Tethered propgen
AssigneeDavid Joseph Parker
InventorDavid Joseph Parker
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Abstract
A device is described for the conversion of energy from free flowing water into electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic power using a submersible system of turbine propellers mounted on horizontal shafts supported by chambers, each containing switchgear and/or generators and air or water ballast. The device is tethered to the seabed by a cable. Free of a rigid vertical support, the device can yaw so that water flow in any direction can be used for power generation, as in a tidal basin. In response to sensing the water velocity of the water channel, the device actively seeks a nominal water velocity, ascending or descending as necessary.
Claims10
An entirely submerged power generating device comprising:
- two counter-rotating, water current driven turbine propellers;
- a plurality of frame connected chambers supporting the turbine propellers, and housing the ballast, switchgear, generating, and power transmission equipment;
- said device being tethered underwater;
- means for setting a predetermined maximum water velocity and a predetermined minimum water velocity;
- means for sensing water velocity of the water channel in which said device is submerged, and;
- means operative in response to said means for sensing water velocity of the water channel in which said device is submerged, and;
- selectively invoking a protocol for adding or removing ballast to force the device to ascend or descend to seek the predetermined optimal velocity as follows:
- a. when water velocity is below nominal, the device will expel water ballast, climbing to a higher elevation in search of optimal water velocity, or;
- b. when water velocity exceeds nominal conditions, the device will take on water ballast, sinking to a lower elevation in search of optimal water velocity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.