GB2592567A

GB2592567A - Hydrokinetic turbine support system

Info

Publication number: GB2592567A
Application number: GB2000579.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Williams Christopher
Original assignee: Bespoke Project Partners Ltd
Current assignee: Bespoke Project Partners Ltd
Priority date: 2020-01-15
Filing date: 2020-01-15
Publication date: 2021-09-08
Also published as: GB202000579D0

Abstract

A lightweight turbine R support system for use in rivers, water channels, canals or near shore shallow tidal waters comprises of one or more underwater vertical axis turbines R mounted and supported between bearings 5, 7 in lower and upper frames 6, 8. The frames 6, 8 are connected to one another, and the lower frame 6 is supported on spikes 9 in the river- or sea-bed B. An electric generator 11 is mounted on directly driven by the axle 4 of each vertical axis turbine R. The generators 11 is mounted on a support connected to the upper frame 8. There may be three vertical turbines R which may comprise a plurality of toroidal blades 1 at the outer ends of one or more bearers 2, and the chord line of the blades may be inclined.

Description

Hydrokinetic turbine support system [0001] This invention relates to turbine support systems to be placed underwater to generate power from the flow of water.

[0002] This invention is particularly applicable as a part of a community electrical power generation system for use in rivers, water transfer channels and canals or near shore shallow tidal waters.

[0003] Existing tidal energy generation systems are typically heavy, requiring with deep subsea electrical connections, costly marine installations vessels, and need to with-stand adverse weather and waves. Alternatively, tidal power generation systems or systems for use in rivers might be floating on the surface of the water requiring heavy mooring systems and flexible, movable electrical connection systems.

[0004] An electrical energy generation support system comprising one or a plurality of underwater vertical axis turbines mounted and supported between bearings in a lower and an upper frame, the frames being connected to one another, with the lower frame supported on spikes in a river, water channel or seabed, the vertical axis turbines mounted on one or more axles, each axle directly driving a dynamo or alternator mounted on the axle, said dynamo or alternator being mounted on a support connected to the upper frame.

[0005] Existing marine turbines are supported from one aspect, either from a tower structure from a solid base or from a gantry structure from a floating apparatus. This support structure provides a rigid frame to support the turbine from the top and the bottom of the axle providing additional fixity which is particularly beneficial for vertical axis turbines, which can be subject to high vibration and harmonic loads. Such turbine systems are too costly to manufacture and deploy as community electrical power generation systems for use in rivers, water transfer channels and canals or near shore shallow tidal waters [0006] In a particularly useful arrangement three such vertical axis turbines are supported between a lower and upper frame. In this case the cost of the foundation and installation of the support frame can be shared between the three turbines.

[0007] The vertical turbines comprise a plurality of toroidal blades at the outer ends of one or more bearers, the inner ends of the bearers being mounted on a vertical axle.

[0008] The axle of the vertical turbine is connected physically to an alternator or dynamo to generate electricity. The generation equipment could consist of a gearbox and generator or direct drive, gearless system. The drive train and generation equipment could be located at the top or bottom of the main rotor support shaft. In shallow water the generation equipment could be located above the surface of the water, in the dry. This arrangement obviates the need for complex submerged generation equipment, seals and electrical connection systems as well as allowing ease of access for maintenance and inspection.

[0009] Further features of the invention will be understood from the description of specific examples of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings in which: [0010] Figure 1 shows a side view of a single turbine system according to the invention: [0011] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the system of figure 1; [0012] Figure 3 is a top view of the system of figure 1; [0013] Figure 4 is the side view of a three-turbine system according to the invention; and [0014] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the system of figure 4; [0015] In figures 1 to 3 an energy generation system mounted in a river bed or shallow sea-bed B includes a turbine R. The turbine R comprises three toroidal blades 1 at the outer ends of lower bearers 2 and upper bearers 3. The inner ends of the bearers 2 and 3 are mounted on a vertical axle 4.

[0016] The axle 4 is mounted between bearing 5 in a lower horizontal frame 6 and bearing 7 in upper horizontal frame 8. The chord line A-A' of the toroidal blades is at an angle to the vertical axle 4.

[0017] The lower horizontal frame 6 is supported on spiked legs 9 supported on the bed B of the river or shallow sea when the turbine is in place. The spikes will sink into soft mud and silt typically found in locations where the device of this invention is deployed, holding the deice in position.

[0018] The lower and upper frames are joined by vertical members or frames 10 which keep the two frames in a fixed relationship to each other.

[0019] The axle 4 passes through the bearing 7 and thus upper frame 8 to drive an alternator or dynamo 11 mounted clear of the sea or river level L on supports 12 attached to the upper side of upper member 8, the alternator or dynamo generating electrical energy when the turbine R rotates in response to currents or water flows in the river, channel or sea in which it is mounted. The electrical energy is transported by cables to consumers. The cables could be laid on the bed of the watercourse or sea or could be carried overhead. Overhead cables would obviate the need for expensive subsea cables and connectors.

[0020] To increase output, more than one turbine R can be mounted between the lower and upper frames. In figures 4 and 5 an arrangement with three such turbines, is shown. The turbines R are each as described previously. The lower and upper frames 26 and 28 are triangular in plan, with turbines R mounted in bearings 25 and 27 in lower and upper frames 26 and 28 respectively, near the corners of the frames 26 and 28. The frames are linked by vertical members 30 between the edges of the frame 26 and 28.

[0021] The lower horizontal frame 26 is supported on spiked legs 29 will be in turn supported on the bed B of the river or sea when the turbines are in place in a river or shallow sea.

[0022] The axles 4 of the turbines R pass through the upper bearings 27 and upper frame 28 to drive dynamos or alternators 31 which are mounted clear of the water level L on supports 32 attached to the upper frame 28.

[0023] The construction shown in figures 1 to 5 is intended to illustrative of an example of the invention. In particular, the frames 26 and 28 can be solid plates (although this would add weight to the structure) or of a different lattice construction. The sides of the structure should be as open as possible but with a link between the bottom and top frames to ensure uniform separation of the lower and upper frames. Likewise, the bearers 2 and 3 need not be shaped as shown but their structure should be as light as possible.

[0024] The height of the dynamo or alternator supports 12 On figures 1 to3) and 32 On figures 4 and 5) are chosen to keep the dynamos or alternators 11, 31 clear of the highest expected water level L.

Claims

Claims 1. An electrical energy generation support system comprising one or a plurality of underwater vertical axis turbines mounted and supported between bearings in a lower and an upper frame, the frames being connected to one another, with the lower frame supported on spikes in a river, water channel or seabed, the vertical axis turbines mounted on one or more axles, each axle directly driving a dynamo or alternator mounted on the axle, said dynamo or alternator being mounted on a support connected to the upper frame.
2. An electrical energy generation system according to claim 1 in which three vertical turbines are supported between a lower and upper frame.
3. An electrical energy generation system according to claim 1 or 2 in which the vertical turbines comprise a plurality of toroidal blades at the outer ends of one or more bearers, the inner ends of the bearers being mounted on a vertical axle.
4. An electrical energy generation system according to claim 3 in which the chord line of the blades is at an angle to the vertical.