Electric power generation and storage buoy
AssigneeOcean Power Technologies, Inc.
InventorJoseph Sarokhan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system includes a fuel burner disposed within a buoy, and at least one fuel tank coupled to the fuel burner. The fuel tank preferably contains ethanol or propane. The system comprises either a thermoelectric generator or an electrical generator mechanically coupled to a heat engine. The ethanol or propane is burned to generate electric power. At least a portion of the electric power that is generated is stored in a battery system so that the system can provide peak levels of electric power consumption that are relatively large. The system can be used in autonomous marine applications.
Claims18
A system for generating and storing electrical power in marine environments, comprising:
- a buoy having a flotation line;
- a fuel burner disposed within the buoy;
- means for converting a temperature difference into a voltage, wherein said means comprises a thermoelectric generator having a hot side and a cold side, or electrical generator mechanically coupled to a heat engine having a hot side and a cold side;
- a battery system electrically coupled to said means;
- and
- a controller programmed to operate said means such that a temperature of the cold side is controlled approximately between sixty and eighty degrees Celsius,
- wherein the hot side is located inside the buoy in thermal contact with the fuel burner, and
- wherein the cold side is located outside the buoy below the flotation line, or wherein the cold side is thermally coupled to a heat pipe or heat exchanger, with the heat pipe or heat exchanger including a portion located outside the buoy below the flotation line.
A system for generating and storing electrical power in marine environments, comprising:
- a buoy having a flotation line;
- a fuel burner disposed within the buoy;
- means for converting a temperature difference into a voltage, wherein said means comprises a thermoelectric generator having a hot side and a cold side, or electrical generator mechanically coupled to a heat engine having a hot side and a cold side;
- and
- a battery system electrically coupled to said means;
- a combustion chamber in which the fuel burner is located;
- and
- a pump assembly configured to drain liquids out of the combustion chamber,
- wherein the hot side is located inside the buoy in thermal contact with the fuel burner, and
- wherein the cold side is located outside the buoy below the flotation line, or wherein the cold side is thermally coupled to a heat pipe or heat exchanger, with the heat pipe or heat exchanger including a portion located outside the buoy below the flotation line.
A system for generating and storing electrical power in marine environments, comprising:
- a buoy having a flotation line;
- a fuel burner disposed within the buoy;
- means for converting a temperature difference into a voltage, wherein said means comprises a thermoelectric generator having a hot side and a cold side, or electrical generator mechanically coupled to a heat engine having a hot side and a cold side;
- and
- a battery system electrically coupled to said means;
- a combustion chamber in which the fuel burner is located;
- an intake system configured to force air into the combustion chamber;
- and
- an exhaust pipe connected to the combustion chamber,
- wherein the exhaust pipe or the intake system comprises a self-sealing flap valve,
- wherein the hot side is located inside the buoy in thermal contact with the fuel burner, and
- wherein the cold side is located outside the buoy below the flotation line, or wherein the cold side is thermally coupled to a heat pipe or heat exchanger, with the heat pipe or heat exchanger including a portion located outside the buoy below the flotation line.
A system for generating and storing electrical power in marine environments, comprising:
- a buoy having a flotation line;
- a fuel burner disposed within the buoy;
- means for converting a temperature difference into a voltage, wherein said means comprises a thermoelectric generator having a hot side and a cold side, or electrical generator mechanically coupled to a heat engine having a hot side and a cold side;
- and
- a battery system electrically coupled to said means,
- wherein the hot side is located inside the buoy in thermal contact with the fuel burner,
- wherein the cold side is located outside the buoy below the flotation line, or wherein the cold side is thermally coupled to a heat pipe or heat exchanger, with the heat pipe or heat exchanger including a portion located outside the buoy below the flotation line, and
- wherein the buoy comprises an outer shell, the outer shell comprises a plurality of hatches for closing a corresponding plurality of cavities, and wherein each cavity comprises a fuel tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.