Hydroelectric energy systems, and related components and methods
AssigneeOceana Energy Company
InventorDaniel E. Power, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hydroelectric energy system includes a stator including a first plurality of electricity-generating elements. The system also includes a rotor including a second plurality of electricity-generating elements. The rotor is disposed radially outward of an outer circumferential surface of the stator and is configured to rotate around the stator about an axis of rotation. The rotor is a flexible belt structure having a variable thickness and extending along a portion of an axial length of the stator. The system further includes at least one hydrodynamic bearing mechanism configured to support the rotor relative to the stator during rotation of the rotor around the stator. The at least one hydrodynamic bearing mechanism includes a bearing surface made of wood or a composite material.
Claims14
A hydroelectric energy system comprising:
- a stator comprising a first plurality of electricity-generating elements;
- a rotor comprising a second plurality of electricity-generating elements, wherein the rotor is disposed radially outward of an outer circumferential surface of the stator and configured to rotate around the stator about an axis of rotation, wherein the rotor is a flexible belt structure having a variable radial thickness in an axial direction of the rotor;
- and
- at least one blade portion extending radially inward with respect to the rotor and at least one blade portion extending radially outward with respect to the rotor, wherein the at least one radially outward extending blade portion extends radially from a base, the base extending axially along and being fastened to a surface of the rotor.
A method of manufacturing a hydroelectric energy system, the method comprising:
- assembling a concrete stator;
- sliding a plurality of composite arcs forming a rotor around a radially outer circumferential surface of the concrete stator, wherein sliding the composite arcs comprises sliding the composite arcs over a plurality of teeth on the concrete stator;
- and
- bolting the teeth to the concrete stator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.