US 2019/0170112 A1 · METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING AND STORING POWER

Abstract

Provided is a hydro farm having two or more energy generating devices having movable vanes that can automatically retract when not in the flow of water and re-deploy when entering the flow of water to generate usable electrical and/or mechanical energy from the energy potential of flowing water. The hydro farm can supply usable electricity or mechanical energy from slow but steadily flowing bodies of water. The hydro farm can also be used to charge portable energy storage structures, such as trailers, that can be delivered to an area remote from the hydro farm via truck or other transportation modes.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A hydro farm comprising:

two or more portable energy generating devices further 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;
and wherein the two or more energy generating devices are in serial connection with each other.

5 more elements

A method of supplying power and water comprising the steps of:

installing a hydro farm comprising one or more portable energy generating devices 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 at least one drum from at least one of the two or more energy generating devices with a generator;
simultaneously capturing the rotational energy of at least one drum from at least one of the two or more energy generating devices with a mechanical pump;
directing a flow of electrical energy from the generator through a power cord;
simultaneously directing a flow of water from the mechanical pump through a water hose;
connecting the power cord to storage battery;
charging the storage battery using at least one of the two or more energy generating devices;
and
simultaneously directing the water hose to a location remote from the hydro farm and remote from the storage battery.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

15/892,013Filed 8 Feb 2018

Priority

1 Dec 2017

Published

6 Jun 2019

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification19 codes

F03B 17/067
The flow engaging parts having a cyclic movement relative to the rotor during its rotation: the cyclic relative movement being positively coupled…
F03B 11/02
Parts or details not provided for in, or of interest apart from, the preceding groups , e.g. wear-protection couplings, between turbine and…
F03B 11/08
Parts or details not provided for in, or of interest apart from, the preceding groups , e.g. wear-protection couplings, between turbine and…
F03B 13/10
Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus ; Power stations or…:…

Method and apparatus for transporting and storing power

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for transporting and storing power

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20