Submerged power generating apparatus

Abstract

An undersea power generation apparatus (1) is disclosed. The apparatus (1) comprises two turbines (3) mounted side by side at either side of a support strut of hydrofoil-shaped cross section, each turbine (3) having a set of turbine blades which counter rotate so as to cancel out the respective torque produced by each turbine. The apparatus (1) is pivotally interconnected at point (9) to a pair of mooring cables (7), which are moored to the seabed (6). The turbines (3) are positively buoyant such that in zero current they point vertically upwards as denoted by (8). When the current flows in the direction shown by arrow A, the drag forces on turbines (3) and support strut cause the apparatus (1) to pivot about point (9) and pitch over into condition denoted by (10) and shown in broken lines. In this position the force of water flowing past the turbines (3) causes the turbine blades to rotate and thus produce electricity in an electrical generator. When the tide begins to change direction, the magnitude of the water current flowing past the apparatus (1) decreases. Accordingly, the apparatus (1) will tend to float back into the vertical condition shown by (8). Eventually, due to the effect of the tide, water will begin to flow in the direction shown by arrow B, and the apparatus (1) will pitch over into the position denoted by (12) and shown in broken lines.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.