Hydroelectric energy systems and methods
AssigneeOceana Energy Company
InventorsDaniel E. Power, III, Kent Davey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, a hydroelectric turbine includes a stator and a rotor disposed radially outward of the stator. The rotor is rotatable around the stator about an axis of rotation. The turbine also includes a generator disposed along the axis of rotation. The generator is stationary and coupled to the stator. The turbine additionally includes a gear disposed along the axis of rotation. The gear is operably coupled to the generator. The turbine further includes a plurality of blades operably coupled to and extending radially outwardly from the gear. The plurality of blades is fixed to the rotor to rotate the rotor in response to fluid flow interacting with the blades.
Claims21
A hydroelectric turbine comprising:
- a stator;
- a rotor disposed radially outward of the stator, the rotor being rotatable around the stator about an axis of rotation;
- a generator disposed along the axis of rotation, the generator being stationary and coupled to the stator;
- and
- a gear disposed along the axis of rotation, the gear being operably coupled to the generator;
- and
- a plurality of blades operably coupled to and extending radially outwardly from the gear, wherein each blade terminates at a location radially outwardly of the rotor, the plurality of blades being fixed to the rotor to rotate the rotor in response to fluid flow interacting with the blades.
A hydroelectric energy system comprising:
- a stator;
- a rotor disposed radially outward of the stator, the rotor being rotatable around the stator about an axis of rotation;
- a power takeoff system disposed along the axis of rotation;
- and
- a plurality of blades operably coupled to and extending radially outwardly from the power takeoff system, the plurality of blades being fixed to the rotor to rotate the rotor in response to fluid flow interacting with the blades,
- wherein each blade includes a first blade portion that extends radially outwardly from the power takeoff system, between the power takeoff system and the rotor, and a second blade portion that extends radially outwardly from the rotor, and
- wherein the first blade portions are configured to support the power takeoff system and transfer a high torque, low speed power input to the power takeoff system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.