Water turbine system and method of operation
AssigneeNorthern Power Systems, Inc.
InventorDaniel P. Costin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for providing electrical power from a current turbine is provided. The system includes a floatation device and a mooring. A water turbine structure is provided having an upper and lower portion wherein the lower portion includes a water fillable chamber. A plurality of cables are used to couple the system where a first cable couples the water turbine to the mooring and a second cable couples the floatation device to the first cable. The system is arranged to allow the turbine structure to be deployed and retrieved for service, repair, maintenance and redeployment.
Claims22
A flowing water turbine system designed for placement in an oncoming water current, the system comprising:
- a mooring;
- a floatation device coupled to said mooring;
- and
- a water turbine having a plurality of blades facing toward the oncoming water current, said water turbine including:
- a generator with a first end facing the oncoming water current and a second end opposite said first end,
- a first body portion including a stationary generator housing and a bearing mounted to said stationary generator housing, and wherein said first body portion has a first elongate axis and an at least partially hollow first interior, said first body portion coupleable to said mooring, said floatation device, and said first end, wherein said at least partially hollow first interior is sized and configured for accepting at least one of a plurality of fillable tanks;
- a second body portion disposed proximate said second end, said second body portion having a second elongate axis and an at least partially hollow second interior, wherein said at least partially hollow second interior is sized and configured for accepting at least one of said plurality of fillable tanks;
- and
- a third body portion disposed proximate said second end, said third body portion having a third elongate axis and an at least partially hollow third interior, wherein said at least partially hollow third interior is sized and configured for accepting at least one of said plurality of fillable tanks.
A flowing water turbine system designed for placement in a water current, the system comprising:
- a mooring:
- a floatation device coupled to said mooring;
- and
- a water turbine having a plurality of blades facing toward the oncoming water current, said water turbine including:
- a generator with a first end facing the oncoming water current and a second end opposite said first end;
- a first body portion having a first elongate axis and an at least partially hollow first interior, said first body portion coupleable with said mooring, said floatation device, and said first end, wherein said at least partially hollow first interior is sized and configured for accepting at least one of a plurality of fillable tanks;
- a second body portion disposed proximate said second end, said second body portion having a second elongate axis and an at least partially hollow second interior, wherein said at least partially hollow second interior is sized and configured for accepting at least one of said plurality of fillable tanks;
- and
- a third body portion disposed proximate said second end, said third body portion having a third elongate axis and an at least partially hollow third interior, wherein said at least partially hollow third interior is sized and configured for accepting at least one of said plurality of fillable tanks;
- and
- a means for selectively filling and ejecting water from each of said plurality of water fillable tanks.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.