Energy harvesting water vehicle
AssigneeKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology
InventorDevendra Singh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An efficient energy harvesting (EEH) water vehicle is disclosed. The base of the EEH water vehicle is fabricated with rolling cylindrical drums that can rotate freely in the same direction of the water medium. The drums reduce the drag at the vehicle-water interface. This reduction in drag corresponds to an increase in speed and/or greater fuel efficiency. The mechanical energy of the rolling cylindrical drums is also transformed into electrical energy using an electricity producing device, such as a dynamo or an alternator. Thus, the efficiency of the vehicle is enhanced in two parallel modes: from the reduction in drag at the vehicle-water interface, and from capturing power from the rotational motion of the drums.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a first drum having a first rotational coupling for attachment to a hull of a watercraft and configured to rotate in response to the flow of water around the drum;
- a gearbox mechanically coupled to the first drum to transfer rotational mechanical energy from the rotating drums or cylinders to a generator;
- wherein the generator receives the rotational mechanical energy from the gearbox and produces electricity.
An efficient energy harvesting (EEH) water or marine vehicle comprising:
- a hull coupled to a propulsion system, wherein the hull comprises a plurality of drums or cylinders rotationally coupled to the hull and in contact with water,
- wherein the drums or cylinders rotate as the water flows around the drums or cylinders,
- wherein the drums or cylinders are mechanically coupled to a gearbox to transfer rotational mechanical energy from the rotating drums or cylinders to a generator, and
- wherein the generator receives the rotational mechanical energy from the gearbox and produces electricity from the rotational mechanical energy from the gearbox.
A method for harvesting energy comprising:
- placing a drum attached to the hull of a watercraft in a current, wherein the drum is rotationally coupled to an alternator;
- and
- rotating the drums by the current to cause the mechanical rotation of the drum to rotate a rotor of the alternator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.