spring, in this example, is linear, such that as the rotational speed of the rotor blade increases, the amount of water able to flow out of the outlet 28 increases, as the balI 34 moves further radially outward.
The mechanism shown in Figure 2 is a just one example of an appropriate control system.
Another example could use speed measurement and an electro-hydraulic valve or similar system. The Figure 2 mechanism, however, has the significant advantage of being progressive in its action, as well as being straightforward and robust.
In use, the blade 10 is attached to a rotor 40, as shown in Figure 3. The rotor 40 comprises a hub 42 to which three blades 10, lOa, and lOb are attached by respective blade attachment sections 18. In Figure 3, the first blade 10 is shown in cross section. The rotor defines an axis of rotation 45 of the rotor assembly.
While the rotor 40 rotates within desirable speed limits, water 50 (sea water in the case of a tidal or ocean current turbine), is contained in the void 30, having entered the void 30 through the inlet 26. The water 50 is prevented from reaching the outlet 28 by the control mechanism 32.
As described above, as the rotational speed of the rotor increases, the centrifugal force acting on the water 50, and transferred to the ball 34, increases such that the spring 36 compresses. As spring 36 compresses, the outlet 28 opens, thereby allowing a jet 52 of water 50 to be expelled through the outlet 28.
As the water flows out of the outlet 28, replacement water 50 is drawn into the void 30 through the inlet 26, such that the blade operates as a centrifugal pump. As such, since energy is used to pump the water 50 from the inlet 26 to the outlet 28, the power provided by the blade 10, and accordingly by the rotor 40, is reduced. This reduction in power input to the drivetrain means that less braking torque needs to be applied by the drivetrain and/or generator, for a given set of conditions.
In addition to the pumping effect, the momentum of the water jet 52 exiting the outlet 28 provides a braking torque which acts to slow the rotor 40, again reducing the amount of braking torque needed in the drivetrain and/or generator.
As the rotor 40 slows, the centrifugal force acting on the fluid 50 drops so that the spring 36 is able to force the baIl 34 back into position in the fluid path, so as to block that path. As the outlet 28 is again blocked, the flow of water from inlet 26 to outlet 28 is stopped, and so the pumping action stops. The rotor is then free to operate normally.
Figure 4 illustrates a second water flow rotor assembly embodying the present invention.
The rotor is a vertical axis design, in that the rotor turns around a vertical, or near vertical, axis of rotation 65 in a direction indicated by arrow B. The rotor comprises a shaft 62 on which a hub 64 is mounted. A plurality of blades 68 are attached to the hub 64 by way of respective attachment portion 66. The blades 68 are configured to cause the hub to rotate about a vertical axis as water flows past the blades in a substantially horizontal direction.
The hub 64 is provided with an inlet 70 which is in fluid communication with respective water flow paths provided by passageways 74 in the attachment portions 66. The passageways 74 lead to respective outlets 72 (only one passageway and outlet are shown in Figure 4 for the sake of clarity). The outlets 72 are radially outside of the inlets 70 with respect to the axis of rotation 65. The outlets 72 are therefore in fluid communication with the inlet 70, such that water is able to flow from the inlet, through the passageway 74 to the outlet 72.
This fluid flow path is provided with a control mechanism, such as described above, to control flow of water out of the outlet 72.
In a manner similar to that described above with reference to the first embodiment, this second embodiment of the present invention allows rotation of the rotor to be slowed, and power input to the drivetrain to be reduced, by virtue of the centrifugal pumping of water from the inlet to the outlet, and by the jetting arrangement at the outlet.
Figure 5 illustrates another rotor assembly embodying the present invention. The rotor of Figure 5 is another vertical axis design, in that the rotor turns around a vertical, or near vertical, axis of rotation 85 in a direction indicated by arrow C. The rotor comprises a shaft 82 on which a hub 84 is mounted. A plurality of blades 88 are attached to the hub 84. The blades 88 are configured to cause the hub to rotate about the axis of rotation 85 as water flows past the blades in a substantially horizontal direction.
An inlet 90 is provided which is in fluid communication with a water flow path provided by a passageway 94. In Figure 5, two alternative positions are illustrated for the inlet 90; one is on the blade 88, and one is on the hub 84. In a practical embodiment, either or both locations could be chosen. Any number of inlets can be provided.
The passageway 94 leads to an outlet 92, which is radially outside of the inlet 90 with respect to the axis of rotation 85. The outlet 92 is therefore in fluid communication with the inlet 90, such that water is able to flow from the inlet 90, through the passageway 94 to the outlet 92. This fluid flow path is provided with a control mechanism, such as described above, to control flow of water out of the outlet 92. Any number of outlets can be provided.
In a manner similar to that described above with reference to the first embodiment, this embodiment of the present invention allows rotation of the rotor to be slowed, and power input to the drivetrain to be reduced, by virtue of the centrifugal pumping of water from the inlet to the outlet, and by the jetting arrangement at the outlet.
Although aspects of the invention have been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications may be effected without further inventive skill and effort. For example, whilst the above embodiment details a valve mechanism 32, the control mechanism may be provided by any appropriate solution. For example, the control mechanism may be provided by any appropriate preloaded one way valve that opens when the water pressure in the void is above a predetermined threshold, or a centrifugally operated mechanism that opens a restriction when the rotational speed of the blade reaches a predetermined threshold. In addition, the valve mechanism 32 may have a progressive opening mechanism such that the opening of the restriction of the outlet 28 is progressive as shown or may be a binary on-off switch. The control mechanism can be placed at any convenient position between the inlet and outlet.
It will also be appreciated that there can be a plurality of inlets and/or outlets depending on the physical restrictions of the blade body design, and on flow requirements.
The rotor blade 10 or 68 is preferably of a composite material, for example utilising carbon fibre. However, the principles of the present invention are applicable to tidal turbine blades of any material and/or design. Furthermore, the rotor 40 may be a fixed or variable pitch rotor design.

Claims (21)

  1. SCLAIMS: 1. A rotor assembly for a water flow electricity power generating device, the assembly defining an axis of rotation and comprising a water flow path from an inlet to an outlet which is located radially outside of the inlet with respect to the axis of rotation, and a control mechanism operable to control flow of water along the water flow path, wherein the inlet is in fluid communication with the water flow path, and is arranged for transfer of water from outside the rotor assembly into the water flow path, and wherein the outlet is in fluid communication with the water flow path, and is arranged for ejection of fluid from the water flow path to outside of the blade assembly.
  2. 2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one rotor blade having a blade body which defines the water flow path and the outlet.
  3. 3. An assembly as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a rotor hub to which the or each rotor blade is attached.
  4. 4. An assembly as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the blade body defines the inlet.
  5. 5. An assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the inlet is arranged at a root region of the blade body.
  6. 6. An assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rotor hub defines the inlet 7. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the blade body defines a void therein, the void providing the water flow path.8. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the outlet is arranged at a tip region of the blade body.9. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one rotor blade having a blade body having a longitudinal axis, and an attachment portion which extends at least partially transverse to the longitudinal axis, wherein the water flow path and the outlet are defined by the attachment portion.10. An assembly as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a rotor hub to which the or each attachment portion is connected.11. An assembly as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the inlet is defined by the attachment portion.12. An assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the rotor hub defines the inlet.13. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control mechanism is provided by a valve mechanism.14. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet is provided by a tapered nozzle.15. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of such inlets.16. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of such outlets.17. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly defines a direction of rotation and the outlet is arranged to eject water from the assembly in a direction having a component in that direction of rotation.18. A water flow turbine including a rotor assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.19. A horizontal axis water flow turbine including a rotor assembly as claimed in any one of claim Ito 8, or in claim 13, 14 or 15 when dependent upon any one of claims Ito 8.20. A vertical axis water flow turbine including a rotor assembly as claimed in any one of claims 9 or 12, or in claim 13, 14 or 15 when dependent upon any one of claims 9 to 12.21. A rotor assembly for a water flow turbine, or a water flow turbine, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.22. A method of controlling rotational speed of a water flow turbine rotor assembly, the method including controlling a flow of water inside the assembly from an inlet to an outlet, the outlet being located radially outside of the inlet, the inlet being arranged to transfer water from outside the assembly to inside the assembly, and the outlet being arranged to transfer water from inside the assembly to outside of the assembly.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FIELD AS FOLLOWSCLAIMS: 1. A rotor assembly for a water flow electricity power generating device, the assembly defining an axis of rotation, and a direction of rotation about that axis, and comprising a structure which defines a water flow path from an inlet to an outlet which is located radially outside of the inlet with respect to the axis of rotation, and a control mechanism operable to control flow of water along the water flow path, wherein the inlet is in fluid communication with the water flow path, and is arranged for transfer of water from outside the structure into the water flow path, and wherein the outlet is in fluid communication with the water flow path, and is arranged for ejection of fluid from the water flow path to outside of the structure in a direction having a component in the direction of rotation of the rotor assembly.2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one rotor blade having a blade body which defines the water flow path and the outlet.3. An assembly as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a rotor hub to which the or each rotor blade is attached. r(\J 4. An assembly as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the blade body defines the inlet.5. An assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the inlet is arranged at a root region of h I 6. An assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rotor hub defines the inlet.
  7. 7. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the blade body defines a void therein, the void providing the water flow path.
  8. 8. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the outlet is arranged at a tip region of the blade body.
  9. 9. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one rotor blade having a blade body having a longitudinal axis, and an attachment portion which extends at least partially transverse to the longitudinal axis, wherein the water flow path and the outlet are defined by the attachment portion.
  10. 10. An assembly as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a rotor hub to which the or each attachment portion is connected.
  11. 11. An assembly as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the inlet is defined by the attachment portion.
  12. 12. An assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the rotor hub defines the inlet.
  13. 13. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control mechanism is provided by a valve mechanism.
  14. 14. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet is provided by a tapered nozzle.
  15. 15. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of such inlets.
  16. 16. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of such outlets.
  17. 17. A water flow turbine including a rotor assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims. r
  18. 18. A horizontal axis water flow turbine including a rotor assembly as claimed in any one of claim I to 8, or in claim 13, 14 or 15 when dependent upon any one of claims Ito 8. c\J0
  19. 19. A vertical axis water flow turbine including a rotor assembly as claimed in any one of claims 9 or 12, or in claim 13, 14 or 15 when dependent upon any one of claims 9 to 12.
  20. 20. A rotor assembly for a water flow turbine, or a water flow turbine, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
  21. 21. A method of controlling rotational speed of a water flow turbine rotor assembly having a direction of rotation, the method inciuding controlling a fiow of water inside the assembly from an inlet to an outlet, the outlet being located radially outside of the inlet, the inlet being arranged to transfer water from outside the assembly to inside the assembly, and the outlet being arranged to transfer water from inside the assembly to outside of the assembly, wherein water is ejected from the assembly in a direction having a component in the direction of rotation.
GB1021802.2A 2010-12-23 2010-12-23 Rotor blades Expired - Fee Related GB2486699B (en)

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GB1021802.2A GB2486699B (en) 2010-12-23 2010-12-23 Rotor blades
PCT/GB2011/052385 WO2012085529A2 (en) 2010-12-23 2011-12-02 Rotor blades

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1021802.2A GB2486699B (en) 2010-12-23 2010-12-23 Rotor blades

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GB201021802D0 GB201021802D0 (en) 2011-02-02
GB2486699A true GB2486699A (en) 2012-06-27
GB2486699B GB2486699B (en) 2012-12-26

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GB2497763A (en) * 2011-12-20 2013-06-26 Ocean Flow Energy Ltd Air injection system for reducing hydrodynamic loads on water turbine blades

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WO2005061886A1 (en) * 2003-12-22 2005-07-07 Antonio Balseiro Pernas Hydrodynamic turbine for sea currents
GB2445413A (en) * 2007-01-04 2008-07-09 Uwe Bernhard Pascal Stein Fluid turbine with secondary turbine driven by induced flow
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB986797A (en) * 1960-04-09 1965-03-24 Hussein Haekal Improvements in and relating to machines comprising a bladed rotor such as water turbines and pumps
GB995423A (en) * 1961-09-22 1965-06-16 Roger Cholmondeley Harrison Suction pumps
US4205943A (en) * 1978-01-25 1980-06-03 Philippe Vauthier Hydro-electric generator
JPS5650268A (en) * 1979-09-30 1981-05-07 Kiyotatsu Fukai Rotary hydraulic machine
US4504192A (en) * 1983-09-15 1985-03-12 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Jet spoiler arrangement for wind turbine
WO2005061886A1 (en) * 2003-12-22 2005-07-07 Antonio Balseiro Pernas Hydrodynamic turbine for sea currents
GB2445413A (en) * 2007-01-04 2008-07-09 Uwe Bernhard Pascal Stein Fluid turbine with secondary turbine driven by induced flow
WO2008080407A1 (en) * 2007-01-05 2008-07-10 Lm Glasfiber A/S Wind turbine blade with lift-regulating means in form of slots or holes

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2497763A (en) * 2011-12-20 2013-06-26 Ocean Flow Energy Ltd Air injection system for reducing hydrodynamic loads on water turbine blades
WO2013093452A1 (en) 2011-12-20 2013-06-27 Ocean Flow Energy Limited System for reducing hydrodynamic loads on turbine blades in flowing water

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WO2012085529A3 (en) 2012-11-01

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