Apparatus and method for energy extraction
OwnerMatthew Whitelawinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for extracting energy for a tidal stream in a body of the water are described. The apparatus comprises a body located in a tidal stream, a generator; and a line coupled to the generator such that relative movement between the line and the generator drives the generator. In one configuration, the body comprises a drag surface oriented substantially in the direction of the tidal stream and has at least one formation for promoting a drag force on the body. The drag force causes movement of the body with the tidal stream, which results in relative movement of the line and generator to drive the generator.
Claims29
Apparatus for extracting energy from a tidal stream in a body of water, the tidal stream having a direction, the apparatus comprising:
- a body located in the tidal stream, the body comprising first and second terminal ends joined by a middle portion, the middle portion comprising a drag surface oriented substantially parallel to, and extending in the direction of the tidal stream such that the drag surface is configured to harness a drag force to generate movement of the body in the direction of the tidal stream, the drag surface comprising at least one formation extending radially therefrom for promoting movement of the body in the direction of the tidal stream;
- a generator coupled to the body;
- and
- a line coupled to the body and to the generator such that relative movement between the line and the generator drives the generator, and wherein the movement of the body in the direction of the tidal stream causes the relative movement between the line and the generator to drive the generator.
A method of extracting energy from a tidal stream in a body of water, the tidal stream having a direction, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a generator and a line coupled to the generator such that relative movement between the line and the generator drives the generator;
- providing a body in the tidal stream, wherein the body is coupled to the line, the body comprising first and second terminal ends joined by a middle portion, the middle portion comprising a drag surface oriented substantially parallel to, and extending in the direction of the tidal stream such that the drag surface is configured to harness a drag force to generate movement of the body in the direction of the tidal stream, the drag surface comprising at least one formation extending radially therefrom for promoting movement of the body in the direction of the tidal stream, wherein the movement of the body in the direction of the tidal stream during a first tidal phase causes relative movement between the line and the generator to drive the generator;
- and
- allowing movement of the body in the direction of the tidal stream, such that the relative movement between the line and the generator drives the generator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.