Apparatus for generating electricity from flowing fluid using generally prolate turbine
AssigneeNatural Power Concepts, Inc.
InventorJohn Pitre
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for generating electricity from a moving liquid has a generally oblate casing and a generally helicoid working member adapted to convert energy of a flowing fluid into rotation of the casing. A rotor-like element of an electrical generator is coupled to the rotating casing. A stator like element of an electrical generator is coupled to a stabilizing element. The stabilizing element may be a fin, a counter-rotating turbine, or another structure that develops torque from the moving liquid.
Claims24
An apparatus for generating electricity from a moving liquid comprising:
- (a) a casing having an external shape that is generally symmetric about a first central axis, the casing having
- (i) a first end,
- (ii) a second end remote from the first end along the first central axis, and
- (iii) a body portion between the first and second ends,
- where the radial diameter of the casing in the body portion is predominantly larger than the radial diameter at the first and second ends;
- (b) at least one generally helicoid working member coupled to the casing and adapted to cause rotation of the casing about the central axis in response to a liquid flow;
- (c) first and second electricity-generation elements disposed inside the casing and adapted to generate electricity upon rotation of the first electricity-generation element relative to the second electricity-generation element, where the first electricity-generation element is coupled to receive a first torque generated by the working member;
- and
- (d) a stabilizing portion configured to develop a torque on the second electricity-generation element in a direction opposing the first torque.
An apparatus for generating electricity from a moving liquid comprising:
- (a) a frame;
- (b) a first turbine held by the frame, said first turbine having
- (i) a first, generally prolate casing having a first central axis;
- and
- (ii) a first, generally helicoid working member adapted to cause rotation of the first casing about the first central axis in a first direction in response to a liquid flow;
- (c) a second turbine having
- (i) a second, generally prolate casing having a second central axis;
- and
- (ii) a second, generally helicoid working member adapted to cause rotation of the second casing about the second central axis in a second direction opposing the first direction in response to a liquid flow;
- and
- (d) a mechanism coupling the first and second working members to electricity generating elements.
An apparatus for generating electricity from a moving liquid comprising:
- (a) a casing having an external shape that is generally symmetric about a first central axis, the casing having
- (i) a first end,
- (ii) a second end remote from the first end along the first central axis, and
- (iii) a body portion between the first and second ends,
- where the radial diameter of the casing in the body portion is predominantly larger than the radial diameter at the first and second ends;
- (b) at least one generally helicoid working member coupled to the casing and adapted to cause rotation of the casing about the central axis in response to a liquid flow;
- (c) first and second electricity-generation elements disposed inside the casing and adapted to generate electricity upon rotation of the first electricity-generation element relative to the second electricity-generation element, where the first electricity-generation element is coupled to receive a first torque generated by the working member;
- and
- (d) a stabilizing means for developing a torque on the second electricity-generation element in a direction opposing the first torque.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.