US 12,577,932 B2 · Hydrodynamic power generator and system

Abstract

This disclosure is directed to hydrodynamic electric generators, including their structural design, methods of deployment, anchoring systems, drive systems and control systems. The system can be scaled from ones that can be hand carried to large, stationary devices that can generate up to and greater than 20 kw in a current of 3 knots. In a stationary system, the device can be anchored to an underwater floor by an anchoring device supported by four adjustable legs. These legs can eliminate the need for extensive mooring lines, providing the device with a small footprint that is non-hazardous to marine animals or vegetation. Individual components, such as rotors, generators and other mechanical components can be modularly installed for easy removal and servicing without having to disturb the entire system.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A hydrokinetic system, comprising:

a duct;
a first rotor and a second rotor retained in the duct, each of the first and second rotors comprising a plurality of blades and a hub connecting the blades of each rotor to opposite ends of a common shaft;
a first strut coupled to the common shaft and defining a channel for housing a first belt or drive shaft, the first belt or drive shaft in mechanical communication with a first rotor shaft of the first rotor;
a second strut coupled to the common shaft and defining a channel for housing a second belt or drive shaft, the second belt or drive shaft in mechanical communication with a second rotor shaft of the second rotor;
a first generator configured to generate electrical power based on a rotation of the first rotor shaft;
and
a second generator configured to generate electrical power based on a rotation of the second rotor shaft.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

18/668,682Filed 20 May 2024 · division

Priority

25 May 2021

Published

US 2024/0301857 A112 Sep 2024

Granted

17 Mar 2026

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification16 codes

F03B 17/061
Using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type , "run-of-river", "ultra-low head": with rotation axis…
F03B 11/08
Parts or details not provided for in, or of interest apart from, the preceding groups , e.g. wear-protection couplings, between turbine and…
F03B 13/10
Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus ; Power stations or…:…
F03B 13/264
Using tide energy: using the horizontal flow of water resulting from tide movement

Family

Application63/192,880Us provisional application · filed 25 May 2021

Application17/824,316Parent of this division · filed 25 May 2022

US 2024/0301857 A1Pre-grant publication · published 12 Sep 2024

US 12,006,907 B2Parent of this division

US 2022/0381217 A1Published application

US 12,577,932 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Hydrodynamic power generator and system

Life of this patent

Hydrodynamic power generator and system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19