# US 6,293,835 B2 · System for providing wind propulsion of a marine vessel using a helical turbine assembly

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- Number: US 6,293,835 B2
- Document ID: US6293835B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 09/729,884
- Filed: 2000-12-05
- Published: 2001-05-17
- Granted: 2001-09-25
- Earliest claimed: 1994-01-11
- Assignees: Northeastern University
- Inventors: Alexander M. Gorlov
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6293835B2

## CPC

- F03B 3/00: Machines or engines of reaction type; Parts or details peculiar thereto
- F03B 17/061: {with rotation axis substantially in flow direction}
- F03D 3/02: having a plurality of rotors
- F03D 3/061: {characterised by their aerodynamic shape, e.g. aerofoil profiles}
- F03D 3/062: {characterised by their construction elements}
- F03D 9/32: on moving objects, e.g. vehicles
- F03D 13/20: Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
- F03D 9/257: {the wind motor being part of a wind farm}
- F05B 2210/16: Air or water being indistinctly used as working fluid, i.e. the machine can work equally with air or water without any modification
- F05B 2240/215: of the panemone or "vehicle ventilator" type
- F05B 2240/2212: perpendicular to wind direction
- F05B 2240/33: Shrouds which are part of or which are rotating with the rotor
- F05B 2240/40: Use of a multiplicity of similar components
- F05B 2250/25: helical
- Y02E 10/20: Hydro energy
- Y02E 10/30: Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient
- Y02E 10/728: Onshore wind turbines
- Y02E 10/74: Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction
- Y10S 416/06: Supports for natural fluid current motors
- 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)
- F03D: WIND MOTORS
- 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
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A helical turbine assembly capable of providing high speed unidirectional rotation under a multidirectional ultra low-head fluid flow is disclosed. The assembly comprises an array of helical turbine units or modules arranged, vertically or horizontally, to harness, for example, water or wind power. Each turbine unit or module comprises a plurality of helical blades having an airfoil profile. The modules for wind power may be mounted to rotatable shafts supported by lightweight structures anchored by guy wires to the ground. The helical turbine can also provide ship propulsion by utilizing the power of ocean waves. In a further embodiment, a cylindrical distributor is provided in the helical turbine to channel the fluid flow to the blades of the turbine, thereby increasing efficiency and power output. The helical turbine with distributor may be used to lift or lower a body either being submerged into a fast stream or dragged in the fluid. The turbine may also include two or more rings of helical blades to increase torque and power output.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for providing wind propulsion of a marine vessel, comprising:
a marine vessel having a propeller; and
a cylindrical helical turbine capable of unidirectional rotation under multidirectional fluid flow and mounted to a deck of said marine vessel and connected to a propeller, said helical turbine comprising:
a rotatable shaft mounted to said marine vessel to extend upwardly from the deck of said vessel;
at least one turbine blade support member fixedly mounted to said rotatable shaft for rotation therewith in a plane perpendicular to said shaft; and
a plurality of turbine blades having a fixed cylindrical helical configuration mounted to said turbine blade support member for rotation about an axis of said rotatable shaft, each blade having an airfoil shape having a leading edge and a trailing edge and an airfoil profile lying in a plane perpendicular to said shaft, each of said blades fixedly mounted to said blade support member to be radially spaced from said rotatable shaft for rotation in the plane perpendicular to said shaft in the direction of said leading edge; and
a transmission interconnecting said helical turbine to said propeller for providing rotation of said propeller.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein said helical turbine comprises a plurality of helical turbine modules.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein said helical turbine is supported by a structure anchored to said vessel by guy wires.