# US 2017/0317627 A1 · Three-dimensional (3d) flow floating power generator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0317627 A1 - Document ID: US20170317627A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/651,110 - Filed: 2017-07-17 - Published: 2017-11-02 - Earliest claimed: 2014-11-13 - Inventors: Bruno BERGMAN - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170317627A1 ## CPC - H02P 9/04: Control effected upon non-electric prime mover and dependent upon electric output value of the generator - F03B 7/003: {with buckets receiving the liquid} - F03B 13/00: Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus (if the apparatus aspects are predominant, see the relevant subclasses for such apparatus, e.g. H02K7/18); Power stations or aggregates (incorporating only machines or engines of positive-displacement type F03C; hydraulic engineering aspects E02B; {combinations with wind energy converters F03D9/008}) - F03B 15/08: by speed, e.g. by measuring electric frequency or liquid flow - F03B 15/16: by power output - F03B 17/063: {the flow engaging parts having no movement relative to the rotor during its rotation} - H02P 9/06: Control effected upon clutch or other mechanical power transmission means and dependent upon electric output value of the generator - F05B 2240/932: which is a catamaran-like structure - F05B 2250/20: three-dimensional - F05B 2250/712: concave - F05B 2260/5032: of the bevel or angled type - F05B 2260/74: by turning around an axis perpendicular the rotor centre line - F05B 2260/76: the adjusting mechanism using auxiliary power sources - F05B 2260/79: Bearing, support or actuation arrangements therefor - F05B 2270/101: to control rotational speed (n) - F05B 2270/1016: in variable speed operation - F05B 2270/1033: Power (if explicitly mentioned) - F05B 2270/20: to optimise the performance of a machine - F05B 2270/327: Rotor or generator speeds - Y02E 10/20: Hydro energy - Y02E 10/30: Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient - H02P: CONTROL OR REGULATION OF ELECTRIC MOTORS, ELECTRIC GENERATORS OR DYNAMO-ELECTRIC CONVERTERS; CONTROLLING TRANSFORMERS, REACTORS OR CHOKE COILS - F03B: MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS (positive-displacement engines for liquid F03C; machines for liquids and gases F01; positive-displacement machines for liquids F04, rotary fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type F16H41/00) - F05B: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A floating electrical power generator having a three-dimensional (3D) flow passageway configured for increasing the water flow on the paddle wheel to increase the power output. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A floating power generator, comprising: a floating platform comprising a pair of spaced apart pontoons connected together by a bottom portion or wall, the floating platform configured to define a three-dimensional (3D) flow passageway having a closed bottom extending along a length of the floating platform; a paddle wheel mounted on the floating platform so that paddles rotate downwardly into the flow passageway; and an electrical generator driven by the paddle wheel to generate power, wherein the floating platform and paddle wheel are configured so that a cross-sectional flow area of the 3D flow passageway decreases exponentially along the 3D passageway to a location of the paddles of the paddle wheel operating in the 3D flow passageway to increase a speed of water flow operating on the paddles of the paddle wheel to increase power production. ### Claim 2 A floating power generator, comprising: a floating platform comprising a pair of spaced apart pontoons connected together by a bottom portion or wall defining a three-dimensional (3D) flow passageway extending along a length of the floating platform, the 3D flow passageway having a first flow passageway section tapering inwardly in a width dimension along a flow direction and having a fixed first depth, the first flow passageway transitioning into a second flow passageway having an increasing depth, the second flow passageway transitioning to a third flow passageway having a second depth greater than the first depth and a fixed width dimension in the flow direction; a paddle wheel mounted on the floating platform so that paddles operate in a second portion of the second flow passageway and a first portion of the third flow passageway; and an electrical generator configured to drive the paddle wheel. ### Claim 3 A floating power generator, comprising: a floating platform comprising a pair of spaced apart pontoons connected together by a bottom portion or plate together defining a three-dimensional (3D) flow passageway extending along a length of the floating platform, the 3D flow passageway having a first flow passageway section tapering inwardly in a width dimension and having a fixed first depth, the first flow passageway transitioning into a second flow passageway having a fixed width dimension and an increasing depth, the second flow passageway transitioning into a third flow passageway having a fixed width and a second depth greater than the first depth in the flow direction; a paddle wheel mounted on the floating platform so that paddles operate within a second portion of the second flow passageway and a first portion of the third passageway; and an electrical generator configured to drive the paddle wheel, wherein the three-dimensional (3D) flow passageway is an open passageway upstream of the paddle wheel, a closed passageway at the paddle wheel, and an open passageway downstream of the paddle wheel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The generator according to claim 1, wherein the flow passageway is configured with a first flow passageway section having a first depth transitioning into a second flow passageway having an increasing depth, the second flow passageway transitioning into a third flow passageway having a second depth greater than said first depth. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The generator according to claim 1, wherein the flow passageway is configured with a first flow passageway tapering inwardly in a width dimension. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The generator according to claim 4, wherein the flow passageway is configured with a first flow passageway tapering inwardly in a width dimension. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The generator according to claim 1, wherein the second flow passageway has a fixed width. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The generator according to claim 1, wherein the third flow passageway has a fixed width. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The generator according to claim 6, wherein the second flow passageway and third flow passageway have a fixed width. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The generator according to claim 1, wherein the first flow passageway is configured with an open top, closed sides, a closed bottom flow passageway. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The generator according to claim 1, wherein the 3D flow passageway is configured with closed top, closed sides, and closed bottom at the location of the paddle wheel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The generator according to claim 1, wherein inner sides of the pair of pontoons located along a first flow passageway section taper inwardly along the first flow passageway and the bottom portion is located at a fixed first depth defining the first flow passageway. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The generator according to claim 1, wherein the paddle wheel comprises folding paddles. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The generator according to claim 13, wherein each folding paddle comprises a hinge having a pin. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The generator according to claim 1, wherein the inlet to the flow passageway is configured to have a variable configuration. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The generator according to claim 1, wherein the bottom portion or wall at the inlet to the flow passageway is aligned with the water flow. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The generator according to claim 1, wherein the bottom portion or wall at the inlet to the flow passageway angles upwardly to increase the cross-sectional flow area downstream of the inlet. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The generator according to claim 1, wherein the floating platform and paddle wheel are configured so that outer ends of the paddles of the rotating paddle wheel are in close proximity to the bottom portion or wall of the floating platform. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The generator according to claim 1, wherein the bottom portion or wall is a bottom plate structure defining a bottom of the flow passageway. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The generator according to claim 1, wherein the paddle wheel comprises a continuous closed outer ring having folding paddles hinged thereon, the paddle wheel configured to prevent wall leaking around ends of the paddle wheel and into an interior of the paddle wheel. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The generator according to claim 20, wherein an effective cross-section flow area is defined between an outer surface of the closed outer ring of the paddle wheel and bottom portion or wall of the flow passageway.