Platform for generating electricity from flowing fluid using generally prolate turbine
AssigneeNatural Power Concepts, Inc.
InventorJohn Pitre
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims12
An electricity-generating platform having a buoyancy to at least partial submerge when placed in a stream of water, comprising:
- (A) a frame;
- (B) at least two fluid turbines coupled to the frame and configured rotate about an axis when placed in a stream of flowing water, wherein the buoyancy is such that the two turbines are at least partially submerged when the platform is placed in the stream of water, 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.
An electricity-generating platform having a buoyancy to at least partial submerge when placed in a stream of water, comprising:
- (A) a frame;
- (B) at least two fluid turbines coupled to the frame and configured rotate about an axis when placed in a stream of flowing water, wherein the buoyancy is such that the two turbines are at least partially submerged when the platform is placed in the stream of water, 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 each of the at least two fluid turbines has a casing and at least one helicoid working member fixedly attached to the casing, wherein the outer edges of the at least one helicoid define a generally prolate shape from at least a midpoint to a front of the turbine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.