# US 2019/0170111 A1 · Method and apparatus for generating electricity > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0170111 A1 - Document ID: US20190170111A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/891,967 - Filed: 2018-02-08 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-01 - Inventors: Robert G. Dickie; Chris Pearen; Paige Elyse Dickie - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190170111A1 ## CPC - F03B 17/067: {the cyclic relative movement being positively coupled to the movement of rotation} - F03B 11/02: Casings {(spiral or volute casings F03B3/186)} - F03B 11/08: for removing foreign matter, e.g. mud - F03B 13/10: Submerged units incorporating electric generators or motors - F03B 13/141: {with a static energy collector} - F03B 13/22: using the flow of water resulting from wave movements to drive a motor or turbine {(F03B13/144 takes precedence)} - F03B 17/061: {with rotation axis substantially in flow direction} - H02K 7/1823: {structurally associated with turbines or similar engines} - F05B 2240/12: Fluid guiding means, e.g. vanes - F05B 2240/40: Use of a multiplicity of similar components - F05B 2260/02: Transport, e.g. specific adaptations or devices for conveyance - F05B 2260/406: through hydraulic systems - F05B 2260/42: Storage of energy - Y02E 10/20: Hydro energy - Y02E 10/30: Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient - 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) - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) - 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 An energy generating device having a drum and at least one vane that is movable between a deployed state and a stowed state as the drum rotates to capture energy potential from flowing water and converting it to usable electrical and/or mechanical energy. The movable vanes can automatically retract when not in the flow of water and re-deploy when entering the flow of water over the drum. The present system can generate usable electricity or mechanical energy from slow but steadily flowing bodies of water without the need to dam, restrict, or alter the path of the water flow. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An energy generating device comprising: a body; a cylindrical drum contained within the body and rotatable about a substantially transverse axis; a stationary cam; and at least one movable vane connected to outer surface of the drum; wherein the at least one vane is movable to a plurality of positions between a deployed state and a stowed state. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The energy generating device of claim 1 wherein the at least one vane further comprises: a rear wall curved to sit substantially flush with the outer surface of the cylindrical drum when the at least one vane is in a stowed state; a first closed end; a second closed end, the curved rear wall, first closed end, and second closed end thereby forming a cupped shape; and at least one roller bearing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The energy generating device of claim 2 wherein the at least one movable vane is movable through interaction between the at least one roller bearing and the stationary cam. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The energy generating device of claim 3 wherein the rotation of the drum about the transverse axis is driven by the flow of water from an associated body of water over the drum and into the at least one movable vane when in the deployed state. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The energy generating device of claim 4 wherein the at least one movable vane is pivotally connected to the drum and further comprises: a torsion spring that biases the at least one vane towards the stowed state when the at least one roller bearing is not contacting the stationary cam. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The energy generating device of claim 4 wherein the drum further comprises: at least one sidewall containing at least one slot, wherein the at least one vane is movably secured within the at least one slot. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The energy generating device of claim 4 wherein the at least one movable vane moves from the stowed state to the deployed state as the at least one movable vane enters the flow of water over the drum and moves from the deployed state to the stowed state as the at least one movable vane exits the flow of water over the drum. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The energy generating device of claim 4 further comprising a ramp upstream of the drum wherein the ramp further comprises: a first sidewall; a second sidewall; an upstream edge; and a downstream edge; and wherein the ramp is shaped to direct the flow of water over the drum. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The energy generating device of claim 4 further comprising a projection upstream of the drum configured to provide downforce to the energy generating device when water flows over the projection. ### Claim 10 (depends on 4) The energy generating device of claim 4 further comprising a spoiler attached to the body above the drum and the at least one movable vane when the vane is in the fully deployed position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 4) The energy generating device of claim 4 further comprising at least one ballast box fixed to at least one side of the body wherein the at least one ballast box further comprises a lid. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The energy generating device of claim 11 wherein the ballast box and lid further comprise a perforated ballast box and perforated lid. ### Claim 13 (depends on 4) The energy generating device of claim 4 further comprising at least one anchor extending downward from the body of the energy generating device and operable to anchor the energy generating device to the bottom surface of an associated body of water. ### Claim 14 (depends on 4) The energy generating device of claim 4 further comprising a grill extending transversely across the body and upstream of the drum and the at least one vane. ### Claim 15 (depends on 4) The energy generating device of claim 4 wherein the drum further comprises at least one flywheel fixed to the drum. ### Claim 16 (depends on 4) The energy generating device of claim 4 wherein the drum further comprises at least one sidewall containing at least one hole. ### Claim 17 (depends on 4) The energy generating device of claim 4 further comprising: an electrical generator coupled to the drum and operable to convert rotational energy from the drum to electrical energy; and a power cord for carrying the electrical energy away from the generator. ### Claim 18 (depends on 4) The energy generating device of claim 4 further comprising: a mechanical pump coupled to the drum and operable to convert rotational energy from the drum to mechanical energy to operate the mechanical pump to thereby pump water; and a water hose for carrying the water away from the mechanical pump. ### Claim 19 A method of generating energy comprising the steps of: installing a portable energy generating device within a flowing body of water; directing a stream of flowing water over a rotatable drum within the energy generating device; deploying at least one movable vane into the flow of water over the drum; capturing the potential energy from the flowing water with the at least one movable vane; converting potential energy from the water flowing over the drum into rotational energy to rotate the drum; capturing the rotational energy of the drum with a generator; and directing the flow of energy from the generator to an end location remote from the energy generating device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein the step of deploying the at least one movable vane further comprises rotating the at least one movable vane from a stowed state to the deployed state as the at least one movable vane enters the stream of flowing water. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of rotating the at least one movable vane from the deployed state to a stowed state as the at least one movable vane exits the stream of flowing water. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of storing the directed flow of energy from the generator in a storage battery.