Tidal power plant and method of power generation
OwnerHarvey R. Woodmaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A plurality of tidal chambers are filled in succession during rising tide and then are allowed to sequentially empty during the half-cycle of falling tide. Power is generated by air flow across a turbine, as a manifold and valve means communicate air pressure from the tidal chambers during rising tide and vacuum pressure during falling tide. Sequential operation of the tidal chambers permits continuous generation of power during the full cycle of rising and falling tide.
Claims4
Apparatus for use in conjunction with a turbine or other power generation means, for generation of power from tidal energy, comprising:
- a. a plurality of tidal chambers having sea water inlet means;
- and
- b. first manifold means, communicating air flow generated by rising tidal level within the tidal chambers to the said power generating means;
- and
- c. second manifold means, communicating air flow generated by falling tidal level within the tidal chambers to said power generating means;
- and
- d. valve means, enabling sequential communication of air flow from the respective chambers through said first and second manifold means.
Apparatus for use in conjunction with a turbine or other power generation means, for generation of power from tidal energy, comprising:
- a. a plurality of tidal chambers having sea water inlet means;
- and
- b. first manifold means, communicating air flow generated by rising tidal level within the tidal chambers to the said power generating means;
- and
- c. second manifold means, communicating air flow generated by falling tidal level within the tidal chambers to said power generating means;
- and
- d. valve means, enabling sequential communication of air flow from the respective chambers through said first and second manifold means.
- e. directional air inlet means, communicating air flow of prevailing external wind to said power generating means.
In a tidal power plant for the sequential communication of air flow from a plurality of tidal chambers to a turbine or other power generation means, the method comprising:
- a. actuating inlet means so as to permit entry of sea water into one or more tidal chambers, thereby generating air pressure for communication to said power generation means;
- and
- b. sequentially actuating inlet means so as to permit entry of sea water into additional tidal chambers during delayed intervals, thereby generating air pressure within said chambers out of phase with tide level fluctuations;
- and
- c. actuating outlet means so as to permit evacuation of sea water from one or more tidal chambers, thereby generating vacuum pressure for communication to said power generation means;
- and
- d. sequentially actuating outlet means so as to permit evacuation of sea water from additional tidal chambers during delayed intervals, thereby generating vacuum pressure within said chambers out of phase with tide level fluctuations.
In a tidal power plant for the sequential communication of air flow from a plurality of tidal chambers to a turbine or other power generation means, the method comrising:
- a. actuating inlet means so as to permit entry of sea water into one or more tidal chambers, thereby generating air pressure for communication to said power generation means;
- and
- b. sequentially actuating inlet means so as to permit entry of sea water into additional tidal chambers during intervals of high tide, thereby generating air pressure out of phase with rising tide level;
- and
- c. sequentially actuating inlet means so as to permit entry of sea water to additional tidal chambers during intervals subsequent to peak high tide, thereby generating air pressure out of phase with rising tide level;
- and
- d. actuating outlet means so as to permit evacuation of sea water from one or more tidal chambers, thereby generating vacuum pressure for communication to said power generation means;
- and
- e. sequentially actuating outlet means so as to permit evacuation of sea water from additional tidal chambers during intervals of falling tide, thereby generating vacuum pressure out of phase with falling tide level;
- and
- f. sequentially actuating outlet means of tidal chambers during intervals subsequently to peak low tide level, thereby generating vacuum pressure out of phase with falling tide level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.