Power generation system including multiple motors/generators
AssigneeBaseload Energy, Inc.
InventorAlbert J. Grenier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electric power-generating system configured to convert a source of energy to electricity by turning a rotor shaft with the source of energy includes a mounting plate coupled to the rotor shaft, a drive gear coupled to the rotor shaft and configured to move when the rotor shaft moves, and a plurality of motor/generator devices mounted to the mounting plate. Each motor/generator device includes an output shaft configured to rotatably couple with the drive gear. Each motor/generator device couples independently to the drive gear to provide a plurality of redundant power generating motor/generator devices.
Claims17
A fluid-powered electric generating system comprising:
- a frame configured to couple to a tether system;
- at least one power generation module mounted to the frame and configured to provide lift from a flowing fluid to maintain the electric generating system within the flowing fluid, the at least one power generation module comprising:
- an outer holding structure attached to the frame;
- an inner rotating structure, including a rotor shaft, disposed within and configured to rotate relative to the outer holding structure;
- a rotor having a plurality of blades attached to the rotor shaft and configured to be rotated by the flowing fluid to create a torque on the rotor shall which rotates the rotor shaft and the inner rotating structure relative to the holding structure;
- and
- a plurality of generators attached to the holding structure, each generator having a drive shaft engaged with the inner rotating structure so that the torque from the rotor is transmitted to the generator for production of an electrical power.
A method of generating electricity comprising:
- positioning a rotor having a plurality of blades attached to a shaft within a flowing fluid;
- rotating the rotor with the flowing fluid to create a torque on the shaft which rotates the shaft and creates a lift to maintain the rotor within the flowing fluid;
- rotating an inner rotating structure with the rotating shaft relative to an outer holding structure within which die inner rotating structure is disposed;
- transmitting torque from the rotating inner structure to a plurality of generators mounted to the outer holding structure via a drive shaft of each generator which engages the rotating inner structure to generate an electrical power.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.