Symmetric tidal station
OwnerFrancisco J. Gutierrez Atencioinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tidal station includes a plurality of turbine/generator sets removably insertable along the central axis of a caisson to provide a symmetrical installation. Fixedly disposed basin side and sea side diffusers include inlets alternately juxtaposed opposite ends of the turbine/generator sets as the sets are rotatably displaced 180 degrees between ebb and flood tides. Ballasting/deballasting structure contained in the caisson permits self-portability of the caisson to its site and subsequent positioning thereat.
Claims23
A tidal station including a caisson having a fluid flow conduit therethrough communicating with the basin and sea sides of said caisson, a hydromotive assembly within said conduit and disposed substantially symmetrically respective said caisson, said hydromotive assembly provided with a fluid flow conduit therethrough having opposite intake and outlet open ends, a turbine/generator set within said hydromotive assembly conduit, a first diffuser affixed to said caisson on one side thereof and having an inlet juxtaposed one said hydromotive assembly conduit open end, a second diffuser fixedly attached adjacent the opposite side of said caisson and having an inlet juxtaposed another one said hydromotive assembly conduit open end, said two diffuser inlets symmetrically disposed relatively said hydromotive assembly and means displacing said hydromotive assembly between selected positions alternatively positioning said hydromotive assembly conduit intake and outlet juxtaposed alternate ones of said first and second diffuser inlets to actuate said turbine/generator set during both ebb and flood tides.
A method of operating a tidal station having a caisson provided with a conduit therethrough communicating with the basin and sea sides of the caisson, comprising the steps of;
- providing a sea side diffuser affixed to said caisson with its inlet adjacent said conduit, placing a hydromotive assembly containing a turbine/generator set within said conduit from the basin side of said caisson, installing a basin side diffuser upon said caisson with its inlet adjacent said conduit, said hydromotive assembly provided with a conduit surrounding said turbine/generator and having opposite intake and outlet open ends, said hydromotive assembly and two diffuser inlets symmetrically disposed relative said caisson, motor means within said hydromotive assembly operable to rotate said hydromotive assembly about a central vertical axis, actuating said motor means to rotate said hydromotive assembly to juxtaposition said outlet and sea side diffuser inlet prior to ebb tide whereupon during ebb tide, said hydromotive assembly produces power as basin water enters said intake and exits said outlet into said sea side diffuser inlet, after reaching a low head condition actuating said motor means to rotate said hydromotive assembly 180 degrees to juxtaposition said outlet and basin side diffuser inlet whereupon during subsequent flood tide said hydromotive assembly produces power as sea water enters said intake and exits said outlet into said basin side diffuser inlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.