MX2010011410A - Water turbines with mixers and ejectors. - Google Patents

Abstract

Turbine systems for extracting energy from water traveling relative to the turbine system can include a rotor assembly for extracting the energy, a turbine shroud having a turbine shroud inner volume within which at least a portion of the rotor assembly is disposed, and an ejector shroud having a ejector shroud inner volume within which at least a portion of the turbine shroud is disposed. The turbine shroud and the ejector shroud can each have a terminus comprising a plurality of turbine shroud mixer elements or ejector shroud mixer elements, respectively. One or more of the mixer elements and ejector shrouds comprise a mixer/ejector pump which increases the energy extraction potential of the turbine system. One or more of the turbine shroud mixer elements, ejector shroud mixer elements, and ejector shroud and turbine shroud inlets can be asymmetric about a plane passing through the axis of rotation of the rotor assembly. Methods, systems, apparatus and articles of manufacture relating to these features and others are also disclosed.

Description

WATER TURBINES WITH MIXERS AND EXPU LSORES The invention claims the benefit of the US provisional patent application serial number 61/1 24,397, filed on April 16, 2008, and entitled "Water Turbines with Mixers and Ejectors", the description of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety .

Field of the invention The subject matter of the present invention relates to axial flow turbine and ejector systems, such as, for example, those which are used ! to extract energy when submerged in a stream of flowing water, such as an ocean current, a stream of device of the propeller type or "rotor" that is directed to receive a current of water in movement. As illustrated in Figure 1, a rotor may be uncovered or may be contained in a reinforcing ring. As the current hits the rotor, the current produces a force in the rotor in such a way that it causes the rotor to rotate about its center. The rotor may be connected to an electrical generator or to a mechanical device through mechanisms such as gears, belts, chains or other means.

These turbines can be used to generate electricity and / or to drive rotary pumps or moving machine parts. They can also be used in large "current turbine farms" to generate electricity (also called "current turbine arrays"), which contain several of these turbines in a geometric pattern designed to allow maximum energy extraction with minimal impact from each of these turbines' on another and / or in the surrounding environment.

The ability of an uncovered turbine rotor to convert fluid energy into rotary energy, when placed in a stream of width and depth greater than its diameter, is limited by the widely documented theoretical value of 59.3% of the energy of the incoming current, known as the "Betz" limit, which was documented by A. Betz in 1926. This productivity limit applies especially to traditional multi-blade tidal and axial current turbines shown in Figure 1 A. Attempts have been made to try to increase the potential performance of the turbine beyond the "Betz" limit. Properly designed reinforcement rings can make the incoming flow increase in speed as it approaches the rotor compared to the speed experienced by an uncovered rotor. The incoming flow is thus concentrated in the center of the duct. In general, for a properly designed rotor, this higher flow velocity with respect to that of an uncovered rotor, produces more force on the rotor and Subsequently, higher levels of energy extraction than the discovered rotor of the same size. Prior reinforcing ring current turbines such as those shown in Figure 1B have employed inlet concentrators and outlet diffusers to increase the flow rates in the turbine rotor. Diffusers, which typically include a tub-like structure or with openings along the axial length to allow slow mixing, of diffusion of water within the tube with that of the affluent side of the tube, generally require large lengths to have good performance, and tend to be very sensitive to incoming flow variations. These long diffusers, sensitive to flow, are impractical ? in many facilities. Short diffusers can stall and thereby reduce the energy conversion efficiency of the system.

In a first implementation, a turbine system for extracting energy from the water that is displaced relative to the turbine system in the direction of the incoming current flow has one end from which at least a part of the rotor assembly is placed. The rotor assembly is axially symmetrical about a rotation axis and it has a rotor face upstream facing the inlet end. The turbine booster ring includes an inlet of the turbine booster ring disposed closer to the inlet end than the rotor face and a term of the booster ring of the turbine disposed closer to the outlet end than the rotor assembly . The term of the reinforcing ring of the turbine includes a plurality of mixing elements of the turbine booster ring. The inlet of the turbine booster ring is adapted to direct a first volume of water in motion the direction of the incoming flow of current to the rotor assembly such that the first volume causes the rotor assembly to draw and draw energy from the rotor. first volume of water before the lower volume of water with a lower energy is discharged from the turbine booster ring in the ejector reinforcing ring through the term of the turbine booster ring.

Brief description of the invention j In a first implementation, a turbine system for extracting water energy that is displaced relative to the turbine system in the direction of the incoming stream of flow has an inlet outlet adapted to be directed in the direction of the incoming stream of current and one end of the stream. exit opposite the entrance end. The water has a non-uniform flow velocity distribution across the end of the turbine system. The turbine system includes a rotor assembly, a turbine booster ring that has an inner volume of the reinforcing ring ide the turbine inside which at least a part of the rotor assembly is placed, and an ejector cover having a volume of the reinforcing ring of the ejector inside which at least a part of the turbine booster ring is disposed. . The rotor assembly is axially symmetrical about an axis of rotation and has an upright rotor face facing the input end. The turbine booster ring includes an input of the turbine booster ring disposed closer to the input end and the rotor surface and a term of the booster ring of the turbine located closer to the bore. output end that the rotor assembly. The term of the reinforcing ring of the turbine includes a plurality of mixing elements of the turbine booster ring. The entrance of the turbine booster ring is adapted to drive a first volume of water moving in direction of the incoming current flow to the rotor assembly such that the first volume makes that the rotor assembly rotates and extracts energy from the first volume of water before the first volume of water of lower energy is discharged from the turbine's reinforcement ring in the ejector's reinforcing ring through the term. of the turbine booster ring. The ejector reinforcement ring includes a reinforcement ring inlet of the ejector and a term of the ejector reinforcement ring. The ejector reinforcement ring includes an entry of the ejector reinforcement ring and a term of the ejector reinforcement ring. The entrance of the ejector reinforcement ring is asymmetric on the passing plane, through the axis of rotation, so that it has a larger cross-sectional area on a side of lower speed † e a plane passing through the axis of rotation that on a side of higher speed of the plane passing through the axis of rotation . The term of the ejector reinforcing rod extends in the direction of current flow past the mixing elements of the turbine booster.

In a second interrelated implementation, a turbine system includes a rotor assembly that is metrically axially on an axis of rotation and having an upright rotor face oriented toward the inlet end., a turbine booster ring having an inner volume of the turbine booster rod within which at least a part of the rotor assembly is placed, and a booster ring of the ejector having an inner volume of the turbine. an ejector reinforcing ring in which at least a part of the turbine booster ring is placed. The reinforcing ring of the turbine includes an inlet of the turbine booster ring disposed closer to the end of the turbine than the rotor face and a term of the turbine booster ring disposed closer to the outlet end. than the rotor assembly.

The term of the turbine booster ring includes a plasticity The mixing elements of the reinforcing ring of the turbine, which are thus metric on a plane passing through the axis of rotation in such a way that at least one of the mixing elements of the reinforcing ring of the turbine on one side of slower speed The plane passing through the axis of rotation is larger than at least u of the mixing elements of the reinforcing ring of the turbine on a side of greater speed of the plane passing through the axis of rotation. The input of the turbine booster ring is adapted to direct a first volume of water that moves in direction of the input current flow to the rotor assembly such that the first volume causes the assembly to The rotor rotates and draws energy from the first volume of water before the first volume of water with less energy is discharged from the turbine booster ring through the end of the turbine booster ring. The ejector reinforcement ring includes an inlet of the ejector reinforcement ring and a term of the ejector reinforcement ring extending in direction of current flow past the mixing elements of the turbine booster.

In a third interrelated implementation, a method for extracting energy from the water that is displaced relative to a turbine system in the direction of a current flow includes capturing a first volume of water in a turbine booster ring that has an inner volume of the reinforcement ring < of the turbine within which at least a portion of a rotor assembly is placed, the first volume of water through the rotor assembly is drawn in such a way that the rotor assembly withdraws in dependence on the first volume of water before the first volume of water with less energy is discharged from the reinforcing ring of the turbine through the term of the reinforcing ring of the turbine, capture a second volume of water in a reinforcing ring of the ejector having an inner volume of the reinforcing ring of the ejector inside which at least a part of the reinforcing ring is arranged of the turbine, and mixing the first and second volumes in a mixed volume before the discharge of the mixed volume of the term of the ejector reinforcement ring. The turbine booster ring includes an inlet of the turbine booster ring disposed closer to the inlet end than the rotor assembly and a term of the booster ring of the turbine disposed closer to the outlet end than the booster assembly. rotor. The term of the reinforcing ring of the turbine includes a plurality of mixing elements of the turbine booster ring. The ejector reinforcement ja n i 11 includes an inlet of the ejector reinforcement ring and a term of the ejector reinforcement ring. The term of the ejector reinforcing ring extends in the direction of current flow past the mixing elements of the turbine booster ring.

One or more additional variations and optional features may be included in a given implementation of the subject matter of the present invention. The mixing elements of the ejector reinforcement ring and the mixing elements of the turbine booster ring can be specifically designed to form a mixer / ejector pump that increases the power extraction potential of the system increasing the flow rate through the turbine rotor and mixing the output flow of the low energy turbine booster ring with the bypass flow entering the inlet of the booster ring of the ejector without passing through the rotor of the turbine. The inlet of the ejector reinforcement ring can be adapted to direct a second volume of water that moves in direction of the current flow in the inner volume of the ejector reinforcement ring., and the inner volume of the ejector reinforcement ring may include a plurality of mixer elements of the ejector reinforcement ring which causes the first volume of water to mix with the second volume of water before exiting through the end of the ring. reinforcement of the ejector. The forms of the turbine booster and the ejector reinforcement ring can minimize a velocity gradient presented to the rotor face, maximize the first volume of water, and maximize the mixing of the first and second volumes before to discharge them from the term of the ejector reinforcement ring. The velocity gradient is measured along the face of the rotor.

A central body on which the rotor rotates can be included. The reinforcing ring of the turbine may include a stator assembly including stator blades axially disposed on the center body. The stator vanes can be rotatable to adjust the first volume increasing or decreasing to the open flow area presented for the direction of incoming current flow. The turbine booster ring entry can include one or more mobile gate elements that can be controlled to increase or decrease the first volume flowing through the rotor assembly A diverter formed to efficiently separate suspended waste and / or aquatic waste from the first volume before If the first volume finds the face of the rotor, it may be placed in front of the central body. The central body may include a downstream end projecting the central body towards the end of the reinforcing ring of the turbine and in the reinforcement ring of the ejector. The central body may include a central hollow cavity adapted to allow suspended aquatic debris and / or aquatic life to pass through the central body towards the end of the turbine booster ring if not encountered by the turbine blades. rotor. The central hollow cavity, which optionally may include mixing elements in its guide edge, can also pass high energy deflection flow towards the ejector reinforcement ring to improve the mixing performance in the ejector reinforcement ring. The downstream end may include one or more mixing elements of the central body. The flow through the hollow central body with downstream mixing elements can improve the operation performance of the mixer / ejector pump.

The inlet of the turbine booster ring may have a non-circular cross section having a larger cross-sectional area on the lower speed side of the plane passing through the axis of rotation than on the high speed side of the plane. plane that passes through the axis of rotation. The mixing elements of the turbine booster ring may include one or more mixing lobes and mixing grooves. The rotor assembly may include a rotor hub, an outer rotor ring, and a first plurality of radially oriented rotor blades disposed between the hub. The term region of the ejector reinforcement ring may include a second plurality of blender elements of the ejector reinforcement ring that They can include one or more mixer lobes and mixer slots.

The plurality of mixing elements of the ejector ring can be asymmetric on the plane passing through the axis of rotation. For example, one or more of the mixer elements of the ejector on the lower velocity side of the plane passing through the axis of rotation may be larger than one or more; e the mixing elements of the ejector reinforcement ring on the side of greater speed of the plane that passes through the axis of rotation.

Similarly, the plurality of ring mixing elements I The turbine booster may be asymmetric on the plane passing through the axis of rotation, one or more of the mixing elements of the turbine booster ring on the lower speed side of the plane passing through the axis of rotation It is larger than one or more of the mixing elements of the turbine booster ring on the higher speed side of the plane passing through the axis of rotation.

A second reinforcing ring of the ejector can be included. it has an inner volume of the second reinforcing ring of the ejector inside which at least a part of the reinforcing ring of the ejector is disposed. The second ejector reinforcement ring may include an inlet of the second ejector reinforcement ring I and a terminus region of the second ejector reinforcement ring. The entrance of the second reinforcing ring of the ejector can be asymmetric on the plane passing through the axis of rotation, so that it has a larger cross-sectional area and one side of lower velocity of the plane passing through the axis of rotation that on the higher speed side of the plane passing through the axis of rotation, the term of the second reinforcing ring of the ejector extends in the direction of current flow past the mixing elements of the ejector reinforcement ring.

The subject matter of the present invention can provide many advantages. For example, current turbines are conceptually similar to wind turbines, but details differ in order to mitigate the complications present in water, such as: forces approximately 900 times greater than those found by wind turbines, significant vertical forces induced by buoyancy, unbalanced asymmetric or unstable loads due to vertical variation incoming velocity field produced by the pr a fixed surface such as a floor or wall of u of a ship, barge or other ship to which it is of current. Erosion can also occur and after the turbine current because of the disturbed of the flow velocity profile produced by the water with less energy coming out of the turbine and mixed again with the flow of current that deviates from the entrance or inlets of the turbine. The safety of aquatic life, the corrosion of water, the avoidance of system failures, and the management of floating debris, can also presuppose important challenges for the efficient use of a current turbine. These demands typically require the use of stronger, heavier and water resistant materials, different support mechanisms and internal structures, different aerodynamic or hydrodynamic shapes, and careful management of water flow before and after the turbine. All these factors can significantly increase the costs incurred per unit of energy generated. j Various characteristics of the current turbines according to the subject matter of the present invention can advantageously overcome many of these challenges. For example, an ejector reinforcing ring comprising a reinforcing ring accommodating the rotor assembly can be provided. A second volume of water flowing in the booster ring of the ejector deviates from the turbine booster ring and therefore has no extracted energy. This second volume of water is actively mixed with a first volume of fresh water after the first volume has passed through the rotor assembly and energy has been extracted. The mixture occurs inside the reinforcing ring of the ejector and before unloading the term of the ejector reinforcement ring.

The theoretical analysis based on the first principles of the I current turbines described here indicates: that they are capable of I produce three or more times energy than the discovered turbines currently available for the same rotor front area. The current turbines described here can increase the productivity of current and tidal farms in a factor of two or more.

The details of one or more variations of the subject matter of the present invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and in the description that follows. Other features and advantages of the subject matter of the present invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated and constitute a part of this specification, show some aspects of the subject matter of the present invention, and together with the description, help explain some of the principles associated with the described embodiments and embodiments. In the drawings, j Figures 1 A, 1 B and 1 C are schematic diagrams! which illustrate examples of current turbine systems; Figures 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are schematic diagrams illustrating multiple views of an implementation of a current turbine system; fifteen Figure 3A and Figure 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating a perspective front view of a current turbine system having a six-blade rotor; Figures 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams illustrating perspective front views of a current turbine system use optional options for current turbine systems; Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alternative implementation of a current turbine system with a mixer / ejector pump having mixing lobes that vary in shape and size around the circumference of the end regions of the ring. reinforcement of the turbine and the ejector reinforcement ring; Figures 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D are schematic diagrams illustrating the alternative im plementation of a turbine system. current with two optional pivoting rudders and fins for alignment and movement of current flow, with blocking / flow control doors and stators that can rotate in or out of a plane passing through the gate or of the stator | and the central body of the current turbine system; Figures 8A, 8B and 8C are schematic diagrams illustrating alternative implementations of a current turbine system with a central body with open conduit having i mixing and ejector lobes with mixing slots; Figures 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D are schematic diagrams illustrating alternative implementations of a current turbine system with an inlet waste blocking system; Figures 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating alternative implementations of a water turbine system of a current turbine system with a two stage mixer / ejector system; and i Figure 11 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method according to an implementation of the subject matter of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention The concepts and technology of gas turbines have yet to be applied commercially to axial flow current turbines. Most current turbines use a single multi-blade rotor based on impeller-driven concepts to extract energy from the current. As a result, a significant amount of the flow passing through the blades of the current turbine converts part of the flow energy into swirling flow on the shaft. The swirl component absorbs I energy that can not be supplied to the generator and also induces rotation in the wake of the system that can induce erosion, agitation of sediment and disorientation of aquatic life. These effects can be mitigated and even eliminated using mature considerations of gas turbine stator / rotor and / or aerodynamic or hydrodynamic flow. The gas turbine rotor / stator design approaches can be applied to the current turbines essentially to eliminate the damaging effects of eddy flow in the environment after the turbine.

Additionally, single-rotor systems, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 1A, are delayed at the start of rotation and therefore in the production of energy until the local axial velocity level is high enough to induce positive aerodynamic or hydrodynamic lifting and torque in the aerodynamic profile of the rotor. The stator / rotor input systems suitably designed according to the subject matter of the present invention do not have this limitation and are therefore capable of inducing torque in the rotor and producing energy for I all levels of local speeds above zero. Also, the previous covered turbines have failed to provide aerodynamic or hydrodynamic efficiency of the flow around the outside of the reinforcing ring, especially in the presence of a free surface, the floor or the side wall of a basin! or the hull of a ship. The adaptation of the inlets of a current turbine to handle the debris and / or aquatic life approaching the inlet is also an optional feature of the subject matter of the present invention. You can place one bulbous specially designed aerodynamically or hydrodynamically in front of the entrance to divert first the incoming water and any waste content suspended outwards. The water current has less inertia than suspended waste and / or aquatic life, which are larger, and can therefore follow the contour of the bulbous shape to enter the turbine booster ring or the ring reinforcement of the ejector. The most inertial suspended objects, such as aquatic animals, debris and the like, deviate from the water stream lines and therefore fail to enter the turbine booster ring or the ejector reinforcement ring.

To achieve greater energy and efficiency in the currents, It is generally necessary to very precisely adjust the aerodynamic or hydrodynamic designs of the reinforcement ring and the rotor to the vertically variable speed profile approaching the turbine. The velocity profiles generally follow a dependence of the energy law of 1/10 between the minimum and maximum levels, which usually, but not always, occurs in the current bed and the free surface respectively. While wind turbines find a similar vertical variation, it is not nearly as intense as in the case of the current turbine, because I that a wind turbine has a tiny vertical scale compared to the height of the Earth's atmosphere. Water is approximately 900 times denser than air. Because the energy generated depends on the density of the fluid and the cube gives the local velocity, while the axial force depends on the density and the square of the velocity, this level of variation produces asymmetric energy supply and significant structural loads on the rotor, as well as on the aniljlo system of reinforcement, unless they are controlled by the aerodynamic or hydrodynamic design. Although wind turbines are generally symmetrical about their central axis of rotation, the covered turbines provide the opportunity to employ such metric characteristics to control and mitigate the complications induced by the incoming velocity profile. In particular, although the inner surface of the reinforcing ring must necessarily be almost circular where it surrounds the rotor, this imitation does not apply to the rest of the ring geometry, either internally or externally. Therefore, the variation of the aerodynamic or hydrodynamic contour around the circumference of the ring can be used to reduce the distortion of the incoming flow to an acceptable level by the time it reaches the rotor face. In addition, this aerodynamic asymmetric or oval contour can reduce the impact of the flow that leaves the system in the surrounding environment by reducing erosion and agitation of the sediment of the basin and the walls of the stream. .

The ejectors extract flow in a system and through it increase the flow through that system. When using concepts of j aerodynamic profile of the ring in the design of the various reinforcing rings of an ejector, the rotor size required for a level of output of desired energy can be reduced by as much as half or less than that imposed on an uncovered rotor. The shorter rotor blades are less expensive and structurally more robust. In addition, the axial forces imposed on the rotor by the current can also be reduced by half or more, while the remaining charges are shifted to the non-rotating elements of the covered system. The transfer of the load by static parts, not rotating, is extremely simple and economical for design, manufacture and maintenance.

Mixers / ejectors are compact, short versions of ejector jet pumps that are relatively insensitive to incoming flow distortions and have been widely used in high-speed jet propulsion applications involving flow velocities near or above Speed of sound. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 5,761,900 by one of the inventors, DR. Walter M. Presz, J., who also uses a downstream mixer to increase thrust and at the same time reduce discharge noise. In all applications of prior generation of technology with mixer / injector, including those for wind turbines designed by the inventors, the multiple three-dimensional surfaces that induce the flow mixture between two currents, which will hereafter be referred to as here the mixing elements are all of the same size and are distributed in a pattern of repetition around the circumference of a reinforcing ring. To adapt the distortion of the speed present in the flow approaching a current turbine and to work efficiently within the entrances of the oval reinforcing anchor that waits for it, an advanced mixer element can be used to effect a mix and pump maximum for each sector in the circumference of the system.

Current turbines, such as wind turbines, must be capable of adjusting the energy output to be compatible with the energy level for which the generator is rated. Traditional three-bladed wind turbines can experience wind speeds up to 10 times their average wind speed of operation and must incorporate a mechanical shut-off system to avoid damage to the generator and / or structure. Current turbines suffer less extreme speed variations and therefore typically incorporate systems ! off designed in a different way. Current turbines with several mixer / ejector reinforcement rings employing stator / rotor systems offer three means of affecting shutdown in addition to a standard interruption system. The stators can be articulated to essentially close the entrance opening, the blocking gates, incorporated in the I inner surfaces of the reinforcing rings, can be made to oscillate in the flow field, thus obstructing the flow path, and / or a block of debris blocking at the entrance can be moved at the entrance to reduce the flow . j The anchoring systems for your current pipes Covers are very different than the tall towers used for wind turbines, and as such, they can be integrally designed to avoid compromising the aerodynamic or hydrodynamic efficiency of the closely coupled system. Systems on poles or platforms such as those shown in Figure 1 will find different levels and sources of aerodynamic or hydrodynamic interference that must be reduced to ensure efficient energy supply.

Turbines with mixer / ejector with several reinforcing rings provide unique integration opportunities for the rotor and generator systems. Because current turbines are not required to change direction, or in the case of tidal turbines only in a twice-a-day program, the generator can be placed more conveniently for better efficiency and / or easier maintenance. The employment of Reinforcement rings at the tip of the rotor, as is frequently used in gas turbines, allow the use of a crown or steering gear system and the placement of the generator in or on the reinforcing ring. Additionally, this allows designing the central body as an open conduit for the passage of water to and through him. | I Figures 2 to 10 show a number of implementations that illustrate some of the features that are within the scope of the subject matter of the present invention. According to one implementation, a system of Water turbine includes a turbine booster ring with aerodynamic or hydrodynamic profile (102) that is not circular at some point along its axial extent. A central aerodynamic or hydrodynamic profile body (103) is attached inside and attached to the turbine ring (102) having a turbine ring inlet (105) through which a first volume of water is drawn. The central body (103) is axially symmetric about the rotation of a rotor. A turbine stage (104) surrounds the central body (103) and includes a stator ring (106) of the stator vanes (108a) and an impeller or rotor (110) having aspasses of the impeller or rotor (112a). The rotor (110) includes a rotor face formed by the guide edge of the rotor blades (112a). The rotor (110) is positioned downstream of the stator vanes (108a) such that the face of the rotor is substantially aligned with the rotor.

I the guiding edges of the stator vanes (108a). The stator vanes (108a) are mounted on the central body (103) and the rotor blades (112a) are joined and held together by inner and outer rings or rings or alternatively by a hub (112b) and an outer ring ( 112c). The inner ring or hub encloses the central body (103) and can rotate on it. A terminus region of the mixing element that includes a term region or end portion of the turbine booster ring (102) includes a ring of mixing lobes (120a) extending downstream beyond the rotor blades (112a) and which varies in shape or size as necessary to fill the space between the reinforcement ring j of the turbine (102) and the reinforcing ring of the ejector (128) and supplies the water that entered into the vicinity of the central body (103). This is similar to the ejector lobes shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,761,900, wherein the mixing lobes (120a) extend downstream and into an inlet (129) of the ejector reinforcement ring (128). The ejector (122) also includes a reinforcing ring (128) which may be non-circular for portions of its axial length and which surrounds the ring of mixing lobes (120a) in the reinforcing ring of the turbine. The ejector reinforcement ring (128) can include mixing elements of varying sizes and shapes in its term region as shown in Figure 6.

The central body (103), as shown in Figure 2, can be connected to the reinforcing ring of the turbine (102) through the stator ring (106) (or other means) to eliminate damage, disturbance and propagation long-distance waves with low-frequency pressure produced by traditional current and tide turbines, since the turbine blades of the turbine impact on the support tower. The aerodynamic profiles of the turbine booster ring (102) and the ejector booster ring (128) are preferably curved to increase the flow through the turbine rotor in such a way that vertical variation in the turbine is reduced. rotor face velocity induced by upstream distortions.

Applicants have calculated that, for optimum efficiency in the preferred embodiment (100), the area index of the ejector pump (122), defined by the cross-sectional area of the term of the turbine booster ring will be between 1.5 and 4.0. reinforcement of the ejector (128) or close to it. The proportion of height with respect to the width of the lobe channels will be between 0.5 and 4.5. The penetration of the mixer will be between 30% and 80%. The angles of the leading edge of the mouth of the central body (103) will be thirty degrees or less. The ratio of length to diameter (L / D) of the system in general (100) will be between 0.5 and 1.25.

In general, a current turbine power conversion system includes an axial flow current turbine (100) including stator vanes (108a) and impeller or rotor blades (112) and which is surrounded by a reinforcing ring. of turbine (102) with aerodynamic shape incorporating mixing elements (12oL) in its end region or end part and a reinforcing ring of the separate ejector (128), which is superimposed, but then, on the turbine booster ring (102) ). The ejector reinforcement ring (128) may also incorporate advanced mixing elements, such as for example mixer lobes (119) or mixing slots in its terminus region. A ring (118) of mixing features such as lobes or slots (119) located in the term (117) of the The ejector reinforcement ring (128) can be thought of as a mixer / ejector pump that provides the means to constantly exceed the Betz limit to obtain a larger i operation efficiency of the current turbine system! and of tides (100). ' Figure 2A shows a turbine stage (104) including a rotor assembly (110) that is rotatably mounted on a central body (103), surrounded by a turbine booster ring (102) with elements embedded mixers (120ai) that have guide edges inserted slightly in the plane of the I ejector reinforcement ring (128). The turbine stage (104) and the ejector reinforcement ring (128) are structurally connected to the reinforcing ring of the turbine (102), which itself is the main load bearing member.

The length of the turbine booster ring (102) in some implementations may be equal to or less than the maximum outer diameter of the turbine booster ring (102). The length of the ejector reinforcement ring (128) in some implementations may be less than or equal to the maximum outer diameter of the ejector reinforcement ring. The external surface of the central body I (103) can be formed aerodynamically or hydrodynamically to minimize the effects of flow separation downstream of the current turbine system (100). The central body (103) may be longer or shorter than the reinforcing ring! of the turbine (102) or the ejector reinforcement ring (128), p its combined lengths.

The cross-sectional area of the end entrance of the turbine booster ring (115) may be greater than or equal to that of the hoop occupied by the turbine stage (104), but it does not have to have a circular shape such as allow better control1 of the flow source and the impact of its wake. The cross-sectional area of the internal flow path formed by the ring between the central body (103) and the inner surface of the turbine booster ring (102) is aerodynamically formed to have ??? minimum area in the plane of the rotor assembly (110) and so that it otherwise varies slightly from its respective input planes to its output planes. The outer surfaces of the turbine booster ring (102) and the ejector reinforcement ring (128) are formed aerodynamically or hydrodynamically to help guide the flow at the inlet of the turbine booster ring (105), eliminating the separation of flow from its surfaces, and providing smooth flow at the inlet of the ejector reinforcement ring (129). The entrance area (128) of the ejector, which may have a non-circular shape, is larger than the cross-sectional area of the term of the turbine booster ring (115), including the mixing figures (118) that are in the term of the indigo or of reinforcement of the turbine. The cross-sectional area at the end of the ejector reinforcement ring (117) may also have a non-circular shape.

An example of an energy take-off (130) that shown in Figure 4A and 4B may be in the form of a structure similar to a wheel mechanically hinged in an outer ring or inner of the rotor assembly (110) for a power generator (not shown) under or on top of the rotor assembly (110). A vertical support shaft (132) with a rotating coupling at (134) as shown in Figure 4A and Figure 5A can rotationally support the current turbine system (100) and can be located forward of the location of the pressure center experienced by the current turbine system (100) for the self-alignment of the current turbine system when submerged in a flowing stream. they move solos and fins generally 7), are fixed to upper and lower surfaces of the reinforcing rings of the turbine and / or the ejector (102) and (128) respectively, to stabilize the alignment directions with different tidal currents and currents, and provide direction during vertical movements. j A current turbine system 100 can be structurally supported by other systems, as shown for example in Figure 5A, Figure 5B, Figure 5C and Figure 5D, for example in the case of a pole (133), a foundation fixed (137), chains (138), or a ship (139) such as a barge or a boat. i Variable element geometries can be used and optimized to extract maximum energy from the deflection air flow as shown in figure 6. The elements mixers (140) can be asymmetric in relation to a plane passing through the axis of rotation of the rotor assembly (110) as shown in figure 6.

Figure 7 shows control rudders and fins (135) and (136), and optional flow lock gates (140a), (140b). They can be rotated by means of an articulated mechanism (not shown) in the flow stream to reduce or stop the flow through the turbine (100) when damage to the generator or other components is possible due to the high flow rate . Figure 7D presents another optional variation of a current turbine system 8100). The angle of incidence of the exit of the blades of the stator can be varied mechanically in the flow velocity of the fluid in such a way as to ensure a minimum residual swirl in the flow leaving the rotor.

Additional alternative variations may include a central body with open conduit (144) such as that shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, which may include mixing elements (145) in the central body; slot type mixers (146) as shown in Figure 8C; a central body that includes derailleurs Waste (147) as shown in Figure 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D; and several ejector reinforcement rings (148) as shown in Figure 10A and in Figure 10B.

Figure 11 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method according to an implementation of the subject matter of the present invention. A first volume (1102) of water is captured in a turbine booster ring having an inner volume of the turbine booster ring into which at least a portion of the rotor assembly is positioned. The reinforcing ring of the turbine includes an input of the reinforcement ring! of the turbine placed closer to the inlet end than the rotor assembly and a term of the turbine booster ring placed they can include in the structure used in methods according to the subject matter of the present invention.

The implementations set forth in the preceding description do not represent all implementations consistent with the subject matter of the present invention. Rather, they are merely some examples congruent with aspects related to the subject matter of the present invention already described. Whenever possible, the same reference numbers will be used in all the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. Although a few variations in detail have been described in the above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, additional features and / or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the implementations described above may be directed to various combinations and sub-combinations of several additional features described above. Further, the logical flow illustrated in the appended figures and / or described herein does not require the particular order p the sequential order shown to obtain the desirable results. Other modalities or implementations can. be within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (26)

1. REVIVAL NAME IS 1 . A turbine system for extracting water energy that is displaced relative to the turbine system in direction of an incoming current flow, the turbine system has an input end adapted to be directed in direction of the incoming flow of current. and an outlet end opposite the inlet end, the water has a non-uniform flow rate distribution through the inlet end of the turbine system, the turbine system comprises: a rotor assembly that is axially symmetrical about a rotation axis, the rotor assembly has a rotor face upstream facing the inlet end; A turbine booster ring having an inner volume of the turbine booster ring into which at least a portion of the rotor assembly is positioned, the turbine booster ring comprises an inlet of the turbine booster ring. is placed closer to the inlet end than the rotor face and a term of the reinforcement ring of your bobbin is located closer to the output end than the rotor assembly, the end of the bobbin ring I The turbine booster comprises a plurality of mixing elements of the reinforcing ring of the bobbin, the inlet of the booster of the turbine is adapted to direct a first volume of water that moves in direction of the incoming flow of current. towards the rotor assembly in such a way that the p'rimer The volume causes the rotor assembly to rotate and draw energy from the first volume of water before the first volume of water with less energy is discharged from the turbine booster ring through the term of the turbine booster ring.; Y an ejector reinforcement ring having an inner volume of the ejector reinforcement ring into which at least a portion of the turbine booster ring is placed, the ejector reinforcement ring comprises an inlet of the ejector reinforcement ring and a term of the ejector reinforcement ring, the entrance of the ejector reinforcement ring is asymmetric on the plane passing through the axis of rotation in such a way that it has a larger cross-sectional area on a side of lower velocity. From a plane passing through the axis of rotation to that of a side of greater velocity of the plane passing through the axis of rotation, the term of the ejector reinforcement ring extends in the direction of the flow of current beyond of the mixing elements of the turbine booster ring. 2. A turbine system as described in claim 1, further characterized in that the inlet d or ja or reinforcement of the turbine is adapted to direct a second volume of water that moves in direction from the flow of current to the inner volume of the ejector reinforcement ring, the inner volume of the ejector reinforcing ring comprises a plurality of mixing elements of the ejector reinforcing ring which make the first water volume mix with the second volume of water before exiting through the term of the ejector reinforcement ring. 3. A turbine system as described in claim 2, further characterized in that the shapes of the turbine booster ring and the ejector reinforcement ring j minimize a velocity gradient presented towards the rotor face, maximize the first water volume and maximize the mixing of the first and second volumes before discharging from the term of the ejector reinforcement ring; The velocity gradient is measured along the face of the rotor. 4. A turbine system as described in any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a central body on which the rotor assembly rotates. 5. A system of your engine as described in claim 4, further characterized in that the turbine booster ring further comprises a stator assembly including stator vanes axially positioned on the central body: 6. A turbine system as described in claim 5, further characterized in that the stator spans are rotatable to adjust the first volume by increasing: or by decreasing the open flow area presented towards the direction of the incoming current flow. . 7. A turbine system as described in any of claims 4 to 6, which further comprises a derailleur placed in front of the central body and having a shape such that inertially separates the suspended debris and / or aquatic debris from the first volume before the first volume encounters the rotor face. | 8. A turbine system as is disengaged in any of claims 4 to 7, further characterized in that the central body comprises a downstream end projecting from the central body towards the end of the turbine booster ring, the end Downstream comprises one or more mixing elements. 9. A turbine system as described in any of claims 4 to 8, further characterized in that the central body comprises a central hollow cavity. 10. A turbine system as described in claim 8, further characterized in that the central hollow cavity is adapted to allow the passage of suspended aquatic debris and / or aquatic life through the body center towards the end of the reinforcement ring of the turbine without finding read rotor assembly. eleven . A turbine system as it is written in claim 8, further characterized in that the central hollow cavity allows deflection flow with a high degree of energy to pass the reinforcing ring of the ejector to improve the mixing performance in the reinforcing ring of the ejector. ejector. 12. A turbine system as described in any of claims 1 to 11, further characterized because the inlet of the reinforcing ring of the turbine has a non-circular cross-section having a larger cross-sectional area on the lower velocity side of the plane passing through the axis of rotation than on the higher velocity side of the plane that it passes through the axis of rotation. 13. A turbine system as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, further characterized in that the mixing elements of the reinforcing ring of the turbine comprise one or more mixing lobes and mixing slits. 14. A turbine system as described in any of claims 1 to 1, further characterized in that the rotor assembly comprises a rotor hub, an outer rotor ring and a first plurality of radially oriented rotor blades disposed therebetween. Cube. 5. A turbine system as described in any of claims 1 to 15, further characterized in that the end region of the reinforcing ring of the ejector comprises a second plurality of ejector mixing elements. 16. A turbine system as described in claim 1, further characterized in that the mixing elements of the ejector reinforcing ring comprise one or more mixing lobes and mixing slots. 17. A turbine system as described in any of claims 1 to 1 6, characterized because the plurality of mixing elements of the ejector reinforcement ring are not symmetrical about the plane passing through the axis of rotation, one or more of the mixing elements of the ejector reinforcement shaft on the lower speed side of the plane That which passes through the axis of rotation is greater than one or more of the ejector's mixing elements on the higher velocity side of the plane passing through the axis of rotation. 18. A turbine system as described in any of claims 1 to 1 7, further characterized in that the plurality of mixing elements of the turbine booster ring are not symmetrical on the plane passing through the axis of rotation, one or more of the mixing elements of the booster ring of the bobbin on the side The lower velocity of the plane passing through the axis of rotation is larger than one or more of the mixing elements of the turbine booster on the higher velocity side of the plane passing through the axis of rotation. j 19. A turbine system as described in any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising a second reinforcing ring of the ejector having a second inner volume of the ejector reinforcement ring within which it is located. placed at least a part of the reinforcing ring of the ejector, the second reinforcing ring of the ejector comprised a second entrance of the reinforcing ring of the ejector and a second In the term region of the ejector reinforcement ring, the second entry of the ejector reinforcement ring is asymmetric on the glide that passes through the axis of rotation such that it has a cross-sectional area greater than that on the higher velocity side of the ejector. plane passing through the axis of rotation, the second term of the reinforcing ring of the ejector extends in the direction of the flow of current beyond the mixing elements of the ring of I reinforcement of the ejector. i 20. A turbine system as described in any one of claims 1 to 19, further characterized in that the mixing elements of the reinforcing ring of the ejector and the reinforcing ring of the turbine comprise a mixing / ejector pump which improves a rate in the which the first volume flows through the reinforcing ring of the turbine and through the rotor assembly. j twenty-one . A turbine as described in any one of claims 1 to 20, further characterized in that the eJTRATE of the turbine booster ring comprises one or more movable gate elements that can be controlled to increase or decrease the first volume flowing to the turbine. through the rotor assembly 22. A method for extracting energy from the water traveling in relation to a turbine system in the direction of a current flow, the turbine system has a drain end adapted to be directed in the direction of the incoming flow of current and an outlet end. opposite the entrance end, the water has A non-uniform flow velocity distribution through the inlet end of the turbine system, the method comprising: capturing a first volume of water in a turbine booster ring having an interior volume of the booster ring. the turbine within which at least a part of the rotor assembly is positioned; The reinforcement ring of the bobbin comprises an entrance of the reinforcement ring of the nearest turbine of the I In the opposite end to the rotor assembly and a term d the reinforcing ring of the turbine disposed closer to the outlet end than the rotor assembly, the end of the reinforcement ring of the turbine comprises a plurality of mixing elements of the rotor. anil the reinforcement of the turbine, The first volume of water is rotated through the rotor assembly such that the rotor assembly draws energy from the first volume of water before the first volume of water with less energy is discharged from the reinforcing ring of the rotor. the turbine through the term of the turbine booster ring; capture a second volume of water in a reinforcement ring ! of the ejector having an interior volume of the ejector inside which at least a part of the turbine booster ring is placed, the ejector reinforcement ring comprises a bore of the booster ring of the ejector and a terminus of the booster ring. reinforcement of the ejector, the term of the reinforcement ring of the ejector extends in the direction of the flow of current beyond the mixing elements of the booster of the turbine; Y mix the first and second volumes in a mixer before the discharge of the mixed volume of the term of the ejector reinforcement ring. j 23. A method as described in claim 22, further characterized in that the term of the reinforcing ring of the ejector comprises mixing elements of the ejector reinforcing ring which are asymmetric on a plane passing through the axis of rotation in such a way that at least one of the mixing elements of the ejector reinforcement ring on a side of lower speed of the plane passing through the axis of rotation is larger than at least one of the mixing elements of the ejector reinforcement ring on one side of greater speed of the plane that passes through the axis of rotation. 24. A method as described in any of claims 22 to 23, further characterized in that the inlet of the reinforcing ring of the ejector is asymmetric with respect to a plane passing through the axis of rotation such that it has an area of cross section on a side of lower speed of the plane passing through the axis of rotation than on a side of higher speed of the plane passing through the axis of rotation. 25. A turbine system for extracting water energy that travels relative to the turbine system in the direction of an incoming flow of current, the turbine system has an input end adapted to be directed in the direction of current flow Incoming and an outlet end opposite the inlet end, the water has a non-uniform flow velocity distribution through the system input end of your system, the turbine system comprises: a rotor assembly that is axially symmetrical about one axis of rotation, the rotor assembly has a rotor face upstream facing the inlet end; j! a turbine booster ring having an inner volume of the turbine booster ring within which at least a part of the rotor assembly is placed, the turbine booster ring comprises an input of the turbine booster ring placed closer to the inlet end than the jrotor assembly, the term of the turbine booster ring comprises a plurality of turbine booster ring mixing elements, the turbine booster ring mixing elements are asymmetric on a plane which passes through the axis of rotation in such a way that at least one of the mixing elements of the turbine booster ring is larger than at least one of the mixing elements of the turbine booster ring in a larger side velocity of the plane passing through the axis of rotation, the entrance of the turbine booster tube is adapted to direct a first volume of water moving in the direction of the incoming current flow to the rotor assembly such that the first volume of water causes the rotor assembly to rotate and draw energy from the first volume of water before the first volume of lower energy water is discharged from the turbine boost ring through the term of the turbine booster ring; The ejector reinforcement comprises an inlet of the ejector reinforcement ring and a term of the ejector reinforcement ring extending in the direction of the current flow past the mixing elements of the turbine booster. 1 26. A system as described in the claim 25, further characterized in that the term of the reinforcing ring of the ejector comprises mixer elements of the ejector reinforcing ring which are asymmetrical on a plane passing through the axis of rotation such that at least one of the mixing elements of the ring of reinforcement of the ejector on the lower velocity side of the plane passing through the axis of rotation is larger than at least one of the mixing elements of the ejector reinforcement element on the higher velocity side of the plane passing through the ejector. axis of rotation. SUMMARY Turbine systems to extract energy from water that travels relative to the turbine system, may include a rotor assembly to extract energy, a boost ring from the turbine that has an inner volume of the ring. of reinforcement within which is placed at least a part of the rotor assembly, and a reinforcing ring of the ejector having an inner volume of the reinforcing ring of the ejector inside which at least a part of the reinforcing ring is placed. of the turbine. The reinforcing ring of the turbine and the reinforcing ring of the ejector may each have a term comprising a plurality of mixing elements of the turbine reinforcing ring or mixing elements of the reinforcing ring of the ejector., respectively. One or more of the mixing elements and the reinforcing elements i comprises a mixer / ejector pump that increases the energy extraction potential of the turbine system. With no or more of the mixing elements of the turbine booster, the mixing elements of the ejector reinforcing ring and the inlets of the ejector reinforcement ring and the turbine booster ring can be asymmetrical on a plane passing through the axis of rotation of the rotor assembly. Methods, systems, apparatus and articles of manufacture are described in relation to these characteristics and others.