Platform for generating electricity from flowing fluid using generally prolate turbine
AssigneeNatural Power Concepts, Inc.
InventorJohn Pitre
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A platform-like device for generating electricity from moving fluids has two has at least two fluid turbines coupled to one another through a frame. The fluid turbines are adapted to rotate in opposite directions. The fluid turbines also provide buoyancy for the platform so that the platform is self supporting in the water. The fluid turbines preferably have helicoid flights (screw-like threads) mounted to generally prolate casings. The fluid turbines preferably connect to electric generators through belt, chain-drive, or other transmission systems. The platform may additional support a wind turbine.
Claims16
An electricity-generating platform having a buoyancy, comprising:
- (A) a frame;
- (B) at least two fluid turbines, each fluid turbine coupled to the frame and adapted to rotate about an axis when placed in a stream of flowing water, said fluid turbines collectively providing a substantial majority of the buoyancy for the platform, wherein
- (i) a first of the at least two fluid turbines is adapted to rotate in a first direction around its axis of rotation, and
- (ii) a second of the at least two fluid turbines is adapted to rotate in a second direction around its axis of rotation, said second direction being opposite the first direction;
- and
- (C) at least one electric generator coupled to at least one of the at least two fluid turbines and adapted to generate electricity in response to rotation of the at least one of the at least two fluid turbines;
- and
- wherein the at least two fluid turbines each has a generally prolate shape from at least a midpoint to a front.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.